
The A5's engine is not from Volkswagen. The Volkswagen brand does not offer a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine nor does it use a CVT continuously variable transmission. Below are the relevant details: Power Specifications: The JAC A5 is equipped with a 150-horsepower four-cylinder 1.5-liter turbocharged engine across all variants, paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT continuously variable transmission. The model is positioned as a compact car. Exterior Dimensions: The vehicle's body dimensions are 4772 mm in length, 1820 mm in width, and 1492 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2760 mm. The front track is 1550 mm, and the rear track is 1555 mm. It is a four-door, five-seat hatchback with a fuel tank capacity of 55 liters and a trunk capacity ranging from 540 liters to 1650 liters.

A friend asked about this just the other day, and I specifically researched the Sehol A5. This car doesn't use an original engine, but it does have connections with VW. Sehol is a joint venture brand between JAC and Volkswagen. The A5 is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine (model HFC4GB2.6E) based on JAC's technology. However, the production line quality control standards follow Volkswagen's system. Having driven this car myself, I noticed its low-end torque tuning feels somewhat similar to the old Lavida, and its fuel consumption performance is also close to Volkswagen's engines of the same displacement. To make an analogy, it's like wearing a 'Volkswagen-designed' coat, but the skeleton remains JAC's.

People who have paid attention to this car often wonder about the origin of its engine. To cut to the chase: it's not of lineage. The actual engine installed is a 1.5T four-cylinder developed by JAC itself, model number HFC4GB2.4E. Although the Sehol brand has Volkswagen as a shareholder, the three major components are not directly shared. Interestingly, Volkswagen engineers were involved in the tuning. Comparing the data, the turbo engagement logic at 1500 rpm is quite similar to the EA211, and its fuel consumption of 7.5L per 100km is close to Volkswagen's standards. Buying this car means accepting that it's essentially an upgraded version of JAC's technology.

As a frequent test driver, I've opened up the engine compartment for inspection. The cast iron cylinder block + aluminum alloy cylinder head structure is clearly a traditional solution, while Volkswagen now uses all-aluminum cylinder blocks across its lineup. In terms of specifications, the maximum power of 150 horsepower and 210 Nm torque at 3000 rpm are both different from Volkswagen's engines of the same displacement. However, it must be acknowledged that Volkswagen participated in quality control management, such as using German KS brand piston rings, which is better than older JAC vehicles. The daily driving smoothness is quite good, but the noise during high-speed acceleration is more noticeable compared to Volkswagen.

The dealer training materials clearly state: The engine belongs to the Ruijiete series. Volkswagen provides technical standards rather than hardware, such as requiring component tolerances not exceeding 0.01mm, which is three times stricter than domestic standards. In actual driving, cold start noise is slightly louder, but it becomes quite quiet after warming up. Last year's Dongchedi teardown revealed that its VVT technology improved response speed by 12% compared to the older version, which may have been inspired by Volkswagen. If you're considering a purchase, a test drive is recommended, as on paper it appears slightly better than purely domestic options.

Those who have studied its nameplate know that the engine model starting with HFC represents Jianghuai Power. Interestingly, the direct injection system uses technology from Continental AG, and the ECU tuning involved participation from Volkswagen's team. I've tested the power curve myself, and the 2000-4000 RPM range feels particularly similar to the old Bora, though it drops off faster after 5000 RPM. Mechanics say wear-prone parts like the crankshaft position sensor are compatible with , making maintenance easier. As for drawbacks, it requires 5W-40 oil—just as finicky as a Volkswagen.


