The final decision in finally choosing Geely as Proton’s Foreign Strategic Partner was not quite a big surprise, but a clear statement of what the first product to eventually come out from this development certainly is.

During his time on stage, Daniel Li (Executive Vice President and CFO of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group) said that the Geely Boyue will be the platform for Proton’s upcoming SUV. As to when exactly this will happen is not quite clear yet as the definitive agreement needs to be signed first.

So what’s the Boyue? The latest generation Geely Boyue actually hit the China market just a year ago, priced roughly  between 99,000 Yuan and 158,000 Yuan (RM61,000 to RM98,000). Do we have your attention now?

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As you can see from the slide which accompanied Li’s presentation, the Boyue has two engine options: a 1.8L turbo which produces 163bhp and 250Nm, the other a naturally-aspirated 2.4L unit producing 162bhp and 210Nm.

Size-wise, it is marginally larger than the Honda CR-V and slightly smaller than the Nissan x-Trail. Unlike the latter however, the Boyue is a five-seater.

Actually, the domestic Chinese market also offers a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine (with two states of tune of 163bhp/250Nm and 184bhp/285Nm) and this is probably because of the tax advantage given to smaller capacity units.

The interior is quite different from what we’re used to with that brushed metal look used generously across the dashboard, in fact throughout the cabin. Extra points for the rear air-cond vents (at the rear of the centre console), but not so for the large panoramic glass roof.

Given what it is, what do you think of a Boyue with a Proton badge? The SUV segment is arguably the most popular segment among car buyers; could this Geely be the impetus of Proton’s recovery?