
The engine of the Roewe i6 is independently developed by SAIC Motor. It is a Blue Core direct-injection turbocharged engine with a maximum power output of 124 kW and a maximum torque of 250 Nm. The engine reaches its maximum power at 5,600 rpm and its maximum torque between 1,700 to 4,300 rpm. The Roewe i6 is a compact 4-door, 5-seater sedan with dimensions of 4,671 mm in length, 1,835 mm in width, and 1,464 mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2,715 mm. The Roewe i6 features front-wheel drive, with a MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link independent rear suspension.

I've been driving this Roewe i6 for over two years now and always pay close attention to its 'heart' condition. Roewe is SAIC Motor's own brand, and the i6 uses SAIC's self-developed Blue Core series engines, available in 1.5T and 1.0T versions. My car has the 1.5T version, and I remember the salesperson mentioning at purchase that this engine was developed with technical cooperation from GM, featuring direct fuel injection and turbocharging technology. In actual driving, the power is quite impressive - overtaking on highways isn't difficult, and the fuel consumption is decent too, about 7L/100km in city driving. SAIC has invested heavily in engine development in recent years, and the Blue Core series even won China's Top Ten Engines award. It's truly remarkable what domestic brands have achieved.

As an enthusiast who follows domestic cars, I've studied the powertrain of the Roewe i6. It comes standard with SAIC Motor's self-developed engines, all produced independently. The 1.5T turbocharged version is the most popular, with 169 horsepower output that's more than adequate for city driving. Interestingly, this powertrain was optimized with support from General Motors technology, with the turbo engaging at low RPMs, making the car particularly agile from a standstill. I once drove a friend's manual transmission i6, and even the 1.0T version, despite its small displacement, was quite fun to drive when paired with the 6MT gearbox. These engines, produced at SAIC's Liuzhou plant, are also exported to brands like , and their quality and reliability are trustworthy.

Last year, I accompanied a friend to test drive the Roewe i6 and paid special attention to the engine information. The salesperson clearly stated that the entire lineup uses SAIC's self-developed Blue Core engine, and the manufacturer's promotional materials also emphasized this as an independent technology. Specifically, there are two displacements: the 1.5T four-cylinder engine offers the strongest power, suitable for driving enthusiasts; the 1.0T three-cylinder engine is more fuel-efficient and sufficient for city commuting. I remember during the test drive, the 1.5T version had quick throttle response in sport mode, and the engine noise control was also good. SAIC paired this engine with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission, and the shift logic was intelligently tuned with minimal low-speed jerkiness. As a core technology of a domestic brand, this engine's performance exceeded expectations.

Over the years working in the repair shop, I've handled quite a few Roewe i6 vehicles, with the 2017 models being the most frequently serviced. They all use SAIC's self-developed engines, with the 1.5T model coded 15E4E being the most common. The repair manual indicates this engine features an all-aluminum cylinder block, which is over 20kg lighter than cast iron. During repairs, we noticed its high-pressure fuel rail is interchangeable with some General Motors models, which makes sense given their technical collaboration. I've seen several i6s with over 100,000 kilometers on the odometer, and their engine bays remain remarkably dry, indicating excellent sealing. The newer Blue Core series has optimized ECU programming for quicker throttle response. All replacement parts come from SAIC's supply chain, with routine costs like timing belt replacement being 30% lower than joint-venture vehicles.

Those who follow automotive technology developments know that the Roewe i6's Blue Core engine is a pride of SAIC Motor. The 1.5T main engine incorporates variable valve timing technology for both intake and exhaust, delivering a maximum torque of 250 Nm. Test data shows a thermal efficiency of 36.8%, which is considered top-tier among domestic brands. During my test drive, I noticed the engine remains exceptionally quiet below 4,000 rpm, with the turbo's hissing sound only becoming audible beyond this range. This powertrain is particularly well-matched, especially in the manual transmission version where the clutch engagement point is clear, making it difficult for beginners to stall. SAIC has also added an intelligent start-stop system to the new engine model, which indeed saves fuel by automatically shutting off at red lights, with smoother start-stop transitions compared to some joint-venture vehicles.


