The Landwind X6 is a mid-size SUV produced by Jiangling Motor Holding, the joint venture between Changan Auto and Jiangling Motors Corporation Group. It was first sold as the JMC Landwind and took the Landwind X6 name when Landwind became an independent brand under JMC.
Landwind X6 at a glance
| Maker | Jiangling Motor Holding (Changan Auto and JMCG) |
|---|---|
| Class | mid-size SUV |
| Original name | JMC Landwind |
| Platform basis | Isuzu Rodeo (sold 1998–2004) |
| Body styles | five-door X6, three-door X9 |
| X9 production | discontinued in 2016 |
| Petrol engines | 2.0-litre 115 hp, 2.4-litre 125 hp (Mitsubishi-built) |
| Diesel engine | 2.8-litre 92 hp (Isuzu-built) |
Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article, which covers the model’s origin, engines and the ADAC crash test.
History of the Landwind X6
Origins and platform
The SUV was originally presented as the JMC Landwind, and the name changed to Landwind X6 when Landwind became an independent brand under JMC. Like several Chinese cars of its period, it relied heavily on imported technology: its platform came from the Isuzu Rodeo, which was on sale from 1998 to 2004. Two SUVs were built on that platform, the five-door Landwind X6 and the three-door Landwind X9; the three-door stayed in production until 2016.
Engines and market
Cars sold in Europe were offered with two Mitsubishi-built petrol engines and one Isuzu-built diesel. The petrol units were a 2.0-litre with 115 hp (84 kW) and a 2.4-litre with 125 hp (92 kW); the diesel was a 2.8-litre with 92 hp (68 kW). In China a long-wheelbase version of the SUV was also sold as the JMC or Jiangling Baowei, and the same underpinnings were used for the JMC Baodian pickup.
Paris Motor Show 2006
At the 2006 Paris Motor Show Landwind showed an updated version of the SUV called the X-Pedition, together with an MPV named the Fashion, also known as the Landwind CV9. The MPV was aimed at the same size class as people carriers such as the Kia Carens.
Crash test controversy
The Landwind attracted attention after a series of safety tests. The German motoring club ADAC, carrying out a crash test for Euro NCAP, showed that the driver of the vehicle would not survive a head-on collision at 64 km/h (40 mph). The Dutch importer then asked the German safety organisation TÜV to test the car, and although those tests used a lower impact speed of 54 km/h (35 mph), TÜV confirmed that the Landwind met the mandatory safety requirements of ECE R94. Critics argued that R94 was outdated and guaranteed only that the driver survived, without accounting for serious leg injuries, and the dispute continued. Ron Zwaans, general director of Landwind Europe, said the company was working with ADAC to improve the car and hoped to pass the stricter Euro NCAP test.
Design and features
- Isuzu Rodeo platform: the X6 was built on technology from the 1998–2004 Isuzu SUV.
- Two body styles: a five-door X6 and a three-door X9.
- European engine choice: two Mitsubishi petrol units and one Isuzu diesel.
- JMC family links: a long-wheelbase version was sold as the Jiangling Baowei, and the Baodian pickup shared the base.
Landwind X6 versions
- JMC Landwind: the original name of the five-door SUV.
- Landwind X6: the five-door model under the independent Landwind brand.
- Landwind X9: three-door version, discontinued in 2016.
- JMC/Jiangling Baowei: long-wheelbase version sold in China.
- X-Pedition: updated SUV shown at the 2006 Paris Motor Show.
The X6 shared its platform with the JMC Baodian pickup, and JMC’s light trucks are covered in the JMC Kaiyun article. More vehicles are in the JMC collection.
Sources
- Landwind X6, English Wikipedia: history, engines, variants, crash test
