Proton is currently having a second media preview of the X50 SUV and they have provided more details of its engine and transmission. As revealed a few weeks ago, the Proton X50 comes in 4 variants and 2 engine options.
All models get a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged engine that’s jointly developed by Geely and Volvo. The engines have undergone 1.9 million km of testing around the world and it is currently used in over 550,000 vehicles worldwide.
The standard, executive and premium models, will be equipped with a 1.5L T engine that uses port fuel injection setup, and it pushes 150PS (148hp) and 226Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the top-of-the-line flagship model gets the 1.5L TGDi direct fuel injection engine that pushes a higher 177PS (175hp) and 255Nm of torque.
As a comparison, the Honda HR-V’s 1.8-litre 4-cylinder NA engine pushes an output of 142PS (140hp) and 172Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the CR-V’s 1.5L 4-cylinder turbo engine pushes 193PS (190hp) and 243Nm of torque.
Across the board, the X50 is paired with a 7-speed wet-clutch DCT which is similar to the locally-assembled Proton X70 2020. It also features a similar shift-by-wire gear shifter like the X70 and it also offers manual mode selection. It also comes with 3 drive modes – Normal, Eco and Sport. Proton claims that the compact SUV can do 0-100km/h in just 7.9 seconds.
According to Proton, the 1.5L TGDi has a fuel consumption of 6.4 litre per 100km while the 1.5L T is rated at 6.5 litre per 100km. Obviously, due to its smaller and lighter body, it’s more frugal than the X70 2020 that has a rated consumption of 7.6 litre per 100km.
Obviously, there’s a perception that a 3-cyclinder engine is inferior than a 4-cyclinder setup. Proton has incorporated more than 10 parts into the new SUV to improve engine Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Geely has recently revealed that they have incorporated latest technologies in its 1.5TD engine lineup to overcome perceivable engine vibration. This includes using counterweighted crankshafts, dual mass flywheel with centrifugal pendulum absorber damper, single balancing shaft, low noise timing belt, high stiffness oil pan, asymmetric oil pump impeller, engine compartment vibration dampener. Geely believes that its cars equipped with the 1.5-litre 3-cylinder engines are on par or better than other vehicles that come with 4-cyclinder engines.
