According to Facebook page of Proton EON Berhad, the Proton Saga FLX 1.6 SE is coming on 25th November 2011. The car is estimated to be priced below RM50,000. For comparison, the Proton Saga FL 1.6 was priced at RM46,549.
The Saga FLX SE is powered by the CAMPRO IAFM 1.6l engine producing 108bhp@5750 rpm and 150Nm@4000rpm. The engine is paired with the CVT gearbox with 6 preset ratios. The car has a healthy 14bhp and 30Nm over its smaller powered siblings. However, the FLX SE is also 15kg heavier than Saga FL Executive CVT.
The FLX SE is differentiated from FLX with the addition of all-around skirting in contrasting color, smoked monotone rear lights, leather upholstery as well as a nicer and bigger 15" alloy wheels and 195/50 tyre. The 1.3l FLX rides on 185/60 R14. The interior ambiance is altered with satin black finishing on door inside handles, aircon vent and centre console panel.
The Saga FLX SE also have some added performance advantage over the smaller-engined FLX, with 12.5 seconds century sprint and 165 km/h of top speed, which is 2 seconds less pedestrian (its all relative terms here) and 10 km/h faster compared to CVT-geared 1.3l Saga FLX. Fuel consumption is rated at 6.7 l/100km, slightly more than the referenced FLX at 6.3.
The car should give an option for those aspiring and can afford a slightly more expensive Saga. For the price of below RM50k, the car is quite close to the baseline Proton Persona. Based on industry spybird, the baseline Persona will continue to soldier on after the P3-21A launch. This is perhaps to give an intermediate segment ranging from RM45k to RM60k. This is conformed when Proton repeatedly mentioned that P3-21A is not Persona replacement so it is speculated the new global sedan will be priced much higher.
Well, RM50k sounds really good value, especially when lined up next to Perodua Myvi SE/Extreme, which is powered by smaller 1.5l engine channeled its drive via conventional torque converter gearbox with only 4 forward ratios, encased in smaller hatchback body and priced at over RM50k. However, the new Myvi is way better in the refinement ( Saga is a bit rough in its drive), has much more modern interior design ( Saga is a bit archaic in comparison even considering is 2008 launched year) and overall, a bit sportier looking. Anyway, lets the market decide.
If you like what you are seeing, please do not hesitate the consult the salesman featured in that page. The brochure from the above Facebook page can be found after the jump.
Proton Saga FLX SE 1.6 brochure:
