With the re-opening of numerous sectors and resumption of activities, the motorsport community is back in swing with track days (and nights) opening up once again. One such instance has also seen a now-familiar vehicle take to the track for a proper workout, with a seasoned expert at its helm.
Enter stage right, the latest evolution of the modified Proton X50 1.5 TGDi Flagship, most recently named “Miltank” after the Pokemon of a similar colour, and formerly known as “Bumblebee”. As you’ll get to watch in the footage below, this modified example of Proton’s B-segment SUV manages an impressive turn of speed at the 5.5 km-long Sepang International Circuit.
Here, the X50 is driven by Malaysian professional racer Mark Darwin, and track preparation for the SUV has included height- and damping 32-step adjustable suspension by DWD, high-performance bushings, SuperCircuit chassis strengthening bars, SuperCircuit catless exhaust downpipe and a custom-tuned ECU, according to the All In Cross Fifty Accessories Malaysia Facebook page.
All in, the engine upgrades yield a claimed 200 hp and 310 Nm of torque at its front wheels – a considerable set of gains over the X50 Flagship’s factory standard figures of 177 PS and 255 Nm of torque. Engine internals and the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission have remained standard.
Other modifications already made to this X50 include a big brake kit upgrade to a set of Brembo six-piston calipers on 405 mm-diameter vented and drilled brake discs – the latter of a similar size to those on the Cadillac CTS-V.
Meanwhile, the rear axle gets a pair of four-piston calipers on 380 mm brake discs, and other brake components such as the booster have been changed to match the larger, more capable components. Rolling stock as previously specified by “Miltank” owner, Lee was a set of 20-inch alloys from AD Wheels shod in 235/40 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres, though for this track outing, a set of Volk Racing TE37 wheels have been fitted.
In the hands of Mark Darwin, this modified X50 managed a lap time of 2 minutes 47.94 seconds around the full Sepang International Circuit, and based on the supplied footage, appears to be achieved in traffic as well. For comparison, a Renault Clio RS 200 EDC achieved a similar lap time of 2 minutes 48.001 seconds around the same circuit seven years ago, with Denis Lian at its controls.
Modified the X50 may be, to achieve a comparable lap time to that of a hot hatch is quite some feat for something intended from the factory as a family car, isn’t it? For the Proton X50 owners among you – what are some tweaks you’ve applied to your own vehicles, or if you haven’t, do you plan to?
GALLERY: “Miltank” Proton X50
GALLERY: Proton X50 Bumblebee
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Wah..CVT can racing lorr!
not CVT, it’s DCT
Yeah I ask the same question when seeing that Vios one make racing. What were they thinking.
Vios OMR are all manual gearboxes.
OMG M3 E46 also kena tapau with this car. Awesome mod!
Don’t wanna sound negative but it only barely matches a stock Clio rs200’s laptime after all that work and money. Slap the same pilot 4s tyres on the rs200 and I’m doubtful the laptimes would be close.
It sounds negative
Yelah why go compare a modded car with factory stock hot hatch? The point is not which cars are faster, if wanna compare like dat sekenhen Ferrari, Posh, GTR, EVO, WRX also can go faster than both laa! The point is this car exist due to hardwork and dedication to upgrade an X50 to its full potential beyond what its creators have done.
Hard work & dedication aren’t enough. There must be sufficient budget/financial backing to cover the costly upgrades.
You can throw in tons of money like Ferrari in F1 but without brains will still come out shit job just like Ferrari F1.
So it is no wonder that Ferrari was bought over by Fiat eh?
“From the supplied footage, it’s appeared to be achieved in traffic as well”
Might faster than that if less traffic on the circuit. Who knows kan? Even an actual race car pun will get bad time if trapped in traffic on the circuit
Very impressive and interesting read of mods done to the x50! Kudos to the owner. This is much more impressive than those lame TRD vios ah beng racing stickers racing around sepang.
Bad enough Protons are Geely rebadge. Now it’s heavily mod to steal glory ? Try run a stock. Otherwise even Kelisa mod can outrun it
Copy paste: “This is much more impressive than those lame TRD vios ah beng racing stickers racing around sepang.”
Kelisa no matter how to mod only achieved lap time of 3 minutes 48 seconds.
This is a typical comment of someone who don’t know what their talking about nor do they have proof of what they said. Just a baseless “hate” comment. Well, that’s “hate” right? No matter how correct something is, it always end up with a negative comment from someone who hates, even if it’s ridiculous.
ya, quite a feat coz it’s modified and not stock from the factory anymore.
Looks like he lowered his SUV height and downgrade the wheel diameter from 20 inch to……for this session. Anybody know the sport rim & tyre size?, can’t open his Facebook page tho.
If the 1.5 TGDi can be tuned up to 200hp, image how the engine would hop up the performance of platforms such as the Iriz, or even the Lotus Elise/Exige.
Good idea & result to impress’ Jdm Volk TE37 lightweight rim, DW adjustable sus, HP bushing & chassis bar. Good for side business – racing parts, ecu tuning as well. Many X50 owners will dare to follow this route, racing in sepang. In the future, Big racing event will finally see many more X50s plus the higher tuned up version of the X50 executive from R3 team.
It is just a marketing to prove that the X50 is capable car. Everyone know that the mod done on a car for track use may not be as reliable as being tuned for street daily use. Most of the car are tuned to balance between reliability and performance. Similar to the Satria Neo S2000, we won’t be getting the same set up for street legal.
Again, X50 is an SUV so how could we compare it to a Renault Clio. It is just to benchmarking the closest lap speed.
Anyway it is a good car and approach. Otherwise, why would car manufacturer spend millions to participate in the motorsport. It is all branding.
This basically is not a X50 anymore
Driver: Mark Darwin
Ignore all other mods.
Wow rich people can do all these upgrades. Hope they help also others lah. Tq guys.
such contrast of what the X50 did in Sepang about a year back