Malaysian auto maker Proton is developing a new range of engines that it hopes will place it at the forefront of small engine technology.
The engines are being developed at Ricardo’s facilities in the UK along with engineers from Proton and long-term collaborator Lotus in a program in which the Malaysian OEM is investing US$140m.
There are six engines under development, including two three-cylinder models, two GDI units and two turbocharged GDI models. The three-cylinder engines have 1- and 1.2-liter displacements, and the GDI units are 1.3- and 1.5-liters.
The engines will undergo testing and development work at Ricardo and Lotus before final development work takes place at Proton’s facilities in Malaysia. The first unit from the new line-up will be ready to go on sale by the end of 2017, with the rest of the engines following shortly after.
The engine IP will be co-owned with Ricardo and the engines will be Euro 6c compliant. Technical details are scarce, but the GDI engines feature dual-VVT and integrated exhaust manifolds.
January 19, 2016