2007–2009 Proton Satria (BS) Neo GX hatchback (Australia). |
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| Manufacturer | Proton |
|---|---|
| Production | 1995–present |
| Class | Supermini |
| Body style | 3-door hatchback |
| Layout | FF layout |
The Proton Satria was a hatchback produced by Proton. Production started in 1995 for the first generation and ended in 2005. The new Satria Replacement Model (SRM), known as Proton Satria Neo was launched on 16 June 2006. The name Satria which means knight in Sanskrit was chosen for Proton's 3-door hatchback to reflect the sportiness of the car.
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| Also called | Proton Compact Proton Persona Compact Proton 300 series |
|---|---|
| Production | 1995–2006 |
| Engine | 1.3 L 4G13 I4 1.5 L 4G15 I4 1.6 L 4G92 I4 1.8 L 4G93 I4 |
| Wheelbase | 2,440 mm (96.1 in) |
| Length | 3,995 mm (157.3 in) |
| Width | 1,710 mm (67.3 in) |
| Height | 1,365 mm (53.7 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,005 kg (2,216 lb) |
| Related | Mitsubishi Mirage |
The first generation Satria was a 3-door hatchback based on the 1991 Mitsubishi Mirage (Colt outside the Japanese market). Changes were limited to front-end styling and interior from the bigger Wira. Powerplant options included the 4G13p 1.3-litre 12-valve, 4G15p 1.5-litre 12-valve and 4G92p 1.6-litre 16-valve SOHC engine. The 1.5 and 1.6-litre 16v versions were also available with optional 3-speed and 4-speed automatic transmissions respectively.
Trim levels were LSi, GLi, GLSi and SEi. The base-specification LSi had the 1.3-litre 12-valve engine only: GLi versions got the 1.5-litre 12-valve engine in addition to the 1.3-litre: whilst GLSi and SEi versions got the 1.6 16v engine as well as the 1.5 12v.
A later facelift version featured a different tail-end to the original Mirage. These were launched in 1996 in Malaysia and later in other countries, and new XLi, S XLi and GTi trim levels were available. New 1.3 12v, 1.5 12v and 1.6 16v petrol engines were available.
The Satria Sports GTi was launched with a 138 bhp (103 kW) 1.8-litre Mitsubishi-sourced 4G93p engine, originally found in the Mitsubishi Lancer GSR, but minus the turbo and with an increase in compression to compensate for the power loss.
This model was later evolved by Lotus Engineering, the Satria GTi's engine and handling was later tuned and revised, delivering 141 brake horsepower (105 kW). It has a top speed of 204 km/h (127 mph).
During the involvement of Lotus,a new body kit was also adopted for the GTi for better aerodynamics. In the UK this limited edition vehicle wears a Lotus Engineering badge below the Proton Satria GTi badge. Proton claims that the Satria GTi was their fastest car it has ever produced to date.
The MMC (Mitsubishi Motor Company) version was produced from the start of the GTi creation which was 1999 until mid 2002. The VDO(Siemens) version, which has been said to have a little less power have been in production from mid 2002 until 2005 when Proton ceased production.
The Proton Satria R3 is a limited edition Satria sold in Malaysia. The term R3 stands for Race, Rally, Research. R3 is a redefined version of Satria Gti by Proton's Racing development team and also Lotus. It houses the same 1800 cc Mitsubishi 4G93p engine but has undergone some minor adjustments by Lotus handling. Bodyshell has been improved with double stitch welded monocoque chassis with front and rear strut tower brace bars.
| Also called | Proton Neo (Thailand) |
|---|---|
| Production | 2006–present |
| Engine | 1.3 L Campro S4PE I4 1.6 L Campro S4PH I4 |
| Wheelbase | 2,440 mm (96.1 in) |
| Length | 3,905 mm (153.7 in) |
| Width | 1,710 mm (67.3 in) |
| Height | 1,420 mm (55.9 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,146 kg (2,526 lb) (1.3 L Manual) 1,184 kg (2,610 lb) (1.6 L Auto) |
| Related | Proton Gen-2 |
The Satria Neo was introduced in June 2006 as a replacement for the first generation Satria. Based on a new platform developed in-house by Proton (with some parts borrowed from the bigger Gen-2 and Waja), the car is currently only available in a three-door hatchback guise. The car was developed at a cost of RM500 million and four years, and was expected by Proton to generate a monthly sales volume of 2,000 to 2,500 units. The car was also intended to target those who are "youthful and sporty". The Satria Neo was launched by former Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
The entry-level Satria Neo, the 1.3 L-line, is powered by a 1.3 litre, inline-4 twin-cam Campro engine, producing 94 bhp (70 kW) at 6000 rpm and 120 N m of torque at 4000 rpm. The 1.6 M-line and top-of-the-range H-line models have 1.6 litre versions of the same engine, with an output of 110 hp (82 kW) at 6000 rpm and 148 N m of torque at 4000 rpm. Both the M-line and H-line models have active system antennae which actively search for signals in areas with poor reception. All cars have the option of either 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic gearboxes supplied by Mitsubishi that are carried over from the previous Satria, with the H-line benefitting from safety features such as twin airbags, ABS with EBD and seatbelt pre-tensioners. All versions of the car come with an integrated Blaupunkt CD player.
Criticisms of the car include the lack of headroom and legroom for rear passengers (even compared to the previous generation Satria), and lacklustre performance in comparison with the Satria GTi. The infamous torque dip of Proton's Campro engine is also present.
A Satria Neo is used as the Star in a Bog Standard Car in Top Gear Australia.
in 2011 satria neo sweep 8 titles in asia pacific rally championship,including the main manufacture title and drivers title
In February 2009, Proton launched a CPS version of the Satria Neo, replacing the top-end H-Line version of the Satria Neo. It comes with an aggressively styled body kit and spoiler that pays homage to the Satria GTi. It is powered by a 1.6 litre CamPro CPS engine with 125 bhp (93 kW; 127 PS) and 150 N·m (110 lb·ft) of torque which reportedly does not suffer from the torque dip of older Campro engines; however, the timing of the cam profile switching mechanism is slightly modified for aggressive driving – the CPS mechanism in the Satria Neo CPS changes from low cam to high cam at 4,400 rpm rather than at 3,800 rpm as in the other CPS-equipped models such as the Proton Waja and Proton Gen-2, as well as the Proton Exora.[1]
As a successor to the original Satria R3, Proton introduced a high performance version of the Satria Neo in 2008.[2] It features a naturally aspired 1.6-liter engine producing 100 kW (136 PS; 134 hp) or 135 bhp (101 kW; 137 PS), which Proton says will deliver a "controlled yet exciting driving experience". Other upgrades include a sportier bodykit, 17-inch wheels, a lowered suspension setup derived from Lotus, an improved braking system, Recaro lightweight seats and a MOMO steering wheel. All of the 50 examples produced come in Incognito Black with a unique "Race, Rally Research" decal on the side.[3]
The 25 unit-only Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing was introduced on the 30th of March 2010. Sold at RM115k, this special version of the Neo features some improvements over its sibling, the Satria Neo CPS. The look is similar to that of the Satria Neo R3, but includes some exclusive equipment. The engine is R3-tuned with R3 Engine Management System, R3 Camshafts with adjustable alloy cams and R3 tuned exhaust system. R3 Division also used an R3 Carbon Fibre Air Intake with K&N Air Filter System.
The engine now produces 145 bhp (108 kW; 147 PS), approximately 13.8 percent more power than a normal CamPro CPS. with an improved torque of 168 N·m (124 lb·ft). Top speed reaches 205 km/h (127 mph) and the century run is achieved in 9.2 seconds.
The gear ratios were also revised to match the engine upgrade.
The chassis and handling were improved with the use of Ohlins Adjustable coilovers. The wheels are 16-inch Advantis with Bridgestone Adrenalin tyres. The brakes are from AP Racing consisting of AP Racing calipers and pads.
Interior wise, the dash remains the same but it is now painted in a greenish accent to match Lotus' green Trademark. Few enhancements were put in place such as the engine start button, dark green nappa leather and an alloy pedal set and gear knob.
To continue the legacy of the Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing, Proton introduced the 2011 Proton Satria Neo CPS R3 with the price tag of RM79,797.00, much cheaper than its Lotus Racing sibling on 7 March 2011.[4] Available only in bright red, the Satria Neo CPS R3 features a built-in 2-DIN navigation system, the first in Proton's history. Previously, several Proton models such as the Proton Persona and the Proton Exora did offer GPS navigation unit, but those units were portable stand-alone GPS units. The performance specifications of the 2011 Satria Neo CPS R3 remains the same as its Lotus Racing sibling.
Prior to its launch, the concept model for the 2011 Proton Satria Neo CPS R3 was debuted during the Tokyo Auto Salon 2011.[5] Japanese auto part company CUSCO imports the 2011 Satria Neo CPS R3 and equips the Satria Neos with CUSCO performance parts before being resold to rally teams in Japan and Asia Pacific.[6] In addition, CUSCO also forms their own team running on the Satria Neos to compete in the 2011 Asia-Pacific Rally Championship, making the team as the second team to use the Proton Satria Neo for the championship.
Proton Motorsports' British based partner Melor Elliot Motorsports (MEM) has prepared a FIA Super 2000 compliant Proton Satria Neo based on the road car's chassis. It is powered by same engine as found in the Proton Waja 1.8. The team's current drivers in 2011 on the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC), starting with the Rally Monte Carlo is Chris Atkinson. He will contest on all six rounds of the 2011 Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC). Per-Gunnar Andersson will drive the second car for the Proton team in the IRC events, while Alister McRae will continue to drive for Proton in the APRC.[7] McRae took the car to its first drivers and constructors titles in the 2011 APRC.
A pair of Proton Satria Neo S2000s were used in an episode of Top Gear, in a race between the British presenters and their Australian counterparts at Cornbury Park, a former Rally GB venue.
PROTON made its presence felt for the very first time in Japan when renowned Japanese automotive parts manufacturer Carrosser Co., Ltd. (CUSCO) officially unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon, a specially-developed Satria Neo rally car that will be sold in Japan. In January 2011, Proton announced that Japanese auto parts company CUSCO will be buying standard road-going Satria Neo bodyshells to engineer and homologate according to FIA Group N regulation competition use. CUSCO is famous for their aftermarket suspension systems and other parts such as LSDs and chasiss reinforcements and naturally they’ve also been involved in motorsports including rallying. Being a Japanese company naturally the rally cars that they’ve dabbled with so far are cars like the Impreza and the Lancer Evolution. The Group N Proton Satria Neo rally cars will be based on stock standard roadregistered 1600cc showroom models acquired by CUSCO, homologated according to FIA regulations for competition use, and retrofitted with CUSCO-developed aftermarket performance and race components. With the Satria Neo, CUSCO is essentially Proton’s customer – they buy the bodyshells, equip them with CUSCO-developed race components, and then sell the completed Group N rally-going Neos to customers who will compete in Junior Rally Championships in Japan and Asia Pacific. Karamjit Singh shows that he might be considered a veteran in the rally scene but he still has what it takes. Piloting a CUSCO-tuned Proton Satria Neo 2WD, he crossed the line to finish first in the overall 2011 APRC 2WD category on May 2011 Rally of Queensland as well as 1st in the N2 category. A very cute version of satria neo use by Cusco for rally was revealed and known as Proton Satria Neo Itasha Edition.