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Proton will unveil its new concept car which shows a new design direction at the coming 80th International Motor Show in Geneva on March 2, 2010. The styling of the car was done in collaboration with the famous Italian studio Italdesign Giugiaro which has designed some 200 models (for various carmakers) since being established in 1968.
Preliminary information provided by Proton indicates that the car will have a hybrid propulsion system and use lithium-ion batteries stored in the rear. The specially designed chassis will have a raised floor that can accommodate the small internal combustion engine as well as the batteries. This is somewhat like the Mercedes A-Class sandwich floor concept and provides more interior space while maintaining the overall dimensions of a compact car.
The high position of the four independently-adjustable and sliding seats allows passengers to fully enjoy the spacious interior. Thanks to the combination of these two technical specifications the car is said to be easier to enter as the H-point (a crucial point in design which is based on the position of an occupant's hip) are at the same height as in an SUV.
The 5-door,4-seater hatchback concept car is 3550 mm long and the engine will be mounted at the front, driving the front wheels.
Proton Holdings Group MD, Dato' Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohd Tahir, said that the collaboration is part of its long-term strategy to match global automotive standards and expand its footprint worldwide.
Two of the models which Italdesign styled - the first generation Lexus GS300 (Toyota Windom in Japan) and the original VW Scirocco