Not long to go before Proton launches the X70 Special Edition in Malaysia. Details of the SE variant, which first broke cover in May through a leaked product leaflet, have now been made official by the company.
Ahead of the model’s introduction, the automaker has conducted a “Proton X70 SE Knowledge Challenge” contest among dealers, which we’re part of the judging panel for. The contest was designed to refresh dealers and sales advisors’ knowledge of the X70 and SE so they can better serve customers and handle enquiries.
The special edition is based on the Premium 2WD version of the SUV (which means there’s no sunroof), and in terms of specification is identical to the X70 Exclusive Edition that was revealed for the Brunei market last month. Unlike the EE, which is limited to just 37 units, the Malaysian SE will feature a production run of 2,000 units.
As highlighted previously, the SE gets a new Ocean Blue exterior finish, with side mirrors, rear spoiler and roof done in black to provide a two-tone look, similar in vein to the 62-unit X70 Merdeka Edition from 2019. If blue doesn’t catch your fancy, then you can have the SE in Ruby Red, again in two-tone.
Aside from the new colour scheme, the variant features an SE emblem on the tailgate and 19-inch wheels similar in design to those on the Geely Boyue Pro and in size to the existing Premium 2WD and Premium X 2WD variants.
Inside, there’s a darker interior trim as well as dedicated SE-badged floor mats. Also new is black Nappa leather upholstery with white and red contrast stitching, and the steering wheel is dressed with white contrast stitching on this one.
There are no mechanical changes, the X70’s 1.8 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine continuing to offer 184 PS (181 hp) and 300 Nm of torque. The unit is paired with a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission that sends drive to the front wheels. No pricing as yet, so we’ll have to wait until the variant is officially introduced.
At the launch of the 2020 Proton X70 CKD yesterday, we spotted this disc affixed on one of the display vehicles. It’s a Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) EEV label, which has a QR code from which key specifications of a particular vehicle can be gleaned, including that of its fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.
The voluntary EEV labelling scheme, first unveiled in March 2018 during the launch of the National Emission Test Centre (NETC) in Rawang, is meant as an awareness platform for consumers and is in line with Malaysia’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 45% by 2030, as outlined by the UNFCCC under the Paris Agreement.
In the case of the X70, the SUV was already classified as an EEV when it was launched in CBU form back in December 2018, but this is the first time that the label has been spotted on a vehicle. Also, although there are other EEVs in the market, Proton is the first company to utilise the label since the format was established.
Click to enlarge.
For the X70, its MARii EEV label simply classifies it as a 1.8 TGDI. As is already known, fuel consumption for the locally-assembled SUV is rated at 7.6 litres per 100 km on a combined cycle, or 13.16 km per litre, which is a 2.6% improvement in litres per 100 km (strangely, Proton communicated a 13% improvement in FC on more than one occasion) than the CBU version (7.8 litres per 100 km), while its CO2 emissions is 181 g/km. There’s also mention of the vehicle’s top speed, which is 195 km/h.
The 2020 Proton X70 CKD is available in four variants – Standard 2WD (RM94,800), Executive 2WD (RM106,800), Premium 2WD (RM119,800) and Premium X 2WD (RM122,800). Find out more about the X70 CKD through our comprehensive review, and browse full specifications and equipment of the SUV on CarBase.my.
The CKD locally-assembled 2020 Proton X70 has just been launched, and you would have read all about it in our comprehensive launch report. Although this isn’t the Boyue Pro facelift, there’s a fair bit that’s new, including powertrain changes as well as new comfort and convenience features.
Under the hood is the same 1.8 litre T-GDI turbocharged engine with 184 PS of power and 300 Nm of torque from 1,750 to 4,000 rpm. The max torque rating is up by 15 Nm – it was previously 285 Nm from 1,700 to 4,400 rpm. The big news under the hood however is the new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. As used in Geely and Volvo models, this wet DCT is claimed to have class-leading efficiency – full story on the new gearbox here.
There are four variants and they are the Standard 2WD, Executive 2WD, Premium 2WD and Premium 2WD X. The Executive AWD, previously the sole variant with all-wheel drive, has been dropped due to low demand. Design wise, only the new round Proton logo on the grille is new. Also, the welcome lights for the front doors (puddle lamps) project the new logo.
Inside, it’s pretty much the same as before save for the new logo on the steering wheel boss and a new gear selector with a prominent P button. New equipment include a recline function for the rear seats, a powered tailgate (Executive) and front ventilated seats (Executive onwards). The powered tailgate gets a foot sensor from the Premium onwards.
As for colours, five options – Snow White, Armour Silver, Jet Grey, Cinnamon Brown and Ruby Red (replaces the previous Flame Red) are available. There’s also a sixth and new Space Grey colour that reserved for the Premium and Premium X. Buyers of the Standard will only get a choice of white, silver and (Jet) grey.
The CKD 2020 Proton X70 is priced from RM94,800 for the Standard (RM5k cheaper), rising to RM106,800 for the Executive (RM3k cheaper). The Premium is yours for RM119,800, but if you want the panoramic sunroof, pay RM122,800 for the Premium X (RM1k cheaper). Prices are on-the-road excluding insurance. Here’s the spec-by-spec breakdown.
2020 Proton X70 Standard 2WD – RM94,800
Gets as standard: Mechanicals
1.8 litre T-GDI DOHC engine
1,799 cc turbocharged four-cylinder petrol
184 PS (181 hp) at 5,500 rpm, 300 Nm from 1,750 to 4,000 rpm
Seven-speed (wet) dual-clutch automatic transmission with manual mode
Three drive modes – Normal, Eco and Sport
Electronic power assisted steering with Normal and Sport modes
Electronic parking brake
MacPherson struts (front), multi-link with stabiliser bar (rear)
When the Proton X70 was launched in December 2018, buyers were offered four variants to choose from, which included an Executive AWD option for those who required all-wheel drive. However, looking at the revised variant line-up of the recently-launched 2020 X70 CKD, you’ll notice that the all-wheel drive model has been dropped entirely.
While the variant count remains the same as before at four – Standard 2WD, Executive 2WD, Premium 2WD and Premium X 2WD – the locally-assembled SUV is now front-wheel drive only. So, why did the national carmaker decide to proceed with this move?
The short answer is that there is just not that many customers interested in an all-wheel drive variant. Up until now, around 29,000 units of the X70 CBU have been delivered, and from that figure, around 50% of buyers opted for the then range-topping Premium 2WD variant.
By comparison, only 5% of buyers went with the Executive AWD option, and when there’s a lack of demand, a drop in supply is usually warranted. In the case of the X70 CKD, the low demand for all-wheel drive with the CBU version prompted the national carmaker to forgo an all-wheel drive option altogether.
Given that the previous Premium 2WD was the only variant that came with Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) – it can be presumed that customers preferred to have a host of safety and driver assistance features over an all-wheel drive system.
Those who are for all-wheel drive would welcome its sure-footedness, while detractors will bring up the additional running/maintenance cost that typically comes with the added complexity of such a system. On the latter, the difference in maintenance costs over 150,000 km/7.5 years for the 2WD and 4WD variants is only RM129.68 following Proton’s service schedule for the X70 CBU.
Of course, some would prefer to have ADAS and all-wheel drive in one package, but as Proton doesn’t offer a variant with both features, we’ll never know if there’s any market appeal should it be introduced to the market. What are your thoughts on the matter? Would you be interested in an even higher-spec X70 with both AWD and ADAS? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
When the original Proton X70 was launched back in 2018, there were a lot of people saying it was like getting a Volvo XC60 on the cheap. That’s obviously not true, of course, with the engine being all Geely and the transmission coming from Geely-owned DSI. Still, there’s no doubt the brand association did help the X70’s image and sales.
Proton has sold around 28,000 units of its first SUV model so far, and perhaps even more telling is its claim that the X70 was the best-selling vehicle (regardless of body type) priced above RM100,000 in Malaysia throughout 2019 (and seventh best overall for the year). Out of all that, over 50% X70 customers opted for the Premium variant, signalling that once again people are willing to spend money on a Proton.
I, for one, certainly was, and I did the deed – there’s a Cinnamon Brown X70 Premium parked at home now. It has been completely faultless over 13 months and 16,000 km, in case you’re wondering.
The market acceptance – for both the X70 model and the Proton brand – was nothing short of astounding. The halo effect helped the rest of Proton’s existing range too, with the carmaker registering 100,821 vehicles in 2019, up a massive 55.7% compared to the year prior.
Now, the 2020 Proton X70 CKD is here, with Proton hoping to continue its positive growth into the years to come. The targets are astronomically high: to be Malaysia’s number one carmaker (i.e. overcoming Perodua, as unlikely as that may sound now) as well as claiming a top three slot in ASEAN by 2027. This is a big first step towards all that.
So, it’s now time to answer all your questions regarding the new Tanjung Malim-assembled 2020 X70 CKD. What’s the 7DCT like? What’s new and what has been left unchanged? Does it handle better now with Proton tuning? And what about the build quality, now that it’s made in Malaysia? Continue reading, then.
However, the C-segment SUV continues to be powered by the 4G18TD 1.8 litre turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder petrol engine (albeit slightly retuned for more torque) instead of the 3G15TD 1.5 litre turbo three-cylinder that was heavily rumoured prior to the model’s launch. Why is that so?
Well, there’s a reason for that. According to Proton, the decision not to employ the downsized mill is due to the results obtained from conducting surveys among existing and potential customers, who preferred a larger-capacity engine for large SUVs like the X70.
This is despite the potentially similar or higher power output that a downsized engine can offer. Indeed, when you compare the 4G18TD to the 3G15TD powering the Boyue Pro, the horsepower disparity isn’t that large – 181 hp (184 PS) versus 174 hp (176 PS), although the former generates more peak torque at 300 Nm compared to 255 Nm.
Put simply, car buyers, at least those surveyed by Proton, are of the belief that a bigger engine is necessary for a large SUV, hence why the national carmaker is keeping the larger, albeit older 1.8 litre turbo engine for the X70.
It should also be noted that in China, the Boyue Pro with the 3G15TD engine is only offered with a six-speed automatic transmission, and the only way to get the 7DCT is with the 4G18TD engine. Meanwhile, the regular Boyue sold there doesn’t even have the option of the downsized mill.
So, will we ever see a 1.5 litre turbo three-pot engine in Proton’s line-up? Well, with the smaller X50 on the way, the downsized powerplant will most likely make its way into the B-segment SUV instead. Proton hasn’t denied suggestions that it will be using the three-pot engine in the X50, and given that it is a smaller SUV compared to the X70, buyers are likely be more receptive to it being equipped a smaller engine.
The X50 will be based on the Binyue, which in China, is offered with either a 134 hp/205 Nm 1.0 litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual gearbox or a 174 hp/255 Nm 1.5 litre mill with the same 7DCT (used in the X70 CKD). The latter setup is also offered for the Volvo XC40 as well as various Lynk & Co models, and certainly sounds like the more likely route Proton will take.
Is Proton’s decision not to give the X70 a downsized engine a prudent move, and are they right to soldier one with the larger 1.8 litre turbo engine? Or will you be looking forward to the new X50 that will likely get the smaller engine instead? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
More than a year after the Proton X70 was launched, the national carmaker’s first SUV is now assembled in Malaysia, and the 2020 model year finally goes on sale today. The CKD model brings a few welcome improvements based on customer feedback, as well as a brand new gearbox.
Let’s get straight to the most important bit, pricing. The variants have all received a marginal price drop, with the Standard 2WD model retailing at RM94,800 (RM5,000 less), the Executive 2WD model at RM106,800 (RM3,000 less) and the Premium 2WD model at RM119,800 (RM4,000 less). The sole all-wheel drive version, the Executive AWD, has been dropped due to low demand, and the 2020 X70 also heralds the introduction of the range-topping Premium X, priced at RM122,800.
All prices are on-the-road without insurance and come with a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty, five times of free labour servicing, a five-year data package (1GB per month) and interest rates as low as 2.32% per annum. Buyers will also get several insurance benefits that include a waiver of betterment costs of up to 10 years, an agreed value coverage of up to 12 years, a key care cover of up to RM1,000, a flood relief allowance of up to RM1,000, coverage for all drivers and personal accident coverage of up to RM15,000.
The first 3,000 customers will receive additional early bird packages such as an extra 4GB of data a month for five years (worth RM1,740) and an accessories package (worth RM2,000) that includes a dash cam, floor mats, magnetic sunshades, door visors, a boot tray and a boot organiser.
Styling-wise, you’ll be hard pressed to spot what’s new upon first glance, as the CKD version looks pretty much identical to the fully-imported (CBU) units that came before it. The only real exterior revision is the addition of Proton’s new round three-dimensional logo, which can be found on the grille, wheel caps, steering wheel airbag boss and even the windows.
Scrutinise the exterior further, you’ll also spot different tyres for the Standard (17-inch) and Executive (18-inch) models, the Giti rollers having been swapped out for Indonesia-made GT Radial Savero SUV rubber. The 19-inch rollers are still Continental UltraContact UC6 SUV units, but made in Malaysia instead of China.
Proton has also expanded the CKD X70’s colour palette to six, with Space Grey being the latest addition, exclusive to the Premium and Premium X models. Other colours include Snow White, Armour Silver, Jet Grey, Cinnamon Brown and Ruby Red. The last option is the Proton’s own colour, also used on its indigenous models, replacing the CBU X70’s Flame Red, though they look pretty much identical to the untrained eye; it and Cinnamon Brown is offered on the Executive, Premium and Premium X variants.
Inside, the most obvious revision is the redesigned electronic gearlever that controls the new Volvo/Geely-developed seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, which we’ll get to in a second. It can be operated by simply nudging it up and down, and it has a Park button on top. Proton says that pressing the latter while on the move will not result in the car being put into Park, making it foolproof.
Ventilated front seats are also now fitted from the Executive model onwards, with air being blown through the base of the seat. There’s no physical button to engage the feature, and you’ll have go through the climate control menu in the infotainment system, or use the “Hi Proton” voice command.
For passengers in the rear, the 60:40 split-folding seats now come with a reclining function, which was implemented based on customer feedback. Proton also acknowledged the need for a powered tailgate, and has made it available on the Executive variant and up, with programmable height adjustment.
There’s also a number of ways to operate the tailgate, including via the key fob, a button next to the wing mirror controls near the driver, and even a hands-free method by swiping your leg under the rear bumper (though this foot sensor is only on the Premium models). In the event the battery is flat and you need to get to the boot, there’s a dedicated tailgate latch release inside the cabin.
Speaking of the boot, Proton has also redesigned to tonneau cover to sit on rails to make the setup sturdier and easier to use. Additionally, the walls of the boot are now carpeted instead of being bare plastic components, and there’s now an additional shopping hook on the left side.
Our man and CBU X70 owner Hafriz Shah, who attended the preview drive, did note that the pre-production CKD units’ build quality looked and felt identical to his own X70, with no discernible differences. While he did observe a few finishing issues, Proton has assured that they will be fixed for the production cars.
UPDATE: The cars on display at the launch were full production units, and all the flaws have indeed been rectified.
Aside from these styling and convenience enhancements, the most significant changes take place under the skin. The 1.8 litre turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder petrol engine is mechanically the same as before, but now comes with a new engine cover that carries the script “Proton GPower”. The powerplant still produces 181 hp at 5,500 rpm, but thanks to the new gearbox, peak torque has been bumped up to 300 Nm from 1,750 to 4,000 rpm, which is 15 Nm more than the 285 Nm offered previously.
The DCT, which sends drive to the front wheels, replaces the six-speed torque converter automatic found in CBU units. Like the rest of the powertrain, its behaviour is manipulated using the three drives modes – Normal, Eco and Sport. There’s also a manual shifting option, although there are no paddle shifters here.
Used in a variety of Geely and Lynk & Co models, as well as the Volvo XC40 T5 Twin Engine, the gearbox comes from Geely’s Chunxiao plant in Ningbo, Zhejiang. For Malaysian application, the transmission has been tuned to have a slightly more aggressive power delivery compared to the Geely Boyue in China.
The development work goes beyond just minor tweaks, as Proton spent a lot of time conducting local durability testing to ensure the DCT is up to scratch. This includes multiple stress runs up and down Genting Highlands, with a total of over 100,000 km notched up over six months.
With the increased engine torque and new transmission, the CKD X70 is a whole second faster in the zero to 100 km/h sprint when compared to the CBU version (9.5 seconds versus 10.5 seconds). Fuel consumption is also 13% less at 7.6 l/100 km (13.2 km/l), with Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) certification remaining intact.
In terms of ride and handling, the X70’s steering and suspension (hard points, geometry and springs) are all the same as before, but the dampers have been tuned slightly to give better body control and less body roll, while maintaining comfort levels. According to Hafriz, the differences are very minor, saying “you might not even notice unless you’re very familiar with the CBU X70 – but definitely improved.”
As mentioned, there are four variants on offer – Standard 2WD, Executive 2WD, Premium 2WD and Premium X 2WD. The equipment is largely the same as on the CBU version, aside from the aforementioned new items. The only difference is that the panoramic sunroof is now offered only on the Premium X, and Proton says that making the item essentially an optional one was again down to customer feedback, as not everyone that wanted a top-of-the-line model also wanted a sunroof. The spec-by-spec comparison is as follows:
Proton X70 Standard 2WD – RM94,800
Gets as standard:
Mechanicals
1.8 litre T-GDI DOHC engine
1,799 cc turbocharged four-cylinder petrol
181 hp at 5,500 rpm, 300 Nm from 1,750 to 4,400 rpm
Seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission with manual shift mode
Three drive modes – Normal, Eco and Sport
Electronic power assisted steering with Normal and Sport modes
Electronic parking brake
MacPherson struts (front), multi-link with stabiliser bar (rear)
Proton has teased the new 2020 X70 CKD on its Facebook and Instagram pages, with an official launch set to take place this Wednesday, February 12. While both postings do not provide anything in terms of specifications, we already know quite a bit about what’s new with the locally-assembled, C-segment SUV based on an earlier leak.
The variant line-up will continue to feature four options, and they are the Standard 2WD, Executive 2WD, Premium 2WD and Premium X 2WD, with the Executive AWD – currently the sole variant with all-wheel drive – being dropped.
Visually, the X70 CKD looks almost identical to the CBU version, with the main changes being the new Proton logo on the grille. Strangely enough, the shot of the X70’s face in the video doesn’t show this change, and we still see the previous “tiger head” logo instead.
The leak also included photos of the interior, where we find the steering wheel boss now features the new logo, and there’s a redesigned gear selector as well. The latter sports a prominent “P” button at the top, and controls the new seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, which replaces the CBU version’s six-speed torque converter automatic. You can learn more the new DCT here.
New items that are part of the X70 CKD line-up – as seen in a presentation slide – include a recline function for the 60:40 split-folding rear seats that is now standard across the board. From the Executive 2WD variant onwards, there is now a powered tailgate and front ventilated seats, with the former gaining hands-free operation on the Premium variants. A panoramic sunroof is also available, but only with the Premium X 2WD variant.
Mechanically, the 1.8 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 184 PS – remains the same, but peak torque has been given a bump to 300 Nm from 1,750 to 4,000 rpm, which is 15 Nm more than the previous 285 Nm from 1,700 to 4,400 rpm.
We’re just a few sleeps away from the introduction of the new 2020 X70, but for now, what do you think of the reported changes that come with the CKD version?
With the 2020 Proton X70 set to be launched soon, many are curious about just what is new with the locally-assembled (CKD) version, especially in the specs department. Well, here are a couple of leaked images of the CKD X70 as well as a slide listing down the variants and features, as seen on The Ajerul‘s Facebook page.
There are four variants and they are the Standard 2WD, Executive 2WD, Premium 2WD and Premium 2WD X. This means that the Executive AWD, currently the sole variant with all-wheel drive, has been dropped, possibly due to low demand. Before we dive into the specs, let’s see what’s new, visually.
It’s clear that the CKD X70 looks pretty much similar to the CBU version that we’re familiar with – this isn’t the Boyue Pro with the new face. The easiest way to spot a CKD is by the new Proton logo on the grille, which is a round one with the tiger head zooming out from one side. The rear end with the trademark Proton script looks identical, as are the lighting at both ends.
Click to enlarge
Nice colour, isn’t it? This looks like a new grey colour (Honda’s Polished Metal-style?) that should prove to be popular. The current CBU colours are Snow White, Armour Silver, Jet Grey, Cinnamon Brown and Flame Red.
The other two images are close up shots of the SUV’s interior. As expected, the steering wheel boss now features Proton’s new round logo, and the gear selector is also new. Now with a prominent P button, the lever controls the new seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, which replaces the CBU’s six-speed torque converter automatic. We’ve already sampled this new gearbox, and you can learn more about it here.
That’s all from the images. We move on to the leaked slide, which details the CKD X70’s variants and specs. Once again, there are four – Standard 2WD, Executive 2WD, Premium 2WD and Premium 2WD X. The new items are comfort and convenience features.
Click to enlarge
A recline function for the 60:40 split-folding rear seats is now available across the board, while the Executive 2WD onwards get a powered tailgate and front ventilated seats. The latter would be rather valuable in our hot climate. The powered tailgate gets a foot sensor from the Premium onwards – this means that you can open the hatch with your hands full – just stand there and swipe or “kick” (we’ll see how Proton’s version work) below the bumper.
That’s all for the new kit. The Premium X is essentially the Premium with the panoramic sunroof. A big glass roof is appreciated by some, but not everyone fancies it – X70 customers can now choose if they want it.
The engine – a 1.8 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 184 PS – remains the same, but peak torque has been given a bump to 300 Nm from 1,750 to 4,000 rpm, which is 15 Nm more than the previous 285 Nm from 1,700 to 4,400 rpm.
The increased torque comes as part of a revision of the engine, internally referred to as Generation 3 (the one in the CBU X70 is known as the Generation 2). There aren’t any mechanical changes, save for updated emissions equipment that can be tuned to meet new Euro 6d regulations. The DCT has a maximum torque rating of 330 Nm, so 300 Nm is within limits.
As used in Geely and Volvo models, this DCT is claimed to have class-leading efficiency – Geely says it actually benchmarked Volkswagen’s dry clutch DSGs (which provide lower driveline losses than Wolfsburg’s wet clutch units) here, with an overall efficiency figure of 94.6% and a maximum figure of 97%. The latter number is close to a good old-fashioned manual gearbox, and is also much higher than Aisin’s eight- (88%) and six-speed (89%) autos. Full story on the new gearbox here.
Not long now. What do you think of the new features of the CKD X70 such as the DCT, ventilated seats and powered tailgate?
It’s safe to say that the Proton X70 has been nothing short of a massive success for the national carmaker. Since its launch in late 2018, it has been one of the company’s bestsellers, with more than 26,000 units finding homes last year alone. More importantly, it has sown the seed of change within Proton, altering long-running customer perceptions and informing a new range of vastly improved models.
And it only takes one drive in the SUV for you to see why. Proton may have drummed up hype with its attention-grabbing “Hi Proton” voice control system, but look past the trinketry and you’ll realise there is a solid car underneath. Interior quality, long a bugbear in Chinese vehicles, is exemplary; it’s also supremely comfortable and quiet enough at a cruise to shame vehicles two, maybe even three classes above.
But it’s not perfect, and the sole notable bugbear – and not a big one at that – is the gearbox. The six-speed automatic may be a world away from the wretched Punch CVTs, but it’s still not the sharpest of transmissions around, masking the X70’s true turn of speed. It also contributes to the car’s less-than-stellar fuel economy.
Happily, all that will change when the CKD locally-assembled 2020 model goes on sale very soon, as it will receive a new seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, developed in collaboration between Geely and Volvo. Is a high-tech gearbox a good fit for this large crossover? We tested it out in China to find out.
Proton has announced that it has kicked off local assembly trials for the X70 SUV. The CKD version of the car is slated to be built at the national carmaker’s new RM1.2 billion assembly plant in Tanjung Malim in the second half of this year.
While the final trim, paint and assembly lines are still in the midst of being completed (which means that no actual production has been performed), the company said it has been able begin semi-automated test runs in order for its engineers and production workers to gain experience in assembling the car. This “test assembly” was alluded to in an interview with Proton chairman Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar earlier this year.
“Proton aims to start the production of the X70 in Tanjung Malim in the second half of this year so we are working hard to ensure we hit the target. It will be a remarkable achievement as in less than two years since the signing of the agreement between DRB-Hicom and Geely, we have reached a significant milestone in our joint effort to return Proton to its position of prominence,” said Syed Faisal.
The car you see in this photo looks practically identical to the current fully-imported (CBU) version of the X70, and as such is not representative of the finalised CKD car. We’ve previously been told that we can expect some “surprises” when it comes to differences between CBU and CKD, so we’ll have to wait a bit longer for proper details of the latter.
The announcement was made during a visit by China’s minister of industry and information technology Miao Wei, accompanied by Zhejiang Geely Holding chairman Li Shufu and senior Proton executives.
There’s a new over-the-air (OTA) update for the Proton X70‘s head unit, this time addressing a few issues that some owners may have been experiencing recently. The new 2.4.0 version lists 10 updates, of which are shown exactly as the picture above.
Notable upgrades include the removal of the “Locate Me” voice control function, wifi bandwidth channel adjustments (should make wifi connections more stable after updating), and improved air-con flow to the front seats. The GPS navigation has also been updated, now featuring “Home” address setting, improved 4G signal accuracy, and the addition of Point of Interest (POI) list.
Thankfully, the update also takes away voice reporting when switching between drive modes (someone’s been watching Driven Web Series!). Version 2.4.0 is available for update with immediate effect – do note that the file size is quite substantial at 786 MB, although the good news is it won’t eat into your data quota.
This is it. The one you’ve all been waiting for. The Proton X70 SUV has been the talk of the town ever since it was introduced to much fanfare late last year, and doubtless you’ll want to know how it drives. Well, the wait is now over – you’ve already seen our Driven Web Series episode where we put it against the Honda CR-V and Subaru XV, but for those who’d prefer a written assessment, you’ve come to the right place.
Ever since Proton inked a partnership agreement with Chinese conglomerate Geely in 2017, a mid-sized SUV had always been earmarked as the first product to come from the collaboration. The X70, then, is not just a litmus test for the public’s readiness to buy a Proton again – after years of dwindling sales – but also for the Sino-Malaysian joint venture as a whole.
That’s a lot of weight to heap onto the shoulders of one vehicle, and that’s before you consider the war zone it is wading into. The RM100k to RM150k bracket of SUVs is absolutely cutthroat at the moment, the Japanese dominating the segment of the market that sees various different models of all shapes and sizes slugging it out for your attention. That’s a tall order for a Malaysian newcomer, Chinese underpinnings or not.
Yes, we’ve read your comments. How can Proton sell a car above the RM100,000 mark when there are so many other vehicles to choose from – all from more established, trustworthy brands? Well, having driven the X70 for a few days, I can tell you straightaway that it’s well worth the asking price, and then some.
From the interview, Azlan revealed that the CKD X70 will feature several uniqueness that is not present on the CBU version, and added that “there will be some surprises.” Azlan also said much of what we see today – in terms of kit – will continue to be available. The CKD X70 is expected to be launched towards the end of this year.
“In developing the CKD version, the vast majority of it is actually done here in Malaysia, because we’ve already worked long and hard on the CBU version. With the knowledge and the connection that we have with the team in Shanghai, it’s very easy for us to move on the CKD version – so we’re taking the lead,” he explained.
On the matter of the amount of local content that will be used for the CKD X70, DRB-Hicom managing director Datuk Syed Faisal Akbar said no percentages have been revealed for now. “However, features such as the GKUI infotainment system will be updated and revised for local users,” he added.
In terms of the X70’s design, Azlan said “Geely has been a very, very good partner. They’ve taken us into the family and being much, much more open compared to our past experiences. We’ve been accepted into the (Geely) family, hence communication is much easier from a design standpoint.” This makes design development easier between Proton and Geely.
In fact, the Proton Design team has even been invited to work on some of Geely’s own products. “I think that shows you the acceptance and openness of the Geely group,” said Othman, although he wasn’t at liberty to specify the said projects. Interestingly, the vehicles in question could even be used for Proton and Geely in their respective markets.
More importantly, Azlan said Proton is actively in talks with Geely over future plans and products. “There are many things that we’re going to bring out in the future,” he said, adding that now is the “best time” for Proton.
Despite having inputs from other Geely design studios (the group has a total of five scattered around the world), Othman said Proton will continue to retain its own unique identity. “We’re currently in a situation where you have the Geely-based products and the legacy Proton products. They’re reaching a crossroad, and the X70 is the first of the Geely-based products.”
“But we want to maintain a collaborative development, so there’s no such thing as one following the other in that sense. Peter Horbury said he wants Proton to retain its own unique identity, and we will stay true to that. We will work in tandem to ensure that there is no overlap in terms of design,” he added.
According to DRB-Hicom managing director Datuk Syed Faisal Akbar, the planned introduction of the locally-assembled (CKD) Proton X70 is currently on schedule, and will take place this year. When it is launched, the CKD version of the X70 will replace fully-imported (CBU) units that are currently still on sale.
“The upgrading works and preparation of Proton’s plant in Tanjung Malim to support local assembly of the X70 is going as planned and almost completed. Following that, test assembly of the vehicle will commence as well as fine tuning the processes to ensure quality is at its best. Similarly, all vendors involved are being prepared for this purpose,” said Syed Faisal.
On the matter of the amount of local content that will be used for the X70 CKD, no percentages have been revealed for now. “However, features such as the GKUI infotainment system will be updated and revised for local users,” he added. As an example, the maps used for the navigation function in CBU cars is based on a Baidu version developed in China.
When asked if DRB-Hicom is continuing to invest in Proton after Geely became the national carmaker’s strategic partner, Syed Faisal explained that all investments into Proton together with Geely is done in two ways.
The first is based on the percentage of shareholdings and interest, which involves both companies – DRB-Hicom (50.1%) and Geely (49.9%). The second way, being the main method of investing, is through bank loans. In other words, both stakeholders are directly involved in investing in Proton.
