Beijing Auto BJ80C
The Beijing Auto BJ80C 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, looking all the
G-Class plus a bit of Jeep. The BJ80C is the civilian
version of the BJ80 series, which also includes
the BJ80J the military version,
and the BJ80D civilian diesel
version.
The civilian version can be recognized
by the sporty wheels, the chrome parts and bits, the shiny grille, the shiny
mirrors, the absence of an air duct in the bonnet, and a luxurious interior.
This particular example on the photos has been painted in an army-style dark
green.
The BJ80C is powered by the
Saab-developed 250 hp, 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder petrol, mated to a six-speed
manual or automatic transmission, sending power to all four wheels.
Design of the BJ80 is inspired by the
Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Beijing Auto and
Daimler-Benz are very close; they have the successful Beijing-Benzjoint venture
and Daimler owns a 12% stake
in BAIC Motor, the parent company
of the Beijing Auto brand.
Persistent rumors say Daimler was very
unhappy with the BJ80 and tried to convince BAIC Motor to kill it off, which
caused a lot of delay but didn’t matter in the end, because the BJ80 is here in
all its various variants. Daimler just got to take it, or shake it.
The interior is less G-inspired than the
exterior. Large touch screen on top of the center stack, start button to the
right of the steering wheel. Lots wood and lots of leather, and even the
steering wheel looks kind of luxurious. The dials have a fuzzy shape and a shiny
rim. Note spare wheel cover on the back of the vehicle in the display. That
shows a highly appreciated attention to detail.
