FAW Besturn X40

Besturn X40: Which Version to Buy and Why

The Besturn X40 range has four front-wheel-drive versions within a single generation: the Gasoline 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT, both rated at 108 hp, and the electric AT EV400 and AT EV460, both rated at 191 hp and 320 Nm. The central buying decision is therefore between the lighter 1,500 kg Gasoline versions and the more powerful 1,580 kg electric versions.

The Besturn X40 range has four front-wheel-drive versions within a single generation: the Gasoline 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT, both rated at 108 hp, and the electric AT EV400 and AT EV460, both rated at 191 hp and 320 Nm. The central buying decision is therefore between the lighter 1,500 kg Gasoline versions and the more powerful 1,580 kg electric versions. Within each powertrain pair, the recorded specifications are largely identical: 1.6 MT versus 1.6 AT mainly changes the gearbox, while the supplied figures do not establish a mechanical or performance difference between AT EV400 and AT EV460.

Besturn X40 generations and versions

The Besturn X40 has 1 generation, introduced in November 2016 as an SUV 5-doors. This generation contains four versions. The 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT began in November 2016, while AT EV400 and AT EV460 were added in January 2019. No production end is recorded for the generation or any of its versions.

There is no second generation to compare with the first. The significant change within the existing generation is the addition of electric versions: output rises from 108 hp in either Gasoline model to 191 hp in either electric model, a difference of 83 hp. The electric versions also provide a recorded 320 Nm, whereas torque is not measured for the Gasoline versions.

Besturn X40 engine and specs comparison

Both Gasoline versions use a 1598 cc, 4-cylinder Inline engine with 4 valves per cylinder, No boost and Distributed injection (multi-point). Their specific output is approximately 67.6 hp per litre. Since 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT have the same engine output and kerb weight, the choice between them rests on transmission preference: a 5-speed Manual for 1.6 MT, or a 6-speed Automatic for 1.6 AT.

The electric AT EV400 and AT EV460 each produce 191 hp and 320 Nm through an Automatic, 1-speed transmission. Compared with either 108 hp Gasoline version, each electric version has approximately 76.9% more power. The electric models are 80 kg heavier, an increase of approximately 5.3%, so the rise in output is proportionally much greater than the rise in kerb weight.

Weight per horsepower further separates the powertrains. The 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT each carry approximately 13.9 kg per hp. The AT EV400 and AT EV460 each carry approximately 8.3 kg per hp. On the supplied figures, either electric version therefore has the stronger power-to-weight proposition.

Performance, top speed and economy

Acceleration from 0–100 km/h is not measured for any Besturn X40 version, so the additional 83 hp of AT EV400 and AT EV460 cannot be converted into a verified acceleration advantage. Top speed is also not measured for 1.6 MT or 1.6 AT. Both electric versions have a recorded top speed of 160 km/h.

City, highway and combined fuel-consumption figures are not measured for the Gasoline models. Energy-consumption figures are not measured for the electric models. A Besturn X40 mpg or economy comparison therefore cannot be calculated from the available data. The AT EV400 and AT EV460 each have a recorded CO₂ figure of 0; CO₂ is not measured for 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT.

Besturn X40 dimensions, weight and wheels

All four versions have 190 mm of ground clearance, so clearance does not distinguish one Besturn X40 from another. Gross weight and tank capacity are not measured across the range. Wheel sizes are not measured for the Gasoline versions; AT EV400 and AT EV460 list 215/60 R17 and 215/55 R17.

The Gasoline 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT have Independent, spring front and rear suspension. The electric AT EV400 and AT EV460 retain Independent, spring front suspension but use Semi-independent, spring rear suspension. Every version has Ventilated disc front brakes and Disc rear brakes.

Besturn X40 reliability and problems

Reliability results, failure records and identified problems are not measured in the supplied data. It is therefore not possible to rank 1.6 MT, 1.6 AT, AT EV400 or AT EV460 by dependability, maintenance cost or repair frequency. The specifications only support comparisons of their powertrains, transmissions, weights, clearance, suspension, brakes and recorded performance.

Which Besturn X40 version should you buy?

Choose 1.6 MT if you want the 108 hp Gasoline specification with a 5-speed Manual gearbox. It has the same 1598 cc engine, FWD layout, 1500 kg kerb weight and 190 mm ground clearance as 1.6 AT. No measured power, torque, speed or economy figure shows an advantage over 1.6 AT; its clear differentiator is the Manual transmission.

Choose 1.6 AT if you want the same 108 hp Gasoline engine with a 6-speed Automatic. It adds one transmission ratio relative to the 5-speed 1.6 MT, while recorded power and weight remain unchanged. Because fuel consumption, acceleration and top speed are not measured for either model, the data cannot establish whether the extra ratio improves economy or performance.

Choose AT EV400 if the priority is the strongest recorded output rather than the lowest kerb weight. Its 191 hp exceeds either Gasoline version by 83 hp, and its 320 Nm is a concrete torque figure where Gasoline torque is not measured. It weighs 1580 kg—80 kg more than 1.6 MT or 1.6 AT—but its approximately 8.3 kg-per-hp ratio is substantially lower than their approximately 13.9 kg per hp.

Choose AT EV460 on the same performance grounds as AT EV400. Both have 191 hp, 320 Nm, a 160 km/h top speed, FWD, an Automatic 1-speed transmission, 1580 kg kerb weight, 190 mm ground clearance and the same recorded wheel sizes. The supplied specifications show no numerical advantage for AT EV460 over AT EV400, so they cannot justify paying more for one rather than the other. Price is not provided, and the data does not reveal what any additional cost would buy.

On specifications alone, AT EV400 and AT EV460 are the power-focused choices, while 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT are the lighter Gasoline choices. Between the Gasoline versions, select by Manual or Automatic preference. Between the electric versions, the recorded data produces a tie; the final decision would require information not measured here.