Proton X50 Open for Booking Tomorrow! Debut of Level 2 Autonomous Driving

The long-awaited Proton X50 is finally here! After unveiling the first images of the most-anticipated car of the year over the weekend, Proton has now announced that the Proton X50 will open its order books starting tomorrow on Malaysia Day, and you can place your booking at any Proton dealerships nationwide for a RM500 fee.

There will be Four variants on offer here, starting with the Standard, Executive, Premium, and finally the range topping Flagship. All variants are powered by the 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, paired to a retuned version of the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission introduced in the CKD X70 to send drive to the front wheels.

The Flagship variant will get all of the 177 hp and 255 Nm from the engine, while the three lower-end models get a port-injected version of the same engine detuned to 150 hp and 226 Nm of torque. Interestingly, the Proton X50 is the first application of this engine across the entire global Geely family.

Proton says that there are over 400 components on the X50 that have been added by the local carmaker to better acclimatise the compact SUV for our local market. These include the rear air-con vents as seen previously, a standard feature on all variants that is not available on the Geely Binyue in China (or Coolray in the Philippines).

Inside, the Proton X50 is equipped with the GKUI system across the board, this means that the “Hi Proton” voice assistant is standard on across the variants. The two lower-end variants get an eight-inch infotainment display, but stepping up to the Premium and Flagship variants will see the central freestanding display upsized to 10.25-inch.

Inside, the Proton X50 is equipped with the GKUI system across the board, this means that the “Hi Proton” voice assistant is standard on across the variants. The two lower-end variants get an eight-inch infotainment display, but stepping up to the Premium and Flagship variants will see the central freestanding display upsized to 10.25-inch.

Impressively, sizing is the only difference here; both units are powered by the Geely’s own Ecarx E01 quad-core processors running the latest GKUI 19 software, which promises a snappier performance and a 2.25 second start-up time. Both will have eSIM capabilities for always-on connected functionalities such as starting the engine and turning on the climate control, and the Baidu Maps from the X70 has been replaced by a new Amaps system.

The interior of the Standard variant gets fabric upholstery as standard. Stepping up to the Executive and higher variant nets you a leather-wrapped steering wheel and leatherette seats, while the Premium and Flagship gains powered driver seats.

One of the key highlights on the Proton X50 is the Level 2 autonomous driving features, available exclusively on the Flagship variant. Being one step higher than what is offered on its bigger brother, the X70, the advanced driver assistance system utilises a millimetre-wave radar and high-definition cameras to help accelerate, brake, and steer the X50 during certain situations. The system is even able to change lanes on its own!

Otherwise, safety equipment on the standard variant includes four airbags and a reverse camera as standard. The Executive variant steps it up to six airbags, while the Premium and Flagship models gain a 360-degree around view monitor and tyre pressure monitoring system.

Proton did not announced the pricing as of yet, but bookings for the X50 can be made starting from the 16th of September 2020 at any Proton dealerships nationwide. A booking fee of RM500 is required, and the Proton X50 will be available in six exterior colourways – Snow White, Armour Silver, Jet Grey, Ocean Blue, Citric Orange, and Passion Red.

Not convinced yet? Check out the car for yourself at the Proton X50 City Previews at selected locations, starting from the 19th of September.