Proton Perdana Spyshots & Its Motherhood Story

Much has been said about the new Proton Perdana. It has been an ill-fated project since the mid of last decade and until today it is yet (albeit assumed nearly) to materialize. The original model was introduced back in 1995 to provide an upgraded mobility for the Malaysia aspire to own the stuff like Honda Accord. Things soared to a great success back then with many, many unit sold.

As I recalled, Proton glory days then are over. So are all the mega car plan. The earlier effort was in tandem with the defunct Proton MSX, but canned indefinitely The the resurrection plan was announced to the public with the old bed-partner Mitsubishi Galant and finally there was a hurrah on Nissan Fuga too. Volkswagen Passat was also mentioned somewhere somehow in between. Then Proton shocked everyone by announcing Honda deals, and Perdana-badged on a generation-old Honda Accord soon hits the (government) street.

For the civilian model, Proton said they have re-designed the car in total. How total is that remains to be seen. But judging from this latest spy photos, the changes are quite there.

Comparing it with the 2008 Honda Accord, it can be seen the design lineage is still there. Look at the A-pillar shape and its angle together with the front door cut-out, the car is still visibly carrying large chunk of Accord chassis there. The location of door outside handle, for both front and rear too mimics the positioning on its older Japanese brother. Ditto for the metal trailing edge of the rear door. However the rear door top opening possibly has been altered, together with the redesigning of the C-pillar. The whole rear appears longer then the donor car.

I am not sure if Proton still lengthen the car still, as the old Accord is pretty much "whale-like" already at 4,940mm. Inching to 5m magical mark won't be a case more than extra stroke of styling lines.

The front area will no doubt features Proton trade-mark fascia of wing-like grille ornaments with headlight fixed on the same similar like. Whether it is going to be elaborated like Iriz or subtle like Preve remains to be seen. 

The rear end is described by someone who has seen it as "has a hint of Jaguar". However, I take it as layman description as there is a similarity in Proton Preve rear fascia with the current crops of Jaguar too.

Powertrain-wise, do expect Honda powerplant to stay on. If miracle happens, the Malaysia-design Petronas engine could make it appearance. But since the NE01 is yet to make it launch in its intended market, don't hope too much.

In one of the interview with Paultan, Tun Mahathir says “For high end cars – Nissan has Infiniti, Toyota has Lexus. The Perdana will be our high end car". High expectation indeed.

Interior Photos of Proton Perdana Limousine

 

The Prime Minister of Malaysia launched the new Proton Perdana last week for the consumption of the government officials and of course, himself and his deputy included. The car comes in both 2.0L and 2.4L version as it is in its previous life as Honda Accord. The exterior styling change is very mild, concentrating on the new front bumper and grille assembly while the trunk lid trimmings has been suitably updated. The detail change of the exterior can be seen in MMN previous post, HERE.

As for the interior, Proton has put its own emblem on the steering wheel while the rest is carried over wholesomely from the Alor Gajah's made Honda Accord. The instrument panel, centre console, gear panel and pretty much everything is familiar. Where Proton works their art is for the limousine version for the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.

Similar in trend with Proton's previous limousine, the rear passenger compartment is isolated from the chauffeur. Proton has inserted the "dashboard panel" to the rear compartment housing the the airconditioning vent and perhaps the sound system too. It looks like the lower part of the dashboard as in the front of the car. There's no fancy gadget and extreme opulence here so perhaps this is just the initial mock-up as it is quite bare.The extended window panel is actually opaque, and it housed the speaker. The legroom is humongous.

The rear seat is strictly for two, and the arm rest panel houses all the controls, presumably for the audio and other comfort item. The seat and door trim are upholstered in two-tone theme. We are still trying to get the details of the extended Proton Perdana such as the detail dimensions and more photos but it does not seem to be possible. 

New Proton Perdana Revealed, Limo Included

Proton today has handed over the first batch of the new Proton Perdana to the Prime Minister in a special event, and set to replace the ageing outgoing model which has been in service since last decade. As the whole world know, the "new" Proton Perdana is a redevelopment of the previous 8th generation Honda Accord from the year 2008. The Honda Accord has been reinterpreted with Proton design touch which include new front grille, new front bumper with heavily chromed front bumper insert ( a bit like the facelifted large Saab) while the rear end retains the old bumper, but the inner reflector on the trunk lid has been removed (ala pre-facelifted US Accord) with the chrome bar intact and the license plate area has been heavily garnished with chrome too. 

For the Prime Minister of Malaysia and the Deputy Prime Minister, Proton has stretched the 8th-gen Honda Accord by significant amount to be a proper limo. However, it is obviously an unseamless stretched job as the the different in height of the front door trailing edge and rear door leading edge can clearly be seen and it is matched with the splintered panel. We don't know how long the wheelbase is extended, but it looks as if it is more than 300mm. The chrome finish on the window surround is removed too.

Also unleashed on the same day is the standard wheelbase version for the new Proton Perdana for other government official use. The standard version is more akin to your cooking Honda Accord although it too receives the similar front and rear end updates. More details after the jump.

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.

Spyshots: Proton Rebadged Honda Accord

Proton Perdana replacement has had a very turbulence gestation period. The replacement model has been in the planning since the days of Proton MSX when the replacement was intended to look like a sedan version of the aluminium crossover. Of course it never happen. Then we started seeing a Mitsubishi 380 with Proton badge, and even the latest Mitsubishi Galant in 2006. Then came the Nissan Fuga thing and finally the freshest of them all is the rebadged Honda Accord. 

So, based on this sighting at Paultan, the government officials are set to drive the recycled Honda Accord. Proton has added their badge the normal place - front grille, steering wheel boss, and the rear fascia. We don't know yet if there's any restyling, but it should be very minor. What do you think? Is it worth it to design the car only to serve government officials? Two more photos after the jump.

Proton launches Proton Preve LE, New Soft Lilac Color, Pandu & Menang Competition

Proton Holdings today launches Pandu & Menang competition that offers a grand total RM400,000 collective worth of prize. The contest period is from today and will run until 17 December 2013. Participation is supremely easy, just head to the nearest Proton showroom and test drive the car. The contest is divided into two areas - one is via SMS, where participants will need to answer two questions correctly and respond in the fastest time to win the Daily Prizes. The other portion of the contest invites participants to take a creative picture with the test drive Proton car and upload it on Facebook.

The latter will enable you to win the Daily and Weekly Prizes comprises of 42' LED TV, electrical gadgets and cash prizes. In addition  SMS contest participants who places a booking and registers his or her car within the contest period will be eligible to win the Grand Prize of the Proton Prevé LE.

Proton also launches two updates on its Preve. We have covered both news yesterday. The first news is the introduction of new color for the existing Proton Preve Executive and Premium called Soft Lilac. Targeting the female audience, Proton Preve in Soft Lilac can be ordered from today onwards.

The second one is the introduction of Proton Preve Limited Edition, or Preve LE in short. Limited to 100 units, the car is decked out in R3 accessories such as 17' alloy wheel and all around skirting, low profile 215/45 tyres, enhanced safety equipment in the shape of curtain airbags and top tether for child seat and the cabin is wrapped in luxurious leather trim upholstering the seat, door trim and console lid. Available only in Solid White, you can get Proton Preve LE from today at RM79,688.

Proton Preve LE - RM79,688 (R3 Kits, 6 Airbags, Only In White)

There's new variant of Proton Preve, and it is destined to sit at the top of the range at RM79,688, merely RM50 more than the top line Proton Suprima S. According to Proton Edar website, Proton Preve LE stands for limited edition with limited unit coming. Justifying its positioning at the top of range, Proton Preve LE is decked out with R3-branded 17' alloy wheel in dark finishing wrapped by low profile 215/45 tyres, added safety features in the form of curtain airbags (6 airbags in total, similar to Proton Suprima S (detail of Proton Suprima launch HERE and driving impression HERE) and top tether for rear seat-mounted child seat, leather upholstery for seats, door trim and centre console lid and all around skirting. The car is available exclusively in Solid White.

At the moment of writing, we are still awaiting for official press release from Proton, however there's a launching of a "Proton Pandu & Menang" contest which Proton Preve LE is the grand prize. So we can expect more details on Proton Preve LE tomorrow.

Soft Lilac - New Color for Proton Preve

We uncovered the new color for Proton Preve last month when the car was spotted on the transporter (refer HERE). The new paint has appeared on Proton Edar website, and it is called Soft Lilac.

Previous photos spied can be found after the jump.

Spot : New Color For Proton Preve?

There could be new color scheme coming for Proton Preve, and it is not in the Proton Edar website just yet. On the way to work on recent morning, I came across a transporter with a bunch of Proton Suprima S, accompanied by one peculiar looking Proton Preve. It is in shade that is unseen before, a very light purple, baby purple I would say. It is a Preve Executive variant. Apart from the new color, the rest are the same. A few photos can be seen after the jump, snapped at SKVE highway.

Proton Suprima 2.0L coming to KLIMS?

It is an open secret that Proton/DRB would want to utilize the engine family bought from Petronas into its stablemate of cars, which potentially can extend to small capacity version of Lotus cars if we think realistically. This is to fully capitalize on the range of technology bought from Petronas for meagre RM63million. Petronas has spent years and years in developing engine know-how with its tied-up with Sauber Petronas Engineering and other associated technology partner, and exhaustively nurtured a world-class engineers  before calling it a day some years back. The engine technology was sold to DRB in December last year.

One of the first car destined to receive the engine is Proton Suprima S. We heard that the concept version of Proton Suprima 2.0L will be showcased at Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show. While we are not sure if this is Proton Suprima R/R3 people are talking about, but surely this is not the hottest of the Petronas engine available. Petronas NE01 modular engine family is available from 1.8L to 2.2L of displacement, with the forced-fed induction integration also available for use. Perhaps the naturally-aspirated 2.0L is the leading case to gauge the market before the rest of the line-up get deployed to the other variants. It is also heard that the engine is already in the final phase of testing whereby mass production stage is as close as ever.

*Photo above is from Theopilus Chin - a rendering of Proton Suprima R

Proton Suprima S Review & Test Drive: The Unpolished Gem

It has been two weeks since Proton Suprima S hits the ground, and Proton itself said Suprima S is about to surpass its target of 750 units sold permonth, so I guess it is quite well received for its niche. I had a go in the car and thinks Suprima S is quite well conceived, albeit still needs some polishing, preferably from the experienced-global hand. There's a lot of likeable points and it represent the best Proton to date.

As an introduction, repeating the launch article (Read all the details of Proton Suprima S HERE) , Proton Suprima S is the hatchback derivative of Proton Preve. It is 107mm shorter while other dimension remain status quo. It comes in two version, all powered the turbocharged 1.6L mill punching 140PS and 205Nm of power and torque and can only be had with CVT gearbox. The cheapest version goes for RM76,388 while the top version won't give much change for your RM80,000.

Now lets unravel Proton Suprima S slowly,start with the styling. Firstly, styling is subjective so there's no correct ugliness or wrong beauty. Personally, since Proton Gen2 and Proton Satria Neo, Proton hardly makes good looking car, as it keeps churning something close to mid 90's Korean design effort from Saga BLM onwards. Things in for a change for Proton Preve, the claim was it was penned by Italdesign Giugiaro although one wonder how dominant that legendary Italdesign was during the process. Fortunately, Suprima S saves Preve element pretty well, as if Preve is the booted version of Suprima S instead of the de-booted of the former. It has to be appreciated under the light reflection of the environment instead of the camera lens. The intricacies of the rear fascia with its intertwined of protruding lights and multi-faceted surfacing actually works well. Trust me, look for one on the road instead of showroom and you'll know it.

Proton redesign the upper and lower grille insert,as well as fog lamp housing

It appears solid, somewhat further accentuated by the 17' alloy wheel which gives it a ground hugging stance. The reverse-angled rear door, chunky C-pillar and the tailgate spoiler gives it a sporty pretension. The over-sized rear bumper lower garnish helps in breaking the visual mass and lightened the rear end appearance, but the totally hidden exhaust make it subdued again. It is visually acceptable, although not arresting one like the Korean, or impart tense-solidity like the European. I still think Proton should employ Royal College of Art student which makes up a good statistic of global-level designer instead of sticking to employing people who graduated from the same town all the way.

The interior wears similar clothes to the 2012 Proton Preve. Key differentiation come by playing color palette. I am not a fans of Preve dashboard, as it has a vast emptiness on its fascias. There's so many unfilled voids as Proton is running out of features that have its switch/button on the dashboard. The dark trim on Preve somewhat masked this (although the small screen infotainment is a glaring flaw), but the cubic-motif silver trim on Suprima S makes the emptiness more obvious. The single surfacing for the dashboard fascia further accentuate this. I am sure if the fascia is broken into at least two planes, one for the audio system while the lower one pushed slightly inwards while accommodating the dials for air conditioning will reduce the empty feeling somewhat. However, good quality plastic used throughout the essential surface and the infotainment is now 7' in size so there's plus points to note.

Although Proton stylist has brightened the central fascia by silver insert, the new found light was clawed back by the high gloss black trim used on the gearknob and steering wheel. The paddle shifter is finished in the same dark color. However, all is not lost. Out goes the water repellent fabric upholstery and in comes a soft leather with good quality feeling. It occupies the seats, door trim and handbrake lever (Premium version only).

Practicality is very good. None of Preve cabin spaciousness is lost in the de-booting process. Not un-like many cars in the budget segment, the painted metal can still be seen in the cabin particularly on the untrimmed surface of the door frame, both front and rear. The boot volume has been reduced by massive 200L down to 309L VDA although the swept volume is still significant 427L provided you can pack your things in plastic bag so that it can be squeezed around. The fully-flat rear seat folding mechanism will come handy when needed.

Driving is height adjustable, but I feel it is a tad too high even at its lowest position. The correct combination of seat and steering could be better but this is no deal-breaker. At all. More discussion point after the jump.

Proton Suprima S Photos In All Colors

Proton Suprima S has been launched yesterday. It is a hatchback version of Proton Preve which debuted last year, and has been pounding our streets for testing for quite sometimes can better known as CH@P3-22A during all the spyshots. You can read all the details about Proton Suprima S in our coverage by following the link HERE. In essence, it is all Preve, except it is 107mm shorter, different interior hue and has a smaller boot of 309L VDA, down 200L from Preve. It has 6 airbags instead of 4 compared to Premium Preve and also Android-powered infotainment system with 7 inch touch screen, and in case of Suprima S Premium, it also comes with anthracite leather upholstery and reverse camera on top of the usual amenities found on Proton Preve Premium. It comes in 5 colors namely Atlantic Blue, Fire Red, Genetic Silver, Solid White and Tranquility Black. You can find the gallery of each color further down the article.

Atlantic Blue (new color)

Fire Red

Genetic Silver

Gallery continues after the jump.