If you are looking to buy a Proton X70 and have your sights set on the highest specifications Premium X variant, well tough luck for you because no Proton dealer is able to fulfill your request.

See, all Proton dealers have been directed to stop accepting any more orders for the X70 Premium X, and no it’s not because the model is sold out.

The Proton X70 Premium X variant is still on sale, albeit with a temporary disruption in supply. Proton has yet to officially comment on the matter but most dealers say the temporary disruption is related to tax and price approval, specific only to the Premium X variant.

All locally-assembled cars are eligible for deductions in excise duty payable depending on their local content, and in the case of Proton, value of R&D done.

Dealers have been asked to convert all outstanding orders for the Premium X variant to the lower Premium variant. The only difference between the Premium X and Premium variants is the inclusion of a panoramic sunroof in the former, with a RM 2,700 difference in price.

Meanwhile, Proton is rumoured to be launching a new Proton X70 Special Edition soon, which will also introduce a new Ocean Blue colour.

The model will mostly serve as a final hurrah send off for the X70 before a new (possibly yet another facelift) X70 is introduced.

Also read: Spied: Special Edition Proton X70 in Ocean Blue, special wheels

It is common knowledge that Proton will eventually phase out the outgoing X70’s ageing 1.8-litre TGDi engine in favour of the newer 1.5-litre TGDi used in the Proton X50.

Also read: 2021 Proton X70 MC1 Facelift: August launch possible with new 1.5T from X50

Although smaller in capacity, the 1.5-litre TGDi makes nearly as much power (184 PS / 300 Nm vs 177 PS / 255 Nm), but it’s a lot more fuel efficient. Export models of the Proton X70 (Pakistani and Bangladeshi market) are already equipped with the 1.5-litre TGDi engine.

Also read: Proton X70 previewed in Pakistan, powered by 1.5L from X50

From a manufacturing standpoint, reducing the engine line-up will also improve production efficiency as well as simplifying logistics and warehousing.