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There had been a news widely circulating on social media about this subject for quite some time and many readers might already knew 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 Al-Haj group for establishing an assembly line in Karachi for the CKD production of cars. We already know extensively about X70 crossover and the recently revealed the small sedan in shape of SAGA.
If you need to know about X70 go here > https://www.facebook.com/groups/PakWheelsOfficial/permalink/3644490905666206/
If you want to learn about SAGA, go here >https://www.facebook.com/groups/PakWheelsOfficial/permalink/3962833727165254/
Proton is a national car company of Malaysia. In the past it has been producing re-badged Suzuki and even Honda models and before than some Mitsubishi models were sold with Proton badge. In fact Proton started their production with first car almost 36 years ago and it was based on Mitsubishi Lancer. Proton Holding company at one time was owner of the Lotus cars.
Currently Geely car company from China, who also own Sweden's Volvo has 49% shares in Proton. Although the X70 and SAGA is done deal for our market, there are other products in the pipeline as well.
If you love sedans, then you have a bad luck because , a possible another model from proton Pakistan will be yet another crossover for our market and possibly a X50. Letβs go over it.
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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 beside X70.
Like X70 which is a C- segment SUV and basically a re-badged Geely brand Vehicle named " Geely Boyue ", the X50 is the rebadge Geely brand product β Geely Binyue β or Geely Coolray β. Beside just visual difference to differentiate it from Geely, the X50 is exactly same. Although the Coolray is in production since 2018 in China, it was revealed and went into production as Proton X50 in Malaysia in fall of 2020 .
X70 was already a success story for Proton , the X50 solidified it and it has taken the local Malaysian market with storm so much as so, proton has hard time meeting the orders. The model was launched in October 2020 and by March 2021, Proton delivered over 11,000 units .
There are reports that Proton X50 might be imported as CBU initially for local testing and development and later as CKD/ PK Domestic Model.
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X50 is based on Geelyβs 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 .
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 wheel base of 2670 mm. This makes X50 around 7.5β 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 as well as the MG ZS and last but not the least the Peugeot 2008. Size wise the X50 falls within the close range to all these vehicles. Like X70, X50 is also a 2 row, 5 seat vehicle. X50 has fuel tank capacity of 45 liters.
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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 wood work and carving which is famous in Malaysia. On front LED projector headlight + LED DRL are standards across all the four trim levels offered in Malaysia. Fog lamps are not available on base model while rest all gets it.
The X50 gets a sportier bumper with wide open contrasting lower black color opening, giving it an aggressive and wide look. If you look at the side profile, the typical character line as seen on the X70 is visible here and also the same design influence of the C pillar with the glass opening. The chrome strips on top and bottom of the side windows continues and merge at the tailgate while you see a slightly slopped roof B pillar onwards which is again same as seem 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. Rear spoiler with stop lamp and the wiper is also available. The quad chrome tips of exhaust with black bumper diffuser will make it look like a sporty, performance oriented vehicle on the rear as well. The top variant of the X50 comes with Black colored roof as standard. The top variant also comes with a 215/55/ 18β alloys while the rear of the line gets 215/60 17β alloys. Rood rails are not standard and comes also on the top two versions.
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In Malaysia , the X50 comes with a 1477cc/ 1.5L with 3 cylinder Turbo Engine . Although the engine is same across the model lineup , it is offered in two power outputs and 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 mode select. X50 is front wheel drive only and an AWD is not an option here. As per Malaysian reports, X50 has a fuel economy of 6.5L to a 100 kilometers.
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 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 while 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 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.
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Like exterior, the interior also reflect the influence of X70. The metallic trim panels across the width of the dashboard is 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 7β full LED digital cluster is only available on the top two variants while the basic versions gets the conventional gauges type instrumental panel.
There is floating central console with storage underneath, which runs from dashboard to the central arm rest. 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 decent control, 360 view camera and parking sensors button is also available on the central consol.
The basic infotainment system is 8β touch screen while a 10.25β is available on the top variants. The software is the newer version of what is currently available on the X70. Bluetooth connectivity and smart phone integration is also available as standard. The standard speakers are 4, top variants gets 6. NO, X50 donβt have subwoofer like we have in X70. The climate is dual zone automatic on the top variants while its manual single zone on the other versions. Rear vents comes in all variants as well as N95 cabin filtration system.
Push button start with remote engine start is also available. The basic model gets fabric with rest gets leatherette seats surface. 6 way power driver seat adjustment is also available. The automatic day and night rear view mirror is only available on the top version.
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, question is if Proton launch X50 locally, will we get all these features ? Maybe some of it and not all.
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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 flavors of X50. Tire pressure monitoring system is on top variants only.
There are 4 rear parking sensors on all models while the base model donβt 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.
As of ADAS , which is the active safety features known as Advanced Driver Assistance System , is only available on 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.
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X50 is definitely on the launch pad for a target in Pakistan BUT forget about it for at least a year to 18 months. 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 a X50 very soon. X50 arrival and success will depends 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 a 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 then a company can't deliver a model on time.
As per reports, the current Proton dealership network is still in developmental phase and with very questionable after sales service. We still don't know how well built will be a local assembled vehicles in comparison to the CBU we witnessed. Generally, we have experienced that a CKD are not at par with CBU. I hope this opinion changes with the CKD Proton model.
One thing we should keep in mind that, the current auto policy will expire in June 2021 [ unless extended as rumored ] , 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 CBUβs 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 buyer might see only a CKD/ locally assembled X50 if ever its launched . I think there is a decent wait time as per 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 rumor for KIA brand vehicle in the same segment as well [ no confirmation yet ]. MG ZS is another upcoming model while 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 , beside improved built quality with top notch after sales service and the most important, curb on premium / black marketers / creating intentional demand supply gap.
I personally think that Proton [ if ever introduce X50 in a year time ] might price it around 4 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.
Although in Pakistan, βSOME β car companies cut cakes and celebrate 1000,2000,10,000, 17000 bookings. Personally to me its deceptive, this does not matter and does not make any sense to celebrate. For me the sales statistics and success only and should matter and celebrated when the company deliver the vehicle to the customer.
Eating cakes and have social media photoshoots with no delivery, is like KHAYA PIYA KUCH NAHI GLASS TORA BARAH AANA.
So, whatβs your thoughts ?
Pakwheels Exclusive X50 Discussion Thread > https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/t/proton-x50-dedicated-discussion-thread/2166894
[ f-w @PakWheels.com]
