Render: Can A New Third-Gen Proton Perdana Thrive Today?

The new Geely A7 EM-i made headlines across Chinese internet this week ahead of its imminent market entry in China this year.

With its debut and reported imminent entry into the domestic Chinese market this year, the new Geely A7 EM-i has attracted quite a lot of hype of late. This is largely driven by the fact that many quarters are already touting it to be a very strong rival against the electrified ninth-gen Toyota Camry.

In a market like China where the both the D-segment saloon and genre-defining Toyota nameplate mentioned still thrive, that last sentiment arguably says a lot.

Moreover, with Geely’s association as ‘partner’ to national automaker Proton, it was a matter of time before some quarters – us included – began to wonder if said new electrified D-segment premium sedan offering would see second light with the P1’s tiger badge.

It didn't take long before artist Chin Swee Hoe (@theottle) brought us this render of what he visions to be the third-gen Proton Perdana based on the Geely A7 saloon mentioned.

On that note, local digital automotive render artist Chin Swee Hoe – better known by his @theottle social media handle – has once again brought to life a digital vision of this possible future Proton-rebadge of Geely’s new Camry rival.

Given how Proton tends to localise Geely-based products like the X70, X50, X90, e.MAS 7, and especially the S70, Chin opted to keep much of the Geely A7 sedan’s original essence for the most part of this render.

From the rear quarter, Chin's render appears as if it this was a straightforward rebadge effort...

The only real ‘difference’ Chin endowed in his redux of the are the switch from Geely to Proton tailgate script badge mounted in the rear taillight bar’s centre section, and swap from Geely to Proton badges all around – wheel centre caps included.

Adding to which is a distinctive new grille. Chin describes this at being a replication of P1’s signature ‘Infinite Weave’ design ethos. Beyond which, little else has changed.

Like many of Chin’s past works, this is one near-convincing digital vision of a possible future effort by P1 at re-entering the D-segment sedans space – and ‘convincing’ is perhaps what the national automaker needs to make this happen.

...but closer inspection sees Chin endowing this redux with his replication of Proton's signature 'Infinite Weave' grille design at the very least.

As mentioned, whilst it still somewhat thrives in a market like China, the D-segment sedans (saloons) genre is general has slowed down locally over the last decade. We have the rise of SUVs to thank for the absence of things like the latest-gen Honda Accord from our market.

Despite so, Proton’s Geely Emgrand-based S70 C-segment sedan fighter proves that perhaps the right price tag and, subsequently, right amount of kit and amenities to back it up, could make a new third-gen Perdana offering work.

Surely, the prospect of getting the Geely A7 EM-i’s much hyped about new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, as well as both its claimed 2,100 KM range and 2.1 litres/100 KM efficiency figures, made ‘accessible’ with a sub-RM200,000 price tag, is indeed tempting.

The second-gen Proton Perdana was last produced in 2020. It was effectively a heavily restyled - and rebadged - eighth-gen Honda Accord. Pictured here is the 'base' 2.0-litre guise.

A higher-end 2.4-litre flavour was also available, and many - including 'Executive' stretched limos - fast became a favourite amongst Ministers and Parliamentarians alike.

As a refresher, Proton last made the second-gen Perdana based on the eighth-gen Honda Accord back in 2020. Though heavily restyled, it maintained Honda’s 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre 4-cyl petrol mill plus 5-speed auto and front-wheel-drive (FWD) setup combo.

At its peak, the Accord-based Perdana detailed proved popular as a government fleet car where it fast became the top choice for Ministers and Parliamentarians alike. Unsurprisingly, many were succeeded by the eighth-gen Toyota Camry (XV70) for the same role.

Ninth-gen (XV80) Toyota Camry stands as the sole new Japanese-badged D-segment saloon on offer locally. This is priced at RM221,800 in 2.5V ICE form (Left) and RM248,800 in 2.5 HEV Hybrid guise (right).

The sole European entry left in this space locally comes in the form of the VW Arteon, which commands RM286,612 onwards. (Note: latest Wolfsburg Edition guise pictured.)

Locally, the D-segment saloon market space shrunk significantly to see just two offerings now left, those being the ninth-gen (XV80) Toyota Camry (ICE and HEV) priced from RM221,800 onwards, and arguably the Volkswagen Arteon priced from RM286,612 (sans VAP).

With that in mind, would you not fancy Chin’s vision if it were to be brought to life? Hit the comments below with your thoughts…