It appears that the launch of the all-new 2025 Proton X50 facelift is upon us soon – Proton has dropped some initial details surrounding Malaysia’s best-selling B-segment SUV, and we had the opportunity to briefly sample it.
As a brief recap, the updated all-new 2025 Proton X50 facelift drops the 3-cylinder engine in favour of a newer four-cylinder unit, whilst maintain the same 1.5-litre capacity. And yes, turbocharging is still here.
So Proton finally go back to 4-cylinder engines?
Codenamed BHE15, this new 4-pot engine was developed by Aurobay, a joint venture (JV) company between Geely and Volvo.
The BHE15 first made its debut on the 2022 Geely Binyue Cool, and was gradually offered across other models under the larger Geely group of companies umbrella, including Lynk & Co and Volvo.
Like the outgoing JLH-3G15 engine, the BHE15 is also developed with electrification in mind. Aurobay also offers said engine with HEV, PHEV, or even REEV applications.
In the non-electrified, turbocharged form, the BHE15 in the 2025 Proton X50 facelift produces 181 PS and 5,500 rpm and 290 Nm of torque from 2,000 rpm to 3,500 rpm, a slight 4 PS and 35 Nm increase over the previous 3-pot motor.
The additional power and torque do translate into better performance – Proton claims that the new 2025 Proton X50 facelift completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 7.6 seconds, 0.3 seconds quicker than before. At the same time, fuel consumption is said to be 4.7% lower than before.
What’s unchanged is the transmission, as Proton has reused the same wet-type, 7-speed dual-clutch automatic as before, sending drive to the front wheels. There’s no AWD option for the X50.
We reckon that moving forwards, Proton could be gradually deploying this new 4-cylinder engine into its future models, be it in turbocharged or naturally-aspirated forms.
How does the new 2025 Proton X50 facelift drive?
The lingering question on everyone’s mind is – does the new 4-cylinder engine feel better than the older 3-pot unit?
In short – a definite yes.
While the older 3-pot unit had a number of enhancements done to it to reduce vibrations, including a balance shaft, it still cannot escape the rules of physics due to its odd number of cylinders.
The new BHE15 has an even number of cylinders (4 cylinders), which is better for balance, thus being a far more refined engine than the older JLH-3G15. Granted, Proton has done a swell job with isolating the 3-cylinder vibrations from the cabin far better than other 3-pot rivals.
Behind the wheel of the all-new 2025 Proton X50 facelift, albeit for just a short 0-100 km/h sprint, we noticed that it picks up speed more urgently than the older model, largely in part due to the additional 35 Nm of torque.
Officially, while Proton quotes a 0-100 km/h time of just 7.6 seconds, we couldn’t muster any lower than 8.7 seconds – the time set by the driving instructor. Our best was around the 9.68 second mark – a whole 2 seconds slower.
And given that Proton has done improvements to the 2024 Proton X50 RC’s noise, vibrations, and harshness (NVH) package, including parts of the fender lining, B-pillar, and floor pan, the new X50 is definitely a step in the right direction in terms of NVH.
Though our time with the refreshed X50 was very brief, it did give us a small glimpse into how the new X50 would feel like, especially with this new engine.
Of course, a more in-depth review will come in due time, available on our site and YouTube channel. Stay tuned for that.