To be honest, with sales of less than 10,000 vehicles per month, FAW Besturn is not a very existential brand. But through the B70S, we can still see the continuous efforts and progress of this brand.
As it happens, not long ago I test-drove the Besturn's main model, the B70, a spacious mid-level sedan with a hatchback structure. However, to say that its driving experience, I am afraid that there is no highlight worth boasting in the same level of models of independent brands.
With that impression on me, I sat in the driver's seat of the Pentium B70S again. FAW Besturn unveiled the "coupe SUV" for the first time at the Guangzhou Auto Show last November. Although it is very different from the official positioning of the B70, from the name analysis, the two cars should still have a great connection.
FAW Besturn B70S 2.0T
Body: Compact SUV, length 4555mm, width 1850mm, height 1515mm, wheelbase 2750mm, fuel tank volume 50L, curb weight 1535kg
Engine: in-line four-cylinder, displacement 1989mL, turbocharged, direct injection, maximum power 165kW (224PS) / 5500rpm, maximum torque 340N·m/ 1650 ~ 4500rpm, fuel label 95#, emission standard country VI
Drivetrain: 6-speed automatic transmission, front-mounted front drive
Chassis: Front McPherson rear multi-link independent suspension, electric power steering, front ventilated disc rear disc brakes, tire size 245/45 R19
Driving performance: 0-100km/h acceleration--s, combined fuel consumption (NEDC) 7.2L/100km
Pre-price: 127,900 yuan ~ 143,900 yuan
If you take a quick glance at the front of the car, the B70S is indeed more similar to the B70, they all use the so-called "war" type headlights, the shape is very flamboyant and powerful. If you look closely, you will find that the head design of the B70S has obviously evolved, and the slender mid-mesh and the "A" shaped grille of the downwind air below form a sharp and layered image. When we look back, the B70S's uniqueness becomes clearer, and its crossover style comes to mind.
Anecdotal rumors suggest that the Besturn was born out of the Mazda CX-4. But the Pentium staff categorically denied that claim. In fact, the streamlined roof, the wide bodywork, and the slightly upturned tail remind me of the extreme Krypton 001.
Of course, there is less likely to be any connection between them, only in terms of design styles. Compared with the B70, the B70S has a wheelbase of 50 mm, the length of the car is shortened by 255 mm, and the width is increased by 10 mm, which is a big difference in sports temperament.
So does this car drive as sporty as it looks? Like the B70, the B70S has a 1.5T+7-speed dual-clutch with 169 hp and a 2.0T+6AT powertrain with 224 hp, and we are test-driving the 2.0T version this time.
This FAW self-developed 4GC series engine runs smoothly and has a lot of power. And its partner is Aisin 6-speed automatic transmission, according to today's standards, 6 gears can not be much, and the gear shift time of this gearbox is relatively long, the lift gear is a bit unhurried and not slow, fortunately, the overall shift smoothness is still relatively good, and there is no obvious drag and break.
In fact, the powerful output of the engine is used to drive the body weighing no more than 1.5 tons, which is quite a big horse-drawn car, reducing the requirements for the gearbox. To my surprise, the fuel economy of this brave and slightly underwhelming powertrain is quite good – after including long congested journeys, the average fuel consumption shown by the driving computer is only about 8 liters.
Changes in body geometry have had a significant impact, with the B70S being more stable when cornering than the B70, and the suspension supporting the body well, keeping the wheels grip and providing a clearer sense of the road. However, it is difficult to get enough feedback from the steering system, and the steering wheel size of the B70S is large, and the steering is more indirect, which is basically consistent with the B70.
Although the steering system is not very pleasant, the chassis tuning of the B70S should be said to have made a lot of progress, while improving stability, shock absorption comfort has also been balanced. In fact, the experience of riding this car is also good, especially the rear passengers are unexpectedly able to enjoy quite a lot of space, but when driving at high speeds, the noise from the rear is more obvious.
The B70S still continues the cab layout of the B70, with a 12.3-inch dual screen with a certain arc and a tendency to surround the driver. Pentium D-Life 5.2 AI intelligent ecosystem and smart home services are on standby at any time, in addition to traditional navigation, in-car entertainment functions, but also has 28 types of intelligent services such as voice command recognition and timbre reproduction. In addition, the laser engraving process of the interior panels and the use of fur in many parts such as the seat and the door panels greatly improve the texture of the cab.
The Pentium B70S is scheduled to be officially launched on March 18, and currently includes two power models, with a pre-price of 110,900 yuan to 143,900 yuan. Can it rely on its unique design and obviously improved driving performance to make its own piece of the sky, and help the Pentium brand not be left behind? This deserves our continued attention.
The author of this article is Kick Car Gang Alai