It’s a trend these days for global car manufacturers to create high-riding B-segment cars from their B-segment hatchback platforms. It’s not so much that people actually take these things off-road, but it’s more for people who like the rugged looks and prefer a higher seat position.
Peugeot has the 2008 based on the 208, Ford has the EcoSport built from the Fiesta, and Honda’s HR-V is built on the Jazz platform. Some manufacturers don’t really go to the extent of creating a whole new model, such as Volkswagen’s CrossPolo based on the regular Polo hatch, but then they also have a proper B-segment SUV coming up called the Volkswagen Taigun.
Since Proton has global aspirations for the new Proton Iriz and its platform, we thought we might show you how a small B-segment SUV based on the Proton Iriz could look like. Malaysian Photoshop wizard Theophilus Chin came up with this “Proton Irox” based on photos of the Proton Iriz. Quite an apt name which plays on the Iriz name and an off-roader’s possibility of traversing rocky terrain.
Currently we’ve got the likes of the Great Wall M4, the Toyota Rush, the Ford EcoSport and the Peugeot 2008 to choose from in the Malaysian market, with the Honda HR-V set for a possible 2015 introduction. What do you think? Would you be interested in a B-segment SUV based on the Iriz?
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments on the Proton Irox SUV highlight excitement for the new model, with praise for its design and suggestions for improvements like Turbo, AWD, larger boot, and competitive pricing. Some users express skepticism about Proton's engine options and overseas testing, questioning the practicality and authenticity of the vehicle. There are jokes, off-topic remarks, and discussions about other brands or models, but the main sentiment is anticipation and support for Proton's upcoming SUV, viewing it as a promising addition to the lineup. Several comments also admire the design work of Theophilus Chin, hoping for more innovative crossovers and variants based on the Iriz platform. Overall, sentiments are generally positive with some doubts about engine and market readiness.