BAIC BJ40 spins off an off-road variant

The second generation of the BAIC (Beijing) BJ40 SUV has been designed by Beijing Off-Road to stay capable away from the trodden paths.

The special edition is called the Chitu and comes retrofitted with widened fenders, 17-inch off-road wheels shod in mud tires, a stainless-steel front bumper with a winch, and a snorkel pipe for wading water. Plastic fender extensions, a full-fledged spare wheel on the tailgate and extra lighting on the roof make it look like a serious overlanding machine.

Perhaps more importantly, the whole body is much stiffer than stock thanks to an internal frame manufactured from a special steel alloy. BAIC claims it’s about five times as rigid as regular steel. Not only that, but the roof rack and the undercarriage plating are also made from quality steel. The hood sports an air intake, there is a side ladder for roof access, and the spare wheel shares the tailgate with a handy luggage box.

As a range-extender hybrid, the BJ40 Chitu relies on a 1.5-liter petrol engine to give it more electricity, but there is no mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels. All propulsion is handled by two e-motors producing a combined 548 PS (541 hp / 403 kW) and 655 Nm (483 lb-ft) of torque. Once the 40.3-kWh battery pack is charged to the max and the 80-liter gas tank is full, the SUV can cover up to 1,200 km (745 miles) without another refill.

The Chitu Edition is already available in China starting from 299,800 Yuan, a hefty premium of 119,200 Yuan over the standard BJ40e. Ordering will close in late September.