The Proton X70 was launched in Malaysia at the end of 2018. Three and a half years later, Proton’s flagship model is getting the most significant makeover, but this is no ordinary facelift, because the SUV’s face is quite similar. The interior, too, still comes with the original infotainment system seen on the first CBU units and not Atlas OS used elsewhere in the Proton’s range.
Instead, big news all around 2022 Proton X70 MC (for minor changes) is not visible, even after you open the hood. Under the soft plastic engine hood is a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbo engine from the smaller X50. Okay more widely used in the Proton . range For the foreseeable future, the direct-injection TGDi engine produces 177 PS at 5,500 rpm and 255 Nm of torque from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm.
That’s 7 PS and 45 Nm less than the turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder that’s been the standard engine for the X70 since launch. Power of 184 PS / 300 Nm 1.8L (1,750 to 4,000 rpm peak torque) is still around, but only in the top-end 1.8L 2WD. Every other variant gets 1.5L.
Both engines come standard with a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (introduced with CKD version in early 2020, which replaces the CBU’s front-wheel drive and 6AT, with the exception of the 1.5 Executive AWD variant, which marks the return of all-wheel drive to the X70. This 1.5 Exec AWD sits on top of the base 1.5 standard 2WD and the 1.5 Executive 2WD. Above the only AWD variant are the 1.5 Premium 2WD and 1.8 Premium 2WD.
You would expect a smaller engine – and that one Produced in malaysia no less – to reduce the price of the X70, but the opposite happened. While we were still exempt from SST, the price increased from RM4,000 to RM6,000. Now cars have sales tax again, X70 price increased from RM4,900 to RM7,000. Today’s price range is from RM98,800 to RM128,800 on the go without insurance. Inflationary.
In this X70 MC review video, Hafriz Shah answers the burning questions associated with switching to a lower displacement engine with a smaller cylinder. Enough power? Screening problems? Our man’s household has both 1.8L X70 and X50 using this 1.5L trio, so he comments from a familiar position. He also shared some frustrations with the MC and delivered a new verdict on the X70, three years later. See the review above and let us know what you think of the X70 MC.
GALLERY: 2022 Proton X70 1.5 TGDi Premium
GALLERY: 2022 Proton X70 1.5 TGDi Executive AWD
