Indian automotive market is among the many largest on the earth. India even surpassed Japan in automotive gross sales a number of instances to turn into the third-largest automotive market on the earth. In this market, it’s the compact SUV house which is seeing large motion.
If there’s a new producer making an attempt to enter Indian market, they could need to begin their journey by launching a compact SUV. Maybe Geely Holding Company is considering on these traces as they’re at present testing the Proton X50. Automotive fanatic Shantanu Godase has noticed a Proton X50 in India. Let’s have a look.
Testing
This will not be the primary time, a Proton car is testing in India. Most latest recorded sighting was in January 2022. Shantanu Godase noticed this Proton X50 check mule on Pune-Nashik freeway close to Sinnar tollbooth. It is donning a crimson quantity plate, which is a brief registration plate.
So, Proton might be both testing X50 for India and even re-evaluating the market basically. Or even simply testing feasibility of X50’s platform, whereas an Indian-ised car is within the pipeline. Speaking of platform, X50 will get BMA modular platform that Geely and Volvo collectively developed. In Proton, this platform bears RHD structure for Malaysia and different ASEAN markets.
It is a compact SUV measuring 4330 mm in size, 1800 mm in width, 1609 mm in top and has a 2600 mm wheelbase. If launched in India, it could rival Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hycross, MG Astor, Skoda Kushaq, VW Taigun and upcoming Honda Elevate and Citroen C3 Aircross. In phrases of design, it appears to be impressed by Vauxhall’s design language. It is putting and presents an excellent enchantment. On the within too, it’s logically laid out and appears par for the section as properly.
Product positioning
A whole lot of Chinese auto producers need to enter the Indian automotive market. They usually use one in all their non-Chinese subsidiaries for India. MG (a British model) is a stark instance of this and Geely already sells Volvo automobiles (a Swedish model) in India. Proton is Geely’s subsidiary model and has its roots in Malaysia.
Proton X50 is a rebadged Geely Binyue, bought in China. X50’s manufacturing occurs in Proton’s plant in Tanjung Malim, Malaysia. Proton affords 4 trim ranges with X50. They are Standard, Executive, Premium and Flagship. In phrases of security, Proton X50 SUV affords ADAS autonomous options, 6 airbags and a 5 star crash ranking from ASEAN NCAP.
There is a sole 1.5L 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine, mated to a sole 7-speed DCT gearbox. This engine is obtainable in two completely different states on tune. One tune makes 150 PS of energy and 226 Nm of torque and the second tune makes 177 PS of energy and 255 Nm of torque. The second tune would immediately turn into probably the most highly effective providing in compact SUV house.