China’s D20 roars into SA
ROLLING OUT ITS MODEL RANGE Manufacturing facility in Coega will start producing in early 2018.
The latest addition to the growing ranks of motor vehicle manufacturers and distributors represented in South Africa is launching its first product range into the local market. The company is the Beijing Automotive Group Co., Ltd., (BAIC) from China and the product is the D20, which comes in both hatchback and sedan derivatives.
BAIC, together with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), is investing up to R11 billion in SA, including a full-scale vehicle manufacturing plant, the first on the African continent. The plant is situated in the Coega Industrial Development Zone in Port Elizabeth.
The construction of the first stage of the manufacturing facility is under way and the production is scheduled to start in early 2018.
However, BAIC is not waiting for the local assembly in SA to start selling cars and is now beginning to roll out its model range, starting with the D20 small car made in China.
It is a competitively-priced entrant in the lower end of the local passenger car market, but its quality and standard equipment levels are considered a cut above many of its competitors.
The D20 hatchback and sedan are the first car models from BAIC to be launched in SA. These are built-up units imported from state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in China. The basic platform is derived from the one developed by Mercedes-Benz for its Smart ForFour small car.
Under joint-venture cooperation with international companies, such as Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai and Suzuki, BAIC develops and manufactures vehicles catering to China and international markets so they have access to the best and latest manufacturing technologies and techniques.
The two D20 body styles, hatchback and sedan, are in the category of small cars with a length of approximately four metres, with the sedan 282mm longer in overall length.
Both models offer comfortable seating for five occupants with plenty of space for luggage. Overall styling of the hatchback is reminiscent of the first-generation Mercedes-Benz B-Class model.
The sports-style front bucket seats and bench rear seat are fabric-trimmed. The rear seat of the hatch is split 60:40 and the backrest can be folded forward to provide 1 190 litres of load space, while the sedan’s luggage boot capacity is 450 litres.
There are two circular instruments in front of the driver, with read-outs for time, instantaneous fuel consumption, trip meter and odometer between these dials. The Fashion models also have a 6.5-inch touchscreen with a GPS navigation system and an audio system with six speakers.
Power for the D20 comes from two new, four-cylinder petrol engines, one of 1 322cm3 capacity and other having a displacement of 1 499cm3. They produce 75kW and 85kW of power at 6 000rpm respectively, while torque of 128Nm and 148Nm is available between 3 800 to 4 800rpm.
Power goes to the front wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed automatic transmission, with the latter having three mode settings: Eco for saving fuel, Snow for a smooth pulloff on loose surfaces and Sport for a delayed shift when driving enthusiastically.
Suspension is by means of MacPherson struts in front and a torsion beam at the rear. Disc brakes are fitted to all four wheels with ABS (anti-skid braking) and EBD (electronic brake distribution) using a Bosch system. Reversing radar with audible and visible warnings is standard on all models. Steering has variable electric power assistance while the steering column is adjustable to suit the driver.
The Fashion models have a key which opens and locks the doors remotely and is also an immobiliser. Other features exclusive to Fashion models include climate control air-conditioning, an electric sunroof, day-time running lights, external rear view mirrors which fold automatically when the engine is switched off and which have a heating function too.
The BAIC D20 is covered by a five-year/120 000km warranty. Service intervals are 10 000km and optional service and maintenance plans are available through the dealers.