Automotive Revival: Chinese Brands Bring New Life to the Off-Road Market
The world of off-road vehicles has suddenly found a new lease on life, thanks to the influx of Chinese brands. Once the most heavily impacted by Europe's increasingly stringent emissions regulations, 4x4s have been struggling due to their large size and weight, often paired with diesel engines that fail to meet pollution limits. However, the entry of Chinese manufacturers has given the segment a second chance, with more off-road vehicles arriving in Spain, a development that is undoubtedly excellent news for enthusiasts of the authentic off-road world.
Automotive Revival: Chinese Brands Bring New Life to the Off-Road Market
GWM Tank 300
One of these Chinese off-roaders making its way to Spain is the GWM Tank 300, built by Great Wall Motors. This off-road vehicle is constructed on an independent chassis, equipped with a four-wheel drive system with a reducer, 2H, 4H, and 4L positions, and front and rear differential locks. The Tank 300 comes in two versions. The first features a 2.4-liter turbo diesel engine producing 184 horsepower, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and integral four-wheel drive. The second variant is the Tank 300 Hi4-T, a plug-in hybrid that combines a 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 408 horsepower. It features a 37.1 kWh battery, is homologated for up to 95 kilometers of electric range, and carries a zero-emission label from the DGT.
BAIC BJ30 Pro
Another option is the BAIC BJ30 Pro, a lightweight off-roader assembled by Chinese manufacturer BAIC, set to arrive in Spain by the end of the year with a non-plug-in hybrid powertrain. Measuring 4.7 meters long, it has a 2.8-meter wheelbase and weighs 1,770 kilograms. The drivetrain uses a 1.5-liter turbo gasoline engine working alongside two electric motors, enabling the BJ30 Pro to produce a combined 408 horsepower and 685 Nm of torque. It also features a dual-clutch automatic transmission with seven speeds and four-wheel drive.
Geely Galaxy Cruiser 700
The Geely Galaxy Cruiser 700 is one of the latest additions to Geely's product lineup, a Chinese off-roader with a robust and wild appearance that recently went on sale in China and quickly racked up over 44,000 pre-orders in just an hour. With a length of over 5 meters and a generous 2.9-meter wheelbase, the Galaxy 700 is a large vehicle. Geely offers it with various engine options, including a 2.0-liter turbo gasoline unit producing 245 horsepower and a 2.0-liter diesel engine generating 220 horsepower. The Galaxy 700 features an 8-speed automatic transmission and a four-wheel drive system with a two-speed transfer case and locking differentials.