Proton PHEV confirmed for 2025 – Could Geely Galaxy L7 be a candidate for next-gen X70 with 1.5T 4-cylinder?

Beside X70 upgradedProton also confirmed yesterday that its first plug-in hybrid model will be launched next year, at the same time as its first car. battery electric vehicle. While PHEV has been of interest to the national carmaker for some time, this is the first time the company has given a timeline for the model’s introduction.

There are no details yet, but with just about a year to go, we can speculate that it will likely be based on the existing Geely model. This will almost certainly be provided by NordThor BHE15 Plus plug-in hybrid systemFocusing on a 1.5-liter turbocharged Atkinson 4-cylinder engine with a capacity of 163 horsepower/255 Nm.

This is combined with a 145 PS/338 Nm electric motor and a three-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT) to deliver up to 390 PS and 535 Nm of torque. Various battery sizes are available depending on model and variant, providing a pure electric range of up to 90 km.

The NordThor PHEV powertrain is fitted to several vehicle models in China, including Galaxy L7. This is the plug-in version of the latest Boyue L, based on Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) – meaning it could be offered in Malaysia as the next-generation X70. Given that the improved first generation model is will be released this yearhowever, such a car should be marketed under a different nameplate.

Proton’s focus on profitable SUVs means the L7 is the most likely choice, but it also has a sedan sibling called the L6. Not like S70this is a slightly larger C-segment car so it can be sold as a more premium alternative.

The NordThor powertrain is also found in Geely’s popular models, branded Hi-P. To date, the PHEV models offered are Emgrand L and Xingyue LThe latter is also available in a long-range version with a pure electric range of up to 205 km.

Alternatively, Proton could simply attach an electric motor and battery to the existing three 1.5-liter turbochargers, which are currently being produced in Malaysia. This brings the added benefit of being able to theoretically fit its current models, especially since it will also work with a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission.

However, there is a catch – such powertrains exist only in Top up Volvo XC40 T5, which means Proton will have to cooperate with Gothenburg to bring this technology to our market. The XC40 produces a total of 262 PS and 425 Nm of torque, and with its 10.7 kWh lithium-ion battery, it has a pure electric range of 44 km.

So, which of these options would you like to see in Malaysia as Proton’s first PHEV? Sound off in the comments section after the jump.

COLLECTION: Geely Galaxy L7 at Auto China 2024

COLLECTION: Geely Galaxy L6

COLLECTION: Geely Emgrand L Hi-P

COLLECTION: Geely Xingyue L Hi-X

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