Prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad recently got behind the wheel of a right-hand drive version of Proton’s new SUV, and the premier gave it the thumbs-up. According to The Malaysian Insight, the 93-year-old test drove the prototype car last week and was impressed by its good quality and make.
“I was testing the car. It was very good. The quality is very high and I think it is a good car for the market,” he said during a press conference. The Pakatan Harapan chairman also met several Geely representatives to discuss Proton’s future, and said it should have more Malaysian representation.
“Proton may be managed by Geely, but we want Malaysians to participate in the supply. Malaysian manufacturers should participate in the process,” he said. Tun M also told Bernama that “we want to try and have locals supplying the components and also maybe set up a joint venture.”
Proton’s SUV will be heavily based on the Geely Boyue facelift, and the bright red unit that Mahathir sampled is clearly a proper right-hand drive unit. Based on previous reports, Proton will be launching its first ever SUV by October and in CBU (fully-imported) form. Local assembly is scheduled to begin next year.
The new Proton SUV, which has yet to be named, will get a 1.8 litre turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine, as hinted by the TGDi badge on the doors. It makes 181 hp and 285 Nm of torque, and the engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The SUV will either be front- or all-wheel drive.
From what we know, the kit list will comprise of smaller 18-inch wheels rather than the 19s introduced on the facelift, and will be available with brown leather upholstery. Other features include a large panoramic sunroof, 360-degree cameras (with a three-dimensional view function) and an eight-inch touchscreen display.
Also on is a camera at the top of the windscreen to enable the car’s driver assist systems. These will include features like autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control. If the SUV is good enough to impress Tun M, will it be good enough to impress you? What do you think?
GALLERY: Geely Boyue facelift
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Comment(impressed) coming from Tun who pilot a Porsche Cayenne will auger well for this SUV.
By leveraging on Volvo quality and build tech. Will see P1 topping the Customer Service Index (CSI) Study
Pipu buy P1 bcoz of patriotism, not bcoz of service. No need to improve service. Just like if we sapot BN, we will not sapot PH no matter how gud they are
And pipu buy P2 becoz its cheap not becoz its gud.
Cheap is OK. Dun sell expensive like P1 when u are cheap and no gud.
Pipu buy p2 coz it is cheap, not good
Nobody will buy xc90 after this suv launch. Why pay more.
The title should read ‘Tun M impressed by China Geely build Proton SUV’s quality and build” instead because the only Proton here is the grille and the tiger badge.
“We needed more than 1,000 Proton engineers working with Geely engineers together. Every month, more than 100 engineers worked in Hangzhou, so this (SUV) is jointly developed.” – Dr Li
Bapak just realised what an Everest his P1 2.0 must climb now to surpass P1.
Hahahah real joker. enuff of your personal attack. Get real & sapott P1, Betul2 Onz wei
And you are real basher, hijacking other pipu names
small h dgn big H mmg same pipu.
Basher can’t tell the difference between small letter and capital letter. Must learn back ABC from kindergarten.
Hahaha! Basher dah kena kantoied again for stealing other pipus nick. And somemore he refuse to read or comprehension problem. Theres no where what I said that attack P1. What a foolish person who cant read.
I instantly gets the communist vibes as soon as I see the interior design. It is like the car that suit more on North Korean road instead of Malaysian road.
Do share how does the car interior tells u its komunis?
Interior design – communist?
Suits North Korean road?
Care to explain?
Yeah. I get that capitalist vibe when I first test drove a Chevrolet, felt like the car was in control. Japanese cars have a socialist feel to it, very involving and everyone in the car with me agreed.
(What the h*** am I talking about?)
Why have you not become a communist with all those communist energy around you? Almost everything you use nowadays come from communist China. Clothes, electronics, tools, heck even the banners for the past general election mostly came from China. It’s really a wonder you can still retain your capitalism.
Tun M Power approves! All hail Proton! All hail Geely!
Proton, Geely > all
Great choice to to bring in the car with full-equipment. Others car brand should do the same to compete and goverment should reduce duties on car with latest/extra safety feature.
I will buy this proton suv if overall quality is very good
Good quality at affordable price…. then it will sell well…
Its volvo quality
malaysian and cronies has a different meaning. proton had suffered a lot due low quality part supplied by cronies company. i hope geely not compromise.
No worries. All the compromised cronies now runs to new P1 2.0
What is the estimated cost of the full specs of this SUV?
If below RM50k , maybe can sell…
Brader, Wira 1.6AT (high spec) launch price was RM 54,306 in 1993. Waja (high spec) launch price was RM 63,000 in 2000. Preve (high spec) launch price was RM 72,990 in 2012.
You think Boyue be below RM 50,000? That’s some good weed you’ve got there.
Proton says no to gila people like u
This below 50k troll again…
Not this ‘sell below 50k’ troll again…
better ask for free lor…why settle for RM50k?
Just don’t shove this garbage down our throats. Proton fanboys can ejaculate all over this piece of scrap as long as the free market is upheld. Duno what is with this M and his obsessions with cars and Japan.
If this is garbage, then ur toyota junks r rotting waste.
Back in the 90s, when you’re nary even a sperm cell, we oldies had no choice, it was either a Proton (Saga) or Proton (Wira).
Today, you lot can have your choice of cars. Your money, your pasal. So why you say shove down your throat? You buy what you like lah. Don’t like Brand A, don’t buy. No need to disrespect others who maybe can’t afford what you buy.
Sure, sure, you want to show off that expensive car but realised that there are many others who aren’t as rich as you & can only afford Proton or Perodua.
Free market? Hahaha, there is no such thing as free market in this world. Every country- even the USA- has some form of protectionist policies in place to protect local industries.
Can’t deny China quality is going up. Prices too.
In China u get what u pay. But MY pipu expectation is kancil prices for Mesidis quality. Manada logic.
I’m curious about the price mey…give me the numbers!
Paul Tan; and you can tell what is in Tun Mahathir’s mind? I would differ with you as the first thing that has happen to Proton is the Chinese implant Chinese Directors at all department both technical and non-technical throughout. They no better than us Malaysian and in fact in their 30s can’t speak English, not that qualified and most don’t have the credential and experience and salary paid in China! You seem to be proud of Geely when in fact they are not friendly and don’t care about the local laws. Is the model much better than before or those on the street? I would say, it is not. So, yeah, I guess a second look at it should be good i.e. including the management of proton and what benefit does it bring to Malaysia.
mahathir said “we want Malaysians to participate in the supply. Malaysian manufacturers should participate in the process” . but i dont think geely will follow his wishes. i am sure geely will prefer to retain their existing suppliers . doubt that malaysian vendors can compete either on price nor on quality.