Proton Iriz Active prototype unveiled at Alami Proton carnival
As hype and intrigue continues to surround the newly-launched Iriz, Proton ramps it up further by showcasing a prototype of a potential mini-crossover based on its new model. The rugged-looking Iriz Active was unveiled to the public at the ‘Alami Proton’ carnival held over the weekend at the Proton Centre of Excellence in Shah Alam.
Built on the same sheet metal as the regular Iriz but enhanced with unique design elements and trim finishing, the Iriz Active is in fact being seriously considered for production. We can of course expect a more toned down appearance if it goes to production, but what’s more impressive are features fitted into the car; if the Iriz has raised the bar for Proton, the Active here shows that the company is indeed investing serious time and money in the development of advanced automotive technologies.
Outside, the Iriz Active’s appearance stands out with rugged body cladding, roof rails, and high ground clearance communicating the message of a vehicle built for those with an active lifestyle. The matte grey-metallic orange two tone finish is subtly contrasted by a Cool Clear stripe running across the vehicle’s top. Interestingly, the prototype also sports rear disc brakes, as opposed to the regular Iriz’s drums. Suspension, from visual inspection, appears unchanged.
Standard head and tail lamps of the regular Iriz have been swapped out and replaced by a set of very sophisticated and expensive-looking Nexlide clusters. These fancy lamps illuminate with an impressively homogeneous appearance when activated.
Interior of the Iriz Active is based largely on the regular Iriz, but suitably enhanced with more expressive trim finishes and dominated by a large central touchscreen that takes care of audio, video, navigation, and climate control functions. It is said to be easily customizable and personalized to the user’s preference. Complementing it is a fully-customizable multi-mode digital instrument cluster. The traditional rear view mirror, meanwhile, is removed and replaced by a digital overhead console that streams images from a rear view camera mounted on the tailgate, which naturally doubles as a reverse camera.
Two major selling points that already define the standard production model are notably expanded upon in the Iriz Active. The much-lauded dual USB charging slots in the regular model, for example, are now complemented by a wireless charging system. Most impressive, perhaps, is the fitment of autonomous emergency braking, which is a natural extension of the Iriz’s already comprehensive safety kit that includes electronic stability control and dual airbags as standard for all variants.
The Iriz Active is a very handsome-looking vehicle, and it will no doubt generate considerable interest from onlookers. As mentioned earlier, there is a possibility of it going into production, but even if it doesn’t, this prototype is still a significant development by Proton, for it shows us the level of technology the folks at Shah Alam are experimenting with for their upcoming products.
