Beijing Auto International Corporation or BAIC has officially launched the D20, a 5-door hatchback with styling said to be derived from the original Mercedes-Benz B-Class. To be locally-assembled either in Gurun or Pekan, it is a joint venture between BAIC (pronounced as baik) and local partner Amber Dual.
BAIC D20
Engine: 1.3-litre or 1.5-litre A151 4-cylinder petrol engine (Euro 5)
Power: 1.3-litre: 101hp; 1.5-litre: 114hp
Torque: 1.3-litre: 128Nm; 1.5-litre: 148Nm
Zerotohundred: n/a
Transmissions: 1.3-litre: 5MT; 1.5-litre: 5MT and 4AT
Dimensions: 4,040mm (L), 1,720mm (W), 1,503mm (H)
Weight from: 1,091kg
Price: To be announced
Said to be based on the first-gen Smart ForFour, the D20 is available in two trims, namely Comfort (1.3-litre) and Fashion (1.3-litre and 1.5-litre). While the 1.3-litre is equipped with 14-inch steel wheels with covers, the 1.5-litre receives alloy wheels as standard.
The hatchback also gets electrically-adjustable, heatable and foldable side mirros, and the models with 1.5-litre engine comes with anti-UV windscreen. However, sunroof is limited to Fashion models.
7 colours are available for the D20 – Silver, White, Gold, Red, Blue, Orange and Black.
Interior
The D20 feature less buttons for a minimalistic design and IKEA-like design for its meter cluster. All models get fabric seats, digital air-cond controls and a ‘golf club-like’ gear lever.
Interior trim on the 1.3-litre is in ‘spray’ pattern while the 1.5-litre gets chrome trim. The 1.5-litre models receive height-adjustable driver’s seat and split-folding rear seats. The 1.5-litre Fashion is further equipped with sun visor mirrors, auto headlights and wipers.
All models are equipped with single disc CD, USB, radio and auxiliary unit with double-DIN and remote key control. Speakers are 4 on the 1.3-litre and 6 on the 1.5-litre models, and Fashion models receive 3-spoke multifunctional steering.
Engine
Under the hood, there’s A151 4-cylinder petrol engine, with 1.3-litre churning out 101hp and 128Nm of torque and 1.5-litre with 114hp and a hefty 148Nm of torque. The former can only be coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission while the 1.5-litre has a 4-speed automatic option.
Safety
Dual airbags, ABS with EBD and ISOFIX child seat anchors are standard across the variants, and Fashion models are bumped with passenger-side seatbelt reminder.
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