AUTONEWS

Beijing BJ80: The "Chinese G-Class" Mercedes

The UAE-based technology company K2, which, among other things, develops autonomous vehicles, unveiled the Theeb X01 hybrid SUV concept in Dubai. Although its exterior resembles the iconic Mercedes G-Class, it is actually a redesigned model from the Chinese company BAIC, but the base is not the well-known "Chinese G-Class" – the Beijing BJ80.

Making the most of it all...All this effervescent situation in the northern hemisphere allows Gulf countries, like the UAE, to make a move that favors their local automotive industry.

They’re also betting on using all the latest buzzwords, such as “AI,” in their promotional materials and press releases, hoping to attract well-off investors who will throw their checkbook at anything that is even remotely tied to Nvidia, AMD, Intel, Sandisk, Snapdragon, Anthropic, Cursor, and Mistral.

That’s how Theeb appeared, and, yes, they’re marketing their final concept as an AI-ready SUV. The company that’s behind the new brand, K2, says that it is “advancing intelligent mobility through AI-driven autonomy.” They aren’t just making a new car that seems to be an Asian version of the iconic Gelandewagen (or G-Class, if you prefer), no. They’re also into computers and advanced chatbots.

Despite the hype, what interests us is whether the vehicle shows promise or not. I’m not exaggerating when I say that anyone can build a car or two. Even the Taliban in Afghanistan brought forward a hypercar concept. It’s production that’s tricky.

Some reports suggest that the Theeb X01 is based on its successor, the BAIC BJ81, which has not yet been released for sale and was presented at the Beijing Auto Show. The Theeb X01 debuted in three versions, without production dates and plans being announced. The exterior of the Theeb X01 was designed with straight lines – the SUV has square headlights, robust bumpers, a hood with air intake and extensions on the wheel arches.

Its main similarity to the "G-Class" lies in the flat sides with traditional door handles. K2 presented three versions of the SUV in Dubai, describing them as basic, luxury, and sporty, but without detailing the differences between them. From the photos, the sporty version includes a set of additional equipment for off-road use, such as a snorkel and expedition equipment, as well as BFGoodrich tires. It is known that the SUV is equipped with a hybrid system, composed of three engines: a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine assisted by two electric motors. The propulsion system produces 550 hp and 750 Nm, while the driving electronics offer 13 operating modes. A slight confusion arises from the fact that, during the debut of the supposed prototype, the Beijing BJ81, only internal combustion engines were announced at the Beijing Auto Show.