The Proton X50 is a subcompact crossover SUV produced by the Malaysian car maker Proton. Marketed as a B-segment SUV, the vehicle was revealed on 15 September 2020 and was launched on 27 October 2020. The model is the second SUV from the brand after the X70. The vehicle is a rebadged Geely Binyue with several changes, including the right-hand drive conversion and several mechanical adjustments.[3][4]

Proton X50
Overview
ManufacturerProton
Also calledGeely Binyue (China)
Geely Coolray[1][2]
ProductionSeptember 2020 – present
AssemblyMalaysia: Proton City, Tanjung Malim, Perak (PTMSB)
DesignerJamie Barrett
Body and chassis
ClassSubcompact crossover SUV (B)
Body style5-door SUV
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
PlatformGeely BMA platform
RelatedGeely Icon
Lynk & Co 06
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission7-speed DCT
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,600 mm (102.4 in)
Length4,330 mm (170.5 in)
Width1,800 mm (70.9 in)
Height1,609 mm (63.3 in)
Curb weight1,325–1,370 kg (2,921.1–3,020.3 lb)

Overview

edit

Following the purchase of Proton by Geely in 2017, Proton has secured the intellectual properties to the design, development, manufacture, sale, marketing and distribution of the Geely Binyue alongside the Boyue (X70) and Jiaji.[5] Camouflaged prototypes were seen being tested on public roads in Malaysia since February 2019.[6][7]

As the Geely Binyue, the car is underpinned with the same BMA platform jointly developed by Geely and Volvo.[8] The exterior design development of the Binyue was led by Jamie Barrett.[9] Proton's head designer and Geely claimed that the design of the vehicle was inspired by a fighter jet.[10]

As opposed to the X70 which was initially imported from China, the X50 is built in the Proton plant in Tanjung Malim from day one with a local content of 40 percent and contains 406 parts specific to the X50.[11][12][13] The first unit rolled off the assembly line on 15 September 2020.[14] At launch, the X50 was available in four grades: which are Standard, Executive, Premium, and Flagship.[15]

In June 2024, the X50 RC (short for 'Running Change') range debuted with changes include: increased number of standard features across the line-up, the touchscreen infotainment system features a faster processor and on-board Spotify, improved camera quality for the 360-degree camera system followed by customer feedback, improved NVH levels and its engine is locally assembled in the Proton plant instead of being imported from China. The exterior styling and engine specifications remain unchanged.[16]

Powertrain

edit

The X50 is offered with two engine options in Malaysia, both are 1.5-litre three-cylinder unit with turbocharger coded JLH-3G15TD jointly co-developed by Geely and Volvo.[17] The port-injection engine variant is available as standard, and the direct-injection engine for the Flagship variant.[18][19]

Petrol engines[20]
Model Engine Power Torque Transmissions
1.5T PFI 1,477 cc (90.1 cu in) I3 turbocharged 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) @ 5,500 rpm 226 N⋅m (23.0 kg⋅m; 167 lb⋅ft) @ 1,500–4,000 rpm 7-speed wet DCT
1.5 T-GDi 1,477 cc (90.1 cu in) I3 turbocharged 177 PS (130 kW; 175 hp) @ 5,500 rpm 255 N⋅m (26.0 kg⋅m; 188 lb⋅ft) @ 1,500–4,000 rpm

Safety

edit

The X50 is equipped with four airbags, vehicle stability control, hill start assist, hill descent control and rear ISOFIX child seat anchors as standard.[21] Upper trims would receive six airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system, while the Flagship trim gained the Advanced Driving Assistance System (ADAS) safety suite which includes adaptive cruise control with stop and go function, lane centring assist, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring and automatic high beam.[22]

2020 Proton X50 Standard
ASEAN NCAP scores[23]
Overall stars      
Adult occupant 43.64
Child occupant 21.17
Safety assist 19.44

Export

edit

Mauritius

edit

The X50 is sold in Mauritius since February 2022 after an announcement was made in November 2021 with pre-orders in December 2021.[24]

South Africa

edit

On May 31, 2022, Proton has shipped some X50 units to South Africa alongside the Proton X70 and Proton Saga.[25]

Mozambique

edit

The X50 is sold in Mozambique since May 2023, four variants also available.[26][27]

Trinidad & Tobago

edit

The X50 was launched in Trinidad & Tobago on March 13, 2024.[28]

Sales

edit
Year Malaysia Brunei
2020 3,787[29]
2021 28,774[30]
2022 40,681[31]
2023 30,981[32] 476[33]

References

edit
  1. ^ Co, Brent (August 13, 2019). "2020 Coolray will be Geely's first model in the Philippines". AutoIndustriya.com. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  2. ^ Chan, Mick (August 8, 2019). "Geely Coolray in Philippines Q4 2019 – CBU Binyue". Paultan.org. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  3. ^ King, Nicholas (2020-10-27). "It's official: Proton X50 to be priced from RM79,200 to RM103,300 | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  4. ^ "Proton X50 suspension tune explained – more comfort to suit Malaysian roads, Geely Binyue too stiff - paultan.org". Paul Tan's Automotive News. 2020-09-30. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  5. ^ "Proton secures license to produce and sell three Geely models for ASEAN - Boyue, SX11 SUV, VF11 MPV". Paul Tan's Automotive News. September 28, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  6. ^ campromania (22 February 2019). "INTIP: Proton X50 dikesan sekitar Ampang dan Jalan Kuching". funtasticko.net. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  7. ^ "INTIP: Kelibat unit ujian pertama Proton X50 berjaya dikesan". funtasticko.net. 21 February 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  8. ^ "Proton strengthens further with investment into production, reveals new X50 model | Automotive World". www.automotiveworld.com. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  9. ^ tobyclarke. "Designing a World-class Car". Geely Global Media Center. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  10. ^ "Did You Know That The Design Of The Proton X50 Was Inspired By A Jet Plane?". RojakDaily. 2020-09-25. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  11. ^ "Proton X50 SUV – 2020 launch confirmed, CKD straight - paultan.org". Paul Tan's Automotive News. 2020-01-20. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  12. ^ "2020 Proton X50 variant breakdown - spec differences between Standard, Executive, Premium and Flagship - paultan.org". Paul Tan's Automotive News. 2020-09-15. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  13. ^ Yusof, Ayisy (2020-09-15). "Proton X50 rolls out at Tg Malim plant, booking opens tomorrow | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  14. ^ "Proton strengthens further with investment into production, reveals new X50 model | Automotive World". www.automotiveworld.com. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  15. ^ "Proton X50: What's the difference between Standard, Executive, Premium and Flagship?". SoyaCincau.com. 2020-10-27. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  16. ^ Chan, Mick (2024-06-04). "2024 Proton X50 RC launched - same looks, better 360 cam and NVH, still RM86k-RM113k, new RM7k discount - paultan.org". Paul Tan's Automotive News. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  17. ^ "The Truth About Proton's X50 Engine - Insights - Carlist.my". Carlist.my - Malaysia's No.1 Car Site. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  18. ^ "Proton X50 - 1.5T PFI port-injection three-cylinder turbo engine will be used on future Proton models - paultan.org". Paul Tan's Automotive News. 2020-09-30. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  19. ^ "Proton X50 - Geely releases official info on new 1.5T PFI port injection 3-cyl turbo engine for the first time - paultan.org". Paul Tan's Automotive News. 2020-09-24. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  20. ^ "Proton X50 SUV launched – RM79,200 to RM103,300 - paultan.org". Paul Tan's Automotive News. 2020-10-27. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  21. ^ Raj, Mark Ryan (2 October 2020). "Speed, safety and style: What it's like to be behind the wheel of new Proton X50 | Malay Mail". www.malaymail.com. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  22. ^ OTO. "Proton X50: Safety features explained". Oto. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  23. ^ Proton X50 Digital Report
  24. ^ Awaludin, Mohd Farid (2022-02-11). "Proton X50 kini di Mauritius, harga bermula RM121k". Paul Tan's Automotive News. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  25. ^ "PROTON SENDS FIRST SHIPMENT OF CARS TO SOUTH AFRICA".
  26. ^ Lye, Gerard (13 June 2023). "2023 Proton X50 and X70 launched in Mozambique". Paul Tan's Automotive News. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  27. ^ "Entreposto launches ?Proton?, the new car brand in Mozambique". MZNews. 26 May 2023.
  28. ^ "Proton expands to Caribbean partnering Ansa in Trinidad and Tobago | New Straits Times". 25 August 2024.
  29. ^ "Proton sold 109,716 cars in 2020 - up 8.8% from 2019! - paultan.org". Paul Tan's Automotive News. 2021-01-04. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  30. ^ "Proton ends 2021 with third consecutive year of sales growth". www.proton.com. Retrieved 2022-04-10.
  31. ^ "Proton X50, X70 and Exora top segment sales in 2022 - Saga, Persona also strong, but Iriz sales down vs 2021 - paultan.org". Paul Tan's Automotive News. 2023-01-04. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  32. ^ "Proton X50 : Popularity over the Years". data.gov.my.
  33. ^ "PROTON SETS NEW SALES RECORD FOR BRUNEI". Proton.com. 19 February 2024.
edit