Proton Saga FLX 1.6 SE - coming on 25/11?

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.

The shape of things to come from Proton in the near term

There's a continuous stream of leaked uncovered new Proton lately. This sets the precedence in building up public anticipation and eagerness of the much awaited product. Although the leaked is "unofficial", and perhaps is against the law especially those photoed inside the Proton premise, they do create an excitement for the buying market. The keyword such as Proton P3-21A, Proton Exora Turbo and Proton Saga FLX 1.6 are hot stuff nowadays. Thanks to blogsite like funtasticko, the photos are now can be seen online.

The immediately coming up launch is the Proton Saga FLX SE. Aping the Perodua Myvi SE strategy, the SE version of the Saga comes with bigger engine, as experimented a while back in limited edition Saga FL 1.6l. However, this time around, the bigger capacity car comes with a host of aesthetic enhancement such as more pronounced skirting all around, bigger 15" alloy wheel. A ducktail rear spoiler and smoked rear light complete the exterior makeover. In the cabin, the seats are now upholstered in leather trim.

The 1.6l Campro IAFM engine is paired with the CVT transmission, just like the Saga FLX 1.3l. The launch is said to be either end of this month or in December. The price will definitely be cheaper than the smaller-bodied and smaller-engined Perodua Myvi SE/Extreme but the final figure remained to be seen.

Another coming up model is the updated Proton Exora MPV. In less than 3 years in its life-cyle, the not-so popular Proton MPV is sets for its mid-life facelift and will gained a new drivetrain too. There's have been so much talked about the Campro Turbo engine, so this is the first model to receive such powertrain. Drive is expected to be channeled via the CVT gearbox too as the Saga FLX. The drivetrain will preview what we will see in the Proton P3-21A, a global car. Apart from the revised engine, the MPV will received a facelift too. New front bumper is already seen with different air intake arrangement. Rear disc brake will be featured too. Rear bumper will be garnished with blackened lower panel like the Proton Inspira. The revised MPV is rumoured to be called Exora BOLD. If  this is true, perhaps it is the disease infected from Perodua, a trend in calling the car with certain petname behind the main naming system. More after the jump.

Proton Saga FLX vs Perodua Myvi vs Hyundai i10 by CBT

Ever wondered what is the best car for your RM50k? For the price bracket, there's not much choice, and not much point to choose other than the national cars and the locally-assembled budget car. They are a much better and reliable choice than buying a dying old banger.

CBT runs the test to help you in choosing the right car for this budget. Ultimately, what they concluded is the Proton Saga FLX has the best interior and boot space due to its sedan body, Hyundai i10 has the best interior quality, Perodua Myvi triumphed on equipment level, the lithe i10 suprisingly topped the performance and handling, and the overall winner, after everything considered, is Proton Saga FLX.

The article can be found at CBT website and Motor News Magazine #6. Summary of the articles can be found after the jump and belong to CBT.

Proton Saga FLX - pricing details

Microsite for the new Saga FLX is now up and running at epicsaga and Proton Edar website. The official launch will be on August 1, as indicated in the microsite. However, the full model line-up and pricing has been announced.

Saga FLX comprises of 4 model range, made up of Manual transmission and CVT, both comes in Standard or Executive guise. The Campro IAFM 1.3 lump produced 94bhp@5750 rpm and 120Nm@4000 rpm. Power and torque figures are similar to Saga FL but peak power was produced at lower rev compared to at  6000rpm for Saga FL Campro lump. This could be due to an improved IAFM. Due to lower engine speed  too, fuel consumption at constant 90km/h is 5.7 l/100km and 6.0 l/km for manual and CVT respectively, are 5% better than Saga FL. 

For pricing, Standard model starts at RM38,148 for MT and RM41,148 for CVT. Executive model, which comes with ABD with EBD and dual airbags cost RM41,948 for MT and RM44,548 for CVT. All prices are for solid color. Metallic paint required additional RM400. The car comes in 5 color choice; Solid White, Tranquility Black, Genetic Silver, Blue Rock and new Elegance Brown.

The car can be booked from now on. So head to your Proton agents for a 1.3l car that comes with modern CVT and value for money full-sized sedan body, all yours for less than RM50k! Maybe time is already up for 1.3l Hatchback car that comes only with 4 speed auto transmission!

Proton Saga FLX - price starts at RM38,598

More details of Saga FLX start to filter through the net, which can be found from Funtastickodesign and Arenakereta. From the brochure there are basically 4 version of Saga FLX. There are Standard and Executive model, where each got a manual and CVT option.The CVT, as expected came from Punch as rumored. Does this means that the rumors of  6 speed manual with Getrag will materialize too with Persona R? With the existence of Manual transmission, does this means that there is no more Saga FL?  

More details after the jump.

Proton Saga FLX

Seems that the launch of Proton Saga CVT is inching closer. The car will gets an improved IAFM, combined with CVT gearbox. Not sure yet if this combination is available for both 1.3 and 1.6. Anyway below are the photos.

Similar face to the FL version as the facelift is very recent

 More photos after the jump