
Roewe RX5 MAX engine is produced by SAIC Motor Corporation Limited, so this engine is domestically made. Roewe RX5 MAX uses two types of engines, with model numbers 20L4E and 15C4E. The 20L4E engine has a maximum horsepower of 231 HP, maximum power of 170 kW, maximum power speed of 5300 rpm, and peak torque of 370 N·m. The 15C4E engine has a maximum horsepower of 181 HP, maximum power of 133 kW, maximum power speed of 5600 rpm, and peak torque of 285 N·m. For daily of the Roewe RX5 MAX engine, the following methods can be used: Use lubricating oil of the appropriate quality grade. For gasoline engines, SD--SF grade gasoline engine oil should be selected based on the additional devices of the intake and exhaust systems and usage conditions; for diesel engines, CB_CD grade diesel engine oil should be selected based on mechanical load, with the selection standard not lower than the manufacturer's requirements. Regularly change the engine oil and oil filter. The quality of any grade of lubricating oil will change during use. After a certain mileage, performance deteriorates, leading to various engine problems. To avoid malfunctions, change the oil regularly based on usage conditions and maintain an appropriate oil level. When oil passes through the fine holes of the filter, solid particles and viscous substances in the oil accumulate in the filter. If the filter is clogged and oil cannot pass through, the filter may burst or the safety valve may open, allowing oil to bypass through the bypass valve and carry contaminants back to the lubrication areas, accelerating engine wear and increasing internal contamination. Regularly clean the crankcase. During engine operation, high-pressure unburned gases, acids, moisture, sulfur, and nitrogen oxides from the combustion chamber enter the crankcase through the gap between the piston rings and cylinder walls, mixing with metal particles from component wear to form sludge. Small amounts remain suspended in the oil, while large amounts precipitate, clogging filters and oil passages, making engine lubrication difficult and causing wear. Regularly use a radiator cleaner to clean the radiator. Removing rust and scale not only ensures normal engine operation but also extends the overall lifespan of the radiator and engine.

Last time I went to the 4S store for a test drive of the Roewe RX5 MAX, I specifically asked the salesperson. This car uses the Blue Core series engine independently developed by SAIC Motor and produced at the Yizheng factory in Jiangsu. My cousin bought the 2.0T four-wheel-drive version last year, and the nameplate clearly states Shanghai Automotive Group Co., Ltd. The power delivery feels exceptionally smooth when driving, with brisk acceleration and low fuel consumption. SAIC's 1.5T and 2.0T engines are quite maturely tuned, reportedly using direct injection technology, with many components developed in collaboration with major manufacturers like Bosch. Domestic engines have made rapid progress nowadays, and the Roewe factory even has a 24-hour quality monitoring system overseeing the production line.

I did my homework before the car. The Roewe RX5 MAX's engine is indeed domestically produced. SAIC Motor's production base in Zhengzhou specializes in manufacturing this NLE series engine, with fully automated assembly lines in the factory. My 1.5T model has been running for over three years without a single dashboard warning. During the last maintenance, the technician mentioned this powertrain was co-developed with General Motors and features plasma-sprayed cylinder walls, delivering better fuel efficiency than my colleague's joint-venture car. Domestic engines are truly reliable now, and the manufacturer even provides a 5-year warranty for the engine.

As an automotive journalist, I had the opportunity to visit the Shanghai Lingang engine plant in person. The 15C4E/20L4E engines powering the Roewe RX5 MAX are all manufactured there, with the entire workshop equipped with German Hemmler testing equipment. I witnessed firsthand the cast aluminum engine blocks undergoing 280 processing steps, the turbochargers sourced from BorgWarner, and even the piston rings supplied by Japan's Ishikawa. What amazed me the most was that each engine undergoes a 6,000 rpm thermal shock test before leaving the factory, with quality control standards stricter than some imported brands.

When I first picked up the car, I specifically checked the accompanying documents. The 2.0T engine in my RX5 MAX is produced by SAIC's Zhengzhou Engine Plant No. 2. In the workshop, the robotic arms install the crankshaft with a precision of 0.02mm, and a new engine rolls off the production line every 40 seconds. I drove it through the entire Yunnan-Tibet route without any issues, and the turbo kicks in very promptly at high altitudes. The performance figures are also impressive: 231 horsepower and 370 Nm of torque, which are even higher than some German engines of the same displacement. The best part is it runs on 92-octane fuel, making costs much lower.

I remember last year when I accompanied a friend to the Roewe factory for an interview, I saw that the RX5 MAX's engine production was entirely carried out in a constant-temperature, dust-free workshop. Their engineers mentioned that the cylinder head uses aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, and the 1.5T engine achieves a thermal efficiency of 39%, already surpassing joint-venture standards. During my test drive, I noticed that maximum torque kicks in at just 2000 rpm, allowing me to always pull ahead at traffic lights. Now, after driving 30,000 kilometers, the displayed fuel consumption remains stable at 8.2L, and there's never been any sign of oil leakage in the engine bay. Why fear a domestic car when key components come with a lifetime warranty?


