The Proton X90 Is Not Yet Open For Booking
PROTON unveiled the X90 yesterday – its first D-segment SUV and first Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) which will be part of its range of planned New Energy Vehicles (NEV). The company however, is not officially accepting bookings for the Proton X90 yet but has planned some preview roadshows before its launch which is expected to happen after Hari Raya.
The Proton X90 is the 3rd model from its X-series family of SUVs, a segment PROTON currently leads in sales volume. And like the earlier X50 and X70, the new X90 will also be assembled at PROTON Tanjung Malim.
No recording equipment were allowed to be used by the media at the unveiling in PROTON’s styling studio in Shah Alam, but the company has supplied official images of the vehicle and the event. There will be 4 variants for the X90 i.e. Standard, Executive, Premium and Flagship. The first 3 will have 7 seats (2-3-2 layout) while the Flagship is a 6-seater.
The 2nd row of the 7-seater has sliding and tilting seats (not tumbling) for 3rd row access and exit while that of the 6-seater are captain seats with a narrow walk-through path in between to do the same. You can also slide the captain seat forward for entry and egress but the 3rd row passenger needs outside help for this method.
Other features for the interior include a sunroof, dual zone climate control, independent rear air conditioning, N95 cabin filter, ambient lighting, driver’s seat with 6-way powered adjustment, front passenger’s seat with 4-way adjustment, nappa leather, wireless charger and 7 USB ports including 1 Type C.
Other features include a 10″ LCD meter combination and a 12.3″ touchscreen infotainment unit with a powerful EO2 processor, and 360-degree camera view. Bear in mind some of the features mentioned may not be applied across the range but we can only confirm this upon launch.
In terms of design, the X90 wears design inspired by Malaysian traditional craftsmanship and cultural heritage. The front features the latest evolution of its Ethereal Bow and Infinite Weave grille punctuated by diamond shapes influenced by songket patterns. The display units shown to us had full LED headlights with sequential turn signals, 19″ wheels, hands-free tailgate, walk away lock, nearby auto unlock, and a 2,050-litre boot (seats folded).
Under the hood is a familiar 1.5L TGDi turbo engine paired with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) currently in use in the Proton family. However, mated to this is a 48 V Electric Motor Synergy (EMS) system to improve fuel efficiency and lower emissions. The EMS is made up of a 48-volt Belt Starter Generator (BSG) motor, DC-DC converter, 48-volt Li-ion battery, Battery Management System, Recuperation Braking System, and Hybrid Module Control System.
With the addition of the EMS, the Proton X90 gets a combined power output of 190 PS and 300 Nm of torque. This should provide the 3-row SUV with effortless acceleration, easy overtaking, and seamless coasting. Further, the rear suspension is a multi-link set-up as a D-segment SUV can afford the space for one to improve comfort and handling.
In addition, safety is top of the list for X90 as it will get new active safety features such as Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) which detects approaching vehicles while reversing using the rear radar sensor, Rear Collision Warning (RCW) which alerts driver on potential rear-end collisions, and Traffic Sign Information (TSI) which detects and displays road signs.
“PROTON is proud to continue playing a leading role in the development of the local automotive industry. With our commitment to “Intelligence That Empowers,” we are introducing the PROTON X90 as our first mild-hybrid model, showcasing innovative technologies and intelligent solutions that empower our customers. The 48V EMS System delivers improved fuel efficiency, performance, and reduced emissions, and represents our first step into the New Energy Vehicle segment,” said Dr Li Chunrong, Chief Executive Officer of PROTON. The Proton X90 had undergone about 96,000 man-hours of testing and 1.2 million km of road testing to tune it to local requirements.
The Proton X90 isn’t open for booking yet but if you want to get a closer look, wait for the preview sessions starting 8 April which will happen in 6 cities. Expect the order books to be open then. In the meantime, we can enjoy speculating on the price.
