Two executives of UAAGI sound off on the BAIC B30e Dune
By Kap Maceda Aguila
THERE’S GOOD reason the BAIC B30e Dune was unveiled in a highly visible, public manner. It’s expected to be BAIC Philippines’ volume seller — the entry point to its stable of SUVs positioned as capable off-roaders. The BAIC B30e Dune is priced at P1.588 million for the 4×2 variant and P1.888 million for the 4×4.
After the public reveal of the BAIC B30e Dune at the Main Atrium of SM Mall of Asia, members of the press, including this writer, spoke to two United Automotive Asia Group, Inc. (UAAGI) executives about the vehicle. Here are excerpts.
What do we need to know about the BAIC B30e Dune?
LYN BUENA: Well I think, first and foremost, this is a vehicle that exudes two things, beauty and ruggedness. In addition, it is also very, very capable. It’s something that you could take onto rough terrain, and it’s something that you could sport around the city. And to top all that, it has a hybrid engine, so there’s a lot of fuel efficiency.
CHRIS YU: It is a hybrid off-road SUV, which is very distinct for our market. It’s powered by a dual electric motor powertrain and supported by a gasoline generator — one of the few cars with both a front axle electric motor and a rear axle motor. The front motor has 130kW and the rear axle has 55kW. It’s also supported by a gasoline generator. And when you are in full acceleration mode, all three motors, both electric motors and the gasoline engine, work together to propel the car forward with 403hp and 685Nm of torque which is, I think, is class-leading for this particular segment. So we’re very happy about that.
LYN BUENA: Customers who will buy the BAIC B30e Dune, as with our other vehicles, will get a five-year bumper-to-bumper warranty, and they also have access to 24/7 roadside assistance and a 24/7 hotline.
This will be competing in a segment with many established players. What do you think are the standout qualities in the BAIC B30e that will allow it to carve out its niche?
LYN BUENA: Well, I think this car is going to be a game-changer for that segment. As you said, it’s very competitive, but we feel that we have something that exudes both power and capability. Of course, aside from the hybrid engine which will make coding-exempt, it has good looks as well. We feel it has an edge in the market because it’s also competitively priced and it’s chock full of features. It also has a lot of cargo space.
We’re familiar with the traditional hybrids where the internal combustion engine is the default mover, which then is supplemented by an electric motor. In the case of the Nissan Kicks e-Power, it’s the other way around. What’s the case in the BAIC B30e Dune?
CHRIS YU: The BAIC B30e Dune actually combines the best of all worlds — all hybrid worlds. It’s able to run on pure EV mode at both city speeds and highway speeds, whereas other cars limit the EV mode to only city speeds. The B30e can go up to 90kph in pure EV mode with the engine not running; it will only turn on when charging the battery. It will also turn on when you go at cruising speed more than 90kph, over long periods of time. At that speed, the gasoline engine is actually more efficient than the electric motors.
(In effect), it combines the traditional hybrid powertrain, where the electric motors support the engine… and more modern technology, where the electric motors are the primary propulsion, and then the engines there to support electric motors. In Launch Mode, which is where you step on the brake and gas pedals together, and you let go of the brake, it uses all three power systems to push the car forward.
What’s the difference between the 4×2 and 4×4 variants?
CHRIS YU: The have a very similar setup as the same gasoline generator. The only difference is that the 4×2 only has one electric motor which is in the front axle, while the 4×4 has two electric motors, one in the front and one in the rear… It’s all-wheel drive so it shifts power, depending on the need.
Do you see a lot of demand for hybrids?
LYN BUENA: Yes, there is a growing demand for something that will be capable — something that will also deliver fuel efficiency.
