Proton Gen-2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Proton Gen-2 | |
|---|---|
,_Serdang.jpg/250px-Proton_Gen.2_(front),_Serdang.jpg) |
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| Manufacturer | Proton |
| Production | 2004–present |
| Predecessor | Proton Wira (hatchback) |
| Class | Compact |
| Body style(s) | 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Engine(s) | 1.3 L Campro S4PE I4 1.6 L Campro S4PH I4 |
| Wheelbase | 2600 mm (102.4 in) |
| Length | 4310 mm (169.7 in) |
| Width | 1725 mm (67.9 in) |
| Height | 1435 mm (56.5 in) |
| Curb weight | 1207 kg (2661 lb) |
| Related | Proton Persona Proton Waja |
The Proton Gen-2 is an automobile manufactured by Malaysian carmaker Proton, and was launched in the third quarter of 2004. The Gen-2 uses a platform which is mostly Malaysian-developed. Loosely based on a mid-90s Mitsubishi chassis, the platform has been extensively developed by Proton and their partner Lotus. The Gen-2 was initially codenamed the Proton Wira Replacement Model, hinting that the car was to replace the Proton Wira. The name Gen-2 is an abbreviation of 'Generation 2', to mark the success of Proton which is using its own engine for the car.
The Gen-2's platform is also used by the Proton Satria Neo (with a shortened wheelbase) and the Proton Persona (with an extended rear hang to form a more sedan-like body).
Contents |
[edit] Current generation (2004-present)
[edit] Performance
Lotus Cars, which is owned by Proton was instrumental in the development of the car which is mainly evident in the car's world-class ride and handling characteristics. The Gen-2 is the first Proton model to use the new Proton/Lotus developed Campro engine. Even though the S4PH 1.6L engine, the first capacity fitted to the Gen-2, is contemporary in maximum power output, it suffers from poor mid-range torque.
This is due to its torque dip in the crucial 2,000 to 3,000 rpm operating range, where the torque actually decreases slightly before picking up back to its peak torque at 4,000 rpm. This torque characteristic can clearly be seen in manufacturer published engine performance curves and is widely attributed to the missing Camshaft Profiling technical feature that the engine was named after, but which was dropped from production probably for cost reasons. However, this torque dip was corrected by Proton in 2008 with a new Campro CPS engine.
The Gen-2's ECU Engine and Automatic Transmission mapping has been modified several times since the car's launch to improve perceived driving characteristics, but have not resulted in changes to manufacturer's torque and power curves and figures.
[edit] Competing cars
In Malaysia, the car goes head-to-head against the likes of the Hyundai Accent (Verna) and Kia Rio (Pride), but undercut these by about 20 percent. Against the ASEAN-made Honda City and Toyota Vios, the discount is even greater, at about 30 percent. Proton's price advantage in Malaysia can be attributed to a discriminatory tax structure that an ASEAN trade agreement was supposed to disallow by 2005, but which now has January 2008 as its postponed deadline.
[edit] Changes and facelifts
In 2005, a lower-spec version of Proton Gen-2 powered by 1.3L Campro engine was made available in Malaysia with automatic transmission option only.
In December 2007, a new facelifted Proton Gen-2 was unveiled in Thailand in conjunction with the carmaker's entry into the Thai market. It also marks the first production Proton with the Campro CPS engine installed in the engine bay. The CPS variant is a High Line model only, producing 127 horsepower compared to a normal Campro's 110.[1]
On the 3rd of March 2008, the facelifted 2008 Proton Gen-2 was launched in Malaysia. Two variants are available. The medium line variant is powered by the Campro IAFM engine, while the high line version uses the more powerful Campro CPS engine. Exterior changes include a new front bumper and rear spoiler, while the interior gets a new dashboard incorporating a glovebox, new door panels, and leather seats for the high line version.[2]
[edit] Variants
[edit] R3 Concept
| Proton Gen-2 R3 Concept | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Proton |
Race • Rally • Research (R3) unveiled a prototype concept of the Gen-2 R3 at the Dreamcars Asia Motorshow 2005 on July 7, 2005. The close-to-production concept was developed to gauge public response to its styling and performance.
[edit] EVE Hybrid Concept
| Proton Gen-2 EVE Hybrid Concept | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Proton |
| Engine(s) | 1.6 L Campro S4PH I4 (combined with a 30 kW, 144V electric motor) |
At the 2007 Geneva Motor Show from 8 to 18 March 2007, Proton and Lotus unveiled the concept model of the hybrid version of the Proton Gen-2. The hybrid concept is codenamed as EVE (Efficient, Variable, Environmental). The concept model will retain the same Campro engine as the main powerplant coupled together with an electric motor system to form the hybrid powerplant (See also Campro engine#Hybrid Campro engine).
[edit] Proton Persona
On August 15, 2007, Proton launched the Proton Persona, essentially a Proton Gen-2 with an extended boot and cosmetic changes. While the Gen-2 was originally intended to replace the Proton Wira, the Persona is currently touted as an actual replacement of the Wira, which size is roughly the same as the Persona. The Wira was coincidentally exported to the United Kingdom under the Persona name; therefore, the 2007 Proton Persona is rebadged as the Proton Gen-2 Persona in the UK.
[edit] Rebadges
The Proton GEN-2 was one of two models (the other being the Proton Savvy) that MG Rover was looking to rebadge when it entered talks with Proton's parent company in the mid 2000s. Both Auto Express and Autocar published shots of the car with a digitally recreated Rover grill. With MG Rover's decline at the time and its eventual purchase by the Nanjing Automobile Corporation, such plans have presumably been cancelled.
In July 2007, Proton signed an agreement with Youngman Automobile Group Ltd Co, in which Youngman will import 30,000 complete built up units (CBU) of Gen-2s and resell them under their own EuropeStar brand (known as the EuropeStar RCR), with plans to eventually develop a new range of made-in-China cars using engineering services provided through Proton's Lotus.[3] Proton had previously done business in China (specifically, Guangdong[citation needed]) but withdrew due to poor sales.[3]
[edit] See also
- Proton BLM, a similar replacement model of the older Proton Saga.
- List of hybrid vehicles
[edit] References
- ^ Paul Tan (2007-12-01). Facelifted Proton GEN2 with Campro CPS engine launched in Thailand!. Paul Tan. Retrieved on 2007-12-04.
- ^ Paul Tan (2003-03-03). 2008 Proton GEN2 Facelift with CPS launched!. Paul Tan. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
- ^ a b Proton Secures Deal With China's Automaker. Bernama (2007-07-13). Retrieved on 2007-12-03.
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