Upon the launch of the new 2022 Proton X70 MC, the biggest change is the new, downsized turbocharged 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine.

Codenamed 3G15TD, the new engine replaces the long-serving 1.8-litre engine in all variants barring the range-topping Proton X70.

Also Read: Compared: New 3 cylinder 1.5T engine in 2022 Proton X70 vs old 1.8T 4 cylinder

So why did Proton swap out the trusty 1.8-litre for a smaller 1.5-litre engine?

The short and simple answer is that the 1.8-litre engine is almost 10 years old and Geely is slowly moving away from said engine.

For example, the upcoming new-generation Boyue, codenamed FX11, will likely skip the 1.8-litre engine altogether, adopting Geely’s newer engines instead. Whether the new engines are 3- or 4-cylinder units remains to be seen for now.

Also Read: Spied: First look at the all-new 2022 Geely Boyue's interior, Mercedes-style portrait screen?

But China’s Binyue will be getting a new 4-cylinder petrol engine, why not Malaysia?

With regards to the Chinese market’s upcoming 4-cylinder Geely Binyue (sold here as the Proton X50), Proton’s powertrain deputy COO Muhammad Hasbullah bin Ismail said, “The 3-cylinder engines are still relevant in today’s market, for examples in the Philippines and Pakistan.”

He added while China might have a different strategy for their own market, but globally the company is still committed to the 1.5-litre 3-cylinder engine.

Also Read: 3-cyl engines a flop in China, 2022 Binyue switching to 4-cyl, what about Proton X50?

On top of that, Geely’s sub-brand, Lynk & Co, is also committed to the 3-cylinder engine. Said engine is still fitted to models such as the Lynk & Co 02, Lynk & Co 03, and Lynk & Co 06, as well as plug-in hybrid variants in their line-up.

Also Read: Proton's distant cousin, Lynk & Co has 7 models on sale; Here's a handy guide

Does the X70 in other markets get this engine?

While the X70 with the new downsized turbo engine may be new to Malaysians, said engine was first fitted to the Pakistani-spec X70, followed by Nepal, Kenya, and Bangladesh.

Although power and torque figures are down compared to the older 1.8-litre engine, the newer 1.5-litre unit is 43 kg lighter, which has improved the X70’s fuel consumption by 7 percent.

Prices of the 2022 Proton X70 MC have been adjusted as well. Five variants are offered and prices start from RM 93,900. If the 1.5-litre turbo engines aren’t your thing, fret not as Proton is still offering the larger 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder unit, albeit only on the range-topping Premium 2WD variant, priced from RM 121,800. All prices exclude sales tax and are valid until 30-June.

More details can be found in the launch article, linked here.