SHAH ALAM: Proton has finally launched its highly anticipated X50 compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) that's been the talk of the town since early last year.
The launch of the B-segment SUV by was held online as the Covid-19 infection continues to spread and prices have finally been revealed.
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Prices start with the entry-level 1.5T Standard variant at RM79,200 and is followed by the Executive RM84,800, Premium RM93,200 and finally ending with the 1.5 TGDI Flagship at RM103,300.
All prices mentioned are on-the-road with sales tax exemption and without insurance.
There are six colours for choice which includes Snow White, Armour Silver, Jet Grey, Ocean Blue, Citric orange and Passion Red for the 1.5 TGDI Flagship and 1.5T Premium.
The 1.5T Standard is only available in Snow White, Armour Silver and Ocean Blue while the 1.5T Executive does not come in Passion Red.
The X50 is covered by a five-year unlimited mileage warranty that's accompanied by a five-year data package limited to 1GB per month.
Also included are five free labour service that will be provided to the first 30,000 bookings made by Dec 31 as well as a special interest rate starting from 2.22% per annum and a special Proton Insurance Program.
The insurance programme comes with a waiver of betterment costs of up to 10 years, agreed value coverage of up to 12 years and a key care cover of up to RM1,000.
Flood Relief Allowance of up to RM1,000, all driver coverage and Personal Accident of up to RM15,000 are also included.
As standard, the X50 is powered by a 1.5-litre (1,477cc) three-cylinder multi-port turbocharged engine producing 150PS at 5,500rpm and 226Nm of torque from 1,500 to 4,000rpm.
With the exception of the range-topping 1.5 TGDI Flagship variant, it uses a more powerful 1.5-litre turbocharged direct-injected engine that outputs 177PS at 5,500rpm and 255Nm of torque from 1,500 to 4,000rpm.
While the engine sips from a standard 45-litre fuel tank, power is managed by a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with manual mode for the front wheels to pull its 1,325kg kerb heft.
The X50 has a 2,600mm wheelbase and comes in measuring 4,330mm-long, 1,800mm-wide and 1,609mm tall.
It comes fitted with an electric power steering system and uses front MacPherson struts with a rear Torsion beam that make up its suspension system.
Stopping power comes from front ventilated discs with the rear solid discs getting clamped down by an electric parking brake with auto-hold function. The brakes are partially obscured by the 17-inch wheels fitted with 215/60 series tyres.
For illumination, the Standard variant gets fitted with LEDs for its projector headlights and daytime running lights.
Inside, the cabin sports Black Fabric upholstery for the seats, urethane for the steering wheel which comes with Normal, Comfort and Sport mode settings.
For comfort and convenience, there is manual climate controls, keyless entry with push-start button, cruise control with speed limiter and four rear parking sensors.
Rounding off the list is the drive mode selection (Normal, Eco or Sport), remote engine start system, powered windows with driver-side anti-pinch function, N95 cabin filter and rear air vents.
Entertainment comes from a four-speaker sound system connected to an 8.0-inch touchscreen monitor with reverse camera, voice control and Bluetooth connectivity.
Also included are online services including navigation, music streaming and weather forecast as well as 4G and WiFi connection, one USB data port (front) and two USB charging ports (located above the rear air vents).
The X50's safety equipment consists of four airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, auto brake hold, electronic stability control, traction control, hill-hold assist and hill descent control.
Moving up to the Executive variant (1,345kg kerb) means adding on automatic headlights, LED fog lamps that activate when turning, black leatherette upholstery, a total of six airbags and two front parking sensors.
The Premium variant (1,350kg kerb) now features a full-colour LCD instrument cluster as well as black and red combination leatherette upholstery.
The wheels get upsized to 18-inch alloys with 215/55 series tyres before adding on front welcome lights (Proton logo), roof rails and anti-pinch safety function for all powered windows.
A six-way powered driver seat, automatic climate controls, tyre-pressure monitoring system and a 360-degree camera system also finds its way in.
The touchscreen monitor grows to a larger 10.25-inch screen (with Mirror-link for Android or iOS smartphones) for the six-speaker sound system and comes equipped with additional voice command functionality.
A Proton Link App now allows its owners to access data concerning the vehicle's status as well as a Remote Control function from the convenience of a smartphone.
Going for the more powerful, albeit heavier (1,370kg - kerb), 1.5 TGDI Flagship variant means new owners will get an auto-dimming rearview mirror, panoramic sunroof and automatic wipers.
Safety is further bolstered by the inclusion of advanced driver assist systems such as autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control with stop-go function, intelligent cruise control to keep the X50 in the centre of the lane with steering assistance, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, blind spot information system, intelligent high beam control, auto park assist and four front parking sensors.
“We are confident customers will be pleased by the specifications, price and benefits package offered with the Proton X50. There is a variant to suit every need and budget and we hope that just like the Proton X70, our new SUV will bring new customers to our showrooms,” said Proton Edar chief executive officer Roslan Abdullah.
Proton has currently collected more than 20,000 bookings for the X50.