Ever wondered what an SUV or crossover version of an
existing Proton model, such as the Suprima S, would look like? That’s exactly
what local designer Saharudin Busri has envisioned, a more rugged version of
the national carmaker’s C-segment hatchback, called the Suprima X.
In case you didn’t know, Saharudin is the head of
industrial design at MIMOS, the national research and development centre in
information and communications technology (ICT) and a strategic agency under
the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI). He was actually
working in Proton’s styling department until 2007, so he does have an insight
into the company’s design process.
But there’s another reason why Saharudin is
producing car designs and renders, especially those that are Proton-badged.
Previously, MIMOS only produced industrial designs as part of the projects it
was tasked with, but it is now offering design consultancy as a standalone
service, including for the automotive industry.
The design of the Suprima X isn’t new for Saharudin
– the basic design has been around since 2015, and has now been refined. It was
inspired by the innovative designs of compact SUV and crossover offerings from
other manufacturers, which have cropped up in recent years.
The result is the car that you see in these teaser
images. The basic design of the Suprima S is still there, but the roofline has
been raised, as has the ground clearance. The front fascia has also been
redesigned, with slimmer, shapelier headlights and Y-shaped daytime running
lights that flow into the bolder dual-bar grille.
Meanwhile, the tail lights are now two-piece items,
similar to the Prevé on which the Suprima S is based, while the front and rear
bumpers have been redesigned for a more aggressive look, with silver underbody
guards that give the car a SUV-like look – one that is emphasised by the use of
black plastic cladding throughout. Large ten-spoke alloy wheels, in a similar
design to the Iriz, complete the look.
Cr : Paultan
