Proton will soon begin manufacturing the GEP3 (Global Engine Petrol 3) 1.5 litre turbocharged engines used in the X50 as well as the export version of the X70 (to Pakistan), according to Sapura Industrial’s 2021 annual report. The expanded CKD exercise is part of Proton-Geely’s engine programme in Malaysia, which will help the national carmaker ramp up its export business in the process.
In the report, Sapura Industrial stated that it had already received letters of award to supply Proton with the torsional vibration dampener as well as exhaust and intake camshafts used in GEP3 engines. It added that the GEP3 engines will replace the current turbo CamPro CFE engine (codenamed Phoenix), although this is likely for future models.
Proton has previously said that its CamPro engines will live on in the meantime, so current models like the Iriz, Persona, Exora and Saga will continue to use them. With the newer GEP3 engines, Proton has the opportunity to enter markets that have higher regulatory requirements and emissions standards. The GEP3 three-cylinder engine was developed by Volvo and Geely based on the Volvo Engine Architecture, and is marketed under the Drive-E and G-Power names.
In Malaysia, the X50 uses the 1.5 T and 1.5 TGDi engines, providing 150 PS (148 hp) and 226 Nm of torque, or 177 PS (175 hp) and 255 Nm in the range-topping Flagship variant. The export X70 gets the more powerful TGDi version too, and both SUVs come standard with a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission developed by CEVT (China Euro Vehicle Technology).
As Proton explained previously, the 1.5 T will be used in its future models, with two of them being homegrown. “The move is part and parcel of the big picture in terms of the company’s powertrain strategy. The 1.5 T is basically a derivative of the 1.5 TGDi, and has been developed to accommodate our future programmes. This is the first introduction, and it will feature in future models that the company will produce in Malaysia,” said Hazrin Fazail Haroon, director of group engineering at Proton, in our previous report.
Manufacturing of the GEP3 engines will likely take place at Proton’s Tanjung Malim plant, which has received a significant amount of investment for upgrades. As detailed by Proton in October 2018, the first phase of the plant expansion includes new body in white (BIW), sub-assembly, trim and final, and logistic facilities, which were expected to completed in February 2019.
The carmaker also said at the time that further expansion could see the addition of an engine plant, which ties back to what is mentioned in Sapura International’s report, and bring the total investment up from RM1.2 billion to RM3 billion. With several new models in the pipeline, ensuring there is enough supply to meet demand is critical to Proton, and producing more components locally is definitely beneficial to meet that goal.
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It’s good news for proton, it’s good news for Malaysia, good news all the way! Proton staff and management pls put in focus and the right attitude to sustain it Ya… This kinda opportunity don’t come often
The name itself sound stupid and will fail.
Everything pn fail
PN have nothing to do with this car engine topic.
Everything pon* fail
22 months of failed management, now it takes longer for PerihatiN to rectify all the crap that happen during that time.
It’s good news for proton, 36yrs still rebadging. kipidapp for another 36yrs^^
You’re embarrassing our namesake. Idk if you’r being sarcastic but at least what you’re written can be taken possitively.
Yes kipidap Proton.
under Geely brilliant management, things are being run really well again.. Huge kudos to Geely chinas & proton!! #JomSapotlokal
replace the campro with this engine, can reduce cost by sharing engine.. and we’ll have turbo 1.5T iriz, persona, exora, saga.. chun..
In time, newer generations of PIES will be using this engine
https://paultan.org/2020/09/30/proton-x50-1-5t-pfi-port-injection-three-cylinder-turbo-unit-will-be-used-on-future-proton-models/
Buat Proton. Supply Volvo
Abang-abang mengidam kete Proton je , brand lain tak pandang laa. Kitorang bukan hipokrit yek
Dear proton,
The Lotus Elise platform would be ideal for the GP3 1.5 turbo engine.
Proton has assembled the Elise before, all the knowhow of the Proton Ultimate/Lotus Europa should still be around. There should be a market for the continuation of the Elise.
https://paultan.org/2021/05/10/lotus-open-to-selling-tooling-for-discontinued-elise/
Wow! Such wonderful news! Bear in mind the same base engine is used in Volvo’s COTY winning cars so there is good chance for Proton to be the global engine supplier to Volvo and other Geely group brands! Plus this engine is tailored ready for hybrid addon so when our country acceptance for hybrids and EV is there, Proton could seamlessly switch over to electrifying their newer models. The future is really bright for Proton!
I hope this is not another “tukar emblem” exercise made famous by P1 many many times, many many years ago.
Anyway, since it will be “Buatan Malaysia”, I hope it will be affordable, and not harga cekik darah ya.
Tukar emblem from Volvo to Proton. I don’t mind that as we pay Proton prices for Volvo technology & quality
Ok la tu proton masih ade kereta buatan sendiri walaupun banyak yang gagal dari p2 dari dulu sampai sakarang nak mengharapkan daihatshu dan toyota
Dear Mr. Hazrin Fazail Haroon, please tell us what happened to the development and investment of the 1.5T Ricardo engine with similar output 250Nm @ 180Hp. Y don’t you introduce us to this engine as well as its made by you.
Tighter emission standards.
I remember that proton developed a few new engines a few years ago. I wonder what happened to them. If they just binned them, then that’s shame
‘A few years ago’ emission standards were not as strict as today.
Wasn’t the Ricardo + Proton engine made to comply with the stringent emission requirements in the world, including Euro 6C standard and that may be even higher than the current developed X50 TGDI engine rated for China Euro 6.
(So I really don’t get where are you getting at?)
Well run management by Geely….so proud you able to turnaround proton. This show how capable geely, though geely born later than proton.
Geely.. kominis xnak la sangsi.
Yeah, we Swedes also proud of Geely turning around our local brand though Geely is born much much much later than our local maruah.
wow.. I guess sarcasm is just one great literature art for you huh? *clap*clap* bravo!
Big company like geely should be looking into battery powered, turbo is so old school
if they add a turbo i am sure that i will buy a big turbo and turbocharge that bone stock saga