It was created in collaboration with Russia’s UAZ-469.
China’s auto industry releases at least a handful of new vehicles each month. With all the new EVs, crossovers, and SUVs coming out of the People’s Republic, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep track. Before local automakers began flooding the market with electric SUVs and high-riding combustion engines, there was one vehicle that set the standard. It’s called BJ212 and it is a rugged off-roader that still has the old-school look. This is the vehicle that you can actually purchase in 2021.
Our friends from WheelsboyChe have filmed a newer version of the BJ212. This model was originally released in 1965 and has a design very similar to that of the UAZ-469. The Chinese model was originally intended for government use, and both were apparently developed together. The BJ212 is still available in China, with a price starting at $13,000, according to Wheelsboy.
However, the featured vehicle is not stock. The vehicle has many off-road modifications including new tires and wheels, extra protection at the front, additional lighting and an aftermarket roof to replace the factory roof. The cabin also features seats that were sourced from another vehicle. There are additional modifications. A roll cage protects the passengers in case the vehicle flips.
What is under the hood? The BJ212’s 2.0-liter inline-four gasoline engine is the heart of this model. It produces 100 horsepower (74 kilowatts) and is delivered to all four wheels through a five-speed manual transmission. There were several other gas engines available depending on the year of the vehicle. An optional 2.8-liter diesel was also available. Each engine has four cylinders.