Easy Car's original RX5 is definitely a pivotal model for Roewe. Since its listing in 2016, its sales can be said to have soared, and the results of 20,000 units per month at that time can definitely be regarded as a phenomenon. Not long ago, SAIC released a new RX5 model, which also contains many new elements.
Compared with the current model, the new RX5 adopts a completely different appearance, and the huge front face mesh design is very exaggerated. In line with its new look, the new car will also be equipped with a new engine, the model GS61. With the official unveiling of this engine, we also had the opportunity to learn about it.
However, before officially introducing the GS61, I can briefly look at the "mental journey" of the SAIC blue core engine. In 2015, SAIC motor officially launched the engine series named "Blue Core", and the first generation of Blue Core was jointly developed by SAIC motor and Pan Asia, and the first generation of Roewe RX5 mentioned above was equipped with the first generation of blue core engine.
At that time, the 1.5T engine mounted on the first-generation RX5 had a maximum power of 124 kW and a maximum torque of 250 N·m, and the 2.0T engine on the high-end model was also a product of the first-generation Blue Core Series. At that time, at the front fenders of the body, we can also see the "NETBLUE" logo representing the blue core.
The protagonist of this article, GS61, belongs to the latest generation of blue-core engines, which are manufactured by SAIC Zhengzhou Engine Branch and are the first engine products released by this factory. SAIC Zhengzhou Engine Branch was established in May 2019, and the current annual output of the first phase of the plant is about 300,000 units, and after the completion of the second phase of construction, the annual output of its engines can reach 600,000 units, which can basically cover 50% of SAIC's passenger cars.
GS61 is a 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, the maximum power of the engine is 138kW, the maximum torque is 300N·m, the data is compared with SAIC's second-generation blue core star product 15C4E, but it is not very obvious. However, as far as the information is known so far, this new engine also uses some more advanced technology, and the overall performance can be said to have made a significant improvement.
GS61 adopts the cylinder direct injection such a current mainstream injection method, the injection pressure is 350 bar, can better atomize gasoline, so that the combustion is more full, in fact, this technology has been used in the second generation of SAIC blue core engine, the effect and reliability are very good. In addition, the use of variable-section turbines also allows the engine to obtain a faster power response and more abundant torque release at low and high speeds.
The GS61 uses the Miller cycle to work, which is also often seen on some of the small displacement turbocharged engines on the market. The Miller cycle allows the engine to achieve a higher compression ratio and is relatively more fuel-efficient. In addition, low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation further reduces fuel consumption and emission values. According to the official, the GS61 1.5T engine can achieve an ideal fuel consumption of 6.0L/100km.
Compared with the previous generation of blue-core engines, the operating efficiency of the newly released GS61 has also been significantly improved. Through the combination of low coefficient of friction coating, pendulum dual-mass flywheel, low-tension timing transmission system and other technologies, the efficient operating area of the complete powertrain system is 30% higher than that of the previous generation engine, and its thermal efficiency is close to 40%.
In addition, the use of low-friction materials has also played a certain role in the improvement of engine NVH, and at the same time, the lightweight of the cylinder head and the use of acoustic packages in key parts can make the NVH performance of the new GS61 have a relatively large improvement compared with the previous generation of products.
Comparison of peer power
In view of the increasingly strict manufacturer's points policy, in the current independent brand compact SUVs, many models have adopted 1.5T engines, including many leading power platforms such as Changan Blue Whale and BYD Xiaoyun. Therefore, the challenges faced after the launch of the new GS61 engine are not small.
However, in terms of the current product data performance, GS61 can be said to be the slightest bit behind, equipped with these three engine models of the power output data is almost equal, at least in the research and development level, all represent the current domestic first-line independent brands should be the level.
According to the EasyCar App, in the latest autonomous compact SUV ranking, roewe RX5 sales in March were 8807 units, ranking 16th, and it is believed that after the new Roewe RX5 wins the baton, its sales performance will have a more obvious increase.
Editor's comments: The launch of the GS61 not only announces the birth of a new generation of blue core power, but also the birth of the Zhengzhou Engine Branch of Shanghai Automobile has also begun to assume an important role. With the blessing of a series of new technologies, GS61 has a very comprehensive performance, which can also be seen as an effort made by SAIC in terms of balanced performance, fuel consumption, emissions and stability, and perhaps GS61 will also become a strong contender for the next top ten "Chinese hearts". With the continuous disclosure of information such as appearance and engine, the veil of the new RX5 is also being lifted little by little, and can this car continue the glory of its predecessors? I am also looking forward to being able to find a clue in the future on the real car.