Following the debut of the adorable Baojun Yep tiny electric SUV in China, the SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture presented official renderings of a two-door pickup variant of the model, suggesting it could offer a second bodystyle.
The Baojuon Yep pickup shares most of its design with the urban SUV, although there are a few changes. The most notable is the redesigned tail, sacrificing the rear seats for a rather compact rear bed. The “smartwatch” feature of the SUV is gone, with a full-size spare mounted on the tailgate. The larger wheels are shod in grippier tires and the ground clearance has been increased for a more rugged stance.
The rear overhang seems to be longer, but the overall length of the pickup appears to be very close to the 3,381 mm (133.1 inches) of the SUV, making it shorter than most city cars. There is also a computer-generated video showing a removable roof, Go-Pro cameras mounted on the bonnet, and a different arrangement for the rear bed.
Read: GM’s Adorable Chinese Baojun EV Has A Gigantic Smartwatch On Its Tailgate
Baojun didn’t announce the specifications of the pickup but it would most likely mirror the underpinnings of the SUV sibling. The latter is available with a single electric motor (RWD) producing 67 hp (50 kW / 68 PS) and 140 Nm (103 lb-ft) of torque which is good for a top speed of 100 km/h (62 mph), while the battery has enough juice for a CLTC range of 303 km (188 miles). The more powerful AWD variant with dual electric motors which is expected to follow in the future would certainly be more suitable for the pickup.
In any case, the Baojun Yep pickup is not intended to be a workhorse or an off-roader, but a stylish way of moving around and maybe carrying a few more stuff than your average urban EV. The two-seater cabin limits the practicality of such an offering, although the exposed cargo area and the rugged style could lure some buyers.
Baojun hasn’t decided yet whether they should green-light the Yep pickup, waiting to see the reaction of the public. While the target group of such a vehicle would be rather limited, we would love to see the micro-truck in production, even if it’s only offered in China.
