Development of the Proton Prevé was initiated in 2009 under the leadership of the then Managing Director of Proton, Syed Zainal Abidin. Former BMW Vice President of Quality Management R&D, Dr. Wolfgang Karl Epple was also appointed that same year as Proton's Director of Quality. The Proton Tuah, a concept car designed by Giugiaro was exhibited at the 2010 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS). It previewed the various design elements and features in the upcoming Proton Prevé. Proton sought to create a new signature façade with the Prevé. The result is Proton Wings, a unified design element that fuses the headlights, Proton emblem and air-intake grille, giving it a distinctive look of a bird ascending. The Prevé is the first Malaysian-made car to be factory-fitted with LED position lamps. The exterior of the car was styled to sport a reduced drag coefficient in an effort to enhance fuel efficiency.

Aluminum, carbon fiber and glass are the materials that characterize the exterior of the Brivido. The sinuous and aerodynamic lines of the bodywork underline the sporty and elegant character of the Giugiaro-branded grand tourer. The windscreen, roof, rear window and the large door windows form a crystalline dome that allows natural light to flood the passenger compartment, enhancing its refined design, fine finishes and high-tech devices. The solutions adopted for Brivido are practical and achievable. The only concessions at the show were the large door that lifts like a gull wing and the use of LED lighting devices.

For the competitive configuration, miniskirts were adopted, two spoilers were introduced for greater grip on the ground, while changes were made to the design of the bumper and bonnet to lower the aerodynamic coefficient.

An ad hoc shell for those who dock and intend to continue the open-air experience. The little car without doors or roof invites the driver and passengers to enjoy the breeze and the views as if they were on board a boat. Like the fittings of luxury yachts, high quality materials, resistant to atmospheric agents, were used for the interiors of this Mediterranean UP! The striking model realized "spontaneously" between Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro and Walter De Silva, then design manager at Volkswagen Group, was exhibited at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2011.