If we looked at the upcoming BJ30
crossover in a vacuum, we could argue that any similarities it may have with a
Jeep are purely coincidental. In reality though, there are more layers to peel
off when it comes to this Chinese carmaker.
Beijing Auto ( (officially Beijing
Automotive Industry Holding or BAIC) has a habit of imitating or at the very
least, incorporating design elements of Western vehicles as evidenced by the
BJ40L Jeep Wrangler lookalike. It also
produces cars under license such as the BJ90 full-size SUV which is based on
the second generation Mercedes-Benz GL.
Thankfully it doesn’t clone any specific Jeep model, aside from that front
grille of course. As for what we do know about the BJ30, it will make its
official debut in China in the fourth quarter of 2020, reports Autohome, and it
is based on the previous BJ20 model. The Chinese outlet also claims that
Beijing Auto’s future products will be named using 2, 4, 6, 8-sequenced numbers
for rugged off-roaders, while urban off-road models will employ 3, 5, 7 and 9
monikers – thus explaining the generational switch from BJ20 to BJ30.
While the overall body design endured, the
BJ30 comes with a fully redesigned front fascia (new intake, headlights, fog
lights, hood), which is why it looks more refined than the BJ20, whose face
copied that of the old Jeep Cherokee.
We also have a few spy images courtesy of
China’s PC Auto, where the taillights are fully undisguised, those too have
been completely redesigned compared to the BJ20’s horizontal ones. The interior
meanwhile seems to have the same layout as before, more or less. Then there’s
the power unit, which is said to remain unchanged, meaning you get a 1.5-liter
turbocharged gasoline engine, good for 150 HP and 210 Nm of torque.
You can have it either with a 6-speed manual or a CVT.
