BAIC F40

Model Overview

The BAIC F40 is the first pick-up truck launched by Beijing Off-Road, officially positioned as a "professional short-wheelbase off-road pick-up" to highlight its distinctive character of being "compact, capable, and built for pure recreation". Essentially, the vehicle is a pick-up conversion of the BJ40 with the rear passenger seats and boot removed to accommodate a cargo bed, heavily inheriting its overall architecture and design philosophy from the BJ40. The F40 made its official debut on 16 September 2019 in a single "Magic Cube Edition" trim, carrying an official guide price of RM149,800. As Beijing Off-Road’s maiden foray into the pick-up segment, the F40 eschewed the practical approach of conventional four-door SUVs in favour of a two-door, single-cab layout, catering primarily to niche buyers craving bespoke styling and hard-core off-road thrills. As such, motoring enthusiasts widely regarded it as an overgrown lifestyle toy rather than a true workhorse. On 15 September 2020, Beijing Off-Road rolled out the next-generation F40, boasting major upgrades across its powertrain, in-cabin tech, and all-terrain capabilities, with the price adjusted to RM169,900. However, burdened by severely limited interior practicality, a relatively high price point, and its niche market appeal, the F40 struggled to sustain commercial momentum and has since been discontinued.

Design Language

Visually, the BAIC F40 carries forward the marque's signature rugged, go-anywhere family styling. Up front, it sports the brand's unmistakable chrome-plated five-slot grille flanked by boxy headlamp clusters, underpinned by a heavy-duty front bumper complete with red recovery tow hooks for an aggressive stance. Its side profile is arguably the vehicle's most defining trait—featuring a stubby two-door profile paired with the BJ40-derived integrated roll cage, forming a rare open-back silhouette in the pick-up segment that blends rugged off-road presence, street appeal, and roll-over protection. At the rear, hard-core styling cues from the BJ40 remain intact, highlighted by a tailgate-mounted full-size spare tyre and a robust roll bar mounted over the cargo bed to accentuate its rugged credentials. Built upon the short-wheelbase BJ40, the 2019 model measures 4,350 × 1,843 × 1,834 mm with a 2,450 mm wheelbase; the 2020 revision gained wide-body cladding, stretching width and height to 1,925 mm and 1,865 mm respectively, alongside a slightly lengthened 2,465 mm wheelbase for a more muscular stance. Cargo bed dimensions remain unchanged at 1,050 × 1,050 × 480 mm across both model years, supporting modular "Magic Cube" bed covers such as high canopies, flat covers, and soft tonneau covers for varied outdoor lifestyle setups. Inside, the 2019 version retained the older BJ40’s utilitarian cabin with an all-black trim and circular air conditioning vents, remaining functional and straightforward; conversely, the 2020 generation elevated the cabin ambiance with extensive soft-touch upholstery, configurable ambient lighting, a 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster, and a 10-inch floating infotainment touchscreen, markedly improving both tech flair and perceived quality. The vehicle was offered in six exterior paint shades: Polar Night Black, Snow White, Flame Red, Jungle Green, Quiet Night Blue, and Deep Sea Blue to cater to diverse aesthetic tastes.

Powertrain and Performance

The F40’s powertrain evolved across two distinct phases. The original 2019 model was powered by a SAAB-derived 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine delivering between 170 kW and 184 kW (approximately 231 PS to 250 PS) and 345 Nm to 350 Nm of peak torque, mated to an Aisin 6-speed automatic transmission requiring RON 95 petrol. The revised 2020 model switched to a newer, more efficient HYCET 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit producing 165 kW (224 PS) and 380 Nm of torque, with the fuel requirement lowered to RON 92 for enhanced running economy. Power is channelled through a ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox, delivering seamless gear changes and linear power delivery, enabling a 0-100 km/h sprint in just 9 seconds with punchy low-end response and ample reserve power at higher speeds. Fitted with a decently sized fuel tank, fuel consumption under NEDC or WLTC test cycles is rated between 9.4 L/100 km and 12.0 L/100 km, with no turbodiesel variants offered throughout its lifecycle.

Chassis and Handling

Underneath, the BAIC F40 adopts a traditional body-on-frame architecture with a separate ladder chassis, ensuring exceptional torsional rigidity and durability over demanding off-road terrain. The suspension setup comprises a front double-wishbone independent suspension and a rear five-link coil-sprung live axle, striking a balance between wheel articulation and payload resilience. Ground clearance was further raised on the 2020 iteration to bolster off-road obstacle clearance. Drivetrain duties are handled by a part-time 4WD system offering three modes: 2H (high-range rear-wheel drive), 4H (high-range 4WD with 50:50 front-rear split), and 4L (low-range 4WD); the low-range transfer case multiplies engine torque by over 2.5 times for tackling extreme recovery scenarios. Steering is managed via a hydraulic power-assisted system, tuned with a heftier weighting befitting a traditional 4x4. Capitalising on its short wheelbase, the 2020 F40 boasts a tight turning diameter of just 10.5 metres, making city driving and U-turns on narrow roads remarkably agile. Off-road metrics include an approach angle of 37°, departure angle of 31°, and breakover angle of 24°, alongside a ground clearance ranging between 210 mm and 220 mm, a maximum wading depth of 600 mm, a trench-crossing capability of 550 mm, and a maximum gradeability of 60%. It rides on 265/65 R17 all-terrain tyres wrapped around two-tone 17-inch alloy wheels, complete with an externally mounted full-size spare tyre. Braking is handled by front ventilated discs and solid rear discs, complemented by an electronic parking brake (EPB), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), and Hill Descent Control (HDC). Notably, the F40 lacks front or rear mechanical differential locks across all variants, relying primarily on its electronic part-time 4WD system and short wheelbase dimensions for traction, which leaves its rock-crawling and cross-axle capabilities somewhat modest in severe axle-articulation scenarios.

Cabin and Features

Interior appointments and creature comforts differ distinctly between the two model years. The 2019 model is largely utilitarian, fitted with basics such as a leather multifunction steering wheel, power-adjustable fabric seats, rear parking sensors, and a reverse camera, prioritising functional off-road durability. The 2020 iteration received a major overhaul, featuring a 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster and a 10-inch floating central touchscreen with onboard 4G Wi-Fi, online music streaming, and voice control, substantially improving day-to-day usability and tech appeal. Comfort amenities include keyless entry with push-start ignition, automatic climate control, and cruise control across the range, with the higher-spec model adding a power-adjustable driver's seat. Seating layout is strictly a two-door, two-seater single-cab format, resulting in a snug passenger compartment; the rear cargo bed offers approximately 529 litres of capacity, suitable for moderate outdoor gear or weekend luggage.

Safety and Driver Assistance

In terms of passive safety, the BAIC F40 comes standard with dual front airbags for the driver and front passenger across all variants, with higher-spec models adding Roll Movement Intervention (RMI) and dynamic roll-over stability control. Structural safety is reinforced by the integrated roll cage derived from the BJ40, providing vital cabin survival space in the event of a rollover incident. ISOFIX child seat anchor points are notably absent across the range. Active safety is reasonably well-appointed, featuring standard electronic driver aids across all variants including Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), and Hill Descent Control (HDC), ensuring solid baseline stability over varied terrain. A Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) comes standard, while rear parking sensors and a reverse camera make tight-space parking more manageable. Telematics support select remote vehicle functions, though the vehicle does not feature Level 2 or higher Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Market Performance and Reception

As Beijing Off-Road's opening foray into the pick-up segment, the BAIC F40 achieved modest commercial success. Production ceased around 2022, and the model is now officially discontinued, with negligible data remaining in domestic sales records. Automotive critics largely viewed it as a niche lifestyle toy, with its two-seater single-cab configuration severely compromising everyday usability as a family cruiser or commercial workhorse. In export markets, the nameplate persists under the BAIC F40 badge in regions such as the Middle East (including the UAE and Bahrain), where the 2025 BAIC F40 commands an average market price of around RM116,000, though its presence remains similarly low-volume. On the whole, the BAIC F40 served as an exploratory attempt by Beijing Off-Road in the lifestyle pick-up arena. Its primary appeal rested on utilising the proven underpinnings of the BJ40 to deliver a rare short-wheelbase, two-door 4x4 pick-up for off-road enthusiasts. While its market impact remained modest, the spirit of pure playfulness it stood for remains an eccentric chapter in BAIC's off-road family lineup.