Geely Binyue (X50) Gets Ganas Facelift For 2022, New 184PS Engine

Time flies faster in China, apparently, as the Geely seemed to think the Binyue (known to Malaysians as the Proton X50) was already due for another exterior facelift and spec bump over the one it received just 6 months ago in July 2021.

The images seen here were obtained from a filing with the Chinese government, meaning we’re looking at a finished version of a product that will be hitting showrooms in the coming months, if not weeks.  

2021 Geely Binyue Pro "Battle"

This 2022 revision is decidedly aimed at making the B-segment SUV more aggressive to look at, especially at the rear where the Binyue is almost unrecognisable. Now there are character lines, a more pronounced (fake) diffuser element to sit in between its quad exhaust exits, repositioned reflectors to look like side air ducts, stupidly big roof spoiler, and much narrower tail lights that are joined together for a full-width light bar effect.

Fortunately the design gets much easier to digest from the sides where Binyue profile is largely unchanged. The wheels themselves are finished in gloss black and match designs we’ve seen previously seen from Geely in last year’s Binyue Pro.

Image from Autohome.com.cn

However, up front there are some new surprises as this 2022 facelift not only carries forward many of the alterations made with last year’s fascia revamp such as the ‘X pattern’ grille and bumper design, now enlarged and 'full face' - which Geely calls ‘Energy Storm - but adds revised daytime running lights and more contrasting red accents, like on the front lip.

In fact, the shade and intensity of the red colour as well as the ridiculousness of the roof spoiler can be different either based on buyer preference or variant spec but we won’t know exactly which until its official launch. Also note the addition of bonnet vents that are barely visible in these early pics, which are pretty hilarious as they're probably just a piece of covered plastic.

Image from Autohome.com.cn

Geely seems to also be adding a new range-topping engine to the Binyue range, which on first blush gives the impressions that will sit above the TGDI 3-cylinder petrol. Interesting….

This new engine is a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol (BHE15-EFZ) that reportedly produces 184PS. If true, this modest power bump might suggest a direct replacement to the current ‘high output’ 177PS/255Nm unit rather than a step-up to sit alongside it.

Further to this, it might also be the first hint of range-wide shift to four-cylinder units going forward in search of better refinement and reliability. However, drive its still sent to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Again, we’ll have to wait for Geely to officially launch the 2022 Binyue to have a clearer look at the revised range and to interpret its future implications to the Proton X50 but there’s a lot of material already in the open to keep us either drooling or scratching our heads.