Santana is set to re-enter the Spanish automotive scene with the Cajal, a new 4x4 scheduled for an autumn launch and due to roll off the production line in Linares, Jaén, later this year. Named in honor of Santiago Ramón y Cajal, the Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist, the vehicle signals a major step for the brand as it looks to combine affordable pricing with strong engineering, while expressing a distinctly Spanish identity. The Cajal is part of Santana Motors’ return to production in Linares, alongside the Santana 400 pickup. In an interview with coches.net, CEO Edu Blanco discussed the factory’s restart and the two models, then outlined the company’s future product strategy.
The Cajal is based on the BAIC BJ40, a proven off-road platform from China, but Santana has tailored the model for the Spanish market. Measuring 4.7 meters in length and 1.9 meters in both width and height, the Cajal sits squarely in the D-segment, with generous interior space and seating for five. Its 2.7-meter wheelbase is designed to maximize comfort and practicality for rural work or daily commuting, while leaving room for weekend escapes into nature. BJ40 specifications vary by market and generation; one version is listed at about 4.63 meters long, with a width of 1.93 meters and a height of 1.87 meters, and a turbocharged 2.0-liter petrol engine. Those figures provide context for the platform, not a substitute for the Cajal’s own specifications.
Off-road credentials are basic to the Cajal’s appeal. Based on the BJ40’s specifications, the vehicle has a 37-degree approach angle and a 23-degree breakover angle. Its departure angle is 31 degrees. Ground clearance is 220 mm, while wading depth reaches up to 800 mm, making it well-suited to challenging terrain. COPE Jaén has described the Cajal as a diesel-powered 4x4 with low-range gearing and three mechanical differential locks. The report also notes driving modes and high ground clearance for demanding terrain, and places the vehicle within Santana’s rural-mobility efforts alongside agricultural organization COAG Andalucía and Caja Rural de Jaén.
The Cajal sits on a multi-technology platform that supports several powertrains. At launch, buyers will be able to choose between diesel and petrol engines, both paired with an automatic transmission and permanent 4WD as standard. The transmission is expected to be an eight-speed unit from ZF, a supplier known for products used in demanding conditions. Santana later plans to introduce a version with extended-range electric technology, which the company expects to qualify for Spain’s DGT “0” emissions label. The DGT administers Spain’s vehicle environmental-label system, and the designation applies to the vehicle’s approved configuration. Santana’s wider powertrain plans include a reported plug-in hybrid version of the Santana 400, with a 32 kWh battery and an announced electric range of up to 120 km. Those figures are not Cajal specifications.
The official unveiling of the Cajal is scheduled for July in Linares, where Santana will share further details about pricing and equipment, as well as availability. The company says the Cajal begins a tradition: future vehicles will also take names honoring Spain’s history and regions, with influential figures among the inspirations. The approach reinforces the brand’s commitment to national heritage. Santana’s product plan also includes a medium-sized pickup scheduled for 2027, extending a lineup built around the Santana 400 and Cajal.
The name Cajal pays deliberate tribute to one of Spain’s most celebrated scientists. Santiago Ramón y Cajal’s legacy as a neuroscience pioneer embodies new idea and perseverance, qualities Santana associates with excellence in its new era. The company’s approach echoes that of Seat and Cupra, which have also drawn on Spanish culture and history for their model names.
For drivers weighing long-term ownership costs, the choice of transmission can matter. A recent analysis of gearbox failures and repair costs notes that the reliability of automatic systems, including the ZF unit expected in the Cajal, can significantly affect maintenance expenses. For more on the subject, see this detailed report on gearbox failures, which examines transmission issues and their costs.
With the Cajal, Santana is reviving its manufacturing legacy in Spain and renewing its focus on vehicles that reflect the country’s character and aspirations. As the official launch approaches, the model represents the company’s technological ambition alongside its cultural pride in the Spanish automotive field.
