Proton X70 Will Gain Level 2 Semi-Autonomous Driving, Launches This Year

Proton Deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah presenting the  quality control performance improvements undertaken by carmaker at its Tanjong Malim plant yesterday.

National carmaker Proton held a special press briefing at its main Tanjong Malim plant in Perak yesterday. Whilst this briefing centred primarily on the quality control performance improvements it has undertaken at the plant, the carmaker did also revealed some details about its plans to update the X70 model.

As you can see in the presentation slide pictured below, part of Proton’s efforts at ramping up its Tanjong Malim plant operations also involved implementation of Level 2 semi-autonomous driving abilities into its core Geely-based models – X70, X50, X90, and S70. From said foursome, the ageing X70 model, first launched in Dec 2018, is due to receive this upgrade soon.

A slide from yesterday's presentation revealing that the X70 will be upgraded with Level 2 semi-autonomous driving status.

Prior to yesterday’s briefing, Proton has kept mum about details surrounding its plans to refresh the X70 C-segment crossover SUV. Camouflaged prototypes of the model have been sighted undergoing road tests multiple times, but yesterday’s briefing marked the first time said national carmaker officially disclosed details revolving this model specifically.

The promise of Level 2 semi-autonomous driving means the X70 should see an upgraded active driving assistance (ADAS) package. Key to which is an uprated Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) that merges both adaptive cruise control with Stop-Go function. Presently, the X70 has adaptive cruise control, but it works only at speed above 30 KM/H and as no Stop-Go ability.

Besides the uprated cruise control, the X70’s ADAS package is also set to receive lane-centring assist (or lane-keeping assist) added into the mix too. In its current form, the X70 does not have this feature equipped, but does have Lane-Departure Warning (LDW) primed instead. With both systems added, the X70 will finally gain true Level 2 semi-autonomous status.

Camouflaged prototypes of the face-lifted Proton X70 spotted undergoing road tests recently. Upgraded ADAS aside, we can also expect some key aesthetic changes.

Updated ADAS package aside, the camouflaged units we spied throughout recent months also indicate that an aesthetic revision is being planned. Amongst the changes we can expect here include revised LED headlights, redesigned front grille, both matched with new and re-profiled front bumper, as well as new alloy wheels design for the range-topping variant.

On board, insiders at Proton we spoke to privately indicate that the cabin will see a revised new steering wheel, as well as new digital displays lifted from the X50 model. In other words, expect to see the X50’s 7-inch digital instrument panel fitted, and matched with its 10.25-inch infotainment interface, though no word yet on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto availability.

Besides a new steering wheel design, insiders have noted to us that the X70's cabin (left) will adopt new digital display modules similar to those seen in the smaller X50 (right).

On the powertrain front, we can expect little to no changes here. Expect the same 1.5-litre 3-cyl and 1.8-litre 4-cyl turbocharged petrol mills available, though there has been speculation that the latter choice might be dropped in favour of streamlining the range with the smaller 1.5-litre 3-cyl unit that Proton invested heavily to mass-produce locally.

No dates or launch timeline were given, but our best guess is that we might see the face-lifted and upgraded Proton X70 debut sometime early in the second half (H2) of this year. We’ll have more details then.

In the meantime, would the upgrade to having true Level 2 semi-autonomous driving abilities make the X70 a more favourable choice for you? Share your thoughts in the comments section below, as well as our social media pages…