Proton Confirms 2026 X70 Launch With New Powertrain
Proton Confirms 2026 X70 Launch With New Powertrain
Proton is set to start 2026 on a strong note with the launch of the new Proton X70 on Thursday, January 8. This update comes just 17 months after the previous facelift, showing how quickly the national carmaker is moving to keep the model fresh. The biggest change is under the bonnet. The new X70 will use a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the same unit found in the facelifted X50. Known as Intelligent Green Technology (i-GT), the engine produces 181 PS and 290 Nm of torque, giving better performance than the older 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine it replaces. Power will continue to be sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed wet dual-clutch gearbox, as the all-wheel-drive option is no longer offered. Proton is also expected to highlight better fuel efficiency and lower maintenance costs, helped by the use of a timing chain instead of a timing belt. In terms of design, don’t expect major visual changes. Updates are likely limited to new colours and interior trim, similar to past minor updates of Proton models. However, there is hope that advanced safety features, such as autonomous emergency braking, may be made available across more variants this time. Overall, the new X70 focuses more on performance, efficiency, and long-term ownership benefits, rather than a full visual makeover.
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