The PRC has launched production of a diesel modification of the BJ60 frame SUV, which should later appear on the Russian market – here it will have to compete with the Tank 500. The BJ60 with a “mild hybrid” installation was put on the conveyor of the BAIC plant: the 163-horsepower diesel engine is assisted by a 48-volt starter. generator. Meanwhile, in Russia you can already buy a petrol version of the model, but not yet officially – it costs 6.1 million rubles.
The BJ60, which debuted in China last spring, occupies a niche in the Beijing lineup between the BJ40, which is already produced and sold in Russia, and the larger BJ80. Like the other two SUVs of the BJ family, the “sixtieth” has a brutal design with squared wheel arches and vertical rear light blocks. There is also a spare wheel located on the fifth door, and the design of the radiator grille with integrated optics refers to American Jeeps.
BAIC BJ60
BAICBAIC BJ60
BAIC
BAIC BJ60
BAIC
BAIC BJ60
BAIC
BAIC BJ60
BAIC
BAIC BJ60
BAIC
BAIC BJ60
BAIC
Until recently, the model was offered in China with a mild-hybrid power plant based on a 2.0-liter turbo-four with 267 horsepower. This SUV has a continuous rear axle, all-wheel drive and three locking mechanisms. Now a second modification has appeared, with a 2.0-liter diesel engine producing 163 horsepower and the same electronic add-on as the gasoline BJ60.
Moreover, BAIC especially notes the “independent development experience” of a diesel unit, although the engine uses Chinese-made Bosch and VGT components.
A diesel engine is also promised for the Russian-made BJ40. This model is assembled at the Avtotor plant in Kaliningrad, and it has already appeared at BAIC dealers at a price of 4,059,000 rubles, although so far only in a gasoline version with an eight-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive and a transfer case with a low row. This SUV accelerates to the first hundred in 10.8 seconds and consumes 10.4 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers in the combined cycle.
In addition to the BJ40, Avtotor produces three more BAIC models – the X35 and X55 crossovers, as well as the U5 Plus sedan. The U5 Plus is in the same class as the Hyundai Elantra that left Russia, the X35 is a classmate of the Hyundai Creta, and the X55 is intended to replace the Toyota RAV4 for Russians. The cost of these models has not yet been indicated on the official BAIC website.
New Russians: premieres of our automobile industry
