Which 3 brand-new Proton cars will launch in the next 2 years?

KUALA LUMPUR: Yesterday, Proton introduced us to the all-new Saga upgraded with cosmetic improvements and new tech features. During the launch event, the company’s CEO Dr. Li Chunrong made an announcement on Proton's upcoming cars - “3 brand-new models over the next 2 years.” With no more info about these models, we are left to play the guessing game. So, here we put across our guesses -

Proton X90: Our first speculation is the Proton X90 which is backed by strong reports in the industry that the automaker is planning to bring a new seven-seater SUV (to be called X90). It is also speculated that this large SUV will be a rebadged model of the Geely Haoyue as it has been sighted on the local roads on several occasions.

The Haoyue is Geely’s largest SUV powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which generates a maximum power of 181 PS and a peak torque of 300 Nm. The power is sent to the wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

A rebadged Geely Bo Rui GE: To challenge Toyota and Honda in the hybrid space, Proton may also borrow a Geely hybrid model. It could be the Geely Bo Rui GE that runs on a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine mated to a plug-in hybrid or a mild hybrid system for better fuel economy.

Proton EV: As per the sources, Geely has also been working to get a fully electric vehicle ready for Malaysian launch. For the same, the company’s partner in Proton, DRB-Hicom is establishing an EV hub in Tanjung Malim, thus the arrival of a fully electric model might be sooner than expected.

Smart #1: Remember, Proton has also announced its tie up with the premium Chinese EV brand named smart (a JV owned by Mercedes-Benz and Geely) for selling its electric cars in Malaysia. The first model to come out of this partnership is the smart #1. It is an electric crossover already on offer in the home market in two versions - Pro+ and Premium. The EV comes packed with a rear-drive electric motor and a 66 kWh lithium battery pack offering a range between 535 km and 560 km.

So, that’s all from our side, do you have any other guesses? Let us know in the comments.

Also read: 2022 Proton Saga: Variants explained