Category Proton

Proton PHEV confirmed for 2025 – Geely Galaxy L7 most likely candidate as next-gen X70 with 1.5T 4-cyl?

Aside from the facelifted X70, Proton also confirmed yesterday that its first plug-in hybrid model will be launched next year, around the same time as its first battery electric vehicle. While a PHEV has been bandied about by the national carmaker for a while, this is the first time it has given a timeline for the car’s introduction.
No details as yet, but given that we’re only about a year out from the launch, we can speculate that it will likely be based on an existing Geely model. This will almost certainly be powered by the NordThor BHE15 Plus plug-in hybrid system, centred around a 163 PS/255 Nm 1.5 litre turbocharged Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine.
This is paired with a 145 PS/338 Nm electric motor and a three-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT) to provide up to 390 PS and 535 Nm of torque. A variety of battery sizes are fitted depending on the model and variant, offering a pure electric range of up to 90 km.

The NordThor PHEV powertrain is fitted to a number of models in China, including the Galaxy L7. This is the plug-in version of the latest Boyue L, based on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) – meaning it could be offered in Malaysia as the next-generation X70. Given that the facelifted first-gen model is due to be launched this year, however, such a car should be marketed under a different nameplate.
Proton’s focus on profitable SUV models means the L7 is the most likely option, but it also has a sedan sibling called the L6. Unlike the S..

2024 Proton X70 facelift confirmed with Level 2 semi-autonomous driving – lane centring assist included

Proton held a media briefing regarding its quality control performance at its Tanjung Malim plant today. As part of the presentation, the national carmaker publicly confirmed the presence of the facelifted X70 for the first time, the refreshed SUV set to be launched sometime this year.
Little has been made known about the new X70, but the company has stated that the car will be offered with Level 2 semi-autonomous driving for the first time, joining the X50, X90 and S70. But wait, doesn’t the X70 already have adaptive cruise control? Yes, but it only functions above 30 km/h (no stop and go), and the car also doesn’t come with lane centring assist, only lane departure warning.
The X50, X90 and S70, on the other hand, come with Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), which combines ACC with stop and go and lane centring. This is almost certainly the system that will come with the facelift, along with lane keep assist.

We know that the new X70 will receive updates from the facelifted first-generation Boyue, thanks to previous spyshots. The changes include slimmer reflector LED headlights, a five-point grille (likely with the new “songket” studded mesh from the X90), a re-profiled front bumper and a new five-spoke design for the range-topping 19-inch alloy wheels. One new bit that the Boyue doesn’t get is a revised rear bumper design with horizontal reflectors.
Inside, the new X70 retains the same gently-undulating, Hangzhou Bay Bridge-inspired dashboard design as the original, losing..

Proton opens new R&D centre in China – serves to upgrade homegrown models, EV development

Proton has opened its new R&D centre in China as part of its collaborative efforts with business partner Zhejiang Geely Holding (Geely). The new facility, which is located within the Geely Automobile Research Institute at Hangzhou Bay, will complement Proton’s existing R&D facilities in Malaysia.
In an official release, the company said its R&D centre in China will strengthen its ability to conceptualise, design, develop and manufacture new vehicles by combining its in-house competencies with the resources and know-how that Geely can offer.
“Aspiring to mirror the success story of China Euro Vehicle Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, this latest development moves Proton’s R&D facilities in Malaysia closer to becoming the sixth in the Geely Group’s global network of R&D centres,” read the release.

The new facility will have a workforce of 50 employees and covers top-hat and platform integration for internal combustion engine (ICE) and future electric vehicle (EV) models. This also includes the upgrading of Proton’s homegrown models, which are presumably the Saga, Persona and Iriz, as covered in a previous report.
In addition to vehicle development, Proton’s R&D centre in China will also serve as a platform to engage with vendors for the continuous development of the Automotive Hi-Tech Valley in Tanjong Malim, Perak, including focusing on full business life cycle areas such as quality, procurement, and manufacturing.
The new centre ..

Beijing 2024: Geely Galaxy L7 – Boyue L-based PHEV, 390 PS, up to 90 km EV range; next-gen Proton X70?

Also shown at the Geely stand at Auto China 2024 is the Galaxy L7 plug-in hybrid. Launched in China last June, it’s based on the latest Boyue L SUV and thus offers a glimpse of what a next-generation Proton X70 might look like.
Galaxy is Geely’s new energy sub-brand, and the L7 utilises the NordThor BHE15 Plus plug-in hybrid system, centred around a 163 PS/255 Nm 1.5 litre turbocharged Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine. This is paired with a 145 PS/338 Nm electric motor and a three-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT) to provide a total system output of 390 PS and 535 Nm of torque.
Juicing the motor is an Aegis battery with a capacity of either 9.1 and 18.7 kWh, resulting in an all-electric range of 43 and 90 km respectively on the WLTP cycle. Fuel consumption is rated at 2.35 litres per 100 km – or 1.3 l/100 km with the larger battery – and even with the battery exhausted, this figure only rises to a still-impressive 5.23 l/100 km. With DC fast charging support, it takes half an hour to charge the battery from 30 to 80%.

The L7 shares the Boyue L’s general proportions, silhouette, doors and angular wheel arches, but receives unique front and rear treatments. These incorporate split headlights with a full-width upper light bar, the Galaxy line’s trademark grille-less front end with the rectangular six-section badge, horizontal full-width taillights and a sportier rear bumper design with a large diffuser.
Inside, you get the Boyue’s ..

Geely Galaxy E5 leaked – global electric SUV, 218 PS, developed for RHD; is this the new Proton EV?

Geely’s burgeoning Galaxy lineup of new energy vehicles (NEV) is gaining a new member in the shape of the Galaxy E5, an electric SUV that will complement the E8 sedan. The crossover was declared on China’s ministry of industry and information technology (MIIT) website, hinting at an impending launch.
As expected, the E5 bears all the Galaxy lineup’s design cues, including the slim headlights, grille-less front end, L-shaped bumper corners, flush pop-out door handles, scalloped sides and full-width taillights. You also get the Galaxy-specific six-segment rectangular front badge, which is different from Geely’s more shield-shaped insignia.
It’s been reported by Autohome that the E5 will be powered by a single 218 PS (160 kW) motor. This is slightly lower than what the rear-wheel-drive E8 makes – 272 PS (200 kW) and 343 Nm of torque, figures that are identical to the smart #1 Pro and Premium.

While battery details have yet to be revealed, it’s likely the E5 will utilise the base E8’s 62 kWh battery, which in the four-door provides a range of 550 km on China’s lenient CLTC cycle. It’s also unclear if the E5 will adopt the E8’s 800-volt electrical architecture, which enables between 150 and 360 kW of DC fast charging power.
Interestingly, the E5 will reportedly be the first global Galaxy model and has allegedly been developed for right-hand-drive markets from the get-go. Obviously, this raises the possibility of it coming to M..

Geely Galaxy E5 leaked – global electric SUV, 218 PS, developed for RHD; is this the new Proton EV?

Geely’s burgeoning Galaxy lineup of new energy vehicles (NEV) is gaining a new member in the shape of the Galaxy E5, an electric SUV that will complement the E8 sedan. The crossover was declared on China’s ministry of industry and information technology (MIIT) website, hinting at an impending launch.
As expected, the E5 bears all the Galaxy lineup’s design cues, including the slim headlights, grille-less front end, L-shaped bumper corners, flush pop-out door handles, scalloped sides and full-width taillights. You also get the Galaxy-specific six-segment rectangular front badge, which is different from Geely’s more shield-shaped insignia.
It’s been reported by Autohome that the E5 will be powered by a single 218 PS (160 kW) motor. This is slightly lower than what the rear-wheel-drive E8 makes – 272 PS (200 kW) and 343 Nm of torque, figures that are identical to the smart #1 Pro and Premium.

While battery details have yet to be revealed, it’s likely the E5 will utilise the base E8’s 62 kWh battery, which in the four-door provides a range of 550 km on China’s lenient CLTC cycle. It’s also unclear if the E5 will adopt the E8’s 800-volt electrical architecture, which enables between 150 and 360 kW of DC fast charging power.
Interestingly, the E5 will reportedly be the first global Galaxy model and has allegedly been developed for right-hand-drive markets from the get-go. Obviously, this raises the possibility of it coming to M..