We Finally Get Under The Proton X50’s Skirt After All That Incessant Teasing

However, that major aspect aside, here’s everything we know about all four variants of the X50; including an all-new Flagship trim that packs the full bells and whistles.

Appearance-wise, Proton already dropped some official images on social media a few days ago and nothing’s changed in the time since. Some minor updates were made to the Infinite Weave grille as it takes on a more concaved shape with an update on the weave pattern itself. The red stripe below the weave and above the satin silver bow was pointed a while back.

At the rear, you’ll notice the quad exhaust tips that poke out from the faux carbon fibre on the diffuser. Squint a little and you’ll see the turbine-inspiration for the wheels that measure in at 18-inches on the two highest trims; Premium and Flagship, and wear 215/55R18 rubbers.

Speaking of variants, the X50 will come in four with two engine options. As always, the base model is the X50 1.5T Standard, and then progresses to the 1.5T Executive, 1.5T Premium and tops out with the 1.5 TGDI Flagship.

Even the Standard trim packs quite an impressive list of kit. You’ll get a 1.5-litre turbo inline-three engine mated to the new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Output is 148hp and 226Nm of torque. Completing the kit count are four airbags, full LED headlights, 17-inch wheels, full fabric seats, rear air-conditioning vents, 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment unit and a reverse camera.

Step up to the Executive and the extras include six airbags, a leather wrapped steering wheel, auto headlights, front fog lights and leatherette seats.

If that doesn’t cut it for you, the Premium throws a tyre-pressure monitoring system, power-adjustable driver’s seat, a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment unit and a 360-degree view camera system into the mix.

Sitting atop the X5 food-chain is the 1.5 TGDI Flagship. The engine powering this is still a 1.5-litre turbo inline-three but with direct-injection that brings more ponies to the table. Here, you’ll get 175hp and 255Nm of torque. Apart from that, you’ll finally find the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS 2.0) that now adds human detection to complement the object detection. Last but certainly not the least in Proton ‘s flagship trim style, there’s a panoramic sunroof.

This more advanced direct-injected turbo-three engine is jointly developed by Geely and Volvo. It’s basically an evolution of the 1.5-litre turbo three featuring port injection that’s found in the lower three trims of the X50.

Spearheading the dark grey and merlot red dual-tone interior is the updated GKUI 19 infotainment system. Together with a new Proton app for smartphones, the GKUI now allows remote engine start and preconditioning of the interior by switching on the air-conditioning. The latter even allows the temperature to be selected via the app. So long as the owner’s smartphone has a mobile data connection, he or she can be connected to the X50 from anywhere on the planet. The instrument cluster is a LCD display, inspired by the X70.

Along with the updates of the GKUI, the E01 chipset was also given a boost. Now, Proton claims that it boots up 33 per cent quicker, loads multimedia apps 55 per cent quicker and most importantly, loads the navigation 67 per cent quicker.

For those wondering, there’ll be six shades available for the X50. Mundane is met with Snow White, Armour Silver and Jet Grey while those seeking a splash of colour can opt for either Ocean Blue, Passion Red or Citric Orange.

This isn’t the official launch of the X50, though that’s just around the corner and will put the final piece of the puzzle in place; the price.

As we build up to the launch, Proton will be holding previews at multiple cities with bookings being accepted tomorrow for just RM500.