The original 212 was introduced in the early 1960s and this new one retains a similarly boxy and rugged design
by Brad Anderson
June 7, 2024 at 06:44
- The new-age BAW 212 will be sold exclusively with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder.
- BAW has unveiled the off-roader in standard guise and a Special Edition version.
- The SUV features locking differentials and a sway bar that can be disconnected, just like a Jeep Wrangler.
Chinese cars have improved greatly in recent years, and while most of them look unique, some still resemble Western alternatives. The BAW 212 is one such car.
For those who don’t know, BAW stands for Beijing Auto Works. The marque had been part of BAIC but became an independent brand in 2020. It’s been building the original BJ212 since the 1960s and has finally launched a next-generation model. It looks like a cross between a Jeep Wrangler, a Ford Bronco, and a Land Rover Defender and will launch on the Chinese market in the second half of the year.
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Photos of the entry-level model and the flagship version have been released. The base model’s front end is dominated by a large black plastic bumper and black wheel arches, like those found on a Wrangler. BAW has also equipped the new 212 with round LED headlights and a simple grille with three large horizontal slats. The off-roader also sports a driving light on the driver’s side front quarter panel.
Elsewhere, the 212, which is 4,705 mm (185.2 inches) long, 1,895 mm (74.6 inches) wide, and 1,936 mm (72.6 inches) tall, has a set of black and silver wheel all-terrain tires. It also features large and rugged-looking wing mirrors and door handles and comes equipped with side steps and mud flaps, and a spare wheel carrier and circular taillights at the rear.
The flagship version is known as the BAW 212 Special Edition. It features a unique front bumper and a different grille. The carmaker has also equipped it with new wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich tires as well as a snorkel, a small hood scoop, and painted wheel arches. This second-generation 212 tips the scales at a hefty 2,150 kg (4,739 lbs).
While plenty of Chinese carmakers are releasing battery-electric off-roaders, the 212 isn’t an EV. Instead, it’s equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 248 hp and mated to an 8-speed transmission with four-wheel drive.
A look inside the new model’s cabin reveals a large infotainment display and a digital instrument cluster. We can also see buttons to enable 4H, 2H, and 4L modes, as well as buttons to lock the differentials and disconnect the sway bar.
Pricing details for the new BAW 212 haven’t been announced.