Baiyun BY5020TSL

The Baiyun BY5020TSL is a Chinese amphibious four-wheel-drive vehicle built on the chassis of the Beijing BJ2020S jeep. Its makers presented it as filling a gap in the Chinese motor industry: a vehicle that could climb mountains and cross rivers. It was aimed at the army, military police and public security forces as well as water management, flood control, environmental protection, power utilities, tourism and the oil industry. Its chief designer, Luo Guangyu, explained that it was designed for military and flood-rescue use in China.

Design

The basic model is 4.82 m long, 1.89 m wide and about 1.95 m high on a 2.30 m wheelbase, with a kerb weight of 1,820 kg. Unlike some Western amphibians of the time it has a steel rather than glass-fibre body. It is powered by a 492-series petrol engine driving through a four-speed gearbox and two-speed transfer case. Propeller drive is taken through an extra clutch and a small additional transfer case connected to the jeep's original one, so the driver can engage the propeller without affecting the road transmission. A 13.5-inch propeller gives about 12 km/h on water, and top speed on land is 105 km/h.

It carries five people or 425 kg on land, and up to fifteen people or 800 kg afloat. Waves up to 1.3 m high are allowed, and the vehicle can tow 800 kg on land or 2,500 kg in the water.

Variants

Around 2000 the makers were developing versions with a 498 petrol engine (73-78 kW, up to 130 km/h) and with a 493Q diesel. A diesel model sold in the Philippines, the BJ5022ZHE, had a 2.771-litre Isuzu diesel of 59 kW, measured 5.01 x 1.90 m, weighed 1,990 kg, seated twelve and reached 95 km/h on land and 12 km/h on water.

History

The makers first approached the archive owner in 2000. The vehicle was not road-legal in the United States or other developed countries, since the old jeep base could not meet modern safety and emission rules. In the early 2000s it was promoted to European enthusiasts and sold through dealers in the Philippines and Australia. The same design team later produced an Isuzu-based amphibious pickup and the stainless-steel-hulled Platypus; see the separate records.