In an attempt to steal a bit of the limelight from the recently-launched all-new Perodua Alza, it appears that Proton is planning to unveil an updated 2022 version of the Exora this week, according to a teaser post on its Facebook page.
The teaser post is fairly unassuming as usual, with the only nugget of information being the launch date – August 19, or just two days away from now. Registration of interest for the upcoming model is now open, and interested customers can head on over to the attached webpage (linked here) to do so.
Proton deputy CEO, Roslan Abdullah has previously confirmed that an updated Exora is in the works, although he mentioned that it won’t be to the extent of what the Saga received back in May. Considering that it’s now already a 13-year-old model at the end of its lifecycle (plus with the Geely Jiaji-based MPV rumoured to be launched next year), we really shouldn’t be too surprised.
With that being said, though, the Facebook post does also include the tagline “the performance to run free”, alongside a marketing blurb highlighting the “performance of the Proton Exora’s turbocharged engine” in its caption. Could we be seeing a new powertrain in the upcoming 2022 Proton Exora?
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The current Proton Exora is already powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged inline-four engine, making 140 hp and 203 Nm of torque. However, we don’t see why they would specifically highlight that in the teaser post, unless there’s some significant changes made to the existing, frequently-criticised mill.
If the new 2022 Exora facelift does indeed come with a new engine, then there are two possibilities from Proton’s current stable. The 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder unit from the X50 is the more obvious choice, with the engine recently fitted onto the larger X70, and is also now locally-assembled here in Malaysia.
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In the TGDi form, currently the only variant assembled in the new Tanjung Malim engine plant, the 1.5-litre turbocharged three-banger makes 177 hp and 255 Nm, which will be a significant boost over the existing 1.6-litre mill on the Proton Exora. However, the X70’s larger 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine shouldn’t be ruled out either, with 184 hp and 300 Nm on offer.
Of course, these are all just speculations at this point. Will this be the last hurrah for the current-generation Proton Exora before we welcome its replacement model next year? We’ll have to wait until Friday to find out.
