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Having previously driven the Proton Savvy, the thought of driving another Proton was actually intriguing. The Savvy was a lesson in how to not build a car, so I was hoping the Persona would change things around a little bit.

 The first thing you’ll notice about the Persona is the looks. It’s actually a good looker, both the front and rear represent a very modern approach to car design. With the Proton badge displayed prominently (and trying its very best to be mistaken for a Lotus).

But that’s not much of an achievement, Proton has never really suffered in the looks category.

Before we start, it’s good to remember, the manual Persona costs all of $16,990, which even by today’s standards is still very cheap for a car this size.

Open the door, take a seat behind the steering wheel and you’ll start wondering if the interior designer for Proton was suffering from vertigo when he signed off on his work. If the random cluster of buttons operating the CD player don’t through you off, then the vertical layout of the air-conditioning controls should do the trick.

The stereo system is made by Blaupunkt, the same company that supplies most Holdens and to its credit, the actual sound quality in the Persona is very decent for a car under $20,000.

While we are talking about the interior, who on earth picked the seat colours?

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This represents a saving of $2,000 for GX manual buyers and $1,000 for the GX automatic which now starts at $16,990.

Standard kit is surprisingly generous and includes air-conditioning, reverse sensors, ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD, SRS dual front airbags, seat belt pre-tensioners, power steering, power windows and mirrors, central locking with remote keyless entry and an alarm with immobiliser.

The high spec GXR manual also receives a significant price reduction, starting at $17,990 - a saving of $1,000.

The GXR variant adds 16-inch alloy wheels with Continental Conti Sport Contact low-profile tyres, rear spoiler, cruise control (Auto only), auto climate control air-conditioning and front fog lights in addition to GX trim as standard.

“Satria Neo was the only model in the Proton range that was not ranked amongst the most competitively priced vehicles in its category and we knew it was due for a price revision,” Proton Cars Australia’s general manager of sales and operations Billy Falconer.

As it currently stands, the Persona and Gen.2 manual models represent the lowest price point in the small passenger car category, the Savvy is the best priced in the light passenger car category and the Jumbuck is the best priced in the ute and cab chassis category.

Both the GX and GXR models are powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine with peak power of 82kW and 148Nm, which returns a combined fuel consumption figure of 7.2-litres per 100km.

Satria Neo comes with Proton’s full three-year unlimited kilometre warranty with a seven-year anti-corrosion warranty along with three year’s 24 hour roadside assistance at no extra cost.

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The three models are currently undergoing field trials and technical evaluation to ensure they can cope with Indian roads and conditions.

Currently, the Indian market supports over 1.5 million new car sales annually, making it the world’s second fastest growing passenger car market.

Proton is currently negotiating a joint-venture in India to manufacture and market its cars by early 2009.

“We are looking at a number of possible joint venture partners in India with a strong focus on marketing,” said Syed Zainal, managing director of Proton Cars.

It is also developing highly efficient alternative fuel technologies such as compressed natural gas (CNG) for models sold in India.

“Our cars are CNG compatible, which is widely accepted and used in India. We may bring CNG and develop other fuel options through our engineering subsidiary, Lotus, depending upon the results of the current feasibility study,” Syed Zainal said.

Over 75 percent of cars sold in India are hatchbacks and compacts, ideal for a company like Proton who have set a target of doubling total sales volume to 300,000 units by 2010 through the new market.

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The all new single specification Persona shares only its name with the superseded model and is more reminiscent of the GEN.2 hatch on which the Persona’s platform is based. It’s a simple, yet elegant small sedan not too dissimilar in looks to the current Mazda3.

Smaller, recessed avian-esque headlamps and restyled grille with new black and silver corporate logo flow downward to a narrow air intake beset by standard front fog lamps. From the rear, a high boot line with bold chrome accent brings memories of Chrysler’s Neon of some years back.

Representing tremendous value for money, Persona offers an expansive array of standard equipment including ABS, EBD, dual front airbags, auto locking doors, climate control air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, remote central locking, rear parking sensors, alloy wheels and a single disc MP3 compatible Blaupunkt audio system.

Inside the cabin is similar to the GEN.2 in many respects boasting red back lit Lotus inspired instrument binnacle with inset white faced fuel and temperature gauges, door mounted power window switches, and centre stack under dash ventilation controls, which as nice as they look, can be a little difficult to reach.

The re-designed centre console houses two front and two rear (fold down type) cup holders, a small enclosed storage area under the armrest and two mobile phone/sunglasses trays to each side of the gearstick, further complimenting the in door map pockets, glove box and small under dashboard (driver’s side) mounted shelf.

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Power and torque ratings are yet to be announced, however we do know the engines will be available in 1.8 and 2.0-litre capacity, possibly turbo-charged.

“New export markets that we want to penetrate, like India and China, have high demand for diesel and for us not to have diesel engines incorporated in our cars would be a mistake.” Zainal said

Proton, which has had a long history of using other manufacturers’ engines, is now looking overseas to find a suitable partner to help develop its own engines. According to Zainal, Proton is forced to look overseas as local Malaysian companies can’t supply the necessary technology.

“I do not think a local partner can offer us the capability to develop a ‘next level’ engine,” he said, adding that an eventual tie-up should finalise Proton’s engine product planning for the next five years.

Proton will launch the new Persona in May, while the hotted up R3 Satria is expect early next year. That will be followed by the company’s first MPV, expected in March.

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Proton is yet to disclose the power output or even the type of powertrain which will be used in the R3 Satria, however expect a significant increase over the Campro 1.6-litre engine currently used in the standard Satria.

“While we can’t reveal too many details at this time, Satria GTi enthusiasts can rest easy in the knowledge that a performance version of the new Satria is not too far away and the R3 Satria is evidence of that,” Proton Cars Australia managing director John Startari.

Alongside the R3 Satria, Proton’s new four-door Persona sedan also made its Australian debut at the Melbourne Motor Show.

The Persona offers universal appeal as a practical and affordable entry-level four-door sedan, perfect for first car buyers or new families.

Producing maximum power of 82kW at 6000rpm and 148Nm, the Persona delivers stunning fuel economy, using just 4.5ltr/100km on the highway cycle for the manual transmission.

Active and passive safety features include ABS, EBD, as well as passenger and driver SRS airbags, combined with four-wheel disc brakes and agile handling.

Combined with a spacious 430-litre boot capacity, the Persona is a highly practical and affordable new family car.

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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.

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Proton is a major backer of the team and will use this association with A1GP racing, to promote Proton cars around the world.

It’s a clever association because I’m here to tell you, that A1GP is here to stay.

As of next year, all A1GP cars will be using Ferrari engines from the F430 road car, which will mean a significant power increase over the current Zytec built engine.

I also heard the chassis will have significant Ferrari input, which along with the 430 powertrain, should see interest in the series, go through the roof.

Of course Proton already benefits enormously from their outright ownership of the legendary English sports car company Lotus, known for their God like status when it comes to performance and handling.

Proton Cars Australia will be launching the Persona in March this year, so we’ll post a First Steer on the car, the moment we have driven it.

Anthony Crawford.

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