When spyshots of the Proton X90 were circulating on social media over the past couple of months, it appeared that some units of the test mules had a torsion beam rear suspension, while other units appeared to have a multi-link rear suspension.

Now that Proton has formally previewed the X90, we can now confirm that the new 6-/7-seater, D-segment SUV will get a multi-link rear suspension.

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According to Hazrin Fazail Haroon, Head of Group Engineering at Proton, “In terms of the torsion beam and multi-link rear suspension. Originally it was torsion beam, but it is evolution. When we looked into the Malaysian market, the driveability and value that the customer sees in this D-segment SUV, as well as all the competitors that we see all have multi-link rear suspension. And hence the decision to go for multi-link for better driveability.”

This is just one of the many changes that the Proton X90 has compared to its donor vehicle, the Geely Haoyue.

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The Geely Haoyue that’s sold in China, as well as the Philippines and Saudi Arabia (Geely Okavango), are fitted with a torsion beam rear suspension. The newer and more sophisticated Geely Haoyue L is the one that gets the multi-link rear suspension.

Power for the Proton X90 comes from a turbocharged 1.5-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine paired to a 48-Volt mild-hybrid (MHEV) system, allowing for a combined system output of 190 PS and 300 Nm. Power is delivered to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Proton said that preview sessions will be held nationwide starting 8-April, while the market launch should be happening circa mid-2023.

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