KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 — Proton has opened bookings for the All-New X50 Sport Edition (SE), a special variant launched to celebrate six years of its best-selling B-segment SUV in Malaysia.

Based on the flagship variant, the SE adds 15 exclusive exterior and interior enhancements aimed at giving the SUV a bolder, sportier look.

Outside, the SE adopts a predominantly black treatment with contrasting red accents. Changes include black garnishes for the front upper section, front and rear side port trims and lower bumper, as well as black 18-inch alloy wheels. It also gets dedicated front, side and rear skirtings and a Sport Edition emblem.

For the interior, the cabin is finished in black with red stitching on the steering wheel and seats. The front seats carry Sport Edition embroidery, while the floor features Sport Edition detailing and TPE floor mats.

Proton said the mats are lightweight, flexible and quick-drying, making them suited to Malaysia’s rainy and humid weather.

The carmaker also said the SE components have undergone more than 13,700 hours of testing covering durability, corrosion and UV resistance, and suitability for the tropical climate.

However, no pricing was included in the announcement.

Black cabin with red stitching on the steering wheel and seats, Sport Edition embroidery on the front seats and TPE floor mats. — Picture courtesy of Proton
Black cabin with red stitching on the steering wheel and seats, Sport Edition embroidery on the front seats and TPE floor mats. — Picture courtesy of Proton

Mechanicals unchanged

The SE keeps the flagship’s powertrain: a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder i-GT engine paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, producing 181 PS and 290 Nm. Proton quotes a 0–100 km/h time of 7.6 seconds and fuel consumption of 6.1L/100km.

Tech features carry over as well, including a 14.6-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Proton Link 2.0, and “Hi Proton” voice commands in Bahasa Melayu and English.

Safety includes 15 ADAS features, among them Auto Park Assist and a 360-degree HD camera with 180-degree Transparent View.

Black rear side port trim garnish, rear skirting and the exclusive Sport Edition emblem round out the X50 SE's sportier look. — Picture courtesy of Proton
Black rear side port trim garnish, rear skirting and the exclusive Sport Edition emblem round out the X50 SE's sportier look. — Picture courtesy of Proton

First introduced on October 27,  2020, the X50 has surpassed 177,000 units in cumulative sales across domestic and export markets, according to Proton. The company says it has been the country’s best-selling B-segment SUV for five consecutive years and is its most successful SUV to date.

Proton deputy chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Rashid Musa said the model’s journey demonstrates that the company is responding to changing customer expectations.

“The All-New Proton X50 Sport Edition is the latest expression of that evolution, bringing a more distinctive and sportier character while retaining the performance, technology and safety that customers already value,” he said.

He added that the SE gives customers another way to experience the X50 and express their own personality.