Spied: AMA02 Proton Saga Cross - Two variants in Malaysia, including first look at 5-lug wheel design

Fresh spy photos of the AMA02 Proton Saga Cross have surfaced in Malaysia, offering the clearest look yet at the upcoming compact crossover-style model and suggesting that Proton may be testing at least two different variants at the same time.

The latest images were shared on Threads by several individual accounts and resposted by our friends over at Funtasticko. They also provide the first known look at the model with a 5-lug wheel arrangement, a detail that stands out, considering that the Saga Cross is based on the AMA platform that currently underpins the Saga MC3, itself gets a 4-lug design.

For what it's worth, it's a similar arrangement for the Perodua Ativa and its hybrid equivalent - the regular turbocharged Ativa gets a 4x100 lug nut arrangement, while the hybrid variant gets a 5x100 lug nut arrangement.

Latest spyshots suggest the Saga Cross AMA 02 is being developed with a hatchback-crossover profile, featuring a relatively low ride height and a body that appears longer than a conventional compact hatchback.

The side-view images also appear to show two separate test units. Based on their different rim designs, rear spoilers and the presence of roof rails on one car but not the other, the pair is widely believed to represent different powertrain and/or trim configurations.

The Saga Cross AMA 02 is understood to be based on Proton’s Advanced Modular Architecture, or AMA platform. It is expected to be offered with two powertrain choices: a naturally aspirated internal combustion engine and a hybrid system.

For the ICE version, rumours point at the same engine that powers the Saga MC3, in this case, the 1.5-litre i-GT four-cylinder BHE15 unit, producing 120 PS and 150 Nm. This could be the entry-level powertrain for the AMA02 Saga Cross.

The hybrid variant is expected to use a 1.5-litre Dedicated Hybrid Engine (DHE), rated at 82 kW and 136 Nm, matched with a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT).

According to information cited by local spy sources, the Saga Cross AMA 02 may be launched with four variants in total, including one HEV derivative.

Production preparations are also said to be under way at Proton’s Tanjung Malim facility. Trial production is expected to begin around August, with mass production projected to start at the end of October.