Photos of the yet-to-be-launched, yet-to-be-named Proton SUV have been posted on prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s official Facebook page, giving us a first look at the new model. Although the car was obscured slightly in the photos – likely to avoid giving the whole game away ahead of its October unveiling – there was enough there for resident Photoshop wizard Theophilus Chin to work his magic.
This, then, is a better look at what will be the national carmaker’s first ever SUV, which is based on the facelifted Geely Boyue. As you can see, the Proton version will carry minimal visual changes, such as the slatted front grille that replaces Geely’s concentric “expanding cosmos” design. The Malaysian one features a dip on the lower edge to better fit Proton’s shield-shaped logo.
Also seen are smaller 18-inch alloy wheels rather than the 19-inch rollers introduced on the facelifted Boyue. The rest of the car is unchanged, tallying with previous remarks made by Proton’s head of design Azlan Othman, who said that only a few design tweaks will be made to get the car out the door, but “changes will come in the CKD version next year.”
Ah yes, about that. Proton’s SUV is slated to be launched first in fully-imported (CBU) form, before CKD local assembly kicks off in 2019. “This is according to the government request that the new product come to Malaysia as soon as possible. With this move, we are on track,” said Proton CEO Li Chunrong.
From the photos, Proton will pile its new model with plenty of kit, such as a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera (with a three-dimensional view function) and an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen. The company has already confirmed numerous features that will make it onto the equipment list, such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and a voice command system.
As for the engine, it will be Geely’s 1.8 litre turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine. It makes 181 hp and 285 Nm of torque, paired to a six-speed automatic transmission and an expected choice of either front- or all-wheel drive. So, what do you think of Theo’s effort?
GALLERY: Geely Boyue facelift
Commendable piece of work. Theo keep it up yo’
It’s like a sculpted piece of art after being replaced with the Proton logo
Any time look better than XC90
Jonathan..fully imported form is CBU, not CKD. I think threr is an error there
This car will be a big success. It will turnaround Proton. We must thank 2 people. Tun Mahathir and China. They are both responsible for this successful moment.
I pity the sad people who used to blame Tun for Proton’s financial problems….oh wai!
Sorry this has nothing to do with Tun. As much as i hate to say it, this is one for Najib to smile about.
I thought Tun said P1 no longer national car?Now Boyue seems to interest him.Geely seems to do a good job.The only sticky issue is the existing vendors who play wing Chun politics n refuse to lower prices.Tun,rakyat Minta ,kindly sack vendors who simply refuse to adhere to specs n lower prices.The power window problem still is ongoing.
The Gov still need to take care the benefits of the Bumiputera vendors. They have lost in the politics, they can’t lose in the business.
The vendors have been gip warning by Geely to buckup their quality and price down or they be replaced. But no worries, soon all those not qualified will have new home in Bapaks P1 2.0. Crony vendors says tenkiu to your donation of taxpayer money.
Alo..bumiputra ? pls go thru Proton Vendor Association and see for your self sapa itu vendor..majority is MNCs..mcm itu Delphi, Hirotako Accustics, Koyo Singapore bearing…apa punya racist punya statement la..simple cakap bumi bumi2.. pls la grow up.
Shouldn’t it be CBU before CKD?
Rm90k wit 2years free service, sure alot people and company buy.
Enough giving them false hope la. Nobody wants to be seen sitting in a Proton.
Tun M says he is impressed. So the question is will he replace his Cayenne with Boyue?
Ekcelli am keen to upgrade from my Civic Fc.
If follow your logic, all P1 drivers should wear masks
This new grill is much better than the original. Well done Proton/Geely.
The eureka question? What will be the price? If it is in the RM80k-RM98k baracket, sure it will a hot seller.
Whats new? The grill and face are all identical to the one your post before.
Wizard what like this
“Proton’s SUV is slated to be launched first in fully-imported (CKD) form.”
Should be “CBU” in the bracket.
Come october people would not buy cuz they already had their spree during the tax break. Low demand means boyue will remain as CBU. The only winner will be china.
P1, Geely, Mesidis, VolvoCar, VolvoTruck, Lotus > all
wow..it looks stunning..
Proton, please have 7-seater variant for this SUV. Tqvm!
Shud have continued with the P1 wings at the front grille.
Orang kampung sure ramai-ramai will buy this. For city people, this one still have somehow, the element of joke.
Jepunis brands are big jokes in Europe, lol
Jokes? At least they are in the list of best engine of the year. What awards do Proton have?
Tak menang pun, sales number out
P1 habuk pun takdak. Pipu buy P1 becoz its cheap, not becoz its gud
Pipu buy P1 becoz its safer, not becoz its any cheaper
I see jealousy here
Wow! This SUV, at its estimated price and this design, will sell like hot cakes.
Been hearing hotcakes in every new model launches. Which model sold like hotcakes again? Suprima? Perdana? or Ertiga?
Saga3, Iriz & Persona2, Preve
10% market share is hotcakes? More like apam kosong.
Pipu buy P2 coz it is cheap not because it is good
Better than ur toyota lor. All failures
some said it use a SAAB engine?
Nah it will most likely uses the China engine to be price competitive compared to having to pay Euro currency engine.
OMG. Where did you get this wild idea of using SAAB engine? Just because SAAB is from Sweden?
Continental feel and look. This will give similar SUV segment a run for rheir money.
Nice, looks like Skoda Karoq/Kodiak
Wow! This SUV, at its estimated price and this design, will sell like cool cakes.
How’s Geely’s safety records though? Chinese automakers are notorious for building 1-2 star vehicles, aren’t they?
I only found one Geely model tested by Euro NCAP; Emgrand EC7. It scored 4 stars, and quite respectable in adult and infant occuoant protection, as well as active safety assists. This was in 2011, and the model was introduced a year after they acquired Volvo. After they were “humiliated” by Russian tests and Latin NCAP a few years before (before Volvo), they reviewed their export models for better safety. If they still make cars they way they did the Boyue might be quite decent.
It’s look good la, but why interior pic Mahathir was like “Emmm bole la..”
So this or HRV ?
HRV is tin kosong. Not even gip Honda Sense lor…
This same size with CRV
1.8 TGDI vs 1.5 VTEC Turbo, coming soon to highways near you