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BAIC B40e Trailmaster rEV: Built for tomorrow’s adventures

It’s a capable SUV that combines old-school toughness with new age propulsion.

Jerome Tresvalles
BAIC B40e Trailmaster rEV Trailmaster

The BAIC B40 Pro Trailmaster is already a formidable 4x4 SUV in its current configuration, but what if you combined its rugged bones with an electrified powertrain? The result is the recently released BAIC B40e Trailmaster rEV, a range-extended electric SUV.

It might sound like sacrilege to diesel purists who swear by torquey oil burners, but the B40e Trailmaster rEV is a capable machine for all types of adventurers. Beyond that, it's also an SUV that's ready for the modern age. Don’t believe us? Here’s an overview of what the BAIC B40e Trailmaster rEV brings to the table. 

Related: BAIC unveils the all-new B40e rEV Trailmaster in the Philippine market
BAIC B40e Trailmaster rEV 1
BAIC B40e Trailmaster rEV 3
BAIC B40e Trailmaster rEV 2

The B40e Trailmaster rEV doesn't try to hide what it is. It's a boxy, body-on-frame SUV that wears its off-road intentions openly. The LED projector headlamps with automatic on/off function sit behind a face that's more utilitarian than pretty, and that's exactly the point. Fender flare lights, a high-mount brake lamp, and LED tail lamps round out the exterior lighting suite. The outside door handles come in a body color and black two-tone finish, and the frameless door windows give it a cleaner profile than you'd expect from something this angular. 

BAIC B40e Trailmaster rEV Tailgate

It rolls on 20-inch alloys wrapped in 275/55 R20 rubber, which strikes a reasonable balance between road manners and trail readiness. The tailgate is a manual split tail gate with a side-hinged upper and a lift-up rear windshield, a practical touch that off-roaders will appreciate.

Under all that rugged bodywork is where things get interesting. The B40e Trailmaster rEV uses a range-extended electric setup, pairing a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder acting as a generator with front and rear permanent magnet synchronous motors. Combined output sits at 201 hp up front and 335 hp at the rear, with a maximum torque figure of 240 Nm from each motor, totaling 415 Nm. The battery is a 40kWh Ternary Lithium unit, and BAIC claims a total range of over 1,000 km when combining the pure electric range of 110 km with the generator running. On pure electric alone, that 110km figure is enough for daily urban driving without ever touching the fuel pump. Fast charging is supported at up to 40kW, and the vehicle also gets vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality along with a 3.5kW portable charger. The transmission is an intelligent range extension system, and drive modes include Comfort, Off-road, Ice and Snow, Deep Snow, Off-road Sand, Mud, Rock, Wading, Sport, and Economy.

BAIC B40e Trailmaster rEV Cabin
BAIC B40e Trailmaster rEV Cargo Bay
BAIC B40e Trailmaster rEV Seats

The B40e Trailmaster rEV makes a reasonable case for itself as a daily driver once you step inside. The seats are leather-trimmed throughout, with the driver's seat getting eight-way power adjustment and the front passenger getting six-way power with a leg rest. The middle row reclines 80/40 split with a center armrest and cupholders, which is a nice touch for longer hauls. There's a massage function for the front seat and heating for both the front and second row. A panoramic sunroof lets light into the cabin, and multi-color ambient lighting adds a layer of atmosphere. The gear shifter is electronic, and the interior trim is finished in leather. The air conditioning is dual-zone automatic with an in-car air intelligence purification system, rear vents, and second-row individual AC vents.

Instrument Cluster

It may be all rough and rugged on the outside, but the BAIC B40e Trailmaster rEV comes with all the bells and whistles. The feature set starts with a 12.8-inch center control display paired with a 12.3-inch passenger zone entertainment screen. The instrument cluster is a 10.25-inch LCD with a dynamic off-road information display, which will come in handy when the terrain gets rough. Audio duties are handled by a 12-speaker Infinity system with DSP. Connectivity covers USB, Bluetooth, and mirroring. On the driver assistance side, the list is long: adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, front and rear collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, lane change assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, driver attention monitor, and door opening warning. The camera system covers 360 degrees plus a 180-degree transparent chassis view, which is particularly useful when crawling over obstacles or just traversing tight parking spots.

For a vehicle that looks like it belongs on a trail, the B40e Trailmaster rEV is surprisingly livable. It seats five people in total, with a wheelbase of 2,760 mm giving the cabin enough room to breathe. Ground clearance stands at 210 mm, which is adequate for light trail use without making parking lot speed bumps a drama. The fuel tank holds 82 liters, and with the extended range system, range anxiety is essentially off the table. Storage options are solid, with a center console compartment, front and rear bottle and cup holders, a glove box, and a tonneau cover. The trunk also gets a dome light, cargo light, and a rollcage. A 220 V charging pot in the center console adds genuine utility for camping or job site use, and the V2L function means you can power external devices straight from the battery.

BAIC B40e Trailmaster rEV

This is where the B40e Trailmaster rEV makes its clearest argument. The approach angle is 36 degrees, the departure angle is 31 degrees, and the ramp angle sits at 23 degrees. Wading depth is rated at 750 mm, which puts it ahead of many rivals in this price bracket. The suspension uses a double wishbone setup up front and a five-link solid bar at the rear, with ventilated disc brakes on both axles. The 4WD system features an energy mode selector and priority settings including Fuel Priority, EV Priority, and Auto. Differential locks are available front and rear, and crawl control is standard. Off-road turn assist is also on the list, which helps tighten the turning radius when maneuvering through tight trails. The skid plate protects both the front and rear underside, and there are two tow hooks at the front and two at the rear.

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