Chinese automaker BAIC rounded off the media at the 2022 Festival of Motoring by introducing the B80, a product that looks suspiciously like a certain German off-road icon, with good reason as we discovered.
Having first come to the local market in 2016 and subsequently set up a local production facility in Gqeberha, BAIC is a company that claims it is in South Africa, and since it’s China’s fifth largest automaker, we would not be against it. With budget hatchbacks and crossovers having been its staple locally, the introduction of the B40 was a welcome change for the brand in years past, despite its obvious Jeep Wranger ties. Now though, its B80, which was shown at the 2022 Festival of Motoring, appears similar to a certain Gelandewagen from Mercedes-Benz.
Why so similar?
The answer as to why the B40 and B80 resemble other popular off-roaders is simple, BAIC has ties to both Jeep and Mercedes-Benz, with the former stretching back to the 90s and the latter having been established in 2005.
The B80
While the B80 looks like a G-Wagon both inside and out, complete with the clunky door mechanisms and a boxy silhouette, its powertrain is quite different. Its engine is a Saab unit displacing 2.3-litres and is turbocharged with outputs of 184kW and 350Nm. The engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic gearbox and a four-wheel drive system with a rear locking differential.
Pricing and availability
BAIC is set to launch the B80 towards the beginning of October 2022, and we have it on good authority that pricing will just breach the R1.0-million mark.
Sean NurseWith a lifelong passion for cars, bikes, and motorsport, Sean knew that attaining a degree in journalism would allow him to pursue his passion, which was to be a motoring journalist. After graduating in 2012, Sean was awarded a bursary from the SAGMJ which allowed him to work for a variety of motoring publications. This was a dream come true for Sean, and after a year of gaining vital industry experience, he was hired as a motoring journalist at a local newspaper and worked his way up to editor. In 2020, Sean joined the AutoTrader team and counts himself lucky to wake up and genuinely love what he does for a living.View News & Reviews
Keyword: BAIC unveils B80 at 2022 Festival of Motoring