With the Proton X50 having finally been launched, the public’s attention now turns to the next upcoming model. The company’s chief executive officer Li Chunrong has already said that Proton is capable of launching one new product every year, and speculation is rife that the national carmaker is preparing either an S50 sedan, a V70 MPV or an X90 SUV as its next car for a 2021 launch.
Thanks to a company presentation last year, we already have a rough idea of what should come next – a new sedan in 2021 and 2022, then another SUV in 2023. But these timescales are far from set in stone; it was previously projected that an MPV based on the Geely Jiaji would be the first to arrive this year, and we all know how that turned out.
Proton S50 C-segment sedan
So let’s talk about the cars that are being rumoured. The S50 is tipped to be a rebadged Binrui, slotting above the Persona and competing in the C-segment market. It would certainly make sense – after all, Proton hasn’t had an entry here since the Prevé was discontinued a couple of years ago.
However, the C-segment sedan market is on a decline, and the Honda Civic dominates what little sales volume is left. The Binrui is at least based on the same B-segment Modular Architecture (BMA) as the X50, which should make tooling the Tanjung Malim plant easier and amortise the cost. If it does come to market, the S50 could be the next recipient of the 1.5 litre turbocharged MPI three-cylinder that debuted in the X50.
Proton V70 large MPV
The next car on this list is the one that should have been launched this year – the V70, based on the aforementioned Jiaji. Proton’s hesitance in building the MPV is understandable, given that such a model would be much too big and expensive (likely pricier even than an X70) to be a genuine replacement for the ageing Exora. Proton desperately needs higher sales volumes to meet its lofty targets – volumes that this car probably won’t generate.
At this juncture we should also point out that the while the S50 name has already been trademarked by Proton, the V70 moniker belongs to Volvo and was last used on the predecessor to the V90 wagon. Of course, both Proton and Volvo are owned by Geely, so it’s possible that the two companies could work out some kind of agreement if the national carmaker truly wanted the name.
Proton X90 seven-seater SUV
A more plausible alternative to the V70 would be the Haoyue-based X90. Like the V70, this car would be a seven-seater, but in a more trendy SUV format – a body style that Proton itself has stated it has staked its future on. The Haoyue has also been designed for Southeast Asian buyers in mind and has already been launched in the Philippines as the Okavango, so it’s clear that the car has potential. The only question is if there is a market for an SUV that is larger and more expensive than the X70.
Proton S70 D-segment sedan
The rumour mill also suggested that an S70 based on the new Preface is one of the possible options, but we’d take it with a heavy pinch of salt. The D-segment sedan market has all but flatlined, and the last Proton model to compete, the Honda Accord-based Perdana, was a dismal sales failure. The Precept may be one of the best-looking cars to have come from Geely, but also the least likely to be turned into a Proton.
All this speculation doesn’t take into account the struggles Proton has had in matching initial production targets for the new X50, let alone meeting the huge demand. Currently, the waiting list runs anywhere between three to six months, possibly longer. Given the situation, it may be wise for the company to hold off introducing new models and focus on stabilising supply for the X70 and X50.
Proton Iriz and Persona facelift
As for updates to the rest of the lineup, we’re expecting the Iriz hatchback and Persona sedan to receive their second facelifts soon, as hinted by the bevy of recent spyshots. These images show that there are some major exterior design changes incoming (including larger wheels and perhaps some X50-inspired design cues), and there are also rumoured to be some interior switchgear changes and even the Saga‘s Hyundai-sourced four-speed automatic gearbox to replace the oft-maligned Punch CVT.
So, what do you think – which one of these possible future Protons are you most looking forward to, and what other new products would you like to see? Sound off in the comments after the jump.
GALLERY: Geely Binrui
GALLERY: Geely Jiaji
GALLERY: Geely Haoyue
GALLERY: Geely Preface
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
ditch the rubbish protons and bring in the new geelys
Drb-hicom needs to be paid
Now proton has become alibaba company.
Alibaba is the fastest growing company in the world with some of the biggest IPO launched til date. Problem bro?
Just like Lazada.
Proton can launch many models. But Proton City cannot meets the demand. 20K in 2 weeks x50 booking means nothing
Dr.li is having headache at Tanjong malim.LOts of deadwood from DRB still running the production.
With the besok lusa culture from DRB ,pity the fanboys who do not enjoy the tax holidays in 2 days time.
Chop off them deadwoods!
Their “deadwoods” are doing the best to up production but it’s difficult since they were compromised by covid infections. Dr Li knows this and really appreciate them unlike what you accuse him.
DRB..needs to kowtow to Geely for saving them from drowning.When u are about to drown,u want your lifeguard to say sorry and pay u handsomely?
Are u from Pluto or Mars?
faster grab proton saga, the last of local engineered & designed proton model. pride & epitome of lokal superiority,
Ya should also add with Lotus handling too ahahahha
No way!
Weren’t you praising proton cars previously? What the sudden 180 turn?
Proton now just a distributor of Geely cars. Even Proton designer only allowed to rebadge the front grille and logo, the rest kept unchanged. But it’s good also otherwise the Geely designs risked being ruinned by Proton designers known for boring unimaginative ideas and anti market trends that lead to their own epic failure demise.
LOL!! ok, that’s enough of your jokes.. I can’t take it anymore ROFL XD! I mean, “rebadge the front grille and logo” for a total drive position conversion? That sounded like a different brand if I’m not mistaken. You know, like how Japan or Indonesia having the same drive position as ours.
true also
it’s more work than taking an already RHD car from japan and slapping a company logo
conversion and all the same parts, assembly, logistics, redesigning etc.
When you refuse to read,
https://paultan.org/2020/12/24/proton-x50-asean-ncap-tests-resulted-in-key-safety-changes-for-rhd-conversion-led-by-malaysian-rd/
People call dumb and ignorant is not wrong you know?
Still with the same tired jokes eh Kunta? I thought you got bora-bora’ed for good. Idiots just never learn when they are not welcomed
The most sensible thing for P1,is bread n butter models.Time to bring in right handed versions below the 1.6 litre category.
Not every hardcore fanboy can afford the X50 or elder bradder X70.
Say whatever u like,the Saga and pesona facelifts are just buying time.But too much of botox,is not too good.
The product life cycle of cars is getting shorter and shorter.People want fresh models,not stale bread.
ew dont wanna prc cars lol
Is almost confirmed. Proton Binrui M50 sedan Rm65k & Proton Jiaji V70 MPV Rm75k… coming real soon
Bro, not “M50”, it should be Proton Binrui “S50”
Maybe that’s why naza gave up Kia and Peugeot.
V70 MPV 1.5L RM75k
Reasonable cheaper than X70 SUV 1.8L RM89k
Better value than X50 compact SUV 1.5L
V70 will cost like the X70 in terms of price due to its size so it’s won’t be affordable.
If 1.8L V70 priced like X70
Reasonable and acceptable
No way!
I would like to see the v70 Mpv to be priced somewhere around rm80-120k price range.
Then proton could do a royal lounge 2+2 version of the v70, with a different exterior (change lights and bumpers) and a luxurious interior. This could be priced at about rm150k. These would be the new executive cars for the government.
For the current X70, future facelifts should be designed to move it more into the comfort/luxury segment, to differentiate it with the more sporty x50 offering.
I still believe proton needs a pickup truck in its range. Plenty of chinese pickup platforms could be adopted with a fully proton external design and interior.
goverment use X70 SUV dah power
Why need RM 150k car?
X70 is one thing.
What about all the Accordana, Camrys and Alphards?
This is where a V70 royal launge 2+2 comes in.
Wait for S50 Sedan RM70k. Cheaper, Better Value and Affordable
Yes, and this will slaughter the vios, city, and Almera for good…Finish up the undone damage by x50, if any smallest pie of cake is still there
Looking forward to bring S50 (Binrui) to here next year.
P1 will end up just like P2, rebadging Geely models. No more creativity in designing
But so far NO creativity design by Proton …
That doesn’t seem to be bad in marketing perspective isn’t it? Is P2 the market leader in Malaysia right now? All just by doing rebadging and “minor” designing? Then it looks like P1 doing the same thing (and more) will definitely challenge P2 as the market leader. Besides, those shareholders care more about getting the sales rather than being labelled as “rebadger”, just like P2 been doing all along. Question is, which brand have the better car quality to rebadge?
Myvi and bezza both are fully developed by P2.
Myvi is rebadged from Daihatsu Boon
Bezza is just a booted Axia rebadged from Daihatsu Mira.
What fully developed are you coming about? You mean the grille and badges?
“Fully developed” is for something that has been built from the ground up. Those two (myvi and bezza) among the other models since P2 beginning are just “minor” but improvement nonetheless. I honestly don’t mind if P2 keep on rebadging as long as they can offer quality to it. But after personally using two P2 models in the span of 7-8 years, it’s just meh~
Toyota celups 86 from Subaru BRZ
Toyota celups Supra from BMW Z4
Toyota celups Yaris USDM from Mazda2
Toyota celups Urban Cruiser from Suzuki Brezza
Toyota will end up just like small bro Perodua celuping here and there. Creativity in designing long ago died when dugong vios came out.
Toyota is king of celup.
Geely top of the line SUV, a coupe called ‘Xinyue’ – derived from CMA platform shared with Volvo XC40.
it has more angular and attractive front design, less feminine looks and more upmarket interior than all of it’s rivals but comes with an affordable selling price of between 136k to $209k yuan now in China.
‘XinYue’ is powered by Drive-E Volvo Engine 2.0L-Turbo 4cyl 235hp 350Nm mated with 8speedAuto, 6.8sec Sprint to 100kmph, MacPherson/Front & Multi-link/Rear + Optional AWD deliver 50% torque to rear wheel
RM 84k starts
Cheap and nice 2.0Turbo Geely Xinyue
We need sub 90k mpv.
The Jiaji / V70 should have 3-4 variants (standard, executive, premium and flagship) and wide price ranges.. maybe from rm75k up to rm125k. Its should cater as exora replacement (although V70 is a bigger newer advanced MPV thus hard to have a variant in Exora price range) as well as open up a new niche for Proton as ‘near-premium mpv’.
Proton seems to have doubt about MPV (or should I say practical 7-seater vehicle) but to me, it is still in demand over here.
X90 please
Maybe in 2022/3..
Only using Geely KX11 SUV, NOT Geely Haoyue/Okavango!
Feel so boring on paultan now. Had enough of geely and proton news. Jijik already. Guess proton pay them a lot for exposure is it?
then please go to other blogs
So 2 weeks ago when Paultan were flooded with Vios facelift, Yaris facelift, and Yaris GR articles they must have been paid lots by Toyota for such exposure huh?
Not really, they are behaving very well bro and not bashing others. Could also see why even haters are also attacking Yaris GR video
Because local brand Proton got good news in year 2021 then local reporter share it.
If you don’t like local brand car news can skip, no necessary give comments here.
X50 posting got many negative comments, all because of many proton basher commentators. Even until today, could also see other car blogs and our blogs, are still hating against proton.
Total posts for selected car brands in PT for 2020:
Toyota = 243 posts
Proton = 193 posts
Honda = 181 posts
Geely = 67 posts
Combined together = Proton (193 posts) + Geely (67 posts) = 270 posts (Proton-Geely joint venture)
So it should be
Proton = 270 posts
Toyota = 193 posts
Honda = 181 posts
Toyota = 243 posts lah..
If you combined Toyota, Perodua & Daihatsu news gerenti over 300+ laa… So who is Paul Tan pandering to? Your brand of course!
New MPV long overdue for Proton as the Persona and Saga are still considered kinda fresh.
The Exora actually is not bad. The most problematic part of the car is the super thirsty engine. It needs a turbo diesel option of a more frugal petrol engine.
Binrui S50. The price (assuming follow the preve variants, with flagship 1.5TGDI-ADAS version to cost below 90k) allows for higher volume & makes market sense. Worthy rival to the Civic TCP. Tune the ride & handling, and it will be another big hit for Proton.
No, no, no to other Geely models (for next Proton models) except Geely KX11 as base for Proton X90.
Waiting for the V70!!!
It’s confirmed X90…
Really?? I’m looking forward to this car too.. need an MPV for the family
China dumping rubbish onto malaysian shore.
But why china rubbish is better than japan rubbish that was dumping here for so long?
Basically it is a chinese company supported by the “malaysians”
Is Volvo still a swede company or a china company? Just asking…
Volvo still makes their own cars.
Proton is now taking some Geely cars and converting them to RHD + adjusts the suspension.
1 China Continental, 1 International Standard
Leading Manufacturing and Construction
Can the folks at Paul Tan test drive those Geely cars and provide a feedback whether they also have the wind noise at 80km/h issues similar to the X50?
based on reviews on youtube, jiaji has limited boot space.
proton need to do something on that.
7seater must have space for 7luggage.
Tough time, Perodua Axia is the best mobility solution.
No car boot? Can use a Cargo Carrier.
Canvas Waterproof carrier: RM200+
Plastic Case Waterproof carrier: RM700 – RM1500
We dont need so much storage when we dont use it for daily/weekly. MPV sit 7 comfortably is already luxurious, storage for 2 is ok. Sedan squeeze 6/7 ppl is cheapskate.
Save the resources. Less Makan Minyak Daily Drive.
Please list down name of 7 seater(s) vehicle that have (boot / luggage) space for 7 people… and its price also.
Do the 11-seater Hyundai Grand Starex have luggage space for 11 people? Its fair to ask Hyundai to make such space available?
Bear in mind Jiaji is more a 5+2 compact / mid-sized / C segment MPV so please be realistic with your expectations.
I think the reviewer from wap carsite may have started this unreasonable request (that you now repeat) without thinking it through properly.
https://paultan.org/2020/11/13/kia-carnival-hi-limousine-debuts-in-korea-high-roofed-mpv/
Agreed. MPV should be built with more Cargo space.
Whether its at the roof, or at the boot.
If its detachable, its definitely practical for drive without fully loaded.
Proton Exora quite sempit for its storage for a family of 7.
Some people just have the die hard mindset that Proton is now controlled by mainland China. It’s just a joint venture and please bear in mind that ever since Proton and Geely merged together, Proton has not asked a single sen from the government. That in itself is good news to the rakyat.
It could be worse like Holden. Under GM for donkey’s years and still ask money from the government, behind the initiative to protect Australian jobs. What happened next? GM pulled out of Australia regardless and money got sent back to Detroit.
That one will make anyone panas baran
Proton oredy asked 35 Billion from the government, apa lagi mau. Meanwhile Drb happily keep Proton 5 Billion shah alam lands
That was before when they were still a government linked company dude. What about today, not a single sen.
That’s typical “Made In China” mindset. In actuality, you have used a lot of China “rubbish” in your daily life. Even the things that kept you connected like your smartphone or the things that kept you safe like the seatbelt strap is “Made In China”. And you curse those stuffs that you’re using by calling them “rubbish”.
Chinaman/woman likes china made things…..aiyahh the rest just followers
Geely New Emgrand as Saga replacement.
Geely Emgrand X3 as Proton Tiara CrossX.
Geely Icon as Proton Iriz CrossX.
Geely Emgrand GL as Proton Wira Fastback.
settle the x50 long waiting time prior launch new model la..proton
currently x50 need to wait 12-18 months to get the car…
Hope satria replacement next..
Scary to drive proton cars now days, all dont have antirust getting high risk driving with holes below the undercarriage….just a matter of years everyone will force to drive like a ‘flinstone’. Cheating or not they knew buyers dont check the undercarriage as long the cars got 4 tyres each….less cost for the antirust to spend in production line will give more money to geely china.
Company anak tun M buat kontrak anti rust utk proton.. Kedekut mcm Tun M jugak..
Proton please no more timing belt engine with whatever timing belt better than chain bullshit. Make proper b segment sedan like the 2002 year first gen vios under rm60k.
MPV should be best fit the market. It could be better option than aruz, n xpander IF d price is what it supposed to be as before. It was price for 60k-11k in China n 111k is for plug in hybrid model. Y do proton to price it at higher than x70 price? It would be nice if its range at 70k-90k. Definitely be best selling n best option than any MPV segment in the market at the moment.
I more prefer geely haoyue (x90) suv..
Once more, NO for 100% Geely-based Proton future models, EXCEPT Geely KX11 SUV! Proton P2 (Exora) platform should be revamped & Malaysian-made engines (with sharing Proton-Geely engineering technology) should be continuously reproduced & upgraded!
X50 mpv..x70 mpv… Malaysian need one suv…x90