Proton Saga FLX SE 1.6 - brief driving impression

Proton Saga FLX SE 1.6 has been introduced to expand the range of Saga model by providing customers with a vehicle that has higher engine capacity while at the same time maintaining the mission d'etre of Proton Saga model as an excellent value and affordable car. Powered by the familiar Campro 1.6l with IAFM, the Saga FLX SE comes exclusively paired with the CVT gearbox. To further signify its sporting intention, and to attract the glimpse from the young, the car has been thoroughly fitted with all-around, contrasting skirting, attractive 15" alloy wheels shod in low profile 195/50 tyres. The spacious cabin has been suitably upgraded too. The car has been available from Proton dealer nationwide since 1 December 2011. The price for the new pride is just RM49,449, making it a very propositional value against the fellow national rival, the new Myvi SE/Extreme.

Exterior Styling

The new SAGA FLX SE exterior is as per the Saga FL launched late last year. However, to justify its positioning at the top of the Saga range, and a sporty model at that, the exterior has been suitably beefed up. 

The fog lamp surround and front bumper lip are satin brownish in color. In both Solid White and Fire Red color on offer, the skirting sets a nice contrast with the main body, setting up a unique, lithe appearance. This is accentuates further by the adoption of larger and sportier looking set of alloy wheels, which stands at 15" of diameter.

The rear of the SAGA FLX SE has been added with the duck-tail spoiler, similarly contrasting skirting elements, as well as golden-smoked rear combi. 1.6 SE badging completes the rear makeover. 

The body added-on accessories did light up the dowdy exterior to certain amount. The low-profile 195/50 tyres with thin spoke made the stance more athletic, and the both front and rear lips gave the side profile a light wedge silhouette , lending some air of aggressiveness in its appearance.

Interior Styling

The interior of Proton SAGA FLX SE has been upgraded in typical Proton "SE" fashion, which means leather and in this case, fiery red stitching. The steering wheel rim has been upholstered in leather, with perforated section on the outer edge. Steering button control for audio systems is included too. The accents on steering wheel boss and button panel are satin black in color.More after the jump.

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.