For a short getaway to reconnect with nature, Bentong Happy Farm appears to be the tonic for young and old alike.
It’s less than a two-hour drive to this farm in the hills of Pahang for city folks in the Klang Valley.
The farm’s vast grounds are used to grow organic crops and rear chicken, goats and free range rabbits.
The operators have smartly leveraged the site as a haven for a farmstay experience where children and grown-ups get to appreciate where their food come from and can participate in the harvesting of brinjals, chillis and rock melons.
The farm also runs an apiary that cultivates stingless bees called “kelulut” whose honey is said to relieve coughs and reduce cholesterol among its many claimed health benefits.
Chalets and a camp site are available for those who wish to stay a few nights, while there are opportunities for hiking, a swim in the river or nocturnal jungle walks.
All of which spell ingredients for tailored events as well like corporate retreats or team-building exercises.
In our case, we drove there recently to indulge in – durians.
The farm includes such binge-worthy activity on its menu list. It was a sight any aficionado of the spiky fruit would drool over as big baskets of “Musang King” were dragged in.
As each fruit was prised open, eager hands snapped up each fleshy seed. Supply exceeded demand as there were still a good number of durians left unopened after everyone had their fill.
Grown mainly in Kelantan, Pahang and Johor, the Musang King has a unique taste profile that’s a combination of sweet, bitter and creamy notes.
This legendary variety’s bright yellow and buttery thick flesh makes it one of the most luxurious and expensive durian types although prices have come down lately due to a bumper crop.
Durian experts will advise that the King of Fruits is best eaten within 48 hours of it dropping from the tree to capitalise on the strong flavour and creamy taste.
The durian buffet in Bentong was all Proton’s idea. It bundled a bunch of the local press into several X90s and away they went on a day trip.
The mission was to enjoy what Bentong Happy Farm had to offer and get more media mileage for the X90 as well.
Launched in May last year, the X90 is available in four variants priced from RM123,800 (on-the-road without insurance) to RM152,800. As Proton’s first mild hybrid, it had already been well-reviewed by the local press.
Proton sought to raise its public visibility further given keen competition from a certain Chinese automaker that threatens to put it in the shade.
Only the RM144,800 Premium and RM152,800 Flagship variants went for the ride. Proton aims to sell some 400 units of the X90 per month and has done on average over 300 unit sales, which are respectable numbers for its most expensive model.
Our allocated SUV was the seven-seat Premium version. The Flagship is a six-seater with two Captain’s seats in mid-row.
As a people lugger, the Premium X90 certainly has all the space to fit seven people quite comfortably.
With mid-row seats adjusted equitably, the third row is still a manageable space for adults to travel in for short trips such as the one to Bentong.
Air-cond vents for all three rows ensure the sun’s heat is kept at bay.
Comfort and driveability were enhanced with a multi-link rear suspension, as the original donor Geely car on which the X90 is based came with a simple rear torsion beam.
On the outside, the X90 looks modern and has a tall boxy stance – the better to carve out more interior space.
The cabin feels well put together and shows its premium side with Nappa leather upholstery and full digital screens for the driver and the centre infotainment stack.
With four occupants onboard, the 1.5-litre turbocharged engine was up to the task of hauling them on highways and B-roads.
But acceleration and inclines naturally imposed a heavier demand on the powertrain, characterised by a noisier engine as it propelled the 1.7-tonne plus SUV forward.
For the record, the X90 produces 187hp and 300Nm of torque sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Ride and handling were good if not exceptional.
At the farm, a Premium X90, decked out for camping, took centrestage, showcasing the untapped potential for this D-segment SUV.
All said and done, the X90 comes across as a value-for- money option, combining performance, advanced technology, and family-friendly comfort, making it a stout contender in the large SUV space.
