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2020 Proton X50 has 2 turbo engines – one direct injection, one port, what’s the difference?

Hans · Sep 15, 2020 05:45 PM

2020 Proton X50 has 2 turbo engines – one direct injection, one port, what’s the difference? 01

As you would’ve know by now, the 2020 Proton X50, which is manufactured in Tanjung Malim, is offered in two engine options. Both are DOHC 1.5-litre turbocharged units but the fuel system is different, the 1.5T MPI engine uses port injection while the 1.5 TGDI uses direct injection.

2020 Proton X50 has 2 turbo engines – one direct injection, one port, what’s the difference? 02

The three cylinder direct injection unit (1.5 TGDI, codename JLH-3G15TD) makes 177 PS at 5,500 rpm and 255 Nm 1,500 – 4,000 rpm while the port injection (Proton calls it Multi Point Injection, MPI) 1.5T MPI makes 150 PS and 226 Nm - no details on engine’s rotational speed yet.

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2020 Proton X50 has 2 turbo engines – one direct injection, one port, what’s the difference? 01

The former is also used in the Volvo XC 40 T3 (not available here) but contrary to popular opinion, that's not a Volvo engine, and it's built by Geely, not Volvo. The reasons behind it have been explained here.

2020 Proton X50 has 2 turbo engines – one direct injection, one port, what’s the difference? 02

The 1.5T MPI is a new development by Geely, and is not sold in China. Malaysia is the first market to launch this new engine. Details are still unclear (today’s announcement by Proton is just a preview.

2020 Proton X50 has 2 turbo engines – one direct injection, one port, what’s the difference? 03

Nothing to see here, move along

However, since it uses port injection, output will be a lot lower than the direct injection 1.5 TGDI engine (177 PS and 255 Nm).

So what is the difference between port injection and direct injection?

2020 Proton X50 has 2 turbo engines – one direct injection, one port, what’s the difference? 04

Port injection

In the context of modern vehicles, the conventional fuel injection is port injection, also known as multipoint injection. In this setup, fuel is injected into the intake port to be mixed with air before entering the combustion chamber, where spark will ignite the mix.

2020 Proton X50 has 2 turbo engines – one direct injection, one port, what’s the difference? 05

Gasoline direct injection

Direct injection is a more sophisticated, and of course more expensive setup. In this method, fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber at very high pressure – up to 350 bar. Of  course, all modern diesel vehicle engines run on direct injection so it's nothing new but in this context, we are talking about direct injection for petrol engines. 

Without going into too many technical details, direct injection improves fuel efficiency and power output.

2020 Proton X50 has 2 turbo engines – one direct injection, one port, what’s the difference? 06

In port injection, some residual fuel will remain in the intake port. With direct injection, fuel is atomized immediately as it enters the combustion chamber, minimizing wastage.

Since fuel has a cooling effect, direct injection allows engines to run at higher compression ratios, with in turn increases power output and torque.

2020 Proton X50 has 2 turbo engines – one direct injection, one port, what’s the difference? 07

However not all is good for direct injection. Direct injection engines are more sensitive to variations in fuel quality. And since the fuel no longer passes through the intake ports, the cleaning properties of fuel additives can no longer work on the intake valves and overtime, carbon deposits will build up, requiring more complex maintenance work.

Also, direct injection engines sound harsher, and some exhibit a diesel-like clatter at idle.

2020 Proton X50 has 2 turbo engines – one direct injection, one port, what’s the difference? 08

Toyota's D4-S combines both port and direct injection

This is why some manufacturers combine both port and direct injection systems into their engines, but that’s an even more complex setup. Toyota’s D4-S system is one such example.

As this is just a preview, we have yet to sample the Proton X50 on local roads. The model is expected to be launched sometime in October. Although it's based on China's Geely Binyue, our local Proton X50 boasts of a few unique features that are not available in the Geely donor car.

 

 

Hans

Head of Content

Over 15 years of experience in automotive, from product planning, to market research, to print and digital media. Garages a 6-cylinder manual RWD but buses to work.

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