Brilliance M2 (BS4)

Brilliance M2 (BS4): which version to buy

If you are choosing a Brilliance M2 (BS4) Sedan, the numbers split the field into three useful groups: the 100 hp 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT (Gasoline, 1584 cm³, FWD), the naturally aspirated 136 hp 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT (1834 cm³), and the Turbo 170 hp 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT (1793 cm³). A 130 hp 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT (1997 cm³) exist only in 1 generation (2007–2009).

If you are choosing a Brilliance M2 (BS4) Sedan, the numbers split the field into three useful groups: the 100 hp 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT (Gasoline, 1584 cm³, FWD), the naturally aspirated 136 hp 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT (1834 cm³), and the Turbo 170 hp 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT (1793 cm³). A 130 hp 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT (1997 cm³) exist only in 1 generation (2007–2009). The restyling (2010–2016 calendar window; the listed versions themselves run 2010–2012) drops the 1.6 Automatic and both 2.0 versions, keeps FWD and Sedan, and is the only place where the Turbo 1.8 AT (170 hp) gets a 6-speed Automatic. Buy the restyling 1.8 MT (170 hp) if the measured 9 s to 100 km/h and 210 km/h top speed are the point; buy the restyling 1.8 MT (136 hp) if mixed consumption of 8.7 l/100 km beats the Turbo’s 9.7; buy a 1 generation 1.6 MT (100 hp) only if 92 fuel and the lightest 1390 kg kerb matter more than power.

Generations: what actually changed when you pick a year

There is one generation of the Brilliance M2 (BS4). Treat 1 generation (April 2007 – December 2009, Sedan, 12 versions) and 1 generation, restyling (January 2010 – December 2016, Sedan, 5 versions) as one lineage with a facelift, not as two separate generations.

1 generation (2007–2009). This is the only period with 1.6 AT (100 hp, 4-speed Automatic), 2.0 MT (130 hp), and 2.0 AT (130 hp, 4-speed Automatic). It is also the only period with a Turbo 1.8 AT (170 hp) on a 4-speed Automatic. Two 1.8 MT (136 hp) rows sit here: one at 1480 kg kerb, 15 s to 100 km/h, 10 / 7 / 8.5 l/100 km city/highway/mixed, compression 10, Front, transverse layout, bore and stroke 75 × 85, rear suspension Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem; the other at 1480 kg, 0–100 not measured, 185 km/h, 11.9 / 6.8 / 8.7 l/100 km, compression 9.5, rear Independent, spring. Two Turbo 1.8 MT (170 hp) rows differ by kerb: 1430 kg versus 1455 kg (25 kg). Two 1.6 MT (100 hp) rows differ by kerb and by the only 1.6 acceleration figure in the catalogue: 1390 kg with 0–100 and top speed not measured, versus 1455 kg with 9 s and 210 km/h.

1 generation, restyling (2010–2016). Five versions, all Gasoline, Inline 4, 4 valves per cylinder, FWD, disc front and rear (label Disc), 74 l tank, 130 mm ground clearance, wheels not measured, CO2 not measured, eco class not measured. Gone: 1.6 AT, 2.0 MT, 2.0 AT. The Turbo 1.8 AT (170 hp) moves from 4 speeds to 6. The naturally aspirated 1.8 AT (136 hp) is 5-speed Automatic, same as one of the pre-restyle 5-speed 1.8 AT (136 hp) rows, not the 4-speed 1.8 AT (136 hp) of 2007–2009. Restyling 1.8 MT (136 hp) is 1415 kg kerb versus 1480 kg on both 1 generation 1.8 MT (136 hp) rows — 65 kg less. Restyling 1.8 MT (136 hp) 0–100 is 11.8 s versus 15 s on the 1480 kg 1 generation 1.8 MT (136 hp) that has that figure — 3.2 s quicker on the same 185 km/h cap.

Engines and specs: every version, named as in the database

All engines are Gasoline, Inline, 4 cylinders, 4 valves per cylinder, FWD. Boost is either No or Turbo. Fuel is 92 on every 1.6, 95 on every 1.8 that records fuel, and not measured on both 2.0 versions.

Injection is Distributed injection (multi-point) on every 1.8 that records it; not measured on every 1.6 and both 2.0 versions. Compression is 9.5 on 1.6 and on most 136 hp 1.8 rows; 10 on the 1 generation 1.8 MT (136 hp) that also lists Front, transverse and 75 × 85; not measured on Turbo 1793 cm³ and on 2.0.

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): 1.6 MT / 1.6 AT 100 / 1.584 = 63.1 hp/l. 2.0 MT / 2.0 AT 130 / 1.997 = 65.1 hp/l. 1.8 MT / 1.8 AT 136 hp 136 / 1.834 = 74.2 hp/l. Turbo 1.8 MT / 1.8 AT 170 / 1.793 = 94.8 hp/l. The Turbo 1.8 is 31.7 hp/l above the 1.6 and 20.6 hp/l above the 136 hp 1.8. The 2.0 is only 2.0 hp/l above the 1.6 despite 413 cm³ more, and 9.1 hp/l below the 136 hp 1.8 despite 163 cm³ more.

Torque: Turbo 235 Nm at 2000 rpm versus 165 Nm at 5000 rpm on the 136 hp 1.8 — 70 Nm more, 3000 rpm earlier. The 2.0’s 173 Nm is 8 Nm above the 136 hp 1.8 and 62 Nm below the Turbo, with rpm not measured.

Performance and economy (mpg / l/100 km)

Measured 0–100 km/h in this catalogue is 9 s, 11.8 s, or 15 s — nothing in between.

• 9 s: restyling 1.8 AT (170 hp); restyling 1.8 MT (170 hp); 1 generation 1.8 MT (170 hp) at 1430 kg and at 1455 kg; 1 generation 2.0 MT (130 hp); 1 generation 1.6 MT (100 hp) at 1455 kg.
• 11.8 s: restyling 1.8 MT (136 hp).
• 15 s: 1 generation 1.8 MT (136 hp) at 1480 kg with 10 / 7 / 8.5 l/100 km.

Not measured 0–100: restyling 1.6 MT (100 hp); restyling 1.8 AT (136 hp); 1 generation 1.6 MT (100 hp) at 1390 kg; 1.6 AT (100 hp); Turbo 1.8 AT (170 hp) of 1 generation; 1.8 AT (136 hp) 5-speed of 1 generation; 2.0 AT (130 hp); 1 generation 1.8 MT (136 hp) with 11.9 / 6.8 / 8.7; 1 generation 1.8 AT (136 hp) 4-speed.

Top speed 210 km/h sits on restyling 1.8 MT (170 hp), both 1 generation Turbo 1.8 MT (170 hp) rows, 2.0 MT (130 hp), and the 1455 kg 1.6 MT (100 hp). Top speed 185 km/h sits on restyling 1.8 MT (136 hp) and both 1 generation 1.8 MT (136 hp) rows. Not measured on every Automatic in the restyling except the Turbo 1.8 AT (170 hp) also has top speed not measured, and on 1.6 AT, Turbo 1.8 AT (170 hp) of 1 generation, both 1.8 AT (136 hp) of 1 generation, 2.0 AT, and restyling 1.6 MT.

Fuel (city / highway / mixed, l/100 km):

• Turbo 1.8 MT (170 hp), restyling and both 1 generation Turbo manuals: 14 / 7.2 / 9.7.
• Restyling 1.8 MT (136 hp) and 1 generation 1.8 MT (136 hp) with Independent, spring rear: 11.9 / 6.8 / 8.7.
• 1 generation 1.8 MT (136 hp) with Semi-independent rear: 10 / 7 / 8.5.

Everything else: city, highway, mixed not measured — including every Automatic, every 1.6 except that none of the 1.6s have economy figures, and both 2.0 versions.

Arithmetic on the manuals that do have mixed figures: Turbo 9.7 versus 8.7 is +1.0 l/100 km; versus 8.5 is +1.2. City is the gap: 14 versus 11.9 is +2.1; 14 versus 10 is +4.0. Highway is close: 7.2 versus 6.8 is +0.4; 7.2 versus 7 is +0.2. On a 74 l tank, mixed 8.5 l/100 km implies 870 km of tank range (74 ÷ 8.5 × 100); 8.7 implies 851 km; 9.7 implies 763 km. Those ranges are arithmetic on the given tank and mixed figures, not a separate measurement.

CO2 is not measured on every version. Eco class is not measured on every version.

Dimensions and weight

Ground clearance is 130 mm on every version. Tank is 74 l on every version. Wheel sizes are not measured on every version. Body is Sedan. Drive is FWD.

Kerb weight, where measured:

• 1390 kg: restyling 1.6 MT (100 hp); 1 generation 1.6 MT (100 hp) with 0–100 not measured.
• 1410 kg: 2.0 MT (130 hp).
• 1415 kg: restyling 1.8 MT (136 hp); restyling 1.8 AT (136 hp); 1 generation 1.8 AT (136 hp) 5-speed.
• 1430 kg: restyling 1.8 MT (170 hp); 1 generation 1.8 MT (170 hp) at 1430 kg.
• 1455 kg: 1 generation 1.6 MT (100 hp) with 9 s / 210 km/h; 1 generation 1.8 MT (170 hp) at 1455 kg.
• 1465 kg: restyling 1.8 AT (170 hp).
• 1480 kg: both 1 generation 1.8 MT (136 hp) rows.

Kerb not measured: 1.6 AT (100 hp); 1 generation Turbo 1.8 AT (170 hp); 2.0 AT (130 hp); 1 generation 1.8 AT (136 hp) 4-speed.

Gross: 1870 kg on restyling 1.8 MT (136 hp), restyling 1.8 AT (136 hp), 1 generation 1.8 MT (136 hp) both rows, 1 generation 1.8 AT (136 hp) 5-speed and 4-speed. 1800 kg on 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT. Not measured on all 1.6 versions, all Turbo 170 hp versions, and restyling 1.6 MT. Payload arithmetic where both exist: 1870 − 1415 = 455 kg (restyling 136 hp 1.8); 1870 − 1480 = 390 kg (1 generation 136 hp 1.8 MT); 1800 − 1410 = 390 kg (2.0 MT).

kg per hp (kerb ÷ hp), where kerb is measured: restyling Turbo 1.8 MT (170 hp) 1430 / 170 = 8.41 kg/hp (lightest per hp). Restyling Turbo 1.8 AT (170 hp) 1465 / 170 = 8.62. 1 generation Turbo 1.8 MT 1455 / 170 = 8.56. Restyling 1.8 MT / 1.8 AT 136 hp 1415 / 136 = 10.40. 2.0 MT 1410 / 130 = 10.85. 1 generation 1.8 MT (136 hp) 1480 / 136 = 10.88. 1.6 MT 1390 / 100 = 13.90. 1.6 MT 1455 / 100 = 14.55 (heaviest per hp). The Turbo manual at 8.41 kg/hp is 5.49 kg/hp lighter per hp than the 1390 kg 1.6 MT, and 2.47 kg/hp lighter than the restyling 136 hp 1.8.

Front suspension is Independent, spring on every version. Rear is Independent, spring except the 1 generation 1.8 MT (136 hp) that lists Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem. Brakes are Disc front and Disc rear on every version.

Which version to choose

If the job is acceleration that this catalogue actually measured. Restyling 1.8 MT (170 hp) and restyling 1.8 AT (170 hp) both list 9 s; only the manual also lists 210 km/h (Automatic top speed not measured). 1 generation Turbo 1.8 MT (170 hp) matches 9 s and 210 km/h at 1430 kg or 1455 kg. 2.0 MT (130 hp) also lists 9 s and 210 km/h at 1410 kg — same sprint and cap as the Turbo manual, with 40 hp less, 62 Nm less, and 8.41 versus 10.85 kg/hp. The 1455 kg 1.6 MT (100 hp) of 1 generation also lists 9 s and 210 km/h; the 1390 kg 1.6 MT does not (not measured). Do not treat the two 1.6 MT (100 hp) rows as equal.

If the job is mixed fuel. Among versions with figures, 1 generation 1.8 MT (136 hp) at 10 / 7 / 8.5 is the lowest mixed and city. Restyling 1.8 MT (136 hp) at 11.9 / 6.8 / 8.7 is 1.8 s quicker to 100 than that 15 s row (11.8 versus 15) and 65 kg lighter, at +0.2 mixed. Turbo 1.8 MT (170 hp) at 9.7 mixed costs 1.0–1.2 l/100 km versus those 136 hp manuals for 34 hp and 70 Nm. Automatic economy is not measured on any 1.8 AT, 1.6 AT, or 2.0 AT.

If the job is 92 fuel. Only 1.6 MT (100 hp) and 1.6 AT (100 hp). Restyling keeps only 1.6 MT. 1.6 AT is 4-speed Automatic, 1 generation only, kerb not measured, 0–100 not measured, top speed not measured, consumption not measured. Specific output 63.1 hp/l is the lowest in the set.

If the job is an Automatic. Restyling Turbo 1.8 AT (170 hp) is the only 6-speed: 170 hp, 235 Nm, 9 s, 1465 kg, 6 gears versus 4 on the 1 generation Turbo 1.8 AT (170 hp). That is +2 gears on the same 170 hp / 1793 cm³ Turbo. Naturally aspirated 1.8 AT (136 hp) is 5-speed in restyling and in one 1 generation row (1415 kg both), and 4-speed in the other 1 generation row (kerb not measured). 1.6 AT and 2.0 AT are 4-speed only. No Automatic has highway or mixed consumption in these data.

If you are looking at Brilliance M2 (BS4) 1.8 MT 2007 or 1.8 MT 2008. Those years are 1 generation only. You must split 1.8 MT by power: 1.8 MT (170 hp, Turbo, 1793 cm³) versus 1.8 MT (136 hp, No boost, 1834 cm³). Then split the 136 hp manuals: 15 s / 8.5 mixed / compression 10 / Semi-independent rear versus 0–100 not measured / 8.7 mixed / 185 km/h / Independent rear. Then split the 170 hp manuals: 1430 kg versus 1455 kg (same 9 s, 210 km/h, 14 / 7.2 / 9.7). A 2007–2008 1.8 MT without those splits is four different cars under one name.

What the restyling buys in numbers, not in trim stories. Dropped: 1.6 AT, 2.0 MT, 2.0 AT. Kept: 1.6 MT (100 hp) at 1390 kg, still 0–100 not measured. Turbo Automatic: 4 speeds → 6. 136 hp 1.8 MT: 1480 kg → 1415 kg (−65 kg), 15 s → 11.8 s where the restyling lists 0–100. Turbo 1.8 MT (170 hp): 1430 kg restyling matches the lighter of the two 1 generation Turbo manuals. Ground clearance, tank, FWD, Sedan, Disc brakes stay the same.

What extra displacement does not buy. 2.0 MT (130 hp, 1997 cm³) is 6 hp below the 136 hp 1.8, 4 hp above a straight interpolation from the 1.6, and 40 hp below the Turbo 1.8. Specific output 65.1 hp/l is closer to the 1.6 (63.1) than to the 136 hp 1.8 (74.2). It matches Turbo-manual 9 s and 210 km/h in this table, with fuel not measured. 2.0 AT adds a 4-speed Automatic, 0–100 not measured, top speed not measured, kerb not measured, gross 1800 kg. After 2009 those two versions are not in the restyling list.

Problems and reliability. Not measured in these data. There is no failure rate, no service interval, and no owner-score field in the source. A buying choice here is a choice among hp, Nm, kg, seconds, l/100 km, gear count, and fuel grade — not among unlisted faults.

Short map. Want the lowest kg/hp and a measured 9 s: restyling 1.8 MT (170 hp) at 8.41 kg/hp. Want Automatic and 9 s: restyling 1.8 AT (170 hp), 6-speed. Want 92 fuel: 1.6 MT (100 hp); pick 1390 kg unless you specifically want the 1455 kg 1 generation row that lists 9 s and 210 km/h. Want the lowest measured mixed figure: 1 generation 1.8 MT (136 hp) at 8.5 l/100 km, knowing 0–100 is 15 s. Want that 136 hp engine in the lighter restyling shell: restyling 1.8 MT (136 hp) at 1415 kg, 11.8 s, 8.7 mixed. Want 2.0 litres: only 1 generation 2.0 MT or 2.0 AT, and only 2007–2009.