The Beijing Auto BJ40L will receive an extensive
facelift. The new car will debut in April on the Beijing Auto Show and launch
on the Chinese car market soon thereafter. The facelift includes new lights,
new bumpers, new frond and rear fenders, a new grille, and new mirrors.
Price starts at 129.800 yuan and ends at 179.800
yuan. Power comes from two old Saab units: a 2.0 turbo with 204 hp, and a 2.3
turbo with 250 hp. Both are mated to 5-speed manual or a six-speed automatic.
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 engines will continue in the
facelifted BJ80L and price range will be about the same.
Sales of the BJ40L and its 3-door brother BJ40 have
been reasonable strong. Naturally, they are often compared to the Jeep Wrangler
but the BJ40 is actually slightly smaller, and far less expensive. Price of the
four-door Wrangler in China starts at 423.000 yuan.
Cr : Carnewschina
