MIAS 2025 | The BAIC B40 Trail Master is ready for your off-road adventures
When the BAIC brand was relaunched in the Philippines under United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. (UAAGI), it was at last year’s Manila International Auto Show (MIAS). One of their initial models was the B40 Ragnar off-roader.
For this year’s MIAS, BAIC Philippines brings in the all-new second generation B40 as the B40 Trail Master. Initially unveiled in China in 2023, the new generation gives the off-road SUV a huge boost with a more modern appearance, plenty of new tech and safety features, and more convenience features.
For starters, the B40 grows in size; it now measures 4,790mm long (+160mm), 1,940mm wide (+20mm), and 1,915mm tall (+44mm). It also comes with a 220mm ground clearance and 800mm water wading depth. BAIC is also proud of its 37° approach angle, 31° departure angle, and 23° ramp angle.
On looks, the B40 Trail Master strays away from the previous generation’s military jeep looks, taking on a softer and more streamlined appearance, while wearing the latest in BAIC’s design language as seen on the B30e Dune and B60e Beaumont rEV. It even comes with frameless doors.
The front fascia gets the brand’s signature Five-Port Light Ring around the front grille and a muscular bumper. The side is simple with some bulky overfenders and 17-inch alloy wheels, and the rear gets F-shaped taillights and a tailgate-mounted spare tire for that rugged appeal.
Inside, it’s heavily modernized as well and mixed with some boxy and rugged design cues. It gets what BAIC calls a Five-Screen Design for various functions.
That’s a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.8-inch central touchscreen, a 12.8-inch passenger zone entertainment screen, a digital rear-view mirror, and even a dedicated screen for the vehicle’s ignition switch.
It’s also fully-loaded with features such as a 10-speaker audio system, leather upholstery, 10-way power adjust front seats with heating and ventilation, heated and power-adjustable steering wheel, automatic climate control, panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charger, and ambient lighting.
Under the hood is the same engine as before. Powering the all-new BAIC B40 Trail Master is still a 2.0-liter AUCAN four-cylinder turbodiesel engine that produces 163 horsepower and 390 Nm of torque, mated to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission.
Whether on or off-road, owners will surely appreciate the 11 All-Terrain System Drive Modes which are Comfort, i-Off-Road, Ice and Snow, Deep Snow, Off-Road, Sand, Mud, Rock, Wading, Sport, and Eco. It also comes with front and rear locking differentials, crawl control, and off-road turn assist for tighter spaces.
Safety has also been vastly upgraded with the B40 Trail Master coming with the BAIC Big Assist+ ADAS suite as standard. This equips it with adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, intelligent high beam control, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane change assist, emergency lane keep assist, lane keep assist, forward and rear collision warning, front and rear emergency braking, rear cross traffic warning, door opening warning, and Smart Dodge.
With so much on offer, the BAIC B40 Trail Master goes for Php 2,748,000. Buyers will also be able to take advantage of a five-year or 150,000km warranty, whichever comes first.
What do you think of the all-new BAIC B40 Trail Master?
Photos by Sam Surla
