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By
EWAN KENNEDY in Kuala Lumpur
3 December 2007
Proton, the Malaysian car maker, has long enjoyed the
benefits of working with the British sports car marque of Lotus. Because
Lotus provides the chassis dynamics for Proton models, and also adds
that certain something called character.
Character that’s not easy to define, indeed non-car people
might find it impossible to comprehend that a vehicle can be said
to have personality in the first place. But the latest Proton, the
Persona sedan, has it in spades and those who like to drive will
revel in the way it handles the road and responds to commands
through the steering wheel and pedals almost as though it is a
sports car.
However, they may not be particularly impressed with the engine
response. While smooth and willing enough, the engine could do
with a bit more power and torque. This isn’t unusual for Proton
cars and is partly a factor of the well known fact that a good
chassis is one that’s always crying out for more grunt.
In any case this may be less of a drawback than in the past.
Because Australian drivers are finally leaning to the point of
view of the Europeans. Over there they are more interested in
reducing fuel consumption than in beating everyone else away from
the traffic lights, so it’s not uncommon to see engine sizes one
or two stages down on those considered normal in Australia. Now
that fuel is becoming pricey in Australia we too are going for the
benefits of either smaller petrol engines or diesel powerplants.
Officially measured fuel consumption in the Persona is 6.3
litres per hundred kilometres with a manual gearbox and 6.6 with
an automatic transmission, impressively low figures.
The 1.6-litre, twin-cam, four-cylinder engine in the upcoming
Proton Persona has been improved over the original that we have
tested in other models in the range. In particular the torque
graph has been widened to make the engine stronger in all
conditions and more capable in hillclimbing. Incidentally, that
revised engine was introduced to the Gen.2 hatch earlier in the
year but we haven’t re-tested it as yet.
Transmissions are five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.
In some ways the new Persona is virtually a four-door sedan
version of the existing Gen.2 five-door hatchback. While the side
on styling is significant, with a coupe-like profile that works
nicely, the front is virtually a carryover from Gen.2 apart from
the use of a different bumper bar. The tail is longer, of course,
but shares its lights with the hatchback.
Headroom in all seats is better than in the Gen.2, thanks
mainly to the longer roof, but also by a lower design of seat.
Though four adults can be carried, if they are of Aussie, rather
than Malaysian, size they will have to compromise on legroom.
Boot space, at 430 litres is very good and is assisted by the
use of a space-saver spare wheel.
Oh, and there's a glovebox in the Persona, a feature strangely
missing from the Gen.2 hatch…
Exact specifications and pricing for the Proton Persona have
yet to be finalised and will be announced shortly before, or at
the car’s unveiling at the Melbourne Motor Show on February 28
next year.
Expect it to come with a very high level of standard equipment
in the manner to which we have become accustomed in Proton cars
over the years. Alloy wheels, power windows and door mirrors, ABS
brakes with electronic brake distribution, cruise control (only
with the automatic transmission) and reverse parking sensors seem
like the minimum we will see in the new Persona when it comes to
Australia.
Prices will probably be similar to that of the Gen.2 hatchback,
which currently has a recommended retail price starting at just
$16,990 with a manual gearbox and $18,990 when sold with an
automatic transmission.
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Marque Publishing Company
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