- BAIC will begin local operations this February, with test drives and orders opening February 27.
- The launch range includes the X55 petrol SUV and B30 SUV with petrol and hybrid options.
- Hybrid B30 variants offer up to 301kW/685Nm, plus available all-wheel drive.
China’s BAIC is set to enter the New Zealand market at the end of February, with Armstrong’s confirmed as the brand’s distributor and two SUVs locked in for the opening salvo.
Test drives and orders open from February 27, ahead of pricing and full line-up details due “at the end of February”.
Two SUVs to start
The initial range will comprise the X55 Premium mid-size SUV and the B30 medium SUV.
The B30 comes in three variants: Elite Adventure, Premium Adventure HEV, and Premium Adventure HEV All-Wheel Drive.
Both models are pitched as feature-rich family SUVs with some off-road leanings, and BAIC is leaning hard into its global scale, describing itself as established in “more than 90 countries” with “more than 68 years of product evolution”.
X55: turbo petrol, tech-heavy cabin
Powering the X55 is a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine producing 138kW of power and 305Nm of torque.
Inside, BAIC lists a 10.1-inch central control screen, a 10.25-inch LCD instrument screen, wireless phone connection and a black interior. Exterior paint options total six, including premium two-tone finishes, with LED headlights, DRLs and tail-lights also confirmed.
B30 hybrid option and adventure extras
The B30 shares the same 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, but adds a Hybrid EV powertrain option in both 2WD and AWD. In hybrid form, BAIC claims a combined 301kW and 685Nm. It also brings four drive modes, Hill Descent Control and Hill Hold Control, plus 215mm of ground clearance.
Cabin and practicality highlights include fold-flat seats, “almost 1500-litres of boot space (when seats folded down)”, heated and ventilated front seats, and larger 10.25-inch and 14.6-inch display screens.
On safety, BAIC says both models have six airbags and a suite of driver assists such as blind spot detection, cruise assist, lane support (Lane Departure Warning on X55; Lane Keep Assist on B30), autonomous emergency braking and forward collision warning, contributing to a five-star VSRR score.
As for pricing, DRIVEN Car Guide understands BAIC has not disclosed those items yet, with details expected at the end of February.