New BAIC BJ212 is gunning for Jeep

The Chinese joint-venture partner of Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz, BAIC, has released fresh pictures of its all-new 2022 BAIC BJ212 that's expected to launch later this year.

Looking clearly inspired by the Jeep Wrangler, Land Rover Defender and pint-sized Suzuki Jimny, the rugged BJ212 will be launched as a five-door wagon (with either a hard- or soft-top) and in a rugged single-cab pick-up body style.

All are claimed to measure 4325mm long and 1830mm wide, with the wagon standing 1920mm tall and the pick-up 1950mm.

Those dimensions see the wagon just 9mm shorter, 9mm lower but 25mm wider than the current JL-series Jeep Wrangler.

Under the bonnet, the first details suggest there will be the choice of a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, a 2.0-litre turbo or a 2.4-litre turbo. All will be offered with either a five-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.

Unusually, all three will be limited to a lowly top speed of just 130km/h.

Making it accomplished off-road, the BJ212 is relatively lightweight, tipping the scales at 1550kg for the lightest variant and 1640kg for the heaviest five-door wagon.

Featuring short overhangs and what looks like large all-terrain wheels and generous axle articulation, the BJ212 should blend its butch looks with decent off-road capabilities.

There's no word yet on whether BAIC plans to mount a global export program for the new model.

The existing BJ212 currently offered by BAIC is not available to civilian buyers and is instead only bought by the Chinese armed forces for military purposes.

Making its debut back in 1965, the first-gen BJ off-roader was derived from a 4x4 made by Russia's UAZ.