The Malaysian automaker Proton has designed a surprisingly rugged-looking pickup, they call it the Proton Pickup Truck and it looks like a baby Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. Proton’s Arena AKA the Proton Jumbuck in the Australia, United Kingdom and Taiwan, is a simple front drive platform with a solid, twisting beam rear axle. The Arena and Jumbuck were one of Proton’s more popular exports.
There’s a good chance that this vehicle has a 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder that makes around 85 horsepower.
This Proton Pickup Truck Concept is based on Proton’s Exora minivan and, while looking off-road worthy, it’s still a front-wheel drive vehicle. It is housed at the Proton Styling Studio in Malaysia. While there may have been several ideas “borrowed” from the Ford Raptor, it still gives this little truck some visual bite.
This past weekend the public was invited to the Alami Proton event, where the Proton Pickup Truck Concept was on display.
Perhaps it looks too much like a Ford Raptor. Still, you cannot deny that Proton may be on to something here. The entire front-end design looks like it was cribbed from an early sketch of the Ford Raptor. The ride height and tires certainly look off road worthy. The who enchilada even looks a bit like the new Toyota Tacoma in profile.
Before some of you chime in and blast this idea, consider this: the Honda Ridgeline was a very popular truck in the North American market for a few years. The idea that a truck this size is better off with a frame and rear-wheel dive may be lost on those who have driven a “Ute” before. Ute’s are basically car-based/unit-bodied vehicles that are slightly more car than truck. Despite that, they haul and tow an impressive amount.
Looking at the Proton Pickup Truck Concept, it looks like Proton wants to (at least) match the performance of last generation’s Honda Ridgeline. I could be wrong.
Regardless, this concept represents an aggressive step in macho styling. I think that, with a bit of discretion, a design like this could seduce a few fans in the United States. Being that Proton is completely out of our region, even if we wanted it, the Proton Pickup Truck Concept will never be sold on our shores.
Still, if enough people like the look and the general idea of a Ute, maybe pickup trucks like this will be in showrooms in the near future.
What do you think?
Speaking of small pickup trucks…
worldwide.
