2020 PROTON X50 Announced: 4 Variants, 2 Power Outputs, October Launch?

After much anticipation, PROTON has finally confirmed the new X50 compact SUV as part of its lineup, after what feels like an eternity of spotting the car on test camouflaged from here to yonder. At a closed-door preview event in Tg. Malim, members of the media were given an opportunity to get up-close and personal with the new baby PROTON SUV and get more specifics around the new model.

The PROTON X50 will be made available in four variants, named Standard, Executive, Premium and Flagship. What’s shared across all cars is a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and 7-speed DCT automatic, which has been confirmed to produce a maximum of 174PS & 265Nm in the Flagship model. What will also be standard is the infotainment system – all new cars will run a fully-connected GKUI system, replete with the latest ’19’ software. Screen sizes will differ though, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen for Premium & Flagship models, while the Standard & Executive models will make do with an 8-inch unit.

The X50 will also be available with 6 colour options – Snow White, Armour Silver, Jet Grey, Ocean Blue, Citric Orange, and Passion Red, with the Flagship models gaining a contrasting black roof.

STANDARD

1.5-litre turbocharged engine (110hp)
7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission
4 SRS airbags
Full-LED headlights
17-inch alloy wheels
Fabric interior upholstery
Rear A/C vents
8-inch infotainment display
Reversing camera

EXECUTIVE (over Standard)

6 SRS airbags
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Automatic headlights
Front foglight
Leatherette upholstery

PREMIUM (over Executive)

Tyre pressure monitoring system
18-inch alloy wheels in dual-tone finish
Powered drivers’ seat
10-inch infotainment system
360º camera

FLAGSHIP (over Premium)

1.5-litre Turbocharged Gasoline Direct-Injection (High Output, 174PS & 265Nm)
Advanced Driver Assist Features (claimed to be “Level 2 autonomous”)
Dual-tone exterior finish
Panoramic sunroof

At the moment, PROTON has not been forthcoming about pricing of the new model – when asked, PROTONs top-management gave us hazy answers saying that the X50 ‘breaks segment barriers’ and will appeal to a ‘wider audience’ than some of its competitors, suggesting either a huge price range or a more suggestive positioning in the market.

What we can confirm from one of our sources is that the new X50 is set to be launched sometime in October, with production already commenced at the Tg. Malim plant. PROTON has planned a whole series of events to properly introduce the car to the market, with order books open on Malaysia Day (Sept 16th) and roadshows beginning on the 19th throughout the country.

Regardless, stay locked onto MalaysianMotoring as we bring you more updates as they come.

GALLERY: 2020 PROTON X50