Feast your eyes on the Proton Iriz R3 Malaysian Touring Car, and boy does it sound insane! The video above shows Proton Motorsports head Tengku Djan at the wheel of the new race car, lapping the Sepang International Circuit.
To recap, at the heart of the souped-up Iriz R3 MTC is a race-prepared, naturally-aspirated 1.6 litre engine (a de-turboed Campro CFE block) that churns about 190 hp, matched to a five-speed manual transmission. The stripped-out racer features Recaro Pole Position race bucket seats, Alcon racing brake calipers and Ohlins adjustable coilovers.
The test lap was done in a practice session in preparation for Round 4 of the Malaysia Championship Series. The Iriz R3 will also be partaking in the Sepang 1,000 km race in November to defend the team’s crown.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
The comments reveal a mix of admiration for the Proton Iriz R3's racing success and criticism of the car's handling, quality, and overall value. Many fans are impressed that the Iriz won despite being a small hatchback with understeering issues, and some highlight its engine sound and performance. Conversely, a significant number ridicule the car’s handling, understeer, and design flaws, such as lack of comfort and safety features. There are also sarcastic remarks about Proton’s priorities, with accusations of wastefulness and mismanagement. Some comments touch on the driver’s skill, while others focus on the car’s racing potential versus its resale value and manufacturing quality. Overall, sentiments are polarized, with pride for the race result contrasted by skepticism about the car’s real-world usability.