Remember when Proton promised an Exora replacement based on the Geely Jiaji MPV way back when? Those have fallen by the wayside as the Malaysian market moved wholesale towards SUVs, but over in Indonesia there’s another “national car” company that has repurposed the Chinese people mover.
Meet Aletra, a joint venture between bus distributor PT Sinar Armada Globalindo (SAG) and Livan Automotive (it even uses the same diamond-shaped logo as the latter), itself a partnership between Lifan and Geely. Its new L8, launched in November, is thus based on the Livan 8 (née Maple 80V), which takes the Jiaji underpinnings and swaps out the petrol and plug-in hybrid options for a full electric powertrain.
Powering the car is a single front motor producing 163 PS (120 kW) and 240 Nm of torque – figures that are slightly higher than the Chinese-market version. So equipped, the car is able to get from zero to 100 km/h in 10.7 seconds on its way to an electronically-limited top speed of 160 km/h.
Juicing the motor is a 65.74 kWh “short blade” lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that delivers a range of up to 540 km on China’s incredibly lenient CLTC cycle; expect a real-world range closer to 400 km. This is the long-range version originally sold at the L8s; the base model with its 50.4 kWh pack and 431 km of CLTC range has already been discontinued, apparently. No details on charging, but the battery should take around the same 40 minutes to DC fast charge from 30 to 80% as China’s slightly larger 68.03 kWh unit.
On the outside, the L8 remains resolutely a Jiaji-based vehicle, with its sleek roofline, sharp headlights, prominent front haunches and D-pillar window line kink all remaining identical to the original 2019 car. The big change is up front, where the Geely’s grille has been replaced by a blank shield-shaped surface and a centre-mounted charging port door. Separate indicators and a simple downturned air intake sit below.
At the rear, the L8 adopts the facelifted Jiaji‘s full-width taillights with undulating graphics, along with its vertical reflectors and revised rear valance. The wheels measure 18 inches in diameter and feature a two-tone turbine-style design similar (but not identical) to the Proton eMas 7 Prime’s rollers. At the ongoing Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS), Aletra is showcasing a new “Aero Line” bodykit with a black front bumper shroud and spoiler, along with side and rear skirts.
Inside, the L8 has obviously been converted to right-hand drive, meaning this really is the “Exora EV” that might have been. The Jiaji’s basic dashboard architecture remains, with a layered design topped by a seven-inch digital instrument display and a “floating” 12.4-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The centre console has been redesigned, however, featuring the trademark dual smartphone holders (the left one incorporates a Qi wireless charger) found in almost every Chinese car these days, along with a stubby electronic gear lever, twin cupholders and faux wood trim. The flat-bottomed steering wheel is identical to what you’d find in a Proton, and you can even spot the residual DNA in the round divot on the airbag boss, usually housing the Malaysian carmaker’s tiger-head roundel.
Unlike what the brochure suggests, the L8 has a 2-3-3 seating configuration, making this an eight-seater MPV. The rearmost seats are split 50:50 (including the centre headrest), and even with all seats up, Aletra is promising 459 litres of boot space. Safety is one area where the L8 is lacking, with only four airbags and no driver assists to speak of.
Aletra makes up for this by offering a six-year/100,000 km warranty and an eight-year/150,000 km warranty for the drive unit and battery (the latter’s mileage limit is 500,000 km), along with a free AC wallbox charger, a three-year/60,000 km free service package and one year of free roadside assistance.
The L8 is priced at 488,000,000 rupiah (RM126,500), which is actually slightly higher than what the L8s cost last year. What do you think – would you have liked it if Proton brought the Livan 8 to Malaysia as an Exora-replacing eMas model? Sound off in the comments after the jump. Oh, and to keep the fantasy going, Livan also has the Livan 9, an electric X90 that essentially uses the Riddara RD6‘s running gear.
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any companies within proton supply chain (locally owned) taking part in the supply chain ? if so it is a win!.. i wish to see more proton supply chain companies participate in Geely supply chain for RHD vehicles.. doesn’t matter which part of the vehicles.. for sure if proton is to be competitive it’s supply chain health is most important