Proton Inspira

Proton Inspira
Overview
Manufacturer	Proton
Also called	P3-90A
Production	2010-present
Model years	2011-present
Assembly	Shah Alam, Malaysia
Body and chassis
Class	Compact car / C-segment
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform	Mitsubishi GS
Related	Mitsubishi Lancer
Powertrain
Engine	1.8L MIVEC GEMA 4B10 DOHC I4 2.0L MIVEC GEMA 4B11 DOHC I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed INVECS-III CVT automatic 6-speed INVECS-III CVT Manumatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,635 mm (103.7 in)
Length	4,570 mm (179.9 in)
Width	1,760 mm (69.3 in)
Height	1,490 mm (58.7 in)
Kerb weight	1,310–1,350 kg (2,890–2,980 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Proton Waja

The Proton Inspira is a four-door compact saloon produced by Malaysian automobile manufacturer Proton which was launched on 10 November 2010. It is sold exclusively in Malaysia as a rebadged ninth generation and current Mitsubishi Lancer as the result of a collaboration between Mitsubishi Motors and Proton. It shares the same DaimlerChrysler/Mitsubishi Motors GS platform with the Mitsubishi Lancer. The Inspira succeeded the Proton Waja, and complements the indigenously-designed Proton Prevé in the Malaysian market.

Inspira is the Spanish word for Inspire.

History

Proton Inspira 2.0P.

The Mitsubishi-made engine of the Inspira.

Proton renewed a technological transfer agreement with Mitsubishi Motors, an agreement that in the mid-1980s was fundamental to Proton’s origins. Mitsubishi would get the Exora for rebadge in Japan under them as fair technology sharing. ^[1]

With the coming of Inspira, many were delighted that they could buy a Japanese car at a cheaper price. 1,100 orders were received within the first 10 days after dealers began accepting bookings for the Inspira. Price-wise, the Inspira costs significantly less than the Lancer in Malaysia because it is assembled locally, whereas the Mitsubishi is imported as a CBU from Japan. Not only are import duties much lower, but the investment Proton made to produce the model locally entitles it to financial incentives from the government that allows it to bring down retail prices. Such incentives are offered to any company that makes its vehicles in Malaysia, but Proton gets a big chunk because it has the biggest investments, including R&D. ^[2]

However, certain parties have criticised Proton for returning to the practice of rebadging cars.^[3] A practice Proton had moved away from, with the release of the Proton Waja in the year 2000. Proton continued to independently develop 6 more models after that.

Proton group managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir has reportedly said that it would cost Proton as much as RM700mil (USD230mil) to develop a new car from the ground up but only half the amount via its collaboration with Mitsubishi Motors. This enables the Proton Inspira to be marketed at a cheaper price.

Mitsubishi allowed Proton to rebadge the Lancer under conditions that there were no changes to any key features. Therefore, the Inspira is in many ways a clone of the Lancer, sharing most of its components including the powertrain which is imported in fully assembled form from Mitsubishi Motors Japan. However, after convincing Mitsubishi that Proton can improve on the Lancer's driving dynamics, Mitsubishi gave Proton the green light to tweak the suspension. Proton's engineers who had trained under it's subsidiary, Lotus Engineering were able to improve the driving dynamics and handling of the Lancer. Among the improvements were revised suspension rating and bushings for a more comfortable ride and the incorporation of thicker anti-roll bars for better cornering stability. Other improvement work include closer body gaps of 2.5mm compared with 3mm in the Lancer, and reduced levels of noise, vibration and harshness. These improvement works were praised by Mitsubishi Motors Corp's top management team consisting of its head of research and development, DCGM of Asean and master vehicle evaluator who came to Shah Alam to test the Inspira. ^[4]

Specifications

As of 2012, Proton Inspira is offered in 2 powertrain configurations.

Awards

• 2nd Place (Family Cars Category) at the Asian Auto Fuel Efficiency Award 2010

References

• "Gambaran awal Waja Replacement aka Lancer Rebadge!!". funtasticko design. December 2008. Retrieved 16 March 2009.
• Tan, Paul. "Proton P3-90A based on Mitsubishi Lancer preview drive". Paultan.org. Retrieved 2011-01-27.
• "PROTON ENTERS INTO PRODUCT COLLABORATION WITH MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION, JAPAN.". Bursa Malaysia. December 12, 2008. Retrieved 16 March 2009.
• Tan, Paul (2010-11-20). "Proton Inspira launched – full details and photos". Paultan.org. Retrieved 2011-01-27.
• "Sales target for car manufacturers". The Star. 8 February 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
• Tan, Paul. "Proton P3-90A based on Mitsubishi Lancer preview drive". Paultan.org. Retrieved 2011-01-27.

Official Websites

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Proton Inspira.

• Proton Inspira
• Proton Holdings Berhad