There has been a news widely circulating on social media about the possible launch of Proton X50, a crossover SUV, in Pakistan for quite some time. Many readers might already know about it, but it got more traction very recently after an article on an international automotive site.
Proton name is not new to us here in Pakistan. Proton has signed a joint venture with the Al-Haj group for establishing an assembly line in Karachi for the CKD production of cars. We already know extensively about the X70 crossover and the recently revealed small sedan in the shape of SAGA.
Proton is a national car company in Malaysia. In the past, it has been producing rebadged Suzuki and even Honda models, and before that, some Mitsubishi models were sold with Proton badge. In fact Proton started their production with first car almost 36 years ago, based on Mitsubishi Lancer. Proton Holding company at one time was owner of the Lotus cars.
Currently, Geely car company from China, which also owns Sweden’s Volvo, has 49% shares in Proton. Although the X70 and SAGA are done deal for our market, there are other products in the pipeline.
If you love sedans, then not a good news for you because a possible model from Proton Pakistan will be another crossover for our market and possibly an X50.
Proton X50:
In counting, 50 is less than 70, and the reality is that X50 is a smaller B-segment crossover and sits under X70 in the Proton lineup. As Geely has a major partnership with Proton, X50 is another example of this joint venture besides X70.
Like X70, which is a C- segment SUV and basically a rebadged Geely brand Vehicle named “Geely Boyue “, the X50 is the rebadge Geely brand product “Geely Binyue “or Geely Coolray “. Besides visual difference from Geely, the X50 is exactly the same. Although the Coolray is in production since 2018 in China, it was revealed and went into production as Proton X50 in Malaysia in the fall of 2020.
X70 was already a success story for Proton and X50 solidified it, as it has taken the local Malaysian market by storm so much as so, Proton has a hard time meeting the orders. The model was launched in October 2020, and by March 2021, Proton delivered over 11,000 units.
For Pakistan, there are reports that Proton X50 might be imported as CBU initially for local testing and development and later as CKD/ PK Domestic Model.
Footprint:
X50 is based on Geely’s BMA platform, known as B-Segment Modular Architecture. The BMA is fully researched, developed by Geely on its own unlike some of company current new platforms which are codevepled with Volvo.
This BMA/ modular flexible platform like any other global platforms will be used to give birth to sedan, small crossovers. This modular platform will help develop newer models almost 2 year faster as far as time line while can also house Turbo based engines as well as hybrid, plugin hybrid
Dimensions:
Dimension wise, X50 is 4330mm long, 1800mm wide and 1609mm high and have a wheels base of 2600mm. As a reference point, the X70 is 4519mm long, 1831 mm wide and 1694 mm high while have a wheelbase of 2670 mm. This makes X50 around 7.5″ shorter in length.
As X50 falls in B-Segment, the other known vehicles in this bracket in our market are the well-known Vezel, CHR, and the MG ZS and last but not least, the Peugeot 2008. Like X70, X50 is also a 2 row, five seat vehicle. X50 has a fuel tank capacity of 45 liters.
Exterior:
Well, in the first looks, it looks like a shrunken sibling of the X70, and it is so. Many design elements, as you see on the X70, can be seen on the smaller X50. On the front, you will find the same Proton brand grill called “infinite weave grille”, which is basically inspired by the traditional woodwork and carving which is famous in Malaysia. On front LED projector headlight + LED DRL are standard across all four trim levels offered in Malaysia. Fog lamps are not available in the base model, while the rest all gets it.
The X50 gets a sportier bumper with a wide-open contrasting lower black colour opening, giving it an aggressive and broad look. If you look at the side profile, the typical character line seen on the X70 is visible here along with same design influence of the C pillar with the glass opening. The chrome strips on top and bottom of the side windows continue and merge at the tailgate while you see a slightly sloped roof B pillar onwards which is again the same as seen on X70.
On the rear Proton badging on the metal trim can be seen with LED taillights higher up on the body panels like X70. A rear spoiler with a stop lamp and the wiper is also available. The quad chrome tips of exhaust with a black bumper diffuser will make it look like a sporty, performance-oriented vehicle. The top variant of the X50 comes with a Black coloured roof as standard. The top variant also comes with 215/55/ 18″ alloys, while the rest of the line gets 215/60 17″ alloys. Rood rails are not standard and also come on the top two versions.
Engine and Mechanicals:
In Malaysia, the X50 comes with a 1477cc/ 1.5L with three-cylinder Turbo Engine. Although the engine is the same across the model lineup, it is offered in two power outputs and the reason being the two different fuel systems being used. The top of the line variant comes with DI/ Direct Injection, and it makes around 174HP while 255NM of torque.
The rest of the three variants comes with MPI/ Multi-Point injection system, and power drops to 148Hp while torque is 226NM. All variants of the X50 are equipped with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission with manual mode same as in X70. All versions of the X50 comes with Eco, Normal and Sport as drive modes. X50 is front-wheel drive only. As per Malaysian reports, X50 has a fuel economy of 6.5L to 100 kilometres.
The 1.5L 3 cylinder Turbo with Direct Injection on the top variant of X50, as in Malaysia, is same engine setup as in the Pakistan X70. Keep in mind that the Malaysian spec X70 is not available with a 1.5L engine; instead, it is offered with 1.8L Turbo GDI. There is a news from Malaysia that a facelift of X70 is coming in August of 2021 and beside some visual updates, the 1.8L TGDI will also be replaced with the 1.5T engine as we have seen in the PK bound X70.
The X50 comes with Electric power steering as standard, disc brakes on all 4 wheels, and a standard button activated Electric Parking Brake. The front suspension is MacPherson strut, and although X70 has multilink rear suspension, X50 gets a Torsion beam. This also tells us the X50 is targeted at a lower price point and make it more cost-effective against the competition.
I personally believe that if Proton plans on bringing X50 to Pakistan, they might bring it with the MPI system [ 148HP variant ] instead of the GDI and again, the reason would be to keep X70 as their flagship offering and to be able it price lower and in line with current or upcoming competitors.
Interior and Features:
Like the exterior, the interior also reflects the influence of X70. The metallic trim panels across the width of the dashboard are seen. Unlike X70, which has slim air vents, X50 gets the larger squarish side air vents with metal trims. The driver instrumental panel is identical to what you see in the X70, but here, the 7″ full-LED digital cluster is only available on the top two variants while the basic versions get the conventional gauges type instrumental panel.
There is a floating central console with storage underneath, which runs from the dashboard to the central armrest. You will also find a grab-handle for the front passenger. The gear lever mimics the one in the X70. There are Eco & Sport buttons for driving modes next to it. Hill descent control, 360 view camera and parking sensors button is also available on the central console.
Infotainment System:
The basic infotainment system is an 8″ touch screen, while a 10.25″ is available in the top variants. The software is the newer version of what is currently available on the X70. Bluetooth connectivity and smartphone integration are also available as standard. The standard speakers are 4; top variants get 6. NO, X50 doesn’t have a subwoofer as we have in X70. The climate is dual-zone automatic on the top variants while its single manual zone on the other versions. Rear vents come in all variants, as well as the N95 cabin filtration system.
Push-button start with remote engine start is also available. The basic model gets fabric with rest gets leatherette seat surface. Six-way power driver seat adjustment is also available. The automatic day and night rearview mirror are only available on the top version.
Panoramic Roof:
Now, the best part, a Panoramic roof is available but on top of the line version only. This can be called first in the segment for our market. The top variant of X50 also comes with Proton Link App to access remote vehicle status and other features.
Now, the question is, if Proton launch X50 locally, will we get all these features? Maybe some of it and not all.
Safety:
Like X70, X50 is not short on that. Front and side seat airbags are standard on all versions. The curtain airbags are also available less the base version. ABS + EBD, Brake Assist, Auto Brake hold, Traction control, Hill hold assist, Hills descent control all comes standard on all flavours of X50. The tire pressure monitoring system is on top variants only.
There are 4 rear parking sensors on all models, while the base model doesn’t get the front sensors, although the top variant gets 4 on front. 360 camera is also available on top two versions; the rear camera is standard.
ADAS, the active safety features known as the Advanced Driver Assistance System, is only available in the top variant. This includes lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, Intelligent high beam control, auto park assist.
Will a Pakistan assembled X50 will get all of these safety features? I think we might not get the ADAS. Again we need to wait for it.
Launch in Pakistan:
X50 is definitely on the launchpad for a target in Pakistan BUT forget about it for at least a year to 18 months. Currently, Proton Malaysia is backed up with the delivery of local demand, and as per news, there is a wait time of almost 6 months for X50.
As per Malaysian officials in an interview with Paultran, their priority is the local customer at this time, which further confirms that we might not be able to see an X50 very soon. X50 arrival and success will depend on the Proton customer service and approach towards their recently released products, X70 & SAGA.
As of now, a CKD SAGA and X70 delivery are nearly around a year of waiting time. I believe it is not a bad idea operational wise to launch X50 in Pakistan once the current product [ SAGA & X70 ] assembly and delivery is streamlined. This will provide decent consumer confidence as well as give Proton time to develop a third product for PK Domestic market. It does not make sense to introduce multiple products, but a company can’t deliver a model on time.
As per reports, the current Proton dealership network is still in the developmental phase and with very questionable after-sales service. We still don’t know how well built will be a local assembled vehicle compared to the CBU we witnessed. Generally, we have experienced that a CKD is not at par with CBU. I hope this opinion changes with the CKD Proton model.
ADP and Proton:
We should keep in mind that the current auto policy will expire in June 2021 [ unless extended as rumoured]; 100 units/ trim of CBU can be imported for local launch as per policy with 50% less in duty. If the policy expires, Proton might not be able to import X50 CBU’s for sale with subsidy on duty. Yes, they can import for their own research and development, but for commercial sale, it will be at full force of FBR tax and customs, and that might not be a cost-efficient. I think we as a buyer might see only a CKD/ locally assembled X50 if ever launched. I think there is a decent wait time as per the current situation at Proton Malaysia as well as AL-Haj Pakistan
We know that the C and B-Segment crossover are flooding our market like we see internationally, and consumer are more attracted to these utility vehicles. Lucky Motors is planning for a Peugeot 2008, while there is also a rumour for KIA brand vehicle in the same segment as well [ no confirmation yet ]. The arrival of X50 will for sure saturate the market and give more options and start a healthy competition, provided all these companies act accordingly, price and equip the models well, besides improved built quality with top-notch after-sales service and the most important, curb on premium / black marketers / creating an intentional demand-supply gap.
Expected Price:
I personally think that Proton [ if ever introduce X50 in a year time ] might price it around Rs4 Million +/- price point, and this will further hurt the sedan market, which is already damaged due to vehicles like Sportage, Tucson, X70 and MG HS. Proton, if ever launched X50, will not price it close to CKD X70 to cannibalize their own model. Just to remind you that the entry-level Executive version of CKD X70 priced at Rs 4,690,000/- at this time. I hope the prices don’t increase y the time CKD starts its delivery to customers.
The sales and marketing strategy, after-sale service, support, customer satisfaction and friendly and welcoming dealer network will only guide and help Proton to succeed.
