Proton P3-21A spied totally uncovered!

The Proton P3-21A has now reached the P1-2 stage where the components are mostly production intent. The car is said to enter PP phase in February 2012 before the official launch in April 2012. Its still long way to go. However yesterday, a photo of a yellow-colored Proton P3-21A leaked to the internet. The car has every design cues we have seen so far, including the headlamp with LED DRL, and a radiator grill design that was leaked separately sometimes back. I am not so sure with the legitimacy of the photos as it could be from Proton premise's. The photo can be seen from several website. Links as below:

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

Link 4

For previous spyshots of Proton P3-21A, refer to my previous postings.

Proton Persona R (P3-21A) at Petronas Section 27, Shah Alam

Proton Persona R (P3-21A) spied with more detail

Proton Persona R (P3-21A) spied near COE

Proton Persona R (P3-21a) spied again

Proton P3-21A chassis - preliminary design analysis

Persona R (P3-21A) – what we know for now?

Toyota Avanza 2012 - technical review

Toyota Indonesia revealed all the details of the all-new Toyota Avanza today, together with its sibling Daihatsu Xenia. The new Avanza is available in 1.3l in E and G version, in either 5 speed manual or 4 speed automatic transmission. The 1.5G meanwhile is available in manual transmission only. The range topper is called Avanza Veloz, which comes with 1.5l drivetrain paired to either manual or automatic gearbox. All the variants are differentiated by the accesories level.

The most basic model is 1.3E. This version is available in both manual and auto box. This version does away with fog lamps and build-in side indicator in side mirror. The garnishing on the bumper is deleted too. The interior is two-tone beige and dark grey theme. The instrument panel gets no audio systems at all.

1.3G Instrument Panel

Opting for G version will gets you a chrome hood garnish (body coloured on E version), foglamp with surrounding garnish and in case of 1.5G, a side-mirror repeater. The 1.3E and 1.3G are differentiated by inclusion of alarm system, rear roof spoiler, side moulding, rear reverse sensor, alloy wheel (covered steel wheel on E), 1 DIN audio system with 4 speakers and vanity mirror. Going an increased capacity in 1.5G trim will buy you, of course a 1.5 VVTi engine, integrated double DIN audio system with classier silver finishing and 15" alloy wheels. The cabin for both version is still two-tone as per 1.3E. Double blower is available even for the entry level E model.


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1.5G Instrument Panel

1.3G Front End Styling

Toyota Avanza & Daihatsu Xenia introduced in Indonesia

*Updated on 9th November with new launch photos, interior photos and variant detail - Read more

The new 2012 Toyota Avanza and Daihatsu Xenia were introduced simultaneously at Pasific Place Jakarta today. The outgoing Avanza and Xenia were the biggest seller for these two companies in Indonesia between 2004 till today, where 981,230 units were sold between them, where 681,035 of that was contributed by the Avanza model. The new Avanza and Xenia was said to be designed as a perfect solution for current family needs in the region where both features a revamped exterior and interior styling, and enhanced in equipment and features.

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The details of each model, together with the pricing will be revealed in November 9th. More launch photos and variant detail after the jump.

Proton in Global Motorsport Arena - Satria Neo S2000

PROTON is clearly intensified its turnaround plan and strategizing a global attack on automotive arena. Apart from launching a series of credible car recently, the image building activities is buzzing actively too. The highest profile would be the involvement with LRGP F1 team where the F1 theme is used prominently in Proton advertising. Capitalizing the Lotus (other way around actually as Lotus is owned and funded by our national car company) name, Proton is featured is the advertisement and sponsored event. 

Closer to the affordable car, Proton cars are being run in FIA Rally Championship and British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). The participation in FIA APRC was ran by Mellors Elliot Motorsport, while the participation in BTCC was handled by Welch Motorsport where they fielded Proton Persona BTCC. The car is still new and developing and the success is still yet to come. However, the rally effort started much earlier in 2008 and by now already bags the success. For this category, Proton Satria Neo was chosen, and was adapted according to new FIA S2000 classification where the road going-based car is allowed to have either 1.6l forced-fed or a 2.0l NA. 

Last weekend, Proton bags the manufacturer championship for APRC, leaving Mitsubishi and Subaru trailing in its wake. The Satria Neo S2000 has been a dominant force this season, winning four out of six round it participated along the 2011. Proton Satria Neo as chosen as it has the ideal dimensions to be the base car for the rally, as the car body hard-points can't be altered as it violates the regulation. Most modern car today are tall-body to maximise space, not so with Satria Neo. It was designed from the outset to be sporty hatchback in Proton range, hence its low-slung stance. This is perfect for racing as it present the lowest frontal area. Short overhang and cab-rearward stance rewards great weight distribution. These are the criteria that makes Satria Neo such as credible baseline model to rallying. Mellors Elliot Motorsport has modified the car to S2000 regulation, altering the customary bodyshell fit for rallying, modified the Waja-derived 1.8l and massaged the internals to produce a reliable 278bhp and drop-in the 4WD drivetrain and Xtrac 6 speed gearbox. Enjoy the write-up below on the technicalities of Proton Satria Neo S2000.

The Satria Neo S2000 was build around the new S2000 category according to FIA classification. The S2000 is divided into two, the first one is the turbocharged 1.6l while the second one is NA 2.0l. S2000 Satria Neo conformed to the latter. Full classification accepted for FIA rallying is as tabulated. 

Proton Satria Neo S2000 made it rally debut at Rallye Antibes Cote d'Azure in November 2008 where it was piloted by Bryan Bouffier. In that leg, it finished 18th in its debut. First podium for Satria Neo S2000 arrived in December 2009 at IRC Rally of Scotland when Alister McRae was awarded second place. In 2011, Satria Neo S2000 dominates the season by winning four out of six rounds of APRC. Alister McRae took the APRC driver's championship while team mate Chris Atkinson is second in table , making it 1-2 for driver's championship for Proton drivers. Proton also clinches the manufacturer crown ahead of the Mitsubishi and Subaru.

More after the jump.

Proton bags two award at RAC Future Car Challenge 2011

Proton bags two awards at RAC Future Car Challenge 2011 - from Brighton to London last Saturday. Courtesy of Proton Exora REEV, Proton won the Most Efficient Multi-Purpose Car (Prototype) and Best Overall Extended Range Vehicle (E-REV). The latter award is however shared with Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, a car that comes from the global automotive leader with bottomless technology bin and pockets. 

Proton team at RAC Future Car Challenge 2011- pic from Paultan

Proton fielded two more car for the event, namely Proton Persona REEV and Proton Saga EV. All three cars were equipped with Proton latest technology in electric and range extender drivetrain developed in conjunction with Frazer-Nash. Where the SAGA is full EV, Persona and Exora REEV is supplemented by Wankel engine tasked to recharge the depleting battery on the go. Proton Persona REEV was just completed in Proton Bristol, UK, with just days to spare before the event. With much better aerodynamics and lower inertia than the  Exora REEV, the Persona REEV was expected to clinch something significant this year. Only to be relegated into "it's not meant to be" destiny eventhough the Persona REEV reached the finishing line of 92km journey with 8 minutes to spare, with its Wankel engine kicked in for just 4.5 minutes when the battery was completely discharged. In comparison, Exora REEV has its gasoline engine running for 34 minutes in last year challenge. But a glitch with data collection system and the Persona REEV is not included in final tabulated results. Full results after the jump.