Proton Wira
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Proton Wira | |
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| Manufacturer | Proton |
| Also called | Proton Persona Proton 400 series |
| Production | 1993–present |
| Predecessor | Proton Saga |
| Successor | Proton Waja (saloon) Proton Gen-2 (hatchback) |
| Class | Compact |
| Body style | 4-door saloon 5-door hatchback |
| Platform | FF |
| Engine | 1.3 L 4G13 I4 1.5 L 4G15 I4 1.6 L 4G92 I4 1.8 L 4G93 I4 2.0 L 4D68 diesel I4 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic 4-speed automatic |
| Related | 1991 Mitsubishi Lancer |
The Proton Wira is a model of car manufactured by Malaysian national carmaker Proton Berhad. Wira is a Malay word that translates into English as "Hero".
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[edit] History
The Wira was introduced in 1993 as a 4-door saloon and was based on the 1992 Mitsubishi Lancer design, but the styling was slightly modified to distinguish it from the Lancer.
Modifications include headlights from the 1992 Mitsubishi Colt, tail lights from the 1987 Mitsubishi Galant hatchback, bumpers from the Mitsubishi Mirage and a different dashboard. The frontal design continues the styling first shown on the Proton Iswara with a fluted bonnet that tapers towards the Proton badge on the grill.
The Mitsubishi 4G15 1.5-litre 12-valve engine used in the Iswara and its predecessor the Saga was carried over unchanged. The Mitsubishi 4G92 112ps 1.6L 16-valve SOHC engine with multi-point fuel injection was introduced together with an optional 4-speed automatic transmission.
In 1994, a 5-door hatchback version was introduced. Initially it was badged as the Wira Aeroback, like the 5-door Saga hatchback, though later the Aeroback name was dropped.
In the same year, exports to the United Kingdom began where it was marketed as the Persona. As with the Saga, all export models used multi-point fuel injection to comply with the Euro I emissions standards. The multi-point injection versions were badged as MPi, although this was only used on the engine, and never on the trim levels (unlike 1.5 MPi GLS in the previous car, the Saga, the trim levels were simply 1.5 GLS etc.)
A minor facelift was introduced in 1995 with a new grill and slimmer tail lights with clear indicators.
In 1995, the Mitsubishi 4G13 1.3-litre 12-valve engine also used in the Saga was introduced for the Wira. This was followed in 1996 by the 133bhp 1.8L 16-valve DOHC engine with multi-point fuel injection. At the same time, a 2.0-litre diesel-powered variant was also offered but was later phased out in later years because there was a lack of interest.
From 1998, all engine options for the Wira in Malaysian market were fuel-injected and carbureted models were phased out.
In 1998, all engine options for the Wira in Malaysian market were fully fuel-injected and the carburetors were phased out.
In 2000 the Wira received various improvements to reduce its NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) through additional insulation and suspension tuning from Lotus. In the same year, the Wira name was used in the United Kingdom.
In the United Kingdom, the 4-door saloon was replaced by the Proton Impian in 2002, and the 5-door hatchback by the Proton Gen-2 in 2004.
As of 2006, the car is still in production in Malaysia where it remains one of the best selling cars in its domestic market and also in Iran where it is made by the local Zagross Khodro company.
[edit] Proton Wira as a tuner's car
Proton Wira is popular among street racers in Malaysia as a tuner's car because of parts interchangeability with the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, especially the engines. Its popularity there is only rivaled by the Honda Civic.
[edit] Proton Wira Safety Issues
Most of the road accidents in Malaysia have clearly demonstrated how fragile a Proton Wira is. It has no safety features at all. Its body rigidity is often disputed whereas the material used is soft that a small force with a palm could cause it to cave in. Export models however saw a much better build quality with safety features such as driver airbag, door intrusion bars and ABS.
[edit] Trivia
- Proton Wira 1.6 was the first Proton model to be installed with 4-speed automatic transmission, the first Proton model to have power windows for all 4 doors, and also the first Proton model powered by a 16-valve engine.
- Proton Wira 1.8 was the first Proton model to be powered by a DOHC engine.
- The diesel-powered Proton Wira 2.0D is to date the first and only diesel vehicle ever made by Proton.
- Proton manufactured 100,000 special edition also knows as WiSE but failed to meet sales target.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Proton's official website
- Zagross Khodro - Proton Iran
- A Place Where All The Wira Belongs (www.wiraownersclub.com)
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| Car models: |
Arena | Gen-2 | Perdana | Putra | Saga | Satria | Satria R3 | Savvy | Juara | Tiara | Waja | Wira |
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| Engines: | Campro engine | ||||
| Corporate website | edit | ||||
