It’s official – Proton is hitting the bottom running in 2026 with the launch of the brand new X70 on Thursday, January 8. Arriving just 17 months after the facelifted model, the most recent iteration of the C-segment SUV will feature a brand-new engine, the national carmaker confirmed.
That engine is the 1.5 litre BHE15-EFZ turbocharged four-cylinder from last 12 months’s facelifted X50, which Proton has given the Intelligent Green Technology (i-GT) badge to. It produces 181 PS at 5,500 rpm and 290 Nm of torque between 2,000 and three,500 rpm – increases of 4 PS and 35 Nm over the old GEP3 three-cylinder, and a better match to the unique 184 PS/300 Nm 1.8 litre turbo four-pot mill.
All that may almost actually be sent to the front wheels (the all-wheel-drive model was discontinued on the facelift) through the identical seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission as before. Expect claims of reduced fuel consumption in addition to lower maintenance costs, the latter due to a switch to a timing chain.
As with prior minor minor changes where the majority of the upgrades were under the skin (think X70 MC and X50 RC), expect little in the way in which of design revisions, which is able to likely be limited to color and trim changes. Hopefully, nevertheless, we’ll see driver assists akin to autonomous emergency braking being expanded to the remainder of the range (not only the Premium and Premium X variants) this time around.
AD: Drive the Proton model of your dreams. Submit your details and Proton PJ will get in contact with you.
Trying to sell your automotive? Sell it with Carro.
This Article First Appeared At paultan.org
