Mar 23 Ballito Umhl

If life is a highway ... we want to be driving the all new Proton X70
It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.
Does that still stand if the destination is a first class,
luxurious, been-dying-to-visit spot? To be honest, we didn’t
think so. But then we jumped into the Proton X70 and my
heaven ... we could have driven for days!
Massive, comfy, soft Nappa leather power seats, which went
waaaay back for passengers needing a snooze (those early
morning departures are a bugger). Loads and loads of leg
room and space for coolers and coffee and padkos (we’re
all for too-many-snacks on any journey). A really impressive,
six speaker sound system for the 70s Road Tripping play
list. Add the voice command (“Hi Proton - roll down the
windows”) and touch screen monitor infotainment system
which has smart phone and Bluetooth connectivity, and
USB ports ... so all those necessary boxes firmly ticked.
Our route included freeway (so a chance to open up and
feel the power, and to test the cruise control), detours
through rural towns with pothole-strewn roads (and here
we use the word roads in the loosest possible way) as well
as a short stretch of gravel and dust ... so we could really
experience the car every which way. Add to that drizzle and
downpours (hello auto-sensing wipers) followed by the
sweltering heat and dust of the Kruger area (so a massive
welcome to the Proton Intelligent Air Purification System
– a combination of N95 cabin filter which is incorporated
into the air-conditioning, and air purifier system ... combined
these work twice as efficiently to improve the air quality
inside the cabin).
A big plus on a long trip is the excellent fuel consumption
- 7.8l per 100km in the Proton X70 (and 6.5l in the smaller
Proton X50) ... certainly a lot more impressive than some
of the other SUVs on the market. In fact, affordability was
a major influence in the decision by Combined Motor
Holdings and Geely when bringing Proton back into
the country from Malaysia. With so many luxury brands
launching SUVs, there was a massive gap, they felt, for a
quality SUV within an affordable price bracket.
Another long-distance journey plus is the five-year roadside
assistance which comes standard - as, by the way, does the
five-year, unlimited mileage (yay to many long road trips)
and transferable warranty, the five year/80 000 km service
plan and the five-star ratings in financial packages ... so bit
of a high-five all round, here, too.
Apart from knowing roadside assistance is just a call away,
other safety and security benefits are the six airbags and
the advanced driver assist system, which includes blind
spot info, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control
and forward collision warning (jolly helpful when the driver
ahead of you suddenly reduces speed).
Add to that the traction control, hill hold assist and hill
descent control, electronic and anti-lock braking systems
with brake assist and auto brake hold. There are also
daytime running lamps, which means greater visibility in all
weather conditions.
We’re not, we admit, the best reverse parkers in the
forecourt, so the 360 degree camera and parking sensors
were a jolly useful addition for us (and no doubt for others
in the area!).
Stops at padstals along the way drew loads of envious
glances from fellow travellers ... and stepping back to
admire our ride, we knew why. The chrome finishing on the
front and rear bumpers, the rear diffuser with dual exhaust
outlets and alloy wheels make an impression. Also the
power tailgate with foot sensor (oh my, how we loved that
... bought extra goodies just so we had an excuse to open
(and fill) the enormously spacious boot).
The Proton comes in six rather dashing colour choices -
Snow White and Armour Silver, a dark and dashing Jet Gray
and look-at-me Ruby Red, Space Grey and our favourite,
Cinnamon Brown.
There are, obviously, kilometer-long technical specifications
... none of which mean a single to thing to us (we’re all for
the ride, not the deets) ... so best you download the Digital
Brochure on proton.cars, navigate your way around that,
and then once you’re revved up, it’s all ready, steady, go and
book a test drive.
Compiled by: KYM ARGO
March 2023 Get It • Ballito • Umdloti • Umhlanga 43