Will Proton’s new GDI/TGDI engines run on RON 95?

Proton CTO Abdul Rashid Musa interview 4

Proton’s recent announcement of its new GDI and TGDI engine line-up is certainly a statement of intent for the national carmaker. While the engines’ technical specifications and performance certainly does hold a lot of promise, it is also dependant on the type of fuel that goes into the combustion chamber. So the question is, will the current fuel grades in Malaysia be compatible with Proton’s upcoming engines?

Gasoline (petrol) direct injection technology is generally more sensitive towards fuel quality. The use of lower-quality, higher sulphur fuels will pollute the more advanced catalytic converters used on newer GDI engines – required as modern lean-burning direct-injection engines inherently produce higher nitrous oxide (NOx) pollutants – which will “poison” them, rendering them useless.

In Malaysia, consumers have access to three separate types of petrol – Euro 2M RON 95, Euro 4M RON 97 and Euro 4M RON 100. With a large majority of Malaysians preferring the more affordable of the bunch – Euro 2M RON 95 – will its usage have any adverse implications on Proton’s new engines? According to Proton’s chief technology officer Abdul Rashid Musa, who spoke exclusively to paultan.org, the short answer is no – Euro 2M RON 95 fuel will work fine with its new engines.

Proton is also in continued discussions with its development partner, Ricardo on the RON requirements for the engine in different markets. Given that Proton’s GDI/TGDI engines are Euro 6c-compliant, exporting their cars is certainly part of their plans.

Proton new engine tests-1

Rashid added that in some markets with even lower fuel quality, the company will continue using the current VVT engines. “That’s why we’re still maintaining our VVT engine,” he said. “Even some markets in the Middle East are still using RON 82.”

“Markets are so diverse. Developing countries might not have that quality of fuel so we might not be able to put a high technology engine in that market – even in Malaysia as well. But currently, our engines can go as low as RON 88, and up to RON 105,” he added.

In conclusion, should you be worried? Well, no. Apart from the fact that the engines are capable of running Euro 2M RON 95, the first production application of the new engines is only slated to come into the market in 2018, while Euro 4 RON 95 is gazetted to go on sale in Malaysia from October 2018. Therefore, the new engines shouldn’t be an issue to consumers.

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard's strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • Jimmy on Jan 29, 2016 at 12:34 pm

    Previously you suspected that I stole 26 of your proton cars, now I declared and admitted to return 20 of your cars. I am innocent.

    Good, to this GDI if it runs on RON95.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 9
    • hahaha on Jan 29, 2016 at 1:47 pm

      will it run on ron95???
      more like

      can it run on ron95….

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
      • Songlap Songlap Malaysia on Jan 29, 2016 at 2:56 pm

        Dare to buy this new engine ah? Don’t forget the Exora that bakar going up genting. You get free death and free cremation. 2 in 1 package.

        Best part, Proton told the owner to podah and refused to layan him.

        So many other Exora bakar, Proton just cover up.

        You still dare to use new engine from Proton?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 23
        • Sam Loo on Jan 29, 2016 at 3:40 pm

          As i’ve said so many times.. Buy Toyota better!

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 14
          • Dapfappers on Jan 29, 2016 at 4:57 pm

            Yes Toyota MPV better. Except for the late Karpal Singh.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
          • redidiot on Jan 29, 2016 at 6:29 pm

            better yet, lets buy into this ‘foriegners-do-it-better-so-we-should-just-forget-it’ mantra wholesale! lets get ourselves a completely mat saleh cabinet ministers, and swap the whole population with matsalehs!

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
          • Same L0rrrr on Jan 29, 2016 at 8:19 pm

            If you crash a Proton with same speed, same angle same impact. You can’t even find the body.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 4
        • DonkeyKong on Jan 29, 2016 at 7:16 pm

          New Songlap story from DAP red beaner. So, every Proton car spontaneously catches fire?

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 5
    • apani on Jan 29, 2016 at 3:24 pm

      invested powers that be, case to close.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • I checked the new but there was nothing on a mass theft of P1 cars. So not sure where u get that from…. but Sammy and Georgey will twist their knickers that someone wanted to steal so many P1 cars.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • Ask la more interesting question like,

    Will Proton’s new GDI/TGDI engines survived 50,000 km?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 11
  • Portal on Jan 29, 2016 at 12:40 pm

    This is great news, GDI that only need RON95. Petronas RON95 i feel close to the quality of other brands fuel RON97.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • Salam on Jan 29, 2016 at 12:53 pm

    RON doesnt matter, but money matters many

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 5
  • Salamo on Jan 29, 2016 at 12:55 pm

    RON doesnt matter, but RM matters many

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 6
  • Ollie on Jan 29, 2016 at 12:57 pm

    Don’t worry.. no issue. By the time 2017 comes, Proton bankrupt anyway. No issue no worries.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 20
  • Atilla on Jan 29, 2016 at 1:19 pm

    Error. The header should have read, “Will Proton’s new gdi/tgdi engines run?” Full stop.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 19
    • DonkeyKong on Jan 29, 2016 at 2:24 pm

      Do the Campro engines run? How about the CFE engines? Did the Petronas E01 engine run? How about all the engines that Ricardo did before, did they run?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 5
  • Will Proton’s new car with GDI/TGDI engines able to sell to other countries?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 3
  • Mimau on Jan 29, 2016 at 1:32 pm

    The engine may run on Euro2M, but considering the engine is designed for Euro6c (minimum Euro5/4M fuel)… maybe the ECU will detune itself the second it tastes Euro2M fuel.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
    • DonkeyKong on Jan 29, 2016 at 2:27 pm

      More likely it’s sensitive to the particulate level than the RON number. Perhaps with our dirty Euro2M fuel, they might even require a different spec of fuel filter to ensure that the injectors won’t be damaged..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3
  • “…while Euro 4 RON 95 is gazetted to go on sale in Malaysia from October 2018”

    So now you know why Euro4 in 2018. Because of Proton…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 14
    • DonkeyKong on Jan 29, 2016 at 2:08 pm

      It’s because of the oil & gas companies’ refinery capability and capacity. It was meant to be implemented sooner but the O&G sector pleaded to have it delayed due to the high cost of upgrading their facilities. It has nothing to do with protecting Proton. You don’t even need to be an insider to know this, it’s public knowledge and have been reported repeatedly in various business dailies.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 3
    • Pak Malau on Jan 29, 2016 at 2:16 pm

      Biasa lah tuu

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3
  • SuperDuper on Jan 29, 2016 at 1:48 pm

    the short answer is no – Euro 2M RON 95 fuel will work fine with its new engines. Mean Yes or No?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 13
    • DonkeyKong on Jan 29, 2016 at 2:09 pm

      I guess you failed your SPM English paper?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 3
    • driver on Jan 29, 2016 at 2:39 pm

      read the question first, then only the answer will make sense. itu pun nak kena ajar…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • GDIs are more suitable to use Euro4 and above. I dun think RON has much effect unless too low. So short answer is, it shud not run with E2M RON95, but can run with E4 RON95.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • lolpanda on Jan 29, 2016 at 3:05 pm

    so this “revolutionary” take to go GDI/TGDI will – in realistic practice – only hit the markets circa 2018-2019.

    i wonder what further advancements will be made available by other manufacturers by then..not sure how this is a game changer at all.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 5
    • frossonice on Jan 29, 2016 at 5:29 pm

      Unless you go Koenigsegg route of engine development with camless engine for example, engine tech really moving at a very slow pace that you might think. I mean, timing chain is more than hundred years old tech, and get ‘reintroduced’ in the 70es. Only now people bising2 about it and still there are a lot of manufacturer not using timing chain in their cars.

      The real game changer now lies with hybrids and alternatif energy (electric etc.). That is where Proton really need to move on for the future. Telsa is giving their tech for free, use it la.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
      • DonkeyKong on Jan 29, 2016 at 7:22 pm

        that’s absolutely correct.. engine tech is actually quite glacial, with only tiny innovations from time to time because internal combustion engines only have a maximum ceiling of thermal efficiency and there’s only so much energy that you can extract per unit volume of gasoline.

        In the next 10 years, a downsized dual-VVT direct-injected turbocharged engine that supports lean burn modes and modified Miller/Atkinson cycles to reduce pumping losses will still be as relevant then as it is today.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
  • Oh mak lu cina on Jan 29, 2016 at 5:07 pm

    Talk so far into future ah? Proton and Malaysia Inc will be bankrupt by then….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
  • Jose Fritzgerald Ching on Jan 29, 2016 at 5:50 pm

    A good engine should be durable and technically advanced enough to take anything from RON 91 and above.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
 

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