Upgraded Powertrains For Proton Persona, Iriz, Exora And Saga Models Planned

Besides detailing its electrification plans, national carmaker Proton also revealed plans to continue producing its core home-grown models, namely the Persona, Iriz, Exora, and perhaps the Saga as well. These will benefit with upgraded powertrains in the coming years as a result, as hinted by deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah.

This plan was hinted by deputy the exec earlier this week during a CNY press event. “Most of the sales volume in Malaysia is concentrated in a few segments and so Proton will continue to have offerings in sizeable and affordable segments, using homegrown products upgraded with new powertrain,” said the exec during said event.

Apart from that, Roslan was cryptic and did not disclose further details, nor did he confirm if the upgrade is limited to just a new engine, or perhaps a new transmission to go along with it.

Proton mass-produces Geely-sourced 1.5-litre TGDi 3-cyl engines (above) at a new engine plant located within the grounds of its main Tanjung Malim plant (below).

In all likelihood, the new ‘powertrain’ mentioned will likely be the Geely-sourced 1.5-litre 3-cyl TGDi petrol mill that Proton is now mass-producing in its newly opened engine manufacturing facility at its Tanjung Malim plant. While the deployment of this new engine into these four models likely won’t happen immediately, it is welcoming news indeed considering the following factors.

Proton Saga.

L-R: Proton Persona and Iriz.

Firstly, while both the Saga and Persona sedans contribute to roughly 50% of Proton’s total sales, they are reaching somewhat an advanced age now. Both models, along with the Iriz hatch, are still employing Proton’s 1.3-litre (Saga and Iriz) and 1.6-litre (Iriz and Persona) VVT mills since 2014 – which in itself is an ‘evolution’ of its CamPro mill from 2004.

And though the Saga punched out its initial Punch CVT for a new Hyundai-sourced 4-speed Automatic in 2019, both the Persona and Iriz models are still bogged by the former transmission from the Belgian OEM. Said CVT-type unit is widely regarded by many as the Achilles Heel for both the Persona and Iriz as they aren’t as refined as the 4-speed AT that the Saga received.

Recently 'upgraded' 2022 Proton Exora.

As for the Exora MPV, there’s no hiding its age – it’s been around since 2009! Though it has undergone numerous revisions, the fact remains that both its platform and its 1.6-litre CFE 4-cyl turbo plus Punch CVT powertrain setup remains largely changed over the years. In fact, the most significant ‘upgrade’ it received was a redesigned oil cooler hose – a problem that has plagued Exora owners for eons.

Clearly, a shift towards the adoption of the aforementioned 1.5-litre 3-cyl TGDi mill will be a much welcomed move for all four models. Not only will this bolster Proton’s plans to continue producing and offering these models to local customers, it might also boost Proton’s renewed overseas export efforts and its intent of ranking as a top manufacturer in the region.

As to when we’ll see this actually happening, this might take a while as no specific timeline to execute this was confirmed other than that it will happen in the “near term”. Signs also point towards alignment with Proton’s electrification plans mentioned, which calls for the introduction of both mild- (MHEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models ahead of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) developed in-house by 2027.