Priced from RM 86,300, buying a Proton X50 is like buying a Volvo XC40?

Unknowingly, the Proton X50 has been launched in the Malaysian market for more than three years, and sales have exceeded 100,000 units. This popular internet car was highly topical at its debut, and it remains popular in the market to this day, with monthly sales still reaching over 2,000 units.

The X50 is positioned as a B-Segment SUV, which is the most competitive segment in the local market due to numerous competitors. However, as a car buyer, you should still make your choice based on your specific needs. Therefore, if you choose the X50, you should be aware if the selling points of X50 meet your requirements.

The first and foremost selling point of this car is cost-effectiveness. In terms of overall package, at this price point one could get a 1.5L direct-injection turbocharged engine, dual-clutch gearbox, Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assistance, sunroof, 360-degree surround view camera, and blind spot detection, making it a great value for money.

The X50 is equipped with a 1.5L turbocharged three-cylinder engine (JLH-3G15TD), and paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT) transmission. In every way, the 177 PS and 255 Nm of torque that this engine can deliver are completely enough for daily use. The power output is linear and smooth, and the response is very quick.

Some people might say, considering the relationship between Geely, Proton and Volvo, does buying a Proton X50 equivalent to buying a Volvo XC40?

Unfortunately no. Proton X50 is based on Geely Binyue, which itself is a fresh start from the BMA platform (B-Segment Modular Architecture, B-segment car modular structure). This platform has nothing to do with the CMA (Compact Modular Platform) that built the XC40.

Is the Proton X50's engine a Volvo engine?

Again, unfortunately no.

Despite being similar on paper, the 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine that comes with the Volvo XC40 T3 not sold in our country and the 1.5-liter TGDI engine equipped in the Proton X50. However, this engine does not belong to Volvo.
The XC40 in our country is equipped with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbocharger engine capable of producing 252PS and 350N.m of power, and paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The engine loaded in the Proton X50, the internal code name of Geely is JLH-3G15TD. This engine was jointly created by Geely and Volvo, so both brands have knowledge property rights to this engine. Therefore, it is not quite right to say that this engine is Volvo's.

For example, the 1.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mounted on the Mercedes Benz A200 was jointly developed with Renault. The ownership of this engine is jointly held by the two car manufacturers. We can't say that the engine of Renault Megane is from Mercedes Benz, can we?
Aside from that, the TGDI engine is assembled and built by Geely in a factory in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, China.

Geely has also confirmed that the 1.5 TD engine in the Geely Binyue, or the Proton X50 1.5 TGDI, is not the same as the engine in the Volvo XC40 T3. Geely states that only 10% of this engine's components were produced according to Volvo's high-end specifications. From a business point of view, this is understandable since no automotive company can survive by selling high-cost engines at low prices.

Does the gearbox come from Volvo?

The transmission installed in the Proton X50 is a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, which is shared with the Proton X70.
Although this transmission is also used by the Volvo XC40 T5 Twin Engine, it was actually developed by Geely themselves.

This transmission is used in many Geely models, such as the Geely Borui GE, Xingyue, Dihao GS/GL, Jiaji MPV, and etc.

In conclusion, the Proton X50 is definitely not a "low-cost public-friendly version" of the Volvo XC40.