Nobody automotive has accomplished extra to alter Proton’s notion in a single day than the X70. The primary product of the nationwide carmaker’s collaboration with Geely, it pushed the boundaries of how a lot patrons would pay for a Proton, and in a single fell swoop it redefined the SUV market in Malaysia.
I nonetheless bear in mind the primary time I snagged the keys to the flagship crossover. That China might construct good-looking, well-built automobiles was a given even again then, however I didn’t count on to be blown away by plush journey high quality and whisper-quiet refinement. Until today, the X70 embarrasses automobiles which might be twice, even thrice the value, whether or not you’re pottering on a pockmarked metropolis road or cruising on a freeway.
It’s onerous to consider that was 4 years in the past, and it appears that evidently clients have taken a shine to it too – over 70,000 items of the X70 have discovered houses because the late-2018 launch. Niggling reliability considerations and the apparent components shortages have dulled the sheen considerably, however the automotive stays a preferred vendor.
Which is why it’s regarding that Proton is now altering the recipe. Out goes the torquey, silky-smooth 1.8 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, changed by the 1.5 litre triple from the smaller X50. Three-pot mills aren’t precisely the final phrase in refinement, so can the brand new 2022 X70 replicate its uncanny premium automotive impression with one fewer cylinder? We head out for a brief take a look at drive to seek out out.
X50 engine brings much less torque however can be lighter and extra environment friendly
That is technically the second minor change (MC) that Proton has put the X70 by means of. The primary was when it launched the CKD mannequin in early 2020, again when COVID-19 was a distant however looming sceptre in individuals’s minds. The beginning of native meeting coincided with a sequence of considerate upgrades, not least of which was a brand new seven-speed moist dual-clutch transmission, developed by Geely and Volvo.
For 2022, Proton accomplished the powertrain overhaul by lastly bringing over the X50’s engine to exchange the outdated 1.8 litre unit – one thing it has accomplished for export markets first. The three-pot is arguably a greater match for the gearbox, being designed for it as a part of the identical Sino-Scandinavian collaboration.
By now, you’ll be aware of the mill, which displaces 1,477 cc and has an undersquare design for higher low-end torque. The model used within the X70 has direct injection as customary and produces 177 PS at 5,500 rpm, which is 7 PS decrease than what the 1.8 litre makes. The important thing stat that may fear clients is torque, which has fallen by a substantial 45 Nm to 255 Nm from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm.
Proton contends that the height determine is made decrease down, however the distinction is barely 250 rpm, so it’s not precisely night time and day. At the very least the burden saving is respectable – dropping the cylinder has shaved 43 kg from the engine itself. Nevertheless it’s not sufficient to offset the decrease outputs, because the 9.8-second zero-to-100 km/h acceleration time (three tenths of a second slower than the 1.8 litre X70) suggests.
The nationwide carmaker can be claiming a seven per cent enchancment in gasoline economic system; whereas no precise figures have been launched, we are able to use the claimed 7.6 litres per 100 km determine for the 2020 X70 to come back at an estimated 7.1 litres per 100 km. Greater than the rest, that is what patrons shall be most all in favour of, and it ought to appease those that balk on the 1.8 litre’s relative thirst. The discount in street tax helps too, in fact.
As per its software within the X50, the 1.5 litre advantages from a number of measures to cut back noise, vibration and harshness, together with a balancer shaft and a centrifugal pendulum dampener on the dual-mass flywheel to compensate for the three-pot’s inherent imbalance. There’s additionally a specially-designed timing belt cowl, in addition to a sound-insulating comfortable polyurethane engine cowl that’s distinctive to the X70 1.5.
1.8 litre engine nonetheless obtainable, all-wheel drive choice reintroduced
Not satisfied? Don’t fear, you’ll nonetheless be capable to buy the 1.8 Premium, which is successfully the outdated Premium X mannequin (replete with the panoramic sunroof) with the minor aesthetic tweaks that we’ll element later. All fashions get the identical DCT, albeit with a retune on the 1.5 litre variants.
Proton has additionally responded to buyer suggestions, reintroducing the all-wheel-drive system that was ditched in 2020 attributable to low gross sales. As earlier than, nonetheless, the all-paw mannequin comes solely in mid-range Government trim, that means that it misses out on the X70’s obtainable driver assists, all of that are once more unique to the Premium fashions.
The remainder of the NVH bundle is equivalent to the outgoing X70, as is the chassis tuning. An organization official informed me that the 2020 mannequin’s gentle suspension revamp took under consideration the lighter weight of the brand new engine, so no extra adjustments had been wanted for the brand new automotive.
Minor color adjustments, new wheels do little to disguise age
Additionally just about unchanged is the remainder of the X70, with the 2022 mannequin receiving a couple of aesthetic tweaks which might be little greater than color adjustments to particular components. Proton has held off on a correct facelift, regardless of its twin, the Geely Boyue, having gone beneath the knife twice in China (Boyue Professional/2022 Boyue and Boyue X) because the Malaysian model was launched.
There are not any new physique panels, though the parts that had been beforehand matte gray (the Infinite Weave grille bars, entrance bumper nook “rings”, rear quantity plate garnish and ornamental rear skid plate) at the moment are completed in gloss black. The only real exception is the chin spoiler on the entrance, which seems to be painted in a brighter matte silver.
So too are the inserts for the air curtain inlets, which is a curious selection, because it offers them a barely unfinished look and attracts undue consideration to the small slits for the air to enter. The encompassing trim can be painted in gloss black as a substitute of physique color, whereas the door mirrors are completed in metallic Quartz Black – each of those are carried over from final 12 months’s SE.
Lastly, there are the 2 new wheel designs, each lifted from the Boyue Professional. The intricate 19-inch alloys on the 1.5 and 1.8 Premium are acquainted and are available from the SE, however the 18-inch rollers for the Government haven’t been seen right here earlier than – they’re definitely extra distinctive than the earlier turbine-style objects.
General, nonetheless, the X70 seems totally different, although not essentially newer or higher. It’s nonetheless a handsome factor, however although this is likely one of the newer fashions in Proton’s steady, the truth that its different siblings have had a facelift (or two) since its introduction means it’s already beginning to look somewhat lengthy within the tooth.
Inside will get black headlining however is in any other case untouched
It’s the identical story on the within, which has been left virtually unchanged save for a black headliner that helps give the cabin a sportier look, though some clients will possible miss the airiness afforded by the earlier beige liner. There’s no new trim nor any enhancements to the infotainment system, which retains the eight-inch touchscreen and the unique Geely Key Person Interface (GKUI) – no GKUI 19 or ATLAS right here.
To be truthful, that is nonetheless an extremely well-made inside, with loads of elegant supplies that embody metal-like trim, soft-touch plastics and, on the Premium fashions, expensive-feeling Nappa leather-based. However for years, Malaysians have needed to watch from afar as different nations obtained bigger touchscreens and complete cabin redesigns of their Boyues and Azkarras, and the MC would’ve been the proper alternative to deliver the X70 again updated. Proton says there is a facelift within the works; it could actually’t come quickly sufficient.
However, this automotive nonetheless has the most effective cabins within the class, besting rivals when it comes to perceived high quality and customary gear. You additionally get the standard X70 strengths, which embody a commanding driving place, glorious rear legroom and a decently sized – if barely shallow – boot.
One main disappointment is that superior driver help techniques (ADAS) stay the protect of the Premium variants. Proton’s (or maybe Geely’s) all-or-nothing method is especially galling contemplating that the much-cheaper Perodua Ativa comes with autonomous emergency braking on the naked minimal.
The suite of energetic security options is unchanged and contains AEB (crucially, with out pedestrian detection), adaptive cruise management (with no stop-and-go perform), lane departure warning (no steering intervention) and blind spot monitoring. As such, the X70 continues to fall behind the inexpensive X50, which affords Degree 2 semi-autonomous driving features reminiscent of lane centring help.
Identical refined driving expertise, solely not fairly as easy
First, a proviso. We had been solely handled to a brief preview take a look at drive, overlaying the fifty or so kilometres from the Centre of Excellence showroom to Kundang in Rawang. A full evaluation will observe as soon as we’re in a position to take the automotive out for an extended interval, however this taster is sufficient for us to place the brand new engine by means of its paces.
The excellent news is that on first blush the three-pot hasn’t compromised the X70’s well-mannered nature. The extent of sound isolation constructed into the automotive retains noise ranges low – so low, in actual fact, that more often than not you gained’t hear the engine. Coupled with the outstanding lack of vibration and the result’s that in on a regular basis driving the brand new X70 is nigh-on indistinguishable from the outgoing mannequin.
It’s solely whenever you apply a bit extra throttle that you simply begin to hear the mill. The engine observe is somewhat louder than earlier than and also you’ll be capable to distinguish the trademark three-cylinder rumble – although it’s much less distinct than the racket made by a couple of different triples – over the four-pot’s characterless hum. Nevertheless it’s not precisely disagreeable and the X70 continues to be markedly quieter at full pelt than lots of its rivals.
You’ll have to listen to the engine extra, nonetheless, as a result of the shortfall in torque does make itself identified everytime you want extra oomph, reminiscent of when overtaking. Whereas within the outdated automotive you’d be blissful to surf the wave of low-end pull, the brand new mannequin takes a good bit extra effort to rise up to hurry – you’ll should dig deeper to entry the latent efficiency.
This isn’t helped by the marginally lazy gearbox, which shows traits which might be the alternative to most DCTs, slurring shifts and taking its candy time to reply to prods of the throttle. That wasn’t such a nasty factor with the torquey 1.8 litre engine (in actual fact, it truly suited the mill’s easygoing nature), however the 1.5 litre unit’s relative lack of twist exposes the transmission’s shortcomings extra clearly.
I’m nitpicking right here, clearly – that is nonetheless an agreeable engine and gearbox mixture, and the X70 continues to be not precisely gradual. I ought to level out that the aforementioned sluggishness is barely noticeable when you’ve spent plenty of time with the outdated automotive, as I’ve.
You see, I even have one within the family – my mom took supply of a 1.8 Premium in earlier this 12 months after I really helpful her to purchase one. That’s as a result of the X70’s remarkably pliant journey and virtually whole absence of street, wind and powertrain noise genuinely set it aside from the competitors, and people attributes had been on full show even throughout this temporary encounter.
So too was the automotive’s protected, competent however finally anodyne dealing with, the appreciable physique roll and numb steering actively discouraging any type of spirited driving. Fanatics who miss Proton’s legendary journey and dealing with prowess is perhaps turned off by this, however the relaxed manner is fully consistent with the SUV’s remit of soothing nerves and absorbing freeway miles.
Verdict: As succesful as ever, however wants greater updates elsewhere
There’s little question that the X70 will stay in excessive demand, particularly for these in search of a premium automotive expertise on a budget (although costs have gone up fairly a bit). Crucially, the change in engine hasn’t come on the expense of the massive SUV’s likeable traits, and the improved gasoline effectivity will solely assist its recognition amongst urbanites and high-mileage drivers alike.
However there’s additionally additionally an inescapable feeling that Proton might’ve gone additional with this refresh, even by the requirements of the corporate’s sometimes gentle MC workouts. 4 years is kind of a very long time in automotive circles, so the truth that the corporate seems content material with merely making use of black paint to random physique panels and calling it a day looks like a missed alternative. The aforementioned components shortages can even give patrons pause, though Proton is working tougher than ever to resolve the scenario.
Be in little question, nonetheless – facelift or not, the X70 continues to be one of many strongest choices in its worth vary, and you are able to do a lot worse than to place it in your shortlist.
The 2022 Proton X70 is now on sale in Malaysia, with pricing beginning at RM93,900 for the 1.5 TGDi Normal and topping out at RM121,800 for the 1.8 TGDi Premium. Browse full specs and gear on CarBase.my.
GALLERY: 2022 Proton X70 1.5 TGDi Premium
GALLERY: 2022 Proton X70 1.5 TGDi Government AWD
