Proton Persona SV Launched - Just RM44,938

Proton today launched Persona SV, essentially a super-value version of its running Proton Persona with the price on the decrease and equipment level  increase. The price starts from RM44,938 for the manual, solid version and increasing to RM48,388 for the metallic paint version with 4AT transmission. This is about RM2,500 cheaper then the Proton Persona Elegance Standard, which was the sole version remaining on sale after the introduction of Proton Preve.

For the price cut, you'll lose, er nothing, instead you'll get dual SRS airbags (instead of one in the Persona Standard), disc brake all around (instead of rear drum) combo with ABS+EBD. There's no unpainted exterior trim part, whereby the trunk lid garnish and door outside handle is finished in matte silver. 15" alloy wheel is standard fixture too. The side mirror (color coded) is manual operated, and there is no door visor and exhaust garnish.

Thus, for the price of Perodua Myvi which by the way is just 3.6m long and has 200L boot space and powered by 1.3L engine, you can opt to buy a full sedan body with 430L of boot space, powered by 1.6L engine and suspension by independent suspension all around, which is a rarity in the segment.

Admittedly it is an old model, originally launched in 2007. It was based on 2004 Proton Gen2, which Proton heavily re-engineered the body structure for the notchback insertion and total makeover of the interior. Based on the experience in the flesh, the car does feel a bit ageing and quite outdated, but this is quite common with all Malaysian makes regardless of either Proton or Perodua. Gallery can be found after the jump. 

Proton Persona SV - Cut Price Sedan Coming

Taking the leaf out from ultra successful Proton Saga SV, the 6 year-old Proton Persona is set to receive similar treatment. Currently only available in standard guise at only RM47,533 for manual and RM50,533 for the automatic version, it is about to be joined (or superceeded) by the Persona SV variant.

We don't know the details on how far the car is going to be re-specced, as the current Persona Standard is already been pared down with the equipment level and unpainted part and sitting on wheel cover, covering the 15" wheel with drums brakes at the back, and we know Proton does not compromise safety device anymore these days, so your guess is as good as ours in this new variant specification.

In June, Proton Holdings launched Proton Saga SV, which became the cheapest sedan on sale at mere RM33k. Sales soared to over 22,000 unit within four months so similar trend is expected for the larger Persona.

It is coming your way in a few days time. Stay tune.

Proton Persona - used car scenario

Proton Persona was introduced to Malaysian market in July 2007, and subsequently was officially launched in August 2007. The sedan was derived from the Proton Gen2 Hatchback, with a host of improvement to further enhance if effectiveness as family sedan, and to rectify the shortcoming of its Gen2 donor model. Prior to its facelift in March 2010, the car has received in its Campro engine with the introduction of IAFM. With the next generation of Persona looming around, scheduled to arrive in April 2012, it is a good time to buy the Proton Persona, which can be considered as very good value, in terms of bang perbuck, before the model is phased out and considered as buying "an old generation model".

Introduction of Proton Persona

The car was officially launched in August 2007. Persona is very much based on Gen2 model, with thorough engineering work concentrated on the rear end of the car. Side panel has been elongated to accomodate a 430 litres of boot space, and the hatch tailgate has been replaced by multi-link hinged trunk lid. The car is 167mm longer than Gen2 at 4477mm. The revised packaging of the car liberates extra 43mm of headroom and around 40 litres of boot space.

There's more enhancement that the one immediately apparent to the eyes. The multi-link hinge for the boot for example does not impede the boot volume when the trunk is closed, unlike the goose-neck hinge which is used for car like Honda Civic FD. The key cylinder was also thrown in, over the lack of one in Gen2. The interior has been entirely revised with, a tempest grey color scheme for one, and with better looking and greater quality door trim. Glove box was thrown in too for good measure. Read more after the jump.