Proton managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin told the Oman Economic Review that Proton was developing a turbocharged engine set for introduction by the years 2010 to 2011, just in time for a facelift of the 2009 Proton MPV which could see the introduction of this turbocharged engine.
The turbocharged engine would be in line with the current market trends of having a small displacement engine but forced inducted to produce the equivalent horsepower of a larger motor, usually with more torque, and more fuel efficiency. The engine will have the power output equivalent to a 2.0 litre engine. We could be looking at a 1.6 litre Campro turbo or Campro CPS turbo engine producing about 150 horsepower and perhaps 240Nm of torque.
Proton is also set to spend RM5 billion over the next 5 years on R&D efforts, which is about RM1 billion a year. Other efforts (as quoted in the report) include developing a small competitive car, acquiring diesel engines licensed from an international OEM (Fiat? Peugeot?) because of their popularity in markets such as India, hybrid and electric technologies, the possibility of a joint model with Lotus (spiritual successor to the Lotus Carlton based on a Proton maybe?), and the reduction of weight of Proton models.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments indicate excitement and support for Proton's move to develop a turbocharged engine, viewing it as a positive step towards modern automotive technology. Many express hope that the new turbo engine will enhance performance, rival other international engines, and eventually be used in models like Satria Neo and Perdana. Concerns about cost, reliability, and engine durability are raised, especially regarding turbo durability and potential engineering issues. Some comments also emphasize the importance of Proton focusing on quality and safety standards, and criticize the slow pace of new engine development. Overall, the sentiment is optimistic but cautious, with many looking forward to seeing the final product and improvements in Proton's engineering efforts.