Beijing Auto BJ40L
The Beijing Auto BJ40L is finally
here. It will have its public debut on the Beijing Auto Show next month and
launch on the Chinese car market around the same time. The BJ40L is the much delayed four-door
version of the Beijing Auto BJ40. The BJ40L arrives
with a new grille and an updated interior, and the B40 will get all that too.
The BJ40L will be available with three
engines: the good old 2.4 with 143 hp and 217 nm, and two old Saab units: a 2.0
turbo with 204 hp and a 2.3 turbo with 250 hp. The latter is the same engine that
also powers the Beijing Auto BJ80C. All engines are
mated to a five-seed manual transmission, sending horses to all four wheels.
Beijing Auto Industrial Corporation (BAIC), the owner of the
Beijng Auto brand, bought the rights to the Saab 2.0 turbo and Saab 2.3 turbo
from GM in 2009, along with the rights to the platforms of the Saab 9-3 and
first generation Saab 9-5.
The interior gets a new center console,
a new instrument binnacle, and a new steering wheel (compare), looking much
better altogether although still not overtly modern. Perforated pedals will
sure save some weight on this almost-two tonne monster.
The rear bench we have been waiting for
since 2011. Well, it looks like a fine bench. A bit flat, without any support
against sliding. Not a very good place to sit when the off roading goes wild.
But there is enough space for three, the legs, and the heads.
