The Beijing Auto B80VJ is ready for the Chinese army. Chinese media report that production has started. A civilian version, the B80V, is expected to hit the China car market next year. The B80VJ is design-wise inspired by the Mercedes-Benz G-class but is based on the Beijing Auto Works Knight S12 which is basically a Beijing-Jeep Cherokee with different engines and a different badge.

Power will come from a 2.0 with 122hp or a 2.2 with 141hp, both patrol, mated to a five-speed manual. Both engines are based on old units from Nissan and also power the Knight S12. Beijing Auto will probably also offer a diesel engine to the army but we haven’t seen any specs yet. The B80VJ is the successor of the good old Beijing BJ212 that is still widely in use in the Chinese army.

First pic of the soft top version, rather special with 4 doors.

Earlier spy shot from the civilian B80V. Price will start from around 200.000 yuan.

Via: Sohu.com.