The long-awaited Proton X70 facelift is now open for booking with a booking fee of just RM500.
The Proton X70 was the first product Proton launched after their deal with Geely as a Foreign Strategic Partner was sealed back in 2018. Now 6 years later, we have 2 additional Geely-engineered SUVs and the national carmaker is finally a profitable entity. So, what’s next? Why the introduction of “Phase 2” with a facelift of the X70 and the introduction of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – two infotainment features that just about every car brand but Proton have found a way to deliver.
Order books are now open and you can place your booking for just RM500 though no specifications or pricing details have been released so far. All we have are these images and some minor equipment information to go on. We’re not even sure if the variant break-down will be the same. What should be interesting is pricing as the Chery Tiggo 7 was recently shown at the same price as outgoing X70 and we don’t think Proton would dare price their X70 facelift below this rival.
The aforementioned addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are the “big ticket items” for this facelift and they are accessible via a much alrger 12.3″ touchscreen unit that is no longer integrated into the dashboard. The dashboard design has also been revised to include ambient lighting that is synchronised to the headunit’s audio output. Finally, you’ll also find a new 3-spoke steering wheel design, which looks to be shared with some of the other newer Geely-Proton models.
Those who liked the brown nappa leather interior will unfortunately have to settle for grey instead this time. There are some other upholstery changes such as the introduction of black headliner material and new stitch patterns.
Proton is also expected to improve on the ADAS system of the X70 to be more inline with some of their other vehicles but no details are known.
The Proton X70 facelift is based on the 2022 facelift of the Boyue but integrates some Proton touches such as Infinite Weave design and songket-inspired diamond pins seen on the X90 and S70 grilles. The front bumper has also been given a unique look. The main items that are pretty much copy-pasted from Geely are the new headlamps and the outline of the front grille.
Another unique piece is the rear bumper which appears to be almost entirely black with reflectors on each side now aligned horizontally rather than vertically. These are integrated to some faux vents. There doesn’t appear to be a contrasting painted piece on the bumper as there was previously.
