BAIC BJ80 gets a new V6 3.0 TT spec in China

The Chinese Mercedes G-Class clone emerged in 2011 as an army SUV at first, but went civilian five years later as the Beijing BJ80. It now gets a new high-performance specification based on a six-cylinder, twin-turbo engine.

When it shipped in 2016, the BJ80 came equipped with a 2.3-liter Saab engine worth 250 hp (186 kW) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission by Aisin sent the momentum to the wheels. Watch the video if you need a reminder of what it looked like.

The new spec introduces a V6 with three liters of displacement, 280 hp (209 kW) and 420 Nm (310 lb-ft) of torque. Unofficial sources suggest that the unit is a remade Ford EcoBoost; in this case, it must be a trimmed-down version of the EcoBost engine, since the latter usually comes rated between 350 and 400 hp (261 – 298 kW).

The eight-speed automatic transmission is also new, and the gear ratio is now 2.72:1 instead of 2.48:1. The hard coupling of the front axle goes over without modifications, but the rear inter-wheel differential now supports locking. The suspension stays the same.

The new G-Class wannabe also boasts 20-inch wheels, 20 mm (0.8”) lower ride height, a 10.25-inch digital dash with two selectable operation modes, and a new center tunnel with an electronic shift lever.