
The engines of the Borgward BX5 are: 1. 1.4T turbocharged engine; 2. 1.8T turbocharged engine; 3. 2.0T turbocharged engine. The function of the engine is: to convert the thermal energy of gasoline or diesel into mechanical energy by burning and expanding the gas in a sealed cylinder, thereby pushing the piston to perform work. Taking the 2020 Borgward BX5 as an example, it belongs to the compact SUV category, with body dimensions of: length 4490mm, width 1877mm, height 1675mm, wheelbase of 2685mm, fuel tank capacity of 60L, and curb weight of 1525kg.

Last time I took my friend's Borgward BX5 on a long trip, the 1.4T engine really surprised me. I drove the 2018 model, and the throttle response was particularly brisk with no pressure when overtaking on the highway. My friend mentioned that this engine is Borgward's self-developed BWE418A model, featuring direct fuel injection technology with a maximum output of around 150 horsepower. The fuel consumption was quite friendly—with the air conditioning on while driving on mountain roads, it only consumed 7.8 liters per 100 kilometers. The mechanic who rode with me said this engine borrowed some design elements from the EA211 but has faster turbo response. Even when the trunk was fully loaded with luggage and climbing hills, the power kicked in noticeably once the revs hit 2,000 rpm. The only thing to watch out for is keeping up with maintenance on time, as turbo engines have higher oil requirements. It's a bit of a shame it's been discontinued—this powertrain is more than sufficient for daily commuting.

Having researched the engine configurations of the Borgward BX5, it primarily features a 1.4T and a 2.0T option. I test-drove the 2.0T version, with the engine code BWE420B, delivering a maximum of 224 horsepower and torque reaching 300 Nm. The technical highlights include dual VVT and direct fuel injection, providing particularly ample low-end torque—stepping hard on the accelerator at 80 km/h still delivers a strong push. Compared to the contemporaneous Haval H6, Borgward's engine responds more sensitively, with well-controlled turbo lag. However, fuel consumption is slightly higher, reaching up to 10 liters in city driving with the AC on. The engine bay layout is tidy, making spark plug replacement quite convenient. If new cars were still available now, this powertrain would be considered generous for its price range.

Last year, I researched the Borgward BX5 when helping my younger brother choose a car. It offers a choice between 1.4T and 2.0T engines. The 1.4T is more fuel-efficient and sufficient for daily commuting. On paper, the 1.4T produces a maximum of 150 horsepower, which is slightly lower than the 1.8T Boyue we considered at the time, but in actual driving, it feels more responsive at low speeds. The 2.0T delivers stronger performance but consumes about 2 liters more fuel per 100 km. A mechanic told me that both engines are fairly reliable, though the turbochargers tend to develop oil leaks after 100,000 km. Given that Borgward has ceased production, buying a used BX5 now requires extra attention to the availability of engine repair parts. If you're on a tight budget, the 1.4T version offers better value for money.

I've worked on many Borgward BX5 engines, commonly the 1.4T and 2.0T models. Turbo engines generally have carbon buildup issues, so I recommend cleaning the throttle body every 20,000 km. Always use 5W-40 full synthetic oil, otherwise you might trigger the check engine light. The 1.4T engine's spark plugs are easy to replace, but the timing chain needs inspection at 80,000 km. I've encountered several cars with noisy high-pressure fuel pumps - replacing with OEM parts costs over 2,000 yuan. Now that the brand is discontinued, aftermarket parts vary in quality. During , pay special attention to turbo pipe sealing as older cars often leak coolant. Overall, these engines are quite durable, but they require more attentive maintenance in later years.

The Borgward BX5's engine can be considered a representative work of the brand's revival era. Its self-developed 1.4T and 2.0T engines were technologically benchmarked against joint-venture models, featuring innovations like integrated exhaust manifolds for rapid warm-up. I've driven the 2020 2.0T model, which delivered more aggressive acceleration than the contemporary Tiguan and exhibited remarkable stability at high speeds. Unfortunately, these models are no longer available new, but well-maintained used examples still perform admirably. I recall media tests showing the 2.0T variant achieving 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds, outpacing most domestic SUVs of that period. Had Borgward continued its development, this powertrain system would likely have seen further upgrades.


