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| Off-road SUV; the Yongshi Warrior |
Chinamil
says six variations of the vehicle were vetted, and have been running
all over China for over three-quarter-million miles of testing since
2007.
Details on what, if any, special treatment the military-spec version get
seems scarce. But we do know that the Yongshi Warrior was built by
supersized Chinese car-making conglomerate Beijing Automotive Industry
Holding Co., Ltd. (BAIC). Specifically, a division called Beijing
Automobile Works Co., Ltd. (BAW) that specializes in off-road vehicles
and light trucks.
The Yongshi Warrior is said to have an all-metal fully enclosed body,
with joints sealed-in “for more reliability” and ostensibly protection.
Apparently a “soundproof cotton” mitigates engine noise inside the
cabin.
An indvidual named Li Qinnan, identified as a “researcher of the
vehicle,” is quoted saying; “The SUV uses supercharging electrically
controlled common rail diesel engine system suitable for plateau
environment. The engine system can effectively enhance the power and
acceleration performance of the vehicle, even in snow-covered plateau
areas.”
You don’t hear about supercharged diesel engines very often, but
they do exist.
So the Warrior either has one, or the translation of Qinnan’s statement
got wonky. I’m not 100 percent sure and haven’t heard back from BAW
yet. Do you see a supercharger in this engine picture? Me neither, but
this might not be the final-version powerplant.
The spec sheet I found for
the civilian version seems to show two engine options, but that’s about all I could figure out.
If “42/33,” three rows down in the second section, is referring to
approach and departure angles the Yongshi should be a bit of a beast
off-road. That’s Jeep Wrangler territory.
Interior pictures of a prototype make the rig look pretty spartan, and
chintzy, but there’s definitely a regular-old three-pedal manual and a
lever-activated transfer case in there.
I’d love to hear what American soldiers who have sat in our HMMWV’s
think this compares, because from here it looks like Power Wheels car
with a CD player. Again, the finalized version might have changed.