At the “Beijing Auto 2024 Spring New Product Launch Event” held in March this year, the all-new BJ40 Blade Hero Edition officially began pre-sale, offering two versions for climbers and crossers, with pre-sale prices of 18.98 and 20.98 million yuan respectively. If last year’s newly launched BJ40 City Hunter Edition focused on the word “trend”, then the all-new BJ40 Blade Hero Edition focuses on the word “wild”. Aimed at further cultivating the hardcore off-road segment market with extreme professional strength.
Recently, the new BJ40 Hero Edition test drive event was officially held. We drove the new BJ40 Hero Edition at the ShuiShangWa Off-road Camping Base in Tangshan Qianxi, challenging the “North China’s First Skyward Slope”. Let’s get to the point. Highlights of the new car: 1. Incorporating tough off-road and modern technology elements, with iconic “five-square-hole” front face, youthful frameless doors, and large star ring decoration, creating a highly recognizable rugged appearance. 2. Approach angle of 38°, departure angle of 36°, longitudinal passing angle of 28°, maximum wading depth of 800mm, equipped with 17-inch AT tires, manganese steel skid plate, and open body design, highlighting its excellent off-road performance and adaptability. 3. The roof, front and rear bumpers, wheel arches support quick removal function, with reserved slide rails, radio bracket, co-driver handle, modification buttons, winch position, luggage compartment anchor points, partition cover plates, etc., for quick adaptation to different climbing scenarios, demonstrating high playability. 4. Equipped with a 4.0 large speed ratio transfer case, giving the vehicle stable, precise, and powerful off-road characteristics, with strong low-speed torque output, precise power distribution, and instant explosive power, easily coping with various complex road conditions. 5. The gasoline version is equipped with a 2.0T + 8AT powertrain, supplemented by ATS providing 11 driving modes and 8 steep slope descent, creep mode, etc., ensuring strong, stable power output and handling. Bold and rugged, showcasing its tough nature.
As the main model of Beijing’s car brand, the all-new BJ40 is based on the family feature “five square holes”, integrating modern technology elements, forming a technological and integrated front face style – “five star ring”, retaining Beijing’s traditional off-road features and injecting modernity, making the vehicle on the road full of brand recognition.
The frameless doors on the vehicle give a seamless look, enhancing the overall beauty and aerodynamics. The design also improves convenience and safety for drivers by reducing blind spots and improving visibility.
The design of the “D” shaped decorative frame in the Metropolitan Star Ring is inspired by the basic shape of combination of squares and circles, echoing the “Five Quarters Star Ring” in form, with strong recognition, convenient disassembly design provides possibilities for future functional expansion.
In terms of the rear end, the vertical outline light strip and the classic split square light combination outline a high-tech flag-like appearance. The upper and lower split tailgate allows the owner to customize the limit position at any location, flexibly meeting various needs. Whether in compact city parking lots or outdoor wilderness activities, it brings convenience and practicality. Standard upgrade, comprehensive attributes further improved.
Compared to the previous BJ40 Urban Hunter Edition, the Blade Hero Edition significantly enhances its off-road genes. The new car has an approach angle of 38°, a departure angle of 36°, a longitudinal passing angle of 28°, a maximum water wading depth of 800mm, a maximum climbing gradient of 100%, a minimum ground clearance of 230mm, and a natural “wild style”.
The new car comes with 17-inch AT tires from the factory, which are sturdy and wear-resistant, making it easier to handle various road conditions and less likely to be punctured by sharp stones. Compared to regular tires, AT tires have higher sidewalls, rougher tire treads, better shock absorption, and stronger off-road climbing adaptability. The new car is equipped with two 3mm thick manganese steel skid plates as standard. It is well known that manganese steel is stronger and more reliable than synthetic plastic skid plates, effectively increasing the chassis protection performance. The factory production ensures better body fit and to some extent avoids the risk of later modifications.
The new car features an open body design, with detachable roof, front and rear bumpers, and wheel arches for easy installation of sport bumpers, bull bars, alloy wheel arches, etc. One of the highlights of the new car is the easy removal of the roof, which can be done by a single person. The roof is designed with two seals and drainage pipes to ensure no water leakage in any situation. Technology atmosphere harmoniously compatible with playability.
The new car’s interior focuses on creating a high-tech atmosphere, with a dual large LCD screen center console and LCD instrument panel for multi-screen linkage. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip runs very fast, providing powerful computing and data processing capabilities for the vehicle, allowing drivers to enjoy a smoother and more stable operating experience.
To provide passengers with a more comfortable and natural experience while riding, the specially designed and adjustable seats create a floating sensation similar to zero gravity, reducing fatigue from long periods of sitting. The new seats are commendable for their solid filling and proper support, helping passengers alleviate back and waist fatigue from extended sitting, while also enhancing comfort during off-road journeys.
In addition, the new car has reserved slide rails, radio bracket, passenger handle, modified buttons, winch position, luggage anchor points, partition cover plates, for quick modification in climbing scenes, increasing the vehicle’s playability. Off-road genes further strengthened, consolidating industry benchmark position.
In the powertrain department, we tested the all-new BJ40 Dagger Hero Edition climber in gasoline version, which features a 2.0T engine, 8-speed automatic transmission, and a 4.0 large speed ratio differential and large speed ratio part-time four-wheel drive system.
As one of the core competitive advantages of new cars, the 4.0 differential is the largest differential currently installed in models available in China, giving vehicles the characteristics of “stable, precise, and powerful”. In practical experience, its stability lies in the fact that even at a low speed of 1 km/h, it can output strong torque, ensuring the best grip between tires and the ground, especially when climbing steep slopes, demonstrating high stability and reliability.
The “ready” is reflected in the electronic control design, combining the ability to switch quickly and accurately with strong structural rigidity, allowing drivers to instantly adjust power distribution in complex road conditions, ensuring real-time precise control during our off-road process. This is especially friendly for off-road novices, eliminating the hassle of manual switching for different road conditions.
In terms of “fierce”, it refers to the instantaneous burst of torque up to 10250N·m, which is leading compared to conventional differentials. During the test drive, the new car can continuously deliver strong and stable power to the wheels, helping drivers easily conquer various difficult terrains, such as rugged mountains, ravines, or muddy wetlands.
The new car is equipped with self-developed ATS, offering 11 driving modes, including deep snow, rock, cross, and water crossing modes. Drivers can switch modes by turning the knob, even off-road novices can become experienced. In addition, the new BJ40 also has hill descent control and crawl mode, helping to reduce off-road difficulty. The hill descent control function of the new car supports 8 adjustable speeds, with a minimum speed of 2 km/h, leading the industry in gear number and adjustment range. Although today’s test drive time is limited, the BJ40 Blade Hero Edition Climber left me with a deep impression due to its excellent power performance, outstanding off-road capabilities, and significant product upgrades. With the core technology developed independently by Beijing Automotive, this new car demonstrates the “wild” charm worthy of the off-road family, whether climbing dangerous peaks or crossing wilderness. The factory-fitted accessories and flexible playability greatly support the off-road demands of drivers. It is understood that the BJ40 Blade Hero Edition will be officially launched on the eve of the Beijing Auto Show. At that time, we will wait and see if the new car can stand out in the crowded market with a surprising pricing strategy.