
The Beijing BJ90 is equipped with Mercedes-Benz engines. The BJ90 is a large SUV, and this model uses two engines in total, which are: 1. A 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged engine producing 333 horsepower and 480 Nm of maximum torque, with a maximum power output at 5250 rpm and maximum torque available between 1600 to 4000 rpm. This engine features direct fuel injection technology and uses an aluminum alloy cylinder head and block. It is paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission. 2. A 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged engine producing 422 horsepower and 600 Nm of maximum torque, with a maximum power output at 5500 rpm and maximum torque available between 1900 to 4000 rpm. This engine also features direct fuel injection technology and uses an aluminum alloy cylinder head and block. It is paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission.

My old BJ90 uses the same engine as the Mercedes-Benz GL, specifically the Mercedes M276 series 3.0T V6 and M278 series 4.0T V8. It's really fun to drive, especially the 4.0T twin-turbo version with 310 kW of power, making overtaking on mountain roads particularly easy. The 9-speed transmission also ensures smooth acceleration. However, the downside of this engine is its high fuel consumption—it easily exceeds 15 liters per 100 km in the city with just a bit of aggressive driving. Fortunately, the parts are interchangeable with Mercedes, making maintenance convenient. The newer models seem to have switched to a BAIC-developed 3.0T, but many long-time owners believe the Mercedes engine is the real essence of the vehicle.

Friends who have driven the BJ90 should know that the early versions directly adopted Mercedes-Benz's engine technology. My 2019 model was equipped with the M276-coded 3.0T V6, delivering 245 kW of power which was sufficient to pull this over-two-ton beast. The key was its excellent operational refinement, especially the deep, resonant engine growl at startup. I've heard the newer models now use domestically-produced powertrains—while the specs are similar, the tuning characteristics differ. If you're considering a used BJ90, I'd recommend prioritizing versions with the Mercedes engine for their undeniable durability.

Last year, I studied the powertrain of the BJ90 and found it particularly interesting. The early versions directly adopted the entire powertrain from the Mercedes-Benz GL, with the 4.0T V8 engine capable of delivering a peak torque of 600 Nm. Although the newer models now use a self-developed 3.0T engine from BAIC, the intake and exhaust systems still reference Mercedes-Benz designs. When maintaining this vehicle, it's crucial to use 0W-40 full synthetic oil. I've seen many owners opt for cheaper, incorrect oil, which led to turbo lag issues.


