SAIC MAXUS Interstellar Bull Demon King

Model Overview

The Interstellar Bull Demon King is the inaugural factory-tuned off-road pick-up truck introduced by SAIC MAXUS during its Interstellar pick-up brand launch on 3 July 2023. Sitting at the top of the Interstellar H line-up, it serves as a turnkey, hardcore off-roader straight from the showroom floor. Pitched as a "fully loaded large off-road pick-up", it caters to enthusiasts seeking superior off-road capability, aftermarket enhancements, and robust powertrain performance. The new model officially went on sale on 1 February 2024, carrying an official recommended retail price of RM266,800.

Design Language

Aesthetically, the Interstellar Bull Demon King builds on the foundations of the SAIC MAXUS T90 Off-road Edition, spiced up with aggressive, mecha-inspired rugged styling cues. Up front, it sports an imposing octagonal wide-mouth grille finished in smoked black and accented by vibrant orange chrome garnish. Blacked-out styling packages dominate the exterior, extending across the front grille, flared wheel arches, alloy wheels, side skirts, and rear bumper. In terms of dimensions, the pick-up measures 5,506 mm long, 1,960 mm wide, and 1,865 mm tall, riding on a 3,173 mm wheelbase. Its substantial width of 1,960 mm delivers a commanding road presence among Chinese-built off-road pick-ups. Key exterior kit includes LED headlamps, heavy-duty black metal front and rear bumpers, black door handles, power-folding gloss black wing mirrors, roof rails, metal side steps, a spray-on bedliner, a manual roller shutter cover, a soft-drop tailgate, and a rear tow hitch receiver. Inside, the cabin features a modern dual 12.3-inch widescreen display setup, accompanied by premium leather one-piece sports seats with six-way power adjustment for both the driver and front passenger, along with seat heating functions. The interior adopts a sleek black theme contrasted with silver trim accents.

Powertrain & Performance

Propelling the Interstellar Bull Demon King is the SAIC π 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine. It churns out a healthy 160 kW (218 PS) and a peak torque of 500 Nm, achieving a specific output of 80 kW per litre—one of the highest figures among domestic diesels. Shifting duties are handled by an eight-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox (8AT). The powerplant delivers massive low-end torque, ensuring seamless, authoritative power delivery whether cruising at highway speeds or hauling heavy loads. Running on diesel, the powertrain complies with China 6 emission standards. The vehicle is backed by a three-year or 100,000 km manufacturer warranty.

Chassis & Handling

Under the skin, the Interstellar Bull Demon King rides on a heavy-duty ladder-frame chassis. The suspension comprises a front double-wishbone independent setup with coil springs and a rear five-link solid axle suspension. Compared to previous generations, the chassis hardware has received a major overhaul. It features a front-engine four-wheel drive (4WD) layout, equipped with a BorgWarner on-demand 4WD system and an Eaton rear differential lock. Serious off-road hardware comes standard, including 4L low-range mode, K-man eight-stage adjustable nitrogen dampers, a 12,000-lb electric winch, a raised air intake snorkel, and chunky 275/65 R17 all-terrain (A/T) tyres. These heavy-duty additions grant it exceptional trail passability across deserts, deep mud, and technical terrain. Other chassis highlights include Electric Power Steering (EPS), an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Hold, and all-wheel disc brakes.

Cabin & Equipment

In the cockpit, the Interstellar Bull Demon King comes standard with dual 12.3-inch integrated widescreen displays. Running the Tencent TAI 4.0 infotainment system, it supports connected services, satellite navigation, remote vehicle telematics, voice control, and Bluetooth pairing. Creature comforts encompass automatic air conditioning, a heated leather steering wheel, a wireless smartphone charging pad, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, one-touch power windows up front, rear under-seat footwell heating vents, rear air-con vents, and a six-speaker audio setup. Drivers can toggle between ECO, POWER, and NORMAL drive modes. The rear cargo tub measures 1,485×1,510×530 mm. Furthermore, the pick-up comes with full factory-certified towing credentials, ready for hitching caravans or utility trailers.

Safety & Driver Assistance

On the safety front, the Interstellar Bull Demon King employs a high-strength submarine-grade body structure, engineered to comply with the latest five-star ANCAP and C-NCAP safety standards. Passive protection includes dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, and three-point seatbelts throughout (with dual pretensioners for front occupants). Active safety kit includes Electronic Stability Control (ESC), ABS with EBD, a 360-degree surround-view monitor, front and rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), and Hill Descent Control (HDC). Driver assistance features include standard cruise control and a Driver Attention Warning (fatigue alert) system.

Market Positioning & Verdict

Positioned at the apex of the SAIC MAXUS Interstellar pick-up line-up, the Interstellar Bull Demon King represents the flagship internal combustion offering at RM266,800. Industry pundits have lauded it as a "properly engineered, factory-backed hardcore off-road pick-up". In the competitive off-road pick-up segment, it goes toe-to-toe with established rivals like the GWM Shanhai Cannon, standing out with its punchy 500 Nm diesel torque, K-man nitrogen shock absorbers, low-range 4L gearing, and standard 12,000-lb winch. Motoring reviewers and owners have consistently praised its muscular low-end grunt, turnkey overland readiness, and the sophisticated ambience of its dual 12.3-inch digital cockpit. With standard homologated towing capability and an integrated snorkel, it shines as an immensely capable long-distance overland touring machine. Overall, the Interstellar Bull Demon King carves out a distinct niche in the premium off-road pick-up market by seamlessly blending factory-backed rugged modifications, true off-road credentials, and refined cabin comfort.