Proton X70 SUV previewed

By CARSIFU | 7 September 2018

SUBANG JAYA: Proton's long awaited first SUV was shown at a media preview today ahead of its launch later this year. Bookings for the SUV will open tomorrow with a deposit of RM1,000.

The name of the Geely Boyue-based vehicle was also announced as X70, the first time a Proton model gets an alphanumeric name. The name was arrived at after Proton held an online contest and Malaysians were asked to choose one of four proposed names - PX70, X7, X70 and X700.

The use of the name X70 was to "make it easier for Proton to sell the X70 in Asean and other international markets as there are no language barriers to overcome."

What was revealed at the preview was that the X70 will first arrive in Malaysia in CBU form before it becomes a CKD unit and is expected to show up sometime in November with sales being performed at its 3S and 4S centres.

Additionally, the X70's local production facility will become the central production hub for right-hand drive markets and will carry the Proton badge.

Customers will have a choice of four variants starting with the entry-level Standard (2WD), mid-range Executive (2WD and AWD) and finally the Premium (2WD).

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During the preview, the X70 Executive (AWD) and Premium were showcased together with its 18-inch wheels wrapped by 225/60 series tyres and a 1.8-litre turbocharged gasoline direct-injection (TGDI) engine, with Eco and Sport driving modes, producing 181hp and 285Nm of torque and is managed by a six-speed automatic. No paddle shifters were seen.

Externally, it was fitted with front automatic LED headlights with daytime running lights that flanked Geely's signature infinite weave grille that now sports a Proton's badge as well as rear LED light clusters to name a few.

Inside, the cabin featured Nappa leather upholstery, fully digital (and customisable) instrument cluster, powered driver's seat, six USB ports, hill descent control, electric brake with auto-hold function, anti-glare rear view mirror, built-in ionizer under the centre arm rest, cruise control, keyless entry with push-start button and possibly a blind-spot monitoring system among others.

The Premium variant was equipped with front passenger powered seat with dual controls, panoramic retractable tinted glass roof.

"The letter X is also synonymous with crossover or SUV vehicles so using it makes it easy to identify the segment this Proton model is from while the number 70 denotes the size/class of the SUV and gives Proton a logical system to add bigger or smaller models in the future,” said Proton Edar CEO Abdul Rashid Musa.

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Along with the media preview, Proton will be holding a series of customer events in seven towns and cities to gauge public response to the X70.

The customer events, to run from Sept 19-Nov 4, would also be held to allow members of the public, the banking and insurance industry as well as potential corporate buyers to get a close look at the X70 before it is launched.

Proton said its plan is to reach out to 6,000 people through such media and customer previews.