Proton R3 Satria hot-hatch preview
February 19, 2008 by George Skentzos
Proton is set to revive its hot Satria model, planning a sneak-peek of the new Proton R3 Satria at next weeks Melbourne Motor Show.
The original Proton Satria GTi and limited-edition R3 hot-hatches have acquired a small cult-following around the world largely due to their aggressive styling and competent track day capabilities.
The next generation is expected to bypass the GTi insignia in favour of the more potent R3 branding, which stands for Race, Rally, and Research.
Led by former Lotus engineer and race driver Tengku Djan Ley, development of the R3 has included a new aggressive aerokit, sports suspension and a high performance powerplant.
Previous generations used a lackluster Mitsubishi-sourced 1.8-litre naturally aspirated powerplant, which produced less than stunning performance. Owners keen to capitalize on the foundations of the GTi and R3 have been known to transplant the powertrain from an Evolution which has yielded more than impressive results.
As the hot-hatch becomes a more popular choice for new-car buyers, the R3 Satria is set to become Proton’s savior. Here’s hoping they take the namesake seriously and produce a car worthy of hot-hatch status.
Print it: 
Too late proton, still uninspiring……
Great, but looks cheap. I have no doubt that it will be a decent package though.
$12,999.00 drive away would make it a choice, other wise any number of other hatches out there in the marketplace will do a better job of lasting for probably not many more $
2.0T hopefully
might have potential, it will be tuned by lotus after all, has a chance of being good
certainly looks pretty cool! and the original GTi was a damn fun little car
Hello, here’s the 1993 Mitsubishi Lancer 3 door hatch all over again. Yes, made from the same stamping tools. I wonder how many stars it would get in Euro NCAP? Buyers beware, it’s bound to crash at least as colorfully as a HoldenWoo Barina.
There are currently 91 Proton Satria cars for sale on carsales.com.
Seems that every one ever sold is for sale.
Should tell you something…….
Forgot to add – the Polo GTi would be a far better choice, or a Fiat 500 Abarth, or a Golf GTi, or a ….. well, anything, really :)
ceirtainly a looker dunno whats with all the prejudice. looks better then any fiat if you ask me. Perfomance maybe in doubt but time will tell.
Prejudice stems from it being from Proton (Malaysian), and associating the Satria name with something outdated and old; which the last model was.
so we’ve all driven the new satria’s have we? so we’re all an expert on them? You know there was a time when people use to say that subaru’s where horrible little peices of crap too you know, times change! I’m willing to give proton a go atleast unlike some of the badge babies around here.
And Captain Mainwaring, the satria is actually an all new car, it most definetly is NOT built off the old lancer tooling. Its built off an all new platform developed my lotus no less, not that you would bother to reasearch or anything
Where is the van these guys where/are working on?
Cheers
F-0
The Satria might not have rowed the wheels or modern motor boat but I have driven the last of the older 1.8 models and it went great and handled well quality was not great but hey Hyundai started as a very poor quality car (see the first excels) and look now at what they produce now!
It looks good and yes, Lotus will definitely have a hand in the handling department.
It’s a proton, can’t take it seriously yet.
True, this model can only be better than the last. We hope.
Captain Mainwaring,
I would like to see the source of your claims about this car being produced based on 1993 Mitsubishi “stamping” tools…. take away maybe a couple more years from that, since tooling design and manufacturing/changes takes that long….
And are you saying its made entirely by stamping?. Is this your claim?. Have you access to the parts drawings and/or have inside information from the manufacturing plants or suppliers?… I’m really curious. Because to claim its based on 15 year old tooling, in which would be limited to produce panels or atleast produce panels inefficiently to meet today’s standards…
I’m just really curious, I’m not being a pain in the butt, this is the sort of things I consider in my job…. because a 15 year old tooling??…. maybe underbody parts where the steel grades are generally ultra-high strength… hence doesnt affect side, front and rear crash tests.. and if it did, Proton definitely has a disadvantage as new tooling these days are much cheaper… well. depends on manufacturer/supplier… than the older ones… again maybe underbody?
Captain – Jamisons off on one again..questions questions question.
Jamisons – i’m certain Captain Mainwarning is alluding to the PREVIOUS model satria which WAS built off the old lancer stamping, and was actually little more then a re-badged version of the old lancer. However poor old captain can’t keep up to date with the latest developments of the automotive world and doesn’t realise that proton stoped using that old mitsu technology over 5 years ago now and that the new satria is a completely new model and has NOTHING at all in common with the old satria
Richo is right…the new satria is no longer based on the old mitsu platform. I’ll have to say its a commendable effort from the malaysia manufacturer, showing off their connection with lotus and that the’re capable of making a nice little hot (ok maybe warm) hatch. But they need to improve their interior and overall quality coz currently its just rubbish. If they can nail the quality and come up with some better looking vehicles then maybe the australian public will have less prejudice towards that Proton badge.
change the insignia as well, it sucks
gee you guys are harsh…. Do you really think the car looks so bad ? Nice call about the Subaru’s they were bit’s of crap. Australian built cars are not a lot better.
For the right price it’s an option.
BTW, the POLO has to be one of the ugliest cars I have ever seen… $55K for an R32, ouch !
i have the 2001 model gti and it is an awesome car to drive. handles like its on rails.. i believe these cars need more performance example torque is needed. the 01 models are a 103k.w 164nm of torque… i believe to make the new R3 successful it should have at least an impressive 1.8T or a 2.0T …. other than that i believe people underestimate its protons… im not saying protons are best cars but top of the rang of a proton is awesome… its just like comparing a RX with a WRX easy as that….
I read in the norwegian newspaper VG that the former world champion in rally Petter Solberg talks with the Proton factory about driving their Protons Satria S 2000 in the 2010 championship.
What can i say, it’s awsome.
I heard that proton installed CPS engine in neo at malaysia.
i’ts sound good by improving technology of campro engine.