The launch of the Proton Tech Showcase revealed that Proton will be installing its new i-GT 1.5 litre engine family in the upcoming updates for the X70, X90 and S70, and the Malaysian carmaker has revealed the proportions of local content in these engines.
Proton stated that the turbocharged version of the i-GT 1.5 litre engine for the aforementioned SUV and sedan models, as specified in the X50 facelift, will get 45% local content, while the naturally aspirated version of the engine, as featured in the latest Saga and set for an upcoming SUV model, will have slightly more local content, at 54%.
When asked if, and when, Proton will increase the amount of local content for these engines, a representative of the brand said that the decision is up to the management, and that the current level of localisation is already “well above” what is required by the government.
In naturally aspirated guise, the i-GT engine powers the 2026 Saga MC3, and the BHE15-CFN port-injected, naturally-aspirated four-cylinder unit makes 120 PS at 6,100 rpm and 150 Nm from 4,000 rpm to 5,000 rpm; Standard and Executive variants of the Saga get the Aisin four-speed automatic gearbox, while the Premium gets a Punch CVT.
The BHE15TD i-GT 1.5 litre turbocharged direct injection engine in the 2025 X50 facelift outputs 181 PS and 290 Nm, which are transmitted to the front wheels through a seven-speed wet dual-clutch gearbox. Thus equipped, the B-segment SUV does 0-100 km/h in 7.6 seconds, and Proton claims a 4.7% improvement in fuel efficiency over its three-cylinder engined predecessor.
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Guess Proton surging ahead with engine tech even without Volvo involvement well just wait for the Geely + Renault powertrain coming in the next 2 years but probably Proton have to wait slightly longer.
proton improving rapidly by leaps and bounds under Geely, so this is thanks to which peoples republic party and thanks to president X… ,oops wait sorry, thanks to which malaysian gomen and which PM
Ensure all workers for these ckd chinese brands are Malaysian. Otherwise, they are NOT welcome here. Shoo, go away!
gomen will again force people to buy these local trash. The way is as usual, impose high tariff on non-national brands. Gee, thanks Proton.
The insiders know they use ‘outsiders’ to do the job for them.. interesting to see how far they will use that ‘55% Malaysian’ message.
Proton has really disappointed it’s customers in Pakistan by abandoning the market without after selling service,thus leaving a very bad impact, kindly review your dealership