BAIC (Beijing Auto Industry Corporation) are going to upset their regional rivals by launching the C70 sedan. Beijing will want the world’s eyes on the C70 sedan ahead of a mega launch of other Saab based vehicles at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show by April 2012. According to CCT, on asking why the Saab based cars were taking so long? a BAIC executive, who doesn’t want to be named, replied “We’re the Beijing brand, we’re the capital of China’s auto industry, we want to make sure the Beijing brand is well represented, we want to be big!” If that was his mandate when managing the BAIC C70 project, it seems that he’s hit the nail on the head.
The C70 will be carrying a modified version of the turbo unit that first entered the Saab 9-3 and has been tuned to produce 206bhp. The engine, designated B205/235, is based on Saab turbocharged technology. Former GM director of engine technology and now consultant for BAIC, Donald Grey stated that BAIC's engine technology was state-of-the-art by international standards. The new engine reportedly boasts exceptionally strong low-to mid-speed torque, producing 300 Nm at 1,800 revolutions per minute and 153kW at 5,500 revolutions. This sort of performance is far above that of domestic manufacturers and even some foreign joint ventures.
BAIC currently possesses technology for 2.0 L and 2.3 L turbocharged engines, and is currently in the process of developing smaller sized engines. The manufacturer is also working on building world-class manual and CVT transmission systems. According to its strategy, BAIC will be able to manufacture 400,000 engines and 600,000 transmission systems annually by 2015.
C70 is based on Saab 9-5 platform, the rights of which were bought by BAIC in 2009 from then-owner General Motors. C70 will be available in manual and CVT gear options.
