since 1976
since 1976
National carmaker PROTON continued the next chapter of the PROTON 10,000 sMILEs Expedition with a cross-border drive from Sabah into Brunei, placing strong emphasis on real-world performance, fuel efficiency and everyday drivability across one of Borneo’s most important regional routes.
The convoy of 10 PROTON vehicles travelled from Kota Kinabalu through Beaufort before entering Brunei, bringing together the Proton Saga, Proton X50 and Proton S70 to demonstrate how PROTON vehicles perform under realistic ownership conditions in East Malaysia and Brunei — including long highway stretches, town driving, border procedures, stop-and-go traffic and extended-distance cruising.
More than a long-distance drive, the Sabah-to-Brunei route also reflected the close friendship, shared heritage and longstanding relationship between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam, highlighting how mobility can bring communities, businesses and people together across borders while supporting the broader spirit of Visit Malaysia 2026.
Real-World Performance and Fuel Efficiency in Action
At the core of the expedition was PROTON’s commitment to demonstrating vehicle capability under real road conditions. Throughout the Sabah-to-Brunei route, the Proton Saga, Proton X50 and Proton S70 were driven across a varied mix of highways, urban roads, border-stop environments and long-distance cruising stretches, allowing the convoy to showcase not only driving confidence and comfort, but also strong fuel economy in conditions that closely reflect real customer usage.
The Proton Saga continued to reinforce its role as Malaysia’s iconic sedan, combining practicality, dependable performance and fuel efficiency for long-distance travel. Powered by a i-GT 1.5L engine paired to a CVT transmission, the vehicle demonstrated its suitability as an economical and reliable companion for daily commuting, family use and interstate journeys. Features such as a 420L boot space, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, reverse camera and parking sensors further supported everyday convenience throughout the expedition.
The Proton S70 reinforced its position as Malaysia’s sporty sedan for modern long-distance journeys, pairing refined highway performance with everyday practicality. Equipped with an i-GT 1.5 turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the vehicle demonstrated strong fuel efficiency and long-distance touring capability despite the combination of highway driving, town traffic and cross-border travel conditions. Its spacious cabin, 500L boot capacity, 360° HD Camera with 3D Display and remote engine start further enhanced comfort and convenience throughout the drive.
The Proton X50, Malaysia’s King of SUVs, demonstrated confident and responsive performance across changing road environments. Powered by its a i-GT 1.5 turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the vehicle delivered strong driving confidence, ride comfort and stability throughout the route. Its performance across highways, urban sections and border-stop conditions reflected the X50’s balance of power, refinement and practical fuel economy for real-world SUV ownership. Advanced driver assistance systems including Intelligent Cruise Control, Lane Change Assist, Lane Departure Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert enhanced confidence across varied road conditions, while features such as the 360° HD Camera with Transparent View and Auto Park Assist added convenience during urban and border-stop driving.
Elevated Customer Experience at OBM Automobil Beaufort
Before continuing the cross-border leg into Brunei, the convoy made a stop at PROTON OBM Automobil Beaufort, where the dealership’s newly refreshed corporate identity was unveiled.
More than a visual upgrade, the refreshed showroom reflects PROTON’s ongoing commitment to elevating the customer experience — from a more welcoming retail environment to improved engagement touchpoints aligned with PROTON’s evolving retail standards. The stop also provided customers, dealer representatives and KOLs with the opportunity to experience PROTON vehicles up close in a setting designed to better reflect modern ownership expectations.
Strengthening Malaysia–Brunei Relations Through Meaningful Engagement
Upon arrival in Brunei, the convoy concluded its cross-border journey with a customer and stakeholder engagement session at Econ Motors Showroom, bringing together customers, local communities, dealer representatives and stakeholders in a celebration of regional connection through mobility.
The Brunei chapter carried added significance with the presence of key representatives from Brunei Tourism, alongside senior officials from both Malaysia and Brunei, including His Excellency Datuk Mohd Aini Atan, the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Brunei Darussalam.
As part of the engagement, tokens of appreciation were presented to Brunei Tourism, PAD Motors and both Guests of Honour, reflecting the strong spirit of collaboration, regional partnership and goodwill shared between the two nations.
Beyond showcasing vehicles, the Sabah-to-Brunei chapter demonstrated how mobility can support broader economic and tourism connectivity between neighbouring nations. Through dealership engagement, customer participation and cross-border collaboration, the initiative underscored PROTON’s role not only as an automotive brand, but also as a bridge that strengthens business relationships, tourism opportunities and people-to-people connections across Borneo.
Supporting Regional Connectivity Through Mobility
More than a vehicle showcase, the PROTON 10,000 sMILEs Expedition reflects the broader role of mobility in connecting people, communities and economies across Borneo. Supported by local dealer and distribution partners, the initiative continues to strengthen PROTON’s presence in Brunei while reinforcing long-term customer engagement across the region.
The expedition also aligns with the broader spirit of Visit Malaysia 2026 by promoting Borneo as a connected regional destination, where road travel can contribute to tourism growth, stronger local economies and deeper cultural exchange.
“This chapter of the PROTON 10,000 sMILEs Expedition reflects how mobility goes beyond transportation — it is about connecting people, places and communities across borders,” said Dato’ Ir. Abdul Rashid Musa, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of PROTON. “The Sabah-to-Brunei journey allowed us to demonstrate the fuel efficiency, comfort, intelligent technologies and long-distance confidence of our vehicles under real-world driving conditions, while strengthening PROTON’s relationship with Brunei and the wider Borneo region.”
The PROTON 10,000 sMILEs Expedition will continue with upcoming rounds across Sarawak, featuring public engagements, cultural activations, dealer collaborations and immersive driving experiences designed to bring communities closer while celebrating the unique spirit of Borneo.
For more information, latest convoy locations and upcoming public activities, customers can follow PROTON Cars Official across all major social media platforms and visit participating PROTON outlets throughout the campaign.
