No Proton badge - Malaysia-built X50 to debut in Indonesia as Geely Coolray with altered looks, less powerful i-GT engine

The Proton X50 has made it to Indonesia, but not quite, as Geely Indonesia has decided to forego/bypass any branding association with our national automaker and has instead gone with the model’s more widely used moniker for global markets: the Coolray. 

While the X50, which is called the Binyue in its native China, does also adopt the Coolray name in other Southeast Asian markets such as the Philippines, it does sting a little bit more knowing that Proton’s presence does not extend even to a neighbouring country so geographically and culturally close to us. 

Still, at least we do have Singapore, where the Proton eMAS 7 is sold in a relatively unchanged form and name, and sourced from Tanjung Malim. The same applies for the Indonesian-spec Geely Coolray, which also arrives fully imported from Malaysia, albeit wearing Geely badges instead of Proton. 

While the car hasn’t been launched yet with official prices to be confirmed at the upcoming GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2026, its imminent market entrance will mark it as Geely’s first pure combustion model (non-BEV or PHEV) in the country. So far, the lineup consists of the Starray EM-i (Proton eMAS 7 PHEV), the Geely EX5 (Proton eMAS 7), and Geely EX2 (Proton eMAS 5). 

Given prices for those 3 existing models are quite close to their Proton-branded counterparts in Malaysia, it’s quite possible that there won’t be much separating the Coolray with the X50 in terms of buyer outlay. 

The units previewed to Indonesian media seems to be slightly tweaked versions equivalent to the X50 Flagship, closer in visual touches to the South Africa-spec Coolray that similarly has launched this year; a look that originated from 2021’s Geely Binyue Pro in China. That said, there will also be a less expensive Standard variant for Indonesia. 

As a result, on the outside, the incoming Indonesia-spec Coolray looks to be a halfway-house of the original X50 we received in 2020 and the more aggressive facelift launched here in 2025. In profile, the two are nearly identical down to the pronounced roof spoiler at the rear, emblazoned with the letter S. 

However, the front retain’s a grille design closer to the original Coolray/Binyue’s styling with vertical slats prior to the ‘Infinite Weave’ revision from Proton, but discards the gaping full-width lower maw that defines the current X50 fascia for a look that, at first glance, looks much closer to the pre-facelift X50. Passion Red, the exterior colour axed earlier this year in favour of Quartz Black, seems to be coming to Indonesia. 

Similarly, the rear end sees the tail lamps ditch the full-width LED light bar look of our current X50 in favour reusing the older pre-facelift look, albeit with a black gloss full-width element bearing the Geely script. 

The most obvious difference are the 18-inch wheels, have been given a gloss black finish instead of the two-tone gunmetal and silver we find in Malaysia on the X50 Premium and Flagship, though they are still accented by the red-painted brake callipers. Also, interestingly, is the use of GitiComfort F50 tyres instead of the Continental UltraContact UC6 rubber on the Malaysia-spec X50. 

Perhaps this portends an imminent tyre downgrade for our local model too, which even prior to this seemed like a foregone conclusion as Proton has been on something of a tyre-swapping spree since they refreshed the line up with the newer i-GT turbocharged four-cylinder engines for the X70, X90, and S70. 

Under the bonnet we find the BHE-15E engine now commonplace in Proton’s range, though in Indonesia the turbocharged direct injection four-cylinder petrol produces a slightly lower peak power 174PS instead of the X50’s 181PS tune. Peak torque, however, is level at 290Nm, and reaches the front wheels via an identical 7-speed dual clutch transmission.

Stepping inside, it’s all familiar sights with no changes between the X50 and Indoensian-spec Coolray Flagship that are worth mentioning. The cabin bears the same leatherette upholstery in black and ‘Burnt’ red, leather-wrapped steering wheel, an 8.9-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.6-inch central infotainment display, 6-speakers, wireless charger, panoramic sunroof, and even the inclusion of the semi-transparent fold-down sun visor.  

There seems to be no disparity on the safety front either with the Coolray Flagship also getting 6 airbags, a 540-degree camera system, and a full complement of ADAS suite features. 

All in all, quite an interesting addition to the Indonesian market, though we'd be curious to know what the final price will be. There are a few things on the Indonesian-spec X50 that, especially on the styling front, this writer would prefer to see on the X50 in local showrooms. And given that this Coolray will be rolling off assembly lines in Tanjung Malim, it seems at least possible that any alterations seen here could easily be implemented for the Malaysian market as well.