What is the BJ40?
3 Answers
The Beijing BJ40 is a compact SUV under the Beijing Automotive brand. The dimensions of this vehicle are 4350mm in length, 1843mm in width, and 1834mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2450mm. It is equipped with either a 2.4L or 2.7L engine. In terms of power, the BJ40 is powered by a 2.4L engine that delivers a maximum power of 142 horsepower and a peak torque of 217N·m. The transmission system is paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Chassis: Given its pure off-road positioning, the chassis structure naturally adopts a non-load-bearing design. The front double-wishbone independent suspension and rear five-link solid axle suspension are commonly found in domestic SUVs. While this setup may not offer the best handling, it provides the necessary strength for demanding off-road conditions. The solid axle rear suspension allows for greater suspension travel, enabling the transmission of higher torque. The current lineup is divided into four main series: City Hunter Edition, Blade Hero Edition, Tribute 2020 Edition, and Huan Ta Champion Edition. Development History: Beijing Automobile Works was established in 1958 as the second large-scale automobile manufacturer in China after the First Automobile Works in Changchun. In 1987, it merged with Beijing Motorcycle Works to form Beijing Automobile & Motorcycle United Manufacturing Company (BAM). In 2001, it was restructured with Beijing Automobile Assembly Plant to establish Beijing Automobile Works Co., Ltd. (BAW) under modern enterprise systems. In 2014, Beijing Automotive Co., Ltd. submitted an IPO application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, aiming to raise $1.5 to $2 billion (approximately 11.7 to 15.6 billion yuan), with plans to list as early as the third quarter. If successful, Beijing Automotive could become the second-largest passenger vehicle manufacturer among Hong Kong-listed companies. In November 2017, Xu Heyi, Chairman of BAIC Group, announced the "Leading 2025 Strategy," marking BAIC Group's entry into the comprehensive new energy 2.0 era. The 15th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition opened on April 25, 2018. BAIC Group showcased its achievements and future capabilities in internationalization, new energy, intelligence, connectivity, and sharing under the theme "Creating and Sharing the Future." This was a significant display following BAIC Group's rise to 137th place in the Fortune Global 500, featuring the most comprehensive industrial chain, largest exhibition scale, and leading position in the new energy vehicle market. At the pre-exhibition media conference, BAIC Group revealed that its complete vehicles, passenger cars, R&D systems, new energy technologies, core components, and new technologies would all be showcased. This year's exhibits included 22 complete vehicles and related products, featuring brands such as Senova, Beijing, BAIC New Energy, Changhe, and Huansu, along with intelligent driving cabins. Among them, BAIC's own brand, Beijing Automotive, presented nine products, including the new concept car OFFSPACESUIT, Senova D50, BJ40 PLUS, BJ80 Special Edition, new A-Class SUV, new B-Class sedan, BJ40 Desert Crossing Edition, BJ40 Bulletproof Vehicle, and BJ80. In 2018, Beijing Automotive launched the "Soaring 2018" marketing plan, focusing on strategic transformation, brand renewal, product iteration, and enhanced experience. Zhang Guofu, Deputy Party Secretary of BAIC Co., Ltd., introduced that BAIC is advancing comprehensive new energy, deep intelligence, and brand strategy. In the comprehensive new energy 1.0 era, BAIC New Energy led for eight years, and BAIC Co., Ltd. remained active. In the 2.0 era, BAIC Co., Ltd. will play a "nuclear submarine" role in the "joint fleet." The talent strategy combines external recruitment with internal training, and the technical route includes a matrix of 48V, HEV, and PHEV technologies. Core competencies encompass vehicle integration, VCU, battery, and motor matching design. On November 19, 2021, the 19th Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition officially opened, where Beijing Automotive unveiled its new model, the Beijing Automotive Magic Cube.
The BJ40 is a rugged SUV launched by Beijing Off-Road, easily recognizable on the road with its iconic boxy body design. I've driven this vehicle several times to western Sichuan, where its body-on-frame construction paired with a part-time four-wheel-drive system performs exceptionally well on gravel roads and muddy terrain. The removable roof is another highlight—taking it off for a summer drive is incredibly refreshing. Although the steering wheel is slightly heavy, the vehicle feels remarkably stable at high speeds. I'd recommend opting for either the 2.0T gasoline version or the 2.0D diesel variant, with the latter offering longer range. The newly released City Hunter version is also suitable for commuting, featuring a more comfort-oriented chassis tuning. As for drawbacks, the fixed angle of the rear seats can cause back discomfort during long trips.
As the flagship model of Beijing Off-Road, the BJ40 is quite popular among hardcore SUVs. I particularly love its exterior design - the five-slot grille and round headlights give it a full retro vibe. The space is impressive too; with the rear seats folded down, it can hold plenty of camping gear. Last time I went out for a barbecue with friends, we even managed to fit in folding chairs and tables. The factory-equipped Cooper all-terrain tires provide great confidence on rough roads, though they do generate noticeable road noise. In terms of powertrain, the older 2.3T version is basically phased out now, and the new 2.0T with 190 horsepower is perfectly adequate for daily use. The fuel consumption is interesting - it can reach around 13L/100km in city traffic jams, but drops to about 9L/100km on highways. Recently, I discovered the Blade Hero version even comes with a tank turn function, which makes U-turns on narrow mountain roads super convenient.
