Mercedes G-Class gets a Chinese doppelganger: meet the BAIC B81

© A. Krivonosov

At the Beijing Auto Show, BAIC unveiled the B81 SUV, which is hard to discuss without bringing up the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The boxy body, high stance, massive proportions and overall silhouette all point clearly to the German «G-Wagen». In China the model is also known as Beijing 81, and its official sales launch is scheduled for August 1.

The main intrigue is the price: the B81 is expected to cost roughly four times less than the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. For buyers, that could be the decisive argument when they want a body-on-frame status SUV without the budget for a luxury Mercedes. The dimensions are serious: 5.05 m long and about 2 m wide. That will make the B81 the largest SUV BAIC has ever produced.

Its rivals will include models like the Tank 700 Hi4-T. Underneath sits a classic body-on-frame structure with the body mounted separately from the ladder frame. There is a link here to the BAW BJ212 — the old Chinese off-roader that appeared 61 years ago and saw extensive military use.

The suspension is more contemporary: an independent multi-link setup up front and a solid rear axle. Air suspension with adjustable ride height and active dampers tied to sensor and LiDAR data are also promised. Inside, a digital front panel with multiple screens is on the way, but physical four-wheel-drive controls will stay. For a vehicle that may see use beyond paved roads, that is a sensible call.

There is also BeiDou satellite communication for remote areas, plus versions tailored to military use. Exact powertrain specs have not been revealed yet. What is known is that, unlike the BJ80, the new B81 will use a range-extender layout: a petrol engine acts as a generator, while two electric motors handle propulsion.

For now, the BAIC B81 looks like a bold Chinese attempt to build a G-Class for buyers who weigh not only image but also price. What remains to be seen is how convincing its power output, range and actual cost will be — those numbers will decide whether this is just a flashy clone or a serious contender.