Proton Perdana to get new 2.0L NE01 engine by end of 2017 - Report

Will replace the Honda-sourced R20A3 2.0 litre and K24Z2 2.4 litre i-VTEC engines.

This week, Proton announced that an all new engine lineup is in the works for their next generation cars Proton Saga and Proton Persona. In that announcement, Proton also confirmed that the flagship Proton Perdana will get a new 2.0L NE01 engine by end of 2017, Paultan reports.

Like the 1.3-liter three cylinder and 1.5-liter four cylinder engines announced for the next generation Proton Saga and Proton Persona, the 2.0-liter unit for the Perdana will be available with GDI and also as a turbocharged version. Note that the new engines are reported to be introduced by end of 2017. At launch, the new Perdana will retain the Accord's 2.0-litre engine capable of 154 hp and 189 Nm peak torque, as well as the 2.4-litre i-VTEC motor with 177 hp and 222 Nm. Both variants will be offered with a five-speed automatic transmission.

Proton CEO Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah stated that there is a possibility of Proton offering the new 1.5-litre TGDI engine in the Perdana as well, which will produce more power than the 177 hp 2.4-liter Honda engine. The report further suggests that Proton will drop the 5-speed automatic for a new CVT gearbox from Jatco, the subsidiary of Nissan.

Also Read: Proton Iriz sedan spotted testing for the first time

As seen in the spyshots, the next Perdana will feature a new pair of headlights with projector lens, LED daytime running light strips, redesigned grille with bold chrome slat and a contoured hood. Every body panel on the car appears to have been altered.

The rear-end gets new taillamps identical to the one teased at a company event last October. Reports suggest that it is 150 mm longer than the outgoing model, which is apparent at the rear end.

[Source: Paultan]