The Proton Saga will be entering the Australian market in early 2010. Proton will sell the Saga with a 1.6 litre Campro engine, an engine size up from the 1.3 litre consumer version we get here.
Proton Cars Australia says the Proton Saga will be Australia’s cheapest sedan, which won’t necessarily mean it will be Australia’s cheapest car as most cheap cars are 5-door hatches, which would not lay claim to the cheapest sedan title.
According to Proton Cars Australia, there are currently 25,000 Protons on the road down under right now and hopefully the new Saga will increase those numbers.
While a 1.6 litre version of the Proton Saga isn’t officially on sale in Malaysia yet, there have been classifieds ads appearing all over (such as this) advertising limited units of a Saga 1.6 for sale. The specs include a 1.6 Campro IAFM engine with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The ads also say it is only available in solid red which leads me to believe these are the taxi cars being sold to consumers who want it.
Prices range from between RM39k to RM43k from what I’ve seen and the equipment is minimal, with steel wheels and no airbags, but there are front power windows.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments indicate skepticism about Proton's debut in Australia, citing stiff competition from Korean, Japanese, and local brands offering advanced safety features and lower prices. Many feel Proton's pricing is too high and lacks international credibility, noting poor market presence and consumer awareness in Australia. Some praise Proton for its efforts, mentioning existing models like Saga and Waja and hoping for future upgrades like ABS and 1.6L engines to enhance competitiveness. There’s a mix of support and doubt regarding Proton's ability to succeed, with concerns about safety, branding, and market penetration. Overall, while some Malaysian pride is expressed, most comments reflect doubts about Proton’s competitiveness, but also wishes for its growth and better offerings in future models.