2012 Proton Preve: small flagship sedan debuts

By Tim Beissmann
April 18th, 2012

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The Proton Preve has been unveiled in Malaysia, revealing the new flagship model in the brand’s low-cost line-up.

The Malaysian Prime Minister was on hand at the launch, emphasising the significance of the all-new compact sedan, which represents a generational leap forward for the domestic manufacturer in terms of quality, design, performance, safety and technology.

The Preve (pronounced ‘prae-vae’) will replace the Persona in Proton Australia’s range when it arrives in local showrooms in September, although it promises to be significantly more refined and better equipped to take on popular and more established small sedans like the Mazda3, Toyota Corolla and the Holden Cruze.

Proton Australia has previously confirmed the Preve will come standard with six airbags and electronic stability control (ESC) in our market – a big improvement over the Persona, which has just two airbags and no ESC.

Two models will be offered: the entry-level GX and the range-topping GXR. The GX is powered by an 80kW/150Nm 1.6-litre petrol engine and will be available with either a five-speed manual or a ‘six-speed’ continuously variable transmission (CVT). Accelerating from 0-100km/h takes between 12.0 and 12.5 seconds, and Proton says fuel consumption (measured at a constant 90km/h, not over a combined cycle) ranges from 5.8-6.2 litres per 100km.

The GXR gets a similar 1.6-litre petrol engine, although a low-pressure turbocharger boosts its output to 103kW and 205Nm (between 2000-4000rpm). The engine is teamed exclusively with a ‘seven-speed’ paddle-shift CVT, producing a sprint time of 9.5 seconds and fuel economy of 6.6L/100km.

The Preve becomes the first model to showcase the Proton’s new design language, with the fused headlights and grille to become a signature of the marque going forward. Proton says the “seamless lines and classy curves” of the Proton badge and grille give the Preve “a distinct look of a bird ascending”.

At 4543mm long, 1786mm wide, 1524mm tall and with a wheelbase of 2650mm, the Prevé is a similar size to the Mazda3 sedan, and its 508-litre boot promises to be one of the largest in its class.

In Malaysia, the base model comes standard with front and rear fog lights, USB input, iPod integration and Bluetooth connectivity, while the top-spec model adds automatic headlights and wipers, leather-wrapped steering wheel, satellite navigation, push-button start, cruise control and climate control.

Australian specifications will be revealed closer to the Preve’s local launch in September. The all-new sedan is expected to cost at least as much as the outgoing Persona, which is priced from $16,990 to $18,990 driveaway.

Click the gallery tab to see all the pictures.

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Milsie

Front and side looks OK, rear is a mess. This thing will naturally fall to pieces after a few months of ownership. Make the bank happy and finance just a little extra on something from Korea, Japan or Germany…
- Robo
  
  Have you done any research on that statement about it falling to pieces or you just talking prejudice crap. In Malaysia Proton Sagas are running at ages >15 years old. Yes, they are not the best cars available today, but save yourself the shame and don’t talk rubbish.
  - ?????????
    
    Agree, my parents have a Waja and whilst not the most powerful car on the block, it does their needs admirably and hasn’t cost them a cent.. Sure its not the latest greatest fastest car on the block but I paid $7,000 for it 6 years ago and nothing came close in price or equipment for a retired couples run around.
    Unlike the Outback I bought them that has cost an arm and a leg to maintain over the same period….
  - Real Malaysian
    
    yeah! the ones still alive after that long are the rebadged Mitsus!
    Real Proton = my Waja (Air con dead after 3 months, window can’t wind down after 4 months and seat creaks after 2 months)
    
    Waste of space!
    
    its time for Proton to go the way of the dodo and not waste any more of the Citizen’s money….
    - http://twitter.com/adzim_adonis Muhammad Adzim
      
      because u dont know how to take care of your car properly. My 6 years old savvy is doing fine until now, no major damage so far, no power window problem, no air cond problem and no seat cracks or whatsoever . You just have to do a proper and regular maintenance to your car.
- FanBoi
  
  Cheap & boring with day time LEDs.
  - FanBoi
    
    10 years behind the game leaders
  - Legnab
    
    Better looking than a CRUDE , yep definately not as cheap looking .
    - WayneTSV
      
      The Cruze kills this in style, interior presentation and engines. No comparison.
      - MYs
        
        It has a 7 speed CVT gearbox and a 1.6 litre CFE Campro engine ( Turbo) for the GXR . Which car has all of these. Protons are remarked for their lifespan a 1985 Proton Saga still lasts till now.
      - Real Malaysian
        
        MYs – I’m a Malaysian and have accepted the truth about the rubbish that Proton creates.
        
        I suggest you do the same.
        
        1.6 Campro engine that blew up on its maiden voyage.
        Wow! Remarkable technology!
Dman

I wonder if Proton can pull off the styling and quality turnaround that Hyundai and Kia did. I hope they do, consumers are the ones who’ll benefit.
Lucii Pooky

Not perfect, but a massive improvement over the current Protons. Actually, I think its better than the Corolla with its turbo engine and 7SPD CVT!
42 = The Answer!

Yay, Proton is finally in the 21st Century! If they price this at around $17,990-$20,990 they’ll be laughing as they roll out the dealers door.
- DCHC
  
  I’m doubt the highest specs model will carry a @$20,900 driveaway based on Malaysia pricing of RM73,000. Malaysian netizen would not be happy if this happen.
  - spectator
    
    yah but not to those who understand how taxes work.
- JooberFPVGT
  
  In australia i think it will still suffer the stigma of a second rate mainstream car manufacturer. and overlooked in buyers mind
  
  I guess they can play the korean game and give bang for buck with alot extras included at that price as well as good warranty offering and advertise!
Rolio

Only thing is at a glance I thought this car was called the “Proton Perve”
Vins

It has the silhoutte of the previous Mazda 3
http://www.facebook.com/antmindel Anthony Mindel

A Corolla sedan looks exciting in comparison…
Albino2k

Proud to be Malaysian!… Who can support our country?
- WayneTSV
  
  Not Australia.
  - Karl
    
    Not Melbourne either. Looks like it’s going to fall apart or go up in flames because of undetected short-circuits in years time.
    
    From a Malaysian’s POV.
  - http://twitter.com/adzim_adonis Muhammad Adzim
    
    this changes my perception towards australian
- Real Malaysian
  
  No one will support the garbage that Malaysia calls a car…..
Altezza

For a Malaysian brand car, this is a huge improvement. Well done Proton and please keep up the good work.
xxSmall_Boi99xx

The people in Malaysia got to pay about 2x more to get a Carolla over this. Over here it’s about $2,000 cheaper.
WayneTSV

Welcome to 2002!

No innovation here at all from Proton. It is mundane in the extreme, and poses zero threat to the established brands, including the Koreans.
Edster

It was given the wrong name..They should have called it the Proton Jenaka (translated from malay meaning joke)…like the rest, i say, put it on the outback roads and see if it falls apart after 6 months..
Ken

Like Air Asia Cheap but yet to be preve n
Jhock

Wait till the Hyundai i30 sells in June 2012, then we will see the difference between keeping up and changing the game.
Ahmadresha

hi guys, with due respect to u all…

those whom complimented.. TQ!
those whom had posted ill comments… r u a an auto maker? only an auto maker shud comment, hirer/owner can complaint, non hirer/owner just leave ur feedback WITH u very own proposals…
that is smartness in u, if u choose to just comment n complaint, ur not fit to be writing here as well, ur not any of auto maker, hirer/owner but romour monger with -ve stories of ” i heard stories Proton ……”!

to Proton manufacturing plant staff fr A-Z operations …
pls listen to what customers want too, not what u want to do…
We are the users/hirer/customers.. u see what ppl r lamenting at. learn fr it, learn real fast.
even Proton Preve is lacking in some matters, to be honest its sort of “penny wise, pound foolish”
i dun wish to write it here, ctc me if ur interested to knw it.. my question to u/Proton will be ony why such a petty thing to save on? see for urself of the ill comments and u/proton seem to do it again n again n again, nvr learn fr past.

TQ.
Peter

Proton can not yet be compared with Hyundai, they have a solid grounding in the Australian market and far better funding. They are also the fastest selling cars in the world right now. Proton have taken a step in the right direction, high safety rating, better styling, very good extras including 4g connectivity in the car. The simple fact is for the price this is a very good car. For those commenting on reliability there seems to be a lot of hear say going on, drive the car then review! These cars are still going long after others have failed in Malaysia, where on the whole the roads are not better then the “outback”. Please before commenting on a car advice site, get some car advice!
Ciekeidot

I am proud to be the people of malaysia .. we have own brand car, but not for some other countries that do not have their own brand ..just proud of the other country brand car .. why do they feel deep shame .. say it all-knowing but all useless and stupid .. they are all jealous of the success of these protons is a true story .. proton cars designed to fit and comfort and affordable .. so stupid if they want to be equated with car expensive and cars cost the same quality, hope they all think more adults.
- scatman
  
  Me likey likey!!!!!, me makey no sense, me speaka the pigeon english
- Davyoa
  
  R u serious.. ? Im malaysian and I hope proton will die so everyone in malaysia will drive better cars!
  Why? Because the malaysian tax payer is effectively subsidizing the oversees business of proton.
  Proton sucks..if you don’t believe just spend your hard earned money and get one. Good luck.
Sharifs

For those detractors, give it a try before giving negative comments. I only suspect these bashers come from jealous sales person of other car make or those who just love bashing….I’ve tested the car twice. While it is not 100% perfect, it is by far the best car that has rolled out from Proton Factory. I have owned/driven several Protons and let me tell you there are many old 1987 model still running fine in Malaysian Road.

I love the 7 speed ala Formula one paddle gear. The speed is just superb for a 1.6 litre car. Good NVH and loads of space especially the boot. You guys are lucky to get better spec – 6 air bags compare to us 4 bags.

Give it a try, then comment.
- Davyoa
  
  Yes come to malaysia and see for your selves… We drive proton because not by choice. But by necessity, we have bad public transport, and since its the national car, its well protected, as every other korean japanese european model is prices way beyond the regular joe. but given the asectional resources,nobody wants to get a proton. Check out the prices in malaysia, you will see what I mean. I live anne work in malaysia.
- Davyoa
  
  1987 proton stills runs fine… Where theduck r u from? Is that even a good statement to make? Typical proton propaganda trolls. I still drive a proton waja so I know proton sucks…and they suck consistently..if not why keep changing your flagship model names..thats not progress! Established brand names are expensive to change, so that enough preve for u
- Edgarpeter Thacokia
  
  Should be nominated as the best 4 wheeled rubbish ever produced.Took them 20 over bloody years to produce a (so called) engine and another 8 years to turbocharge it and call it a 2.0 engine equivalent which it isn’t. They should’ve called it the Proton Joke or something! It would’ve made more sense.Jeremy Clarkson would definitely have a ball with this over a cuppa.Will just to have and see if it ever makes it to Europe.
  - Lewes
    
    If you read books on cars, the Koreans needed more than 30 years to produce their own engine, so Proton made in 19 years is a good achievement in comparison?
Edster

Well, no points for guessing but.. we’ve have a situation whereby some of our commentors here whom are either extremely
naive or extremely delusional.. take ur pick. Nevertheless, do stick to the
facts. Proton is not fit to be called an automotive manufacturer. There has
been no endorsement on homologation by any certifying bodies to date (i.e.
TUV).Who can verify Proton’s claims on the Preve?

Is the four wheeled rubbish safe? What safety
rating has it attained? NCAP/ANCAP/JCAP??? They also claimed that their so
called achievement is aerodynamic?? No information of its drag coefficient was
ever made public..There’s just no credibility. All of its claims is, in fact
made by Proton themselves. They have a reputation for either producing cars
that self ignited while being driven or just fell apart just by being parked. It
took them seven long years to design front power window regulators that doesn’t
fail.

Take ur pick. Their pricing of the vehicles
are over inflated just to feed Malaysian goverment cronies. Fact, Proton makes
cars that even insults third world countries. Unless, you work in the
automotive industry, then you wouldn’t have clue of what I am saying. Malaysia
was making cars long way before China did. Guess where China is in the automotive
scene? Go figure!

Did you know that Proton
sent the Preve designer to live in Italy with all expensed paid for 12 months,
just to be inspired and to come up with fresh and new design ideas. And this is
the sort of rubbish they come up with.I have spent 2 decades in the Malaysian and
south east asian automotive scene and a devoted taxpayer. Hence, the facts
speaks. Proton is pathetic!
- Mike Norton
  
  You need to do some research- Malaysia has a trade agreement with Australia making th e cars cheaper here, Yes there are some political concerns with the government and business collusion and with the labour force conditions and wages there but check out some of the other makers in their country and there are some concerns there to with “junket’s”,treatment of workers and the like. It comes down to value for money and personal likes and service backup in the end. Buyer beware always the final outcome be it Rolls Royce or Proton!
- http://profile.yahoo.com/EBE27OEGWT3DYUVACTYZEDE6UQ fadlee
  
  lame ass chinese trolls.. stop bashing without doing your research..
Jack

Nice car, European handling, Japanese reliability, Malaysian price and value.
Lewes

I read somewhere china make cars somewhere in 1950′s and trucks in 1930′s. I think they only make modern recently after heavy investments from foreign car companies.
Martin Shore

As a current owner of a Proton SAVVY 2009 AMT as a run about, i have had no complaints at all. The car is tiny but has had to transverse a dirt road, snow, ice and rain and long trips on motorways and has never missed a beat!
Everything still feels tight and works well. I have many prestige cars as well and whilst the Proton lacks the refinement of the european cars it is certainly a great little car and proven very reliable.
So i can only speak from experience of actually OWNING and driving one over several years.
Tie price paid reflects this of course.
I purchased the car as it stands out from all the rest of Japanese and Korean cars that to me lack personality and feel and seem to be a choice for those that have just “given up” and choose something totally generic to drive- reliable but boring.
I will be checking out the Preve for a possible upgrade if the price is right.
Once again these reviews need to be balanced, has anyone visited the Proton factory? and test circuit? i think not. So please reserve the blog for constructive comments only…..
Idrusdin555

I bought a CVT turbocharged Preve for a month. With 9.6sec acceleration and 210km/hr top speed, I can easily fought with either Toyota Camry 2,4L / Honda Accord 2.4L or BMW 325 models on the High-Way (with full 4 pasenggers), .
Nothing in its class better than Preve.. I don’t really proud on this Malaysian made Car, but I impressed with its performances and I wonder why such an expensive cars like Honda/Toyota/ Korean’s car can’t archive this kind of performance…Preve can’t compare to those Japanese or Korean cars, as it competitors are Europe’s cars. With 5years warranty by Proton, its better to have numbers of Preve than one piece of Korean or Japanese Car.
- Real Malaysian
  
  You must be dreaming mate! 0-100 in 9.6sec is Grandma slow.
  You are the reason Proton is still alive in this world. Not because they can create or innovate but because of babbling bafoons like yourself still holding on to the Malay dream.
  
  and btw, go learn how to speak or even write in english before posting …
  - Preve the Best
    
    You do nothing to kill the Proton, do you?
  - No to Ingrates!
    
    Real Malaysia….so why the heck do you still call youself Real Malaysia? Why don’t just call yourself Real China, you stupid ingrate. Aussies……watch for all these Malaysian Chinese. Just shipe them all to China where they belong.
    - Preve the Best
      
      Real Malaysian is actually an immigrant, dropped by his grandfather and his “”"Grandma slow”. after been chased away from China Mainland… The car from china (Chery) is most suitable to be driven by Real (Chinese) Malaysian. uhuk!! uhuk!!
  - huhu
    
    you must be racist chinese, no doubt
Lewes

This car has CVT 7 speed gear box, nice.
protonsux

Lol i have to agree with Real Malaysian, 9.6secs is grandma slow rofl.. Anyway i used to own Proton Waja full spec. 1st week the gear knob button came off, 6 months later power window not working (fixed it 3 times still ROSAK!!!!) no choice but to quit smoking in car, cannot use touch & go need to waste rm100 to get smart tag.. 3 years later ECU rosak gear change till 2nd gear only… I rate Proton 1/10!!!
Softail

If you want to talk about quality, try buying any European car, BMW included, and you will know the real meaning of headaches. I will take any American or Malaysian car before buying a European crap. Sure, they are nice to drive, but………
Badbois_au

well all i say to all u people that dont like proton.. give them a go now.. they the new PROTON PREVE.. great car, great price, way to go PROTON..

PS 5 years free services..