The sohu source seems quite certain that this is a Proton/Europestar car. One possibility that I can think of is this could be a Chinese market only car that Proton, Lotus and Europestar are working on together.
UPDATE: Thanks to all readers that pointed this out – this is a restyled Proton GEN2 for Europestar. More updates later – Source
A Brazilian automotive website has pointed to a set of photos on leading Chinese auto website auto.sohu.com that claim to feature Proton’s new Perdana-replacement sedan. The sedan is taped up but the design of the headlamp, grille, tail lamps and etc can clearly be seen. The taped up badge on the front kinda looks like Proton’s. It’s definitely not a Roewe badge as their badge is a little square-jawed at the bottom.
Remember a piece of news this blog carried back in January and then April 2009? It was mentioned that Proton was considering a new Perdana replacement based on the Rover 75 platform, amongst others. Proton have been toying with a few ideas for a Perdana replacement actually. A Mitsubishi 380 with Proton badges is a common sight in the Centre of Excellence car park and photos of that have been circulating around the internet for very long now. There was also talk of using an old Passat platform during the Volkswagen courtship days.
It’s very much just speculation for now but the Proton-Rover connection has been around for many many years, even before SAIC came into the picture by buying up the British company. Rover had originally wanted to license the Proton GEN2 to produce a new Rover 45 and in return the 75 would be used by Proton to make a new Perdana. The Rover 45 was always a ‘rebadge’ car for Rover, even before it was called the 45 (it was originally called the 400 series). The 1999 car was based on a Honda Civic and the ones before it were based on Hondas.
As for the engine under the hood of a new Rover-dana, the platform could come with a new redesigned KV6 engine, if Proton does not decide to put its own Campro Turbo engine inside. You may not know it but the KV6 is familiar to many Malaysians already, it is actually the engine used in the 2.5 litre quad cam Naza Ria. It was also used in V6 first generation Freelanders. SAIC has updated the KV6 and now calls it the Roewe KV6. It now makes 188 horses, up from the original 175 horses figure. Roewe also sells the car with a turbocharged 1.8 litre K-Series inline-4.
After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.
the rear tail lamp looks sweet.. but the front headlamp is not. overall the car is too roundish…
Wow.. NAP.. Nak angkat PERDANA
guys, what do u think..? is is worth it to buy the perdana replacing model…? then, when the waja replacing model will be launched…?
NO,NO,NO,NO A BIG NO
If the engine is that one used in the Naza Ria, will the FC bad? Anyway, I like the rear lamp of the car, is it a LED?
If i not mistaken the KV6 engine, is quite high in maintenance compare to other V6 engine. Anyone which is driving a Naza ria will sure know how expensive the parts compare to others…
I would rather buy the 1.8L turbo petrol engine if i am wise, or plug in a 2.0L turbo diesel engine for more better FC.
old platform….i believe its heavy. And FWD again…..
woot~~kinda italian looking~
Ugly model, Proton has no designer to design a car meh?
1ST?
er.. first..?? :p
oh wait…tis platform also RWD compatible….well ok la a bit. Plus lotus chasis & suspension magic
First!? hehe at 3rd comment
the front sure looks like proton emblem area…
1st!!
O'oh , the emblem looks familiar….
Y proton…. Y?!?! , ur using OUR money, y can't you rebadge a new car instead?, didnt it occur to them that ROVER went bust cuz it produce such ugly cars!?…. This is OLD TECH, plus old engine, that KV6 takes up alot of fuel , this is bad… not worthy of the name "perdana". P1 moved from japan to china for intellectual properties? I dont like where this is going… I can see y VW wanted a controlling stake in P1 if they were to do business, its runned by cheap stubborn idiots…..
Oh well another rebadged proton…
First today!!!
aik ?? my brothers is proton engineer (miyazu actually)..how come he didnt say anything about this…but i kno that Persona replacement will came out and use exora base…and waja replacement (lancer) project probly will canceld coz the stamp coz toooooo much….
If this true, I think they are just wasting money by testing out various platforms for the next perdana model.
Why the hesitating and delay for a replacement is anyone's guess. Proton's service and product are not really consumer orientated even though they try….
The Perdana replacement it will be out once they solve their foreign partnership problem. In the meantime, anything else is a wastage…..
scary….
ooo yeah, not to mention the tyres are small , proton like small tyres right…
kalu betul cmni..xcantik aku rasa..
look a little bit smaller than current perdana….
I feel the size is very Waja, I mean the camo one
Doesn't look good… Looks like a Chevy Nascar trying hard to look like an Audi.
I don't think Proton is going to rebadge this car, unless 100% of the parts are sourced locally. The platform & powertrain is aging, and the size is smaller compared to Japanese D-segment sedans.
Headace with Naza Ria Engine, KV6. Proton wastage of money.
proton rebadge chinese car? so nx time all our politiceans is using chinese vehicle as national pride. MALAYSIA BOLEH!!!
nice…
just get a good partner and rebadge their car. wont waste r&d money too much. as long as the car is practical, good and fuel efficient..ppl wont have any problem.
Hi,
Just an info from the proton's vendors loop.. Actually their replacement for Perdana will be simultaneously with Waja.. Means the new model that they are gonna produce (Oct 2010-mass pro) is Mitsubishi based Lancer (Code name P3-90A).. The development is just started and in the initial stage!!
This model will be replacing both Perdana n Waja comes with 3 variants; 1) 1.8 MT, 2) 1.8 CVT & 3)2.0.. This model is the model that has been MoU signed by both parties and its not gonna be a new full model development car as it is copy-cat the current Mits Lancer from Japan..
So if any of u is wishing for the Lancer a.k.a "Jerung" rite now, maybe u can wait n have a look on Proton-Jerung-Waja-Perdana Replacement soon..
Just wait n see!!
IJOO DESU!!
haha
proton!!!!
why dont just built it yourself.stop wasting time rebadging other brands car.
paul,is it really they took from rover's.is there any agreement between them
don't u guys think it looks more like a gen2 replacement??it looks more sproty than classy…
but still, it is not to my liking…
It is in HongKong… ?
Yay. Now please just give us a genuinely affordable (not relatively affordable) car.
this is not true.. Perdana replacement would be PASSAT…… muahahahaha .. just wait and see…
Aiyoh… the KV6 engine of the Kia Carnival / Naza Ria also has gearbox problem. Hopefully Proton will use other engine for this car… If this is a Proton after all…
http://auto.sohu.com/20091009/n267212506.shtml
Hi paul, I think the above link has more reasonable explanation. According to that news article, the pictures shown are Youngman's own facelifted Gen2 for the Chinese market, which I think would make more logical sense.
However, I would really love to see a Passat-based Proton. Let's just keep our fingers crossed. And all the best to engineers at Proton.
d rearlight looks like some…i dunno..maybe myself..lol~
if this is perdana replacements..
1) the headlamps/tail lamps need to be less round. perdana is the car used in many official/often involving foreign leaders, too-round of a headlamps/tail lamps looks playful. round lamps maybe good for young girl cars not world-leader car.
2) looks like rover?..really?..i think the front end looks like a 2006 aston martin DB
3) someone may want to stretch this car (perdana LiMO anyone?), consider designing the car to look good stretched.
4) double tailpipe..one right hand side, the other left hand side..or no visible tailpipe…one sided tailpipe is ugly for official car.
What happen to the original plan of using excess Mitsubishi 380 stocks from Australia? Another many rebadge protoypes but no launch car.
Not the first time we've heard rumours of a rover-linked future proton model being tested. I remember reading the stories several years ago. Could be true because despite all the politics and hu-ha in the public domain, Proton like any car manufacturer continues to develop future models quietly. There is usually quite a bit going on now behind factory gates for models that will appear 4-5 years in the future. This is true for any car maker.
We the public tend to just be fussed about the issues of today
huhh.. When are they all at Proton is going to 'grow up'.. still using a 8-10 years back 'machines' and 'chassis' and 'brand-models'..
alamak gua baru nak aim jd 1st to comment….takpela labu 5th pun jadiklah…
So using a chinese chassis? That don't bode well for Proton. Don't think Proton will go that route. Hasn't Proton always said they want to be the BMW of Asean…or something like that?
I don't know, it doesn't look like the 75. This looks much shorter than the 75.
if true.. berbaloi-baloi to buy.
like me baby said.. aloi-aloi
I'm afraid this is just a Chinese-remake of the Gen-2. The Brazillian site missed out the interior shot, which can be found on the original Chinese website:
http://auto.cri.cn/76/2009/10/09/10s54913.htm
it looks like a Hyundai accent from d front profile.
…yup, can see the current P1 design elements on the car's side mirror,
front grill (audi/ VW-like), front lower-diffuser-fog-light cluster…
as usual, the bashers will have something to say lol
waaaaah..the back looks like aston martin.
cooooooooool..
ugly design… outdated engine…
are they gonna put lotus badge on it instead of a proton badge?
this will definitely bring the good name of lotus down the drain..
masih belum ada kepastian lagi.. hurmmm~
lol….
never seen this… even at proton…. lol
this is just a rumor right? i think is unfair to shoot proton down if this is not true. well proton should replace perdana because its too old.
hey why the article appears to be struck out?
Just waiting P1 bashers comment…
Feels more to Gen-2 Persona rather than Perdana..(and clearly not Waja)
ah never mind
Just rumours….wait till the end …..just comments without the actual model such a opinion without basis….
proton should just stick to mitsu partnership.
at least make reliable cars.
neo cps is a big disappointment. compared to the satria gti.
what more to say exora gen2 and savvy
want to base a model on the rover 75? with protons so called cps? hah!
whats wrong with the mitsu 380.?
hmmm.
looks like proton is going to make another crappy car.
when will be launch???
looks ugly..
I dont have to be a basher or whatever to say this but… lets look at what Proton used to do.. The Saga/ Iswara/ LMST… was one of the poorest quality cars iv ever rode on. it seems relevant for the 1980s but up to 2005/2006? thats plain ridiculous using the same 12valve magma engine…apart from the rattles and vibrations from almost any part of the car….even the Hafei Lobo aka Naza Suria had better quality.. the Wira was a bit better but suffered from almost the same technological fate.. Some P2 bashers say they use same old boring car.. but at least… they dont have a 25 year lifespan for a car.. kancil and kelisa had a shorter lifespa… kancil was 93 i think..I plaudit Proton for RnD..innovative design and recently.. much better cars.. but still … if things cant reach up to global standards, just stop protecting the pockets of your own ones.. get a partner and rebadge proven vehicles…
Europestar design le i think for their market, not from proton designer. their definition of beautiful car is not the same as ours'.
so is this a gen 2 or perdana?
Errr… I have only one question to ask?
How did Malaysians TOLERATE with Proton's failing power window?
That's all, thank you.
*CORRECTED*
Errr… I have only one question to ask?
How did Malaysians TOLERATE with Proton’s failing power window for the past 25 years?
That’s all, thank you.
rofel said,
November 2, 2009 @ 5:24 pm
as usual, the bashers will have something to say lol
————————–
as usual, someone will bash the bashers back…lol..
Not bad for a redesigned GEN2 for China. The back looks way different and dare I say…better than our local design?
I would agree with anon that the design is not of Proton's but Europestar's design. Since they bought the manufacturing rights (correct me if I'm wrong) they would have wanted to design something different to separate themselves from Proton's design.
aT least they are not Perodua that just change The rear and front bonnet only..
Hi,
Just an info from the proton’s vendors loop.. Actually their replacement for Perdana will be simultaneously with Waja.. Means the new model that they are gonna produce (Oct 2010-mass pro) is Mitsubishi based Lancer (Code name P3-90A).. The development is just started and in the initial stage!!
This model will be replacing both Perdana n Waja comes with 3 variants; 1) 1.8 MT, 2) 1.8 CVT & 3)2.0.. This model is the model that has been MoU signed by both parties and its not gonna be a new full model development car as it is copy-cat the current Mits Lancer from Japan..
So if any of u is wishing for the Lancer a.k.a “Jerung” rite now, maybe u can wait n have a look on Proton-Jerung-Waja-Perdana Replacement soon..
Just wait n see!!
IJOO DESU!!
—————————————————————-
gud info..
cant wait 4 dat…
http://www.malaysianinsider.net/index.php/world/4…
Even China now have Euro4 fuel… How come we still lack behind them in term of technology, fuel & car price… Damn…
small, acute rear light makes it ultra solid look.
chinese know how to admire and appreciate appreciate european car styling,
sadly in malaysia people say honda city is beautiful,
chinese know how to admire and appreciate european car styling,
sadly in malaysia people say honda city is beautiful,
this is a roewe not a proton for god's sake
Toyo : Nobody seems to bash T for asking extra few thousands for the "all-new" Altis n Vios which has 4-speed auto n same engine as previously. For some reason, it's justified by saying "it's tried n tested", so if it's the case, how come they can't find ways to improve it by reducing cost n pass the savings to consumer?
Hmm… this restyled Gen2 should suit the Chinese market's taste, but for us…
rear lights look like a direct copy of the Renault Laguna Coupe's … overall not too bad, but hopefully the finished car will look better
this is a rebodied gen-2 for god's sake, not a roewe lah… stupid…
People who only see dark faults of the past and not see the light of hope in the future will not inherit the future.
If the majority of us could swallow all the restyling marketing via all the various makes i.e. TRD Sportivo, Nismo, why can't the Chinese do it for their market?
We do not have any idea of the target market's behaviour in China unless we study it closely. Who are closer to their market, if not for the local agents.
Eventually they will evolve into producing their own cars and won't rely on foreign input. This arrangement with Proton won't last very long and Proton knows that. But it is a mutual beneficial agreement. Much more flexible than any other car manufacturer would make.
@Toyo
First you argue P1 for rebadging for so many years. They you ask P1 to get a partner and rebadge. Who does rebadge work nowadays? Even Naza has stopped rebadge models of KIA or Pugs. Only P2 of course, because they are owned by the badge.
why no picture of the interior?..
Mazda 3 MPS said,
November 2, 2009 @ 9:22 pm
this is a roewe not a proton for god’s sake.
For god's sake read the details dude. Example? LINKS.
not fair to comment right now.. coz the car still not fully finish yet.. still tapping on the car.. so we cant see the actual design.. be professional u guys dont put rumor as your first source..
Perdana and Waja replacement model will be based on 1 model. (like Viva for Kelisa and Kancil) to save cost and marketing strategy based on 3 sedan classes (small,medium,big) similar to other Japanese brands.
PROTON
Saga, Gen-2/Persona, Waja/Perdana
TOYOTA
Vios, Corolla Altis, Camry
HONDA
City, Civic, Accord
By the way, PROTON are more focus on China customers taste and demand as their market is much much bigger then our domestic market. So it is much more important that they design a car that Chinese like rather then following the Japanese styling that the locals prefer.
Seems not nice. I'm afraid it'll be a rojak car with a combination of the East & the West.
hahaha, sudah tahu gen2 hodoh , that why mau design baru..wakakakkaa
Hong Kong oledi have electric car, proton baru mahu campro lah, trubolah…..bikin malu saja
takan proton gen2 cantik drpd city?
reminds me to Toyota Supra…
woooo… 'mati-mati' i believe this is perdana replacement
is it taken from gen-2
doesnt look like gen-2 at all
back part looks like a porsche..see clearly at tailight behind the car
front from spectra
back from supra
nothing much from gen-2
awak, design is something very subjective. so it all depends down to the eyes of beholder. like the alfa romeo mito, its either u love it or u hate it.
wah…but still waiting for waja replacement with lancer baseline..so impressive
look better than our gen 2!
For sure those lamps are better than the original one.
Quite stylish and elegant. But wont know if it gonna fit with the body afterwards.
Time for gen2 updated is about a right time but a in pic totally different style to be gen2,even a single cue…..something fishy about this.
since the perwaja will be replaced soon, does anybody the price tag for the jerung like mitsu-car??
Basher only have gut when comment on the local car, jaguh kampung.
Gen 2 looks a lot better both front & rear!
celicazz said,
November 2, 2009 @ 10:20 pm
this is a rebodied gen-2 for god’s sake, not a roewe lah… stupid…
——————————-
get yourself the autocar magazine with coverage of shanghai's motor show and look closely at the new roewe. this is that car.
Save the design/redesign/remake for Chinese market..
good laa proton. with the help of lotus, just need to focus on developing platform. from the platform then develop model for asean countries in tg malim. then just sell the platform to china company for their own market, to indian company for india market, to brazilian company for south america market, to iranian company for middle east market. then proton should buy rover to produce for european market. yeayyy… proton kaya.
however if it is a redesign, then it's a good one
Toyo said,
November 2, 2009 @ 7:35 pm
I dont have to be a basher or whatever to say this but… lets look at what Proton used to do.. The Saga/ Iswara/ LMST… was one of the poorest quality cars iv ever rode on. it seems relevant for the 1980s but up to 2005/2006? thats plain ridiculous using the same 12valve magma engine…apart from the rattles and vibrations from almost any part of the car….even the Hafei Lobo aka Naza Suria had better quality..
haifei lobo 2 naza sutera la ngok…
HA..PROTON PERONA V6
Looks like jag wannabe
mubongok said,
haifei lobo 2 naza sutera la ngok
SIAPA BONGOK???? aku kate AKA… maknanya also known as… takpa i eksplain pasai english kau bongok.. aka tu… diketahui juga sebagai.. paham? BONGOK
wtf is this. This is a disaster it looks like a piece of shit made in china
toyo..kamu kate
Hafei Lobo aka Naza Suria
mubongok said,
haifei lobo 2 naza sutera la ngok
*maka, see the difference?
toyo, i think mubongok was trying to correct u by saying haifei lobo is "naza sutera", instead of "naza suria" as claimed by u…please check your previous post..
aiyaa toyo…
people try to correct u ….u 'fire' balik…
accept la sometimes we do make mistake…..
WELCOME to malaysia and introduce Gen2 0r persona new facelift..
Why the front and rear lamp like "MATA SEPET" ??
oh ya.. they want to sell it in China..
i wonder under the hood is a turboed engine wif a fake turbo air scoop..lol..
Now, other company have produce design base on Gen2 platform. Same goes to Audi TT platform used by Sirocco. However, Eurostar have restyle the whole styling to match with Mainland market. I think it do not have any problem since they have made R&D base what the target market want. Malaysia in other was very complicated need that we want Drive like Merc or Beemer, Styling like Japan but the Price want like 2nd hand car. The taste keep changing every day, Today allure with Audi but the next day asking for Alfa….
Hmmm….. Malaysian ku…..
Toyo said,
November 2, 2009 @ 7:35 pm
even the Hafei Lobo aka Naza Suria had better quality
toyo said,
November 3, 2009 @ 9:21 pm
SIAPA BONGOK???? aku kate AKA… maknanya also known as… takpa i eksplain pasai english kau bongok.. aka tu… diketahui juga sebagai.. paham? BONGOK
Dear Toyo, Hafei Lobo is not AKA naza suria
The hafei model is AKA naza SUTERA@FORZA, not SURIA AKA KIA PICANTO.
toyo,
salah tu salah ler…ape nak marah
mubongok kater bongok jer..tu pun bagi ang tahu
yg hafei lobo tu naza sutera..kalu x sampai bila pun ang
silap…buat kena gelakje
stll…china cars suck
I think this gonna be nice.
toyo is a basher that not only bashing the car but the innocent people as well
Hafei Lobo aka Naza Sutera got lots of problems.
U can refer to this website:
http://chromosome.wordpress.com/2006/10/20/naza-s…
I'm very sympathy for the owners.
This is a result of bad SC, quality and also workmanship.
and he some more put his picture there
obertan said,
November 4, 2009 @ 8:18 pm
Hafei Lobo aka Naza Sutera got lots of problems.
U can refer to this website:
http://chromosome.wordpress.com/2006/10/20/naza-s…
I’m very sympathy for the owners.
This is a result of bad SC, quality and also workmanship.
—————————
All those problems on the Naza makes Proton look like Toyota
wat about the peugeot naza? how is the quality and maintainence?
Peugeot naza? Think of it as a conti but with cheaper new price. Of course the maintainence will not be like a japanese car, but if you love conti cars, its a chance to get one at a lower price than usual CBU ones.
yea been wondering about the Peugeot 308, looks really good
keta ,macam pontianak
the rear lamp looks like the old mitsubishi FTO rear..to me..anyone thinks the same 2..?
bertamboh hudoh ambo tengok.baik hok lamo,modified sikit lawa teruh.nih mace kreto buruk jah.orghe cino bodo laa,orghe kelaate jah cidik.haha..
what the heck is this.. this is totally not a gen2… this is another europestar la… this is not re-design la weh… totally different meh.. if proton make this car here also, they will not name it as gen2… this is cannot be a new gen2… no,no,no… this is a 100% different car… random view also can tell la wei… comparing this 2 car is like comparing myvi and saga meh… TOTALLY DIFFERENT…
kete ni dah macam gen2 pastu salut ngan barang2 kat kedai potong… macam bawak gen2 gi kedai potong pastu letak lampu depan merc nagn lampu belakang aston martin… kreatif tol la syarikat2 kat china… ni kompom bukan idea designer proton ni… its like they take gen2 picture and then edit with photoshop… they cut and paste the other car part and then make real car from that pic… this is very not proton look like xcept the body@chasis.. it is like gen2 wearing a new cloth… still have same body shape but not similar…….. like someone change thier kebaya with cheongsam…. same size… same body.. but not look same… <——-sorry for my totally broken english….