Recently, Malaysia’s Proton CEO, Li Chunrong said that Proton could be coming out with their first electric vehicle or EV “very soon”. Whether or not this means we could see said Proton EV appear commercially in 2024 or 2025 has yet to be revealed, so there are obviously no exact Malaysia release dates just yet.
Given the short timeframe, it seems highly unlikely that Proton will create an EV from scratch. Instead, to save time and resources we think Proton will likely rebadge a vehicle from Geely's more recently released Electric Vehicles.
The Geely Geometry C is an electric SUV released in 2022
This includes our personal favorite, the Geely Mini Panda, the luxury Zeekr sports car and even a Geely Radar RD6 electric pickup truck. However, none of these really resonated with us in terms of Proton’s current line-up (yeah, they don’t make really small cars, luxury sport cars or pickup trucks). The Geely Geometry C on the other hand not only looks like it’d fit with the Proton X series of SUVs and from its 129800 yuan (~RM86671) price tag it could well be the vehicle Proton’s 1st upcoming EV would be based on.
Geely Geometry C tech specs and visuals
Released in 2022, the Geely Geometry C has a range of 400km and 500 km depending on the size of the variant’s battery. Measuring in at 4432 x 1833 x 1560mm, it is more or less the same size as the Proton X70 which has 4519 x 1831 x 1694mm measurements. The Geometry C offers up to 201 hp or horsepower with a top speed of 150km/h.
Here’s the tech specs list of the Geely Geometry C along with some more detailed inner and external shots. Bear in mind that it’s for the left side driver’s seat version so there may be some differences if it is adjusted or rebadged for Malaysia:
- Wheelbase: 2700mm
- Trunk volume: 259L
- Kerb Mass: 1545
- Horsepower: 201
- Torque: 310
- Power Steering: EPS
- Ground Clearance: 140mm
- Rim Size: 18”
- Measurements: 4432 x 1833 x 1560mm
- Features: Side Airbags, Mirror Link, Electric Folding Mirrors, LED Headlamps, Curtain Airbags, Front/Rear USB, Keyless Entry, Remote Start, Auto Headlamp, Cruise Control, Panorama, Rain Sensor
Images sourced from Geely's official website
Other Contenders
Apart from the Geely Geometry C, there is also the Geometry A, which was an electric sedan released back in 2019. Featuring a 410km - 500km range and a 210000 CNY (~RM140003) to 250000 CNY (~RM166671) price tag, it could well be the second Proton EV which was mentioned to be coming 6 or 8 months after the first Proton EV. While we’d much rather Proton come out with the more affordably priced 39900 CNY (~RM26610) Geely Mini Panda (perhaps as the Proton Cili Padi?), the Geometry A fits better with Proton’s current lineup. It would be great to be wrong though.
Bear in mind that these are just our estimates so do take it with a pinch of salt. But what do you think? Will Malaysia’s upcoming Proton EV be based on the Geely Geometry C? Do you have other suggestions? Why? And What will Proton rename them as? Share your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave.com for all things gadget related (an EV is basically a really big gadget isn’t it?).
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