5 Minutes
It looks like a Land Rover Defender pickup met a Toyota FJ40 nose in a workshop somewhere, and somehow the result is now headed for Europe. The new BAW 212 pickup, imported by Germany’s Indimo Automotive, is stepping into a niche many off-road fans thought had been left behind when Land Rover never brought back the old Defender truck formula.
And yes, the visual references are impossible to miss. The side profile and cab feel heavily inspired by the previous Defender pickup, while the front end leans toward classic Land Cruiser territory. Throw in Jeep-style wheel arch flares, and the whole thing lands somewhere between tribute act and rugged throwback. Original? Not really. Eye-catching? Absolutely.
The details help it stand out. There are circular LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, side steps, 18-inch alloy wheels, and round taillights that reinforce the old-school off-roader vibe. Around back, the load bed measures 1,555 mm long, giving it enough practical appeal for buyers who want more than just a lifestyle toy.
Size matters here, because this is not a compact workhorse pretending to be tough. The BAW 212 pickup stretches to 5,469 mm in length, is 1,950 mm wide, and stands 1,970 mm tall, riding on a 3,488 mm wheelbase. That makes it noticeably bigger than the old Defender 110 and 130 Double Cab pickups, and only 69 mm shorter than a Jeep Gladiator. In other words, it has real road presence.
More serious than its retro styling suggests
Inside, the truck takes a different path. Instead of copying vintage off-roaders, the cabin goes modern. The driver gets a 10.25-inch digital instrument display and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Physical buttons are still very much part of the layout, which will be welcome news to anyone who prefers real controls over endless touchscreen menus.
The European version also arrives with a surprisingly generous equipment list. Heated and ventilated front seats are included, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver. The seats use artificial leather, while the steering wheel gets genuine leather trim. There is also a wireless phone charger, an eight-speaker audio system, dual-zone automatic climate control, and metallic cabin accents that lift the overall feel beyond bare-bones utility.
Under the hood sits a 2.3-liter turbodiesel producing 188 hp and 500 Nm of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive. Performance is not the headline act, and a top speed of 160 km/h tells you exactly where this truck’s priorities lie. It is built to crawl, climb, and slog through rough terrain, not chase hot hatchbacks on the autobahn.
That purpose becomes clearer once you get into the hardware. The BAW 212 uses ladder-frame construction, rigid axles, and locking front, center, and rear differentials. Ground clearance is rated at 250 mm, which puts it ahead of some well-known mainstream pickups, including the Ford Ranger Wildtrak. For buyers who actually leave the asphalt behind, that matters far more than a flashy power figure.
There is no shortage of terrain settings either. Drivers can cycle through Standard, Eco, Sport, Snow, Sand, Rock, Mud, Wading, Mountain, and Bumpy modes. It sounds excessive at first glance, but it underlines what this truck is trying to be: a proper off-roader with enough everyday usability to survive normal life between weekend adventures. A 360-degree camera system, cruise control, and parking sensors help soften the rough edges.
Then comes the part that could make people pay real attention. In Germany, pricing starts at €41,995 including 19 percent VAT. That undercuts rivals like the Ford Ranger Double Cab and Toyota Hilux, both of which sit higher on the price ladder. For buyers who want something unusual, capable, and substantially cheaper than the established names, the BAW 212 pickup may have arrived at exactly the right moment.
It may borrow its style from a few familiar legends, but the formula is smart. Europe gets a diesel-powered, body-on-frame pickup with proper off-road credentials, generous equipment, and a price that does not feel inflated by badge prestige. In a market where many trucks are becoming softer, pricier, or more image-driven, this one goes in the opposite direction. That alone makes it worth watching.
Source: carscoops
Comments
mechbyte
Cool specs, but is it even homologated for EU roads? 2.3 diesel and cheap badge—who handles service, recalls, warranty? anyone got deets?
v8rider
Welp, Defender x FJ40 mashup? Kinda genius and kinda shady. Looks the part, price is tempting, but worried about build quality and parts.. if that's real then...
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