This Chinese Pickup Looks Like the Defender Truck Land Rover Never Built

The modern Defender lineup covers a lot of ground, but one thing Land Rover never brought back was the old-school pickup version. For anyone who still misses that idea, a Chinese alternative is now heading to Europe.

Called the BAW 212, the rugged pickup will be imported to Germany by Indimo Automotive. And while the badge may be unfamiliar, the design feels oddly recognizable.

The profile looks heavily inspired by the previous-generation Defender double cab, while the front end mixes in touches of the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 and a few Jeep-like details around the wheel arches. Original or not, the result is undeniably appealing.

The truck measures 5,469 mm long, 1,950 mm wide, and 1,970 mm tall, with a 3,488 mm wheelbase and a 1,555 mm cargo bed. Inside, things are more modern than the retro exterior suggests. Buyers get a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated and ventilated front seats, wireless charging, dual-zone climate control, and an eight-speaker audio system.

Power comes from a 2.3-liter turbodiesel producing 188 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. It won’t win any drag races, but the BAW 212 is built for much rougher terrain. It uses a ladder-frame chassis, solid axles, locking front, center, and rear differentials, and offers 250 mm of ground clearance. There are also dedicated drive modes for everything from sand and mud to wading and mountain trails.

Pricing in Germany starts at €41,995 including VAT, undercutting both the Ford Ranger Double Cab and the Toyota Hilux. For buyers who want a practical pickup with a distinctly old-school character, the BAW 212 could turn out to be a surprisingly compelling alternative.