Click above for high-res gallery of the Beijing B40
The basic Jeep shape has essentially carried forward from World War II to the present day. It has also been replicated many times over by automakers scattered around the world, and variations on the theme continue to appear. The Chinese auto industry has never been shy about (ahem) "borrowing", and Beijing Automotive has come through with one of the "better" quasi-clones we've seen so far. The B40 is obviously Jeep Wrangler-inspired, but rather than ape the Jeep's signature front end, the B40 instead sports a more Land Rover-ish look (think LR2/Freelander 2). And you know what? It's actually kind of interesting to look at.
The interior is gussied up with contrast-stitched leather seats, a nav system, and a steering wheel that looks like it's been ripped from a modern Opel. The wheels are OEM Jeep knock-offs. One thing that jumps out at us is the door handles -- they're a flat style, similar to the ones Jeep used before switching to the circular push-button handles on the current JK Wranglers. We really like that old look better. Anyway, back to the B40 -- the only technical info Autoblog Chinese has is that it's powered by a gasoline engine. Offroad prowess is unknown, as is its production status, but at least we know what a Wrangler/Freelander love child might look like.
UPDATE: As has been pointed out in the comments, Beijing Auto is the current name of the automaker once known as the joint venture, Beijing Jeep. (Stands up, ready to catch javelins.) As such, this is in all likelihood derived from actual Wrangler mechanicals. As one commenter theorizes, if the nomenclature is related to the actual powertrain, this may well have the old 4.0L I6 underhood. You know -- the one you can't get in the USDM Wrangler anymore.
[Source: Autoblog Chinese]
All photos Copyright ©2008 Bin Chen / Weblogs, Inc.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
SPG @ Apr 22nd 2008 11:38AM
Had Chrysler not decided to cut platform sharing I think this is what a Dodge branded Wrangler would look like.
Or a Mitsubishi version (like the current Raider).
Pete @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:00PM
In the pacific there were Mitsubishi branded Jeeps sold back in the 70s and 80s.
http://www.cars-directory.net/gallery/mitsubishi/jeep/1988/mitsubishi_jeep_3705036_11_p.html
cxv @ Apr 22nd 2008 11:44AM
Looks good but I rather reward originality than a copy.
Pete @ Apr 22nd 2008 11:45AM
Is this a product of the Beijing Jeep JV? That is, I believe, the oldest Sino-Western JV, dating back to the AMC days (and the subject of a great book called, Beijing Jeep)
Turkle @ Apr 22nd 2008 11:47AM
It is sad when the mainstream automotive press starts complimenting copy cat cars as "one of the "better" quasi-clones we've seen so far." The press should disparage this type of artistic intillectual property theft for what it is, not provide a positive assessment of the design. It is only positive because it is a blatant high jack of what is good about two other manufacturer's vehicles (in this case the Jeep and Land Rover brands).
Zane @ Apr 22nd 2008 11:49AM
B40? I bet it has a 4.0L petrol/gas engine.
C.W. @ Apr 22nd 2008 11:50AM
this is a joke and makes me sick.
chrysler has a good thing with the Jeep and this chinese crap does nothing other than taint real off-road prowess. how can this even be gaining coverage? or the Fiesta rip-off for that matter?
nonsense.
TBlueMax @ Apr 22nd 2008 11:51AM
Not to damn with faint praise, but not bad... especially if you can get past the recycled menagerie of design cues and the leather-covered yardstick used as a gearshift. Certainly one of the better-integrated designs, but perhaps that speaks to the overall simplicity of the vehicle.
Way of the Future @ Apr 22nd 2008 11:58AM
bootleg! that's what this show is about is about legalized bootlegging. Here in NY they arrest people that sell bootleg things, all of these designer should suffer the same fate.
NOreasonY @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:01PM
i really thought this had to be some sort of joke but i guess not ..... i cant believe they can get away with this over there
Horizon @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:05PM
Beijing Jeep is a joint venture of Jeep in China. So what's the fuss?
BluePariah @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:49PM
+1. I hate knockoff's as much as the next guy, but do a *little* research first...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing-Benz_DaimlerChrysler_Automotive
Quattrofan @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:06PM
Holy Batman of knockoffs.
Guenther @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:11PM
Not bad, styling wise. If the grille actually had seven slots and you showed me this, I'd think it was a possible update. The rear borrows a lot from the FJCruiser (fat D-Pillar, tail-lights, bumpers). The hood-line is as much WJ as it is Rover-esque. Since it is Beijing Auto, Ill guess that it's the same company as what was once Beijing Jeep.
The Buchshots are a nice touch. Are they made in China now?
Pips @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:13PM
buckshot maxxis mudder? what kind of tires are these? it sound very funny~!
Alex Nunez @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:17PM
Probably a kind that you don't want anywhere near your own car.
Guenther @ Apr 22nd 2008 2:57PM
Old, very well known tire brand. I'm guessing they are made in China now.
Pips @ Apr 22nd 2008 4:48PM
oic, but I am sure in matter of time, there will be a bootleg version of buckshot tires called "buttshot".......LOL
Neil @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:18PM
So this is what would happen if a Wrangler and a Toyota FJ Cruiser had a kid together...lol.
TyWright @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:21PM
world war 3 will obviously be about copyright infringement -