【Car Media丨New Car】On the journey of off-roading, there is always a vehicle that is not merely a shell of steel, but also the faith and dream in the hearts of countless men. How many men's off-road faith is forever engraved on that green 212? We might even perceive that military green is the underlying color of off-roading! The green 212 is the totem in the heart of every off-road enthusiast.
A 212 is, as it were, the light of warriors! Because: they say, bring the light, tame every monster! So, after 58 years, the 212 has been "rehired" once again! In 1966, the birth of the "Beijing" brand BJ212 light off-road vehicle marked the rise of China's off-road vehicles. Now, this "veteran" has been reborn once again, standing at a new historical height with a brand-new look, shining bright.
Fight? Fight! With the most solitary dream!
Since it has been reborn through nirvana, it must shine brilliantly. Today's 212 has transformed from a single model into a brand-new brand, reborn from the ashes, and its all-new 212 off-road vehicle is about to be officially launched. This vehicle is no longer an old model patched up, but a truly all-new hardcore off-road vehicle facing a new era, with a price range of 139,900 to 172,900 yuan, officially meeting the world.
The classic cannot be forgotten. In terms of styling design, the all-new 212 adheres to the family front face of "one arch, two circles, three horizontals, four verticals," with LED light sources for the light clusters, and the classic "air defense lights" can also be optionally installed—good-looking, fun, and practical.
Another portal: the "air defense light" is designed to provide high-brightness illumination for driving at night or in severe weather conditions. Air defense lights usually have powerful lighting capability and a long service life, making them very suitable for use in outdoor environments. In the BAIC 212 off-road vehicle, the air defense light is equivalent to the vehicle's searchlight, usually installed at the front of the vehicle as a supplement or replacement for the headlights, a classic comparable to BMW's "angel eyes," equally enchanting.
From the side profile, it still adopts the most eye-catching "square box" hardcore styling. The rugged lines and prominent wheel arches further highlight its off-road character. The iconic "little backpack" at the rear and the vertically arranged taillights are common designs for hardcore SUVs. If the old model was a classic "tin can," the new model is like a gentleman full of "sexual tension." The minimalist rear styling, the retention of the externally mounted spare tire and side-opening tailgate, and the significant improvement in body craftsmanship all inspire confidence in the reliability of the all-new 212.
Moving on to the interior, the changes in the all-new 212's cabin are refreshing: the equipment of a large full-digital instrument panel and a floating central control screen, as well as the hardcore toggle switches below, are not only full of personality but also easier to operate. Some designs from the old model have disappeared, replaced by a more humanized and modern interior. Fortunately, the nostalgic "hardcore mechanical qualities" have been retained. Of course, this also creates a dilemma: how to balance what has settled in history and what the era demands just right—that is a question!
Undoubtedly, hardcore off-roading remains the gene of the all-new 212: body-on-frame construction, front and rear live axle structure, and a 2.0T+8AT powertrain combination, equipped with a part-time four-wheel-drive system. Therefore, in terms of driving threshold, it will be more accessible than the old model, supporting high- and low-range four-wheel drive, along with front and rear differential locks, an approach angle of 40°, and a departure angle of 36°, enough to guarantee passability and self-rescue capability under high-intensity off-road conditions.
Editor's comment: The all-new 212, a model positioned as a compact hardcore off-road SUV, with its body-on-frame structure, 2.0T+8AT powertrain system, and part-time four-wheel drive and front and rear axle differential locks, has a more accessible price, enabling it to enter a broader consumer market. The name 212 not only carries the history and culture of Chinese off-road vehicles, but also, with its unique design, outstanding off-road performance, and countless stories and memories, has become a symbol of an era.
Comparatively speaking, the all-new 212 will compete with models such as the Tank 300 and Beijing BJ40. Fortunately, the more affordably priced 212 enjoys an extremely high reputation among off-road enthusiasts in China and even around the world. Now that 212 has been upgraded from a single model to a brand and has launched all-new products, it undoubtedly carries the important mission of brand inheritance and innovation. Today, with new energy vehicles rising increasingly, whether the all-new 212 can rank among mainstream off-road models will presumably be quite difficult.
