New BAIC BJ40 Chinese SUV Is No Longer A Wrangler Copycat

BAIC published official photos of the second-gen BJ40, a body-on-frame ICE-powered compact SUV designed as a direct competitor to the popular Tank 300.

While the original BAIC BJ40 that debuted in 2013 looked like a Jeep Wrangler ripoff with a Range Rover face, the new generation adopts a more modern styling approach, inspired by the larger three-row BJ60. Obviously, there are still a few references to off-roaders by other automakers but those are a lot more discreet. Another big change is the fact that the new generation has a single bodystyle, unlike the previous model that came in two-door, four-door, and pickup variants.

More: BAIC’s Jishi 01 Is A Yet Another Land Rover Defender-Inspired SUV From China

New BAIC BJ40 Chinese SUV Is No Longer A Wrangler Copycat

The new face combines boxy LEDs with an illuminated three-piece grille and a rugged off-road bumper. The heavy dose of plastic cladding, all-terrain tires, and generous ground clearance make it clear that this is not your typical road-focused SUV, as with the boxy proportions. The same applies to the full-size spare wheel that is mounted on the flat tailgate, reminiscent of classic off-roaders.

Inside, the BJ40 represents a significant step up in terms of design and technology. The dashboard combines a digital instrument cluster with a large panel housing the central infotainment screen and another one for the front passenger. Other highlights include the analog clock between the climate vents, the aluminum-style trim around the dashboard, and the wide center tunnel housing a rotating dial for the 4WD system.

New BAIC BJ40 Chinese SUV Is No Longer A Wrangler Copycat

BAIC didn’t reveal the specs of the new BJ40 but we already know them thanks to China’s Ministry of Industry and Technology Information. The SUV measures 4,790 mm (188.6 inches) long, 1,940 mm (76.4 inches) wide, and 1,895 mm (74.6 inches) tall, with a wheelbase of 2,760 mm (108.7 inches). This means it is 160 mm (6.3 inches) longer than the five-door variant of the previous generation and incrementally longer than a Jeep Wrangler.

The same source reveals that the BJ40 comes fitted with a turbocharged 2.0-liter petrol engine producing 241 hp (180 kW / 245 PS) and 385 Nm (284 lb-ft) of torque. Those specs make it significantly more powerful compared to its predecessor, surpassing the rival Tank 300 at least on paper. Power is transmitted to all four wheels exclusively through an 8-speed automatic gearbox with the help of a 4WD system.

Pre-sales of the BAIC BJ40 in China will start on August 25, when the SUV makes its public premiere at the Chengdu Auto Show. Pricing has yet to be announced but Car News China expects it to be somewhere between the ¥200,000-300,000 ($28,000-41,600) range. It remains to be seen if the new BAIC BJ40 will follow the example of its predecessor and be sold to export markets like Italy under the Ickx brand.

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Photo Credit: BAIC / Weibo


The Auto World

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Gearhead Nirvana: We Visit Porsche’s Atlanta Workshop Where Classics Get Reborn

Image
Maintaining any car is a duty that different owners approach in vastly different ways. For some, a few zip ties and a rattle can of spray paint is good enough. Far on the other end of the spectrum are owners like the ones who take their car to the Porsche Classic Center in Atlanta. During our trip there to see the new Macan EV in virtual reality , we had the opportunity to tour the Classic Center as it was deep in the midst of multiple repair and restoration projects.  To the owners of these cars and to the Porsche brand itself, what these mechanics, technicians, upholsterers, and painters are preserving is heritage. The center’s mantra “As good as new. But with even more character” is on display for anyone who visits the site. More: 2024 Porsche Macan EV Arrives From $79k, Turbo Is Faster Than A 911 GT3 Directly south of downtown Atlanta and appropriately located at 300 Porsche Ave, the Porsche Classic Center is now a separate building from the main Experience Center that opene
Read more

As Good As New Porsche 918 Spyder With Just 43 Miles Could Fetch $2 Million

Image
This Porsche 918 has been kept in a climate-controlled storage facility ever since it was delivered. The car is one of just four Hong Kong-spec 918s in existence. Driving the hypercar is a 4.6-liter V8 hybrid powertrain with 887 hp. A 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder that has never been registered will be available at a Hong Kong auction running from April 2-5 and is expected to sell for between $1.5 million and $2 million. The 918 Spyder launched as one of the ‘hypercar holy trinity’ alongside the Ferrari LaFerrari and McLaren P1. While there are many low-mileage examples out there, few are thought to have been driven less than this one. Over the past decade, it has been driven less than 70 km (43 miles) and has been owned by a single person in Hong Kong. It has also never been registered for road use. The listing doesn’t specify how the car has racked up 70 km without being registered. Read: This Porsche 918 Is One Of Just 2 With A Gulf Oil Livery Nevertheless, this car i
Read more

VW ID.GAIA Could Be The Perfect Electric Truck, If Only It Existed

Image
A few months ago , we shared a gallery of stunning VW concepts from Sean Keunyoung Oh, a senior design student at the Korea National University of Arts in South Korea. Sean has now come across our radar once again after publishing images of his latest creation, an all-electric pickup truck from VW that could serve as a rival to vehicles like the Ford F-150 Raptor. The concept study is named the ID.GAIA and has been conceived to roll on a skateboard platform and were it ever produced, could borrow its battery pack and electric motors from other EVs produced by VW. From a visual standpoint, Sean’s pickup is quite imposing and has a much more striking and rugged design than the current Amarok. More: Production VW ID. GTI Won’t Have Concept’s Simulated Gearshifts advertisement scroll to continue Sean Keunyoung Oh Key elements of the ID.GAIA’s front fascia includes a gloss black element where the grille would traditionally be located. This piece of black trim connects seaml
Read more