Firstly, Proton has confirmed that their new B segment Sports Utility Vehicle will be called the X50. Secondly, we were invited to the media preview of the new car. No prices has been announced as yet but we were shown the Premium variant - one of four variants offered in 6 different colours. Thirdly, the official roll out of the X50 was also done earlier today and it will be launched within the next month or so with bookings for the SUV taken from tomorrow onwards.
Today's preview of the new 2020 Proton X50 was done at Proton's Tanjung Malim plant. The team at Proton rolled out three colours of the top of the range X50 1.5 TGDI Flagship (yes...it is called Flagship) and basically briefed us about the basic specs today. No prices and no engine, drivetrain or performance details but mainly on the design of the car and improvements made to the 'Hi Proton' voice activated infotainment system.
There will be another session where they tell us a bit more about the engine, drivetrain and its performance sometime in the next couple of weeks but we do know that it will come with the Geely based 1.5liter 3 cylinder turbocharged direct injection engine which should make 177ps and 255Nm of torque in the Flagship variant.
The other three variants - the Standard, Executive and Premium 1.5T models get another 1.5liter engine with less tech inside it. No idea how different it is from the Flagship but it makes a decent 150ps and 226Nm. Most likely turbocharged but lacking in direct injection features to bring down the cost.
Anyway, today's preview was also on the styling. The X50 is basically a Geely based compact SUV that has Proton touches. The SUV looks sportier than its larger X70 sibling due to more aggressive styling. The front and rear bumpers have cutouts,spoilers, diffusers and lots of sporty looking bits. The sportiest of them all are the quad tailpipe setup at the rear which does show from youthful aggression.
The infinite weave grille with its Ethereal Bow shaped design also has a familiar look to it but now wears some red lipstick which makes the bow shape more pronounced.
Inside, the dashboard looks very current and contemporary and has touches of similar family cues even though they say that it is based on a more aggressive looking 'fighter cockpit' style of look. The side air vents even ape the rear nozzles of a fighter jet and you also get decent materials inside.
In terms of the improved Proton G-KUI infotainment system especially for the top range Flagship, it still works with the 'Hi PROTON' command (and can open the sunroof as usual), it is touchscreen, has full connectivity and the new addition is the remote controls which can be operated via your smartphone once paired with the X50. So you can start or stop the engine aside from locking and unlocking the SUV. So, if priced right, it will be one of the most fully featured B segment SUVs you can buy in Malaysia.
Class leading you might say.
Now I have to say that this X50 looks good. As a B segment SUV it should compete against such vehicles like the Honda HRV or a Toyota CH-R so it should be priced slightly lower as Protons are usually more competitively priced compared to the mentioned vehicles. No prices were mentioned, but among us motoring media folk,we think that the prices should come in at around RM75,000 to about 105,000 for the X50 Flagship. A slight overlap to the base X70 due to it having more equipment inside.
But this is just speculation on my part. But even so, if the Premium is sold at around RM90,000, it is a mighty fine vehicle based on its equipment and specification. It could also drive well due to it being turbocharged. Anything compact with over 200Nm torque will be fun.
Official Press Release (with more photos after that)
- New SUV to be produced at new line in Tanjung Malim
- PROTON SUVs set to contribute RM2.8 billion to vendor ecosystem
Tanjung Malim, 15 September 2020 – PROTON’s eagerly anticipated all-new model has rolled off the production line at Tanjung Malim, which saw a new RM1.2 billion extension in 2019. During the ceremony Dato’ Sri Syed Faisal Albar, Chairman of PROTON, also confirmed that in line with its bigger sibling the Proton X70, the B-segment SUV would be named the Proton X50 as the company expands its range of SUV offerings.
Addition of new model to benefit the automotive vendor community
The Proton X50 is the second all-new product to result from the partnership between PROTON and Geely. Built on the group’s BMA (B-segment Modular Architecture) platform that also underpins products from Geely and Volvo, the model will feature turbocharged engines, a seven-speed DCT gearbox as well as the next generation of advanced driver assist systems.
As a locally assembled vehicle, producing the X50 at Tanjung Malim will benefit Malaysia’s automotive vendor community, with purchase intent expected to amount to at least RM1.8 billion annually. With another RM1 billion in parts purchases for the Proton X70, the combined annual contribution to automotive vendors by PROTON’s two SUVs will be in the region of RM2.8 billion.
With the addition of this new model, PROTON expects to continue its trajectory of growth. As of August 2020, the company is the only automotive brand ahead of its sales volume from the previous year as the industry comes to hrips with lower sales caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As a company that manufactures locally, PROTON’s growth means more money is injected into Malaysia’s automotive vendor ecosystem leading to more jobs and wealth creation. This is vital at a time when COVID-19 has significantly hit Malaysia’s economy,” said Dato’ Sri Syed Faisal Albar.
Proton X50 order books to open tomorrow
PROTON also announced that customers can place their bookings, for a booking fee of RM500, at showrooms beginning 16 September, coinciding with Malaysia Day. Customer preview sessions will be held at four separate locations beginning 19 September, though these will be closed-door events.
Aside from opening the order books and kicking off customer previews, PROTON also announced a contest for all Malaysians to vote for a slogan for its new SUV. More details can be obtained from the company’s official website.
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