The Chinese automaker "Brilliance" already entered our market in the mid-2000s, but then they did not gain much success (a couple of models sold) - frankly losing to competitors both in terms of build quality and equipment.
With the Brilliance V5 model (in March 2014), the Chinese made a second attempt to “conquer Russia” - not to say that “they were overtaken by success,” but obviously - this time the concern from the Middle Kingdom prepared more thoroughly.
In the second half of 2017, a slightly updated SUV reached the Russian market - the exterior was corrected (in particular, by changing the optics), new equipment was added and a powerful gasoline turbo engine was installed.
It should be noted right away that Brilliance Auto has been cooperating with Japanese and European car manufacturers for a long time - systematically improving the quality of its cars. Here and in the exterior of the crossover Brilliance V5 are visible "notes of BMW", which already makes this machine very attractive. It is noteworthy that the Germans are not at all opposed to copying their models, but provide all kinds of support, including in terms of developing technical filling (but this is a separate big topic).
The body of the Brilliance V5 crossover is made of high-strength steel and has several zones of programmable deformation in the front and rear - which allowed this model to successfully pass the C-NCAP tests for frontal and side impact, as well as certification (giving the right to appear on Russian roads).
The length of the crossover is 4,405 mm, the length of the wheelbase is 2 630 mm, the width fits into the frames of 1 800 mm excluding mirrors, and the height is limited to 1 627 mm. The front and rear tracks are respectively 1,544 and 1,530 mm. The ground clearance (clearance) is 175 mm. The curb weight of the crossover varies in the range of 1730 - 1780 kg.
The presentable appearance is correctly emphasized by the design of the Brilliance V5 cabin, which is designed to provide maximum comfort to the driver and passengers - in this aspect, the crossover, at the time of its appearance, became the best among all "Chinese" presented in Russia.
To the abundance of free space and many niches for storing small things, you can safely add: comfortable seats, 6 airbags and a highly ergonomic design of the front panel and the driver's seat.
The interior decoration uses high quality fabric and soft plastic, devoid of the "traditional Chinese smell".
The trunk is also quite good, capable of swallowing 430 liters of cargo in the base, and with the second row of seats folded down, even 1254 liters.
Specifications. In the "Russian specification" Brilliance V5 is presented with two gasoline engines:
- The first option is a naturally aspirated Mitsubishi 4A92S four-cylinder engine with a total displacement of 1.6 liters. The maximum power of this motor is fixed at 110 hp, and the peak torque falls at around 151 Nm, developed at 4000 rpm. It is aggregated either with a 5-speed "mechanics" developed jointly with the Toyota concern, or with a 5-band hydromechanical "automatic", in the production of which Koreans from Hyundai take an active part.
"Driving" characteristics of the crossover for the version with manual transmission are as follows: from zero to 100 km / h, it accelerates in 11.9 seconds, gains maximum 170 km /, and in mixed mode consumes no more than 8.5 liters of fuel per 100 km. - An alternative to it is the BM15T engine with a volume of 1.5 liters (1493 cubic centimeters) with a turbocharger, 16-valve layout and direct injection, producing 143 "stallions" at 5500 rpm and 210 Nm of maximum potential at 2000-4500 rpm. It mates exclusively with a 5-speed automatic transmission, which allows the car to accelerate to 180 km / h and "destroy" no more than 6.8 liters of gasoline for every "hundred" in the combined cycle.
Brilliance V5 "flaunts" independent front suspension on MacPherson struts and a semi-independent structure with a torsion beam at the rear ("in a circle" - with transverse stabilizers and hydraulic shock absorbers). The SUV's wheels accommodate disc brakes, and the front is also ventilated, and its rack and pinion steering is complemented by an electric booster.
Options and prices. In the Russian market, the updated (2017 model year) Brilliance V5 is offered only with a 143-horsepower engine in two equipment levels - "Sport" and "Deluxe". For the basic configuration, dealers ask for a minimum of 1,049,000 rubles, while the "top" version will cost 50,000 rubles more.
- As a standard, the car is equipped with: a pair of front airbags, an infotainment system with a 6.5-inch screen, ABS, ASR, EBD, keyless entry to the salon and engine activation, air conditioning, exterior mirrors with electrical settings and heating, remote trunk lid opening technology, electric windows for all doors, an audio system with four speakers, heated front seats, rear parking sensors and other equipment.
- A more advanced performance, in addition to the above options, can also boast: side curtain airbags, "cruise", an electric sunroof, "music" with eight speakers and some other "gadgets".
