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2011 Proton Saga FL launched in Malaysia – full details

December 15, 2010 at 11:47 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, New Proton Saga, Proton, Videos

You have seen the facelifted Proton Saga from our Thai Auto Expo 2010 coverage earlier this month, and now it’s the Malaysian market’s turn to get the car. Unveiled by Proton MD Datuk Syed Zainal moments ago, it is officially called the Saga FL.

From the boss’ speech, and the new features, we know that Proton is trying to get the younger crowd to consider the Saga as their first car, urban middle class folks that would otherwise buy a Myvi.

The Blue Rock colour you see here is one of the two new colors (the other is Cafe Latte, a light brown hue), and is the same colour as the Thai show car. There are now two trim lines – Standard and Executive – down from the previous three. Manual (5-speed) and automatic (4-speed) choices are available for both trims, which mean that there are four possible configurations.

Powered by the same 1,332 cc Campro engine with 94 hp and 120 Nm, the Saga FL gets Proton’s new face, which will be sign of things to come. As detailed before, the new exterior consists of new lamps front and rear, new grille, new bumpers on both ends and new design rims. Standard variants ride on 175/70 R13 wheels while Executive FLs use 185/60 R14 rubber.

Most of the new features that the FL gets over the old car is for the Executive. They are dual airbags, steering audio buttons and USB/AUX ports for the Clarion MP3 stereo. New goodies available on both trims are side mirrors with LED signal lamps, rear power windows, rear LED tail lamps. The rest of the Executive-only equipment includes driver’s seat height adjuster, powered wing mirrors, fog lamps and slim rear spoiler.

The new Proton Saga facelift is now available in four different variants – the Standard M/T and A/T as well as the higher spec Executive M/T and A/T, which is one grade level less than the pre-facelift Saga, which was available in N-Line, B-Line and M-Line. Effectively, this means very basic N-Line with the cheapest price tag and the black bumper is not represented in the new line-up.

All models have the front and rear power windows, MP3 function for the audio player, and the side mirrors with LED turn indicators.

What the Executive model adds over the Standard model are the USB and AUX input, the dual front SRS airbags (Standard model doesn’t have any airbags), steering wheel audio switches, driver seat height adjustment, electric door mirrors, fog lamps, rear spoiler, a multipurpose container and side protector moulding. Wheels are alloys wrapped with 180/60R14 on the Executive, and steel wheels wrapped with 175/70R13 on the Standard.

The engine and gearbox remains the same as the pre-facelift Proton Saga for now, however Proton has indicated that they will be rolling out an update to the Campro engine family sometime next year, and this update could include the new Proton Saga. The update will include improvements to the normally aspirated Campro engines as well as add a new turbocharged variant for models like the Proton Exora.

The Saga is available in Solid White, Tranquility Black, Genetic Silver, and two new flours – Cafe Latte and Blue Rock. Our live galleries after the jump are mostly of the two new colours so you’ll know what they look like.

Of course, the most important part are the new prices. Prices have gone up by about RM1,000 to RM1,300 across the board, which is not too bad a jump considering there’s an extra passenger airbag in the airbag-equipped models. In the price comparison, we’ll compare the Standard with the B-Line and the Executive with the M-Line.

  Saga Difference Saga Facelift
1.3 Standard M/T RM36,998 RM1,000 RM37,998
1.3 Standard A/T RM39,998 RM1,000 RM40,998
1.3 Executive M/T RM39,498 RM1,200 RM40,698
1.3 Executive A/T RM41,998 RM1,300 RM43,298

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Proton Saga Facelift R3 Concept teased at Thai Motor Expo

December 1, 2010 at 11:24 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, New Proton Saga, Proton

At the launch of the facelifted Proton Saga at the 2010 Thailand Motor Expo yesterday, Proton also showed off an R3 kitted variant on the stands. We have no information on this sporty Saga and presume that it’s a styling concept, although there’s nothing too outlandish here to rule out a production version. Show enough interest and perhaps Proton might listen!

It’s in black with a distinctive single yellow racing stripe aligned to the left side of the car. This is matched by side stripes with the words ‘R3 Concept’ and a chequered flag pattern. The bronze R3 six-spoke alloys are in matching colour with the lower half of the aggressive front bumper (with side vents and big air intakes that just long an intercooler!) and the diffuser style rear bumper. There’s a rear spoiler and the exhaust also has a burnt tip look.

I got ushered off the stage before managing to take pics of the cabin (the car was locked anyway), but there are Recaro buckets and a small diameter sports steering wheel.

Enjoy the shiny gallery after the jump!
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Proton Saga facelift unveiled at Thai Motor Expo 2010

November 30, 2010 at 1:16 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Malaysian Makes, New Proton Saga, Proton

UPDATE: The Proton Saga FL has been launched in Malaysia! Click for details and pricing.

We’re here at the Thai Motor Expo 2010 for some pre-KLIMS motorshow action, where Proton has unveiled the 2011 Proton Saga facelift!

Here’s an initial list of changes from what we’re able to tell so far:

The entire front end has pretty much changed from the head lamps, grille, bumper, and even the engine hood sheet metal design. The new engine hood now creases in a way that makes the left and right sides of the hood higher. There’s also a very faint spine in the middle of the hood, where in the pre-facelift Saga it was flat.

The headlamps now appear to use three bulbs instead of the previous two bulb config – we think this means there’s a dedicated bulb for high beam now. The signal lamps have been moved towards the inside of the lamps.

The wing mirrors now have turn signal indicators.

The rear end also has significant changes. The tail lamps are new and have LED lighting. There’s a small spoiler on the boot lid, and because of the spoiler design the Saga badge has to be relocated slightly to the left.

The bumper now has a black insert for the diffuser-like design feature, and it’s now wider with reflector lenses and shaped to show off the exhaust muffler and tail pipe, as opposed to the pre-FL Saga which had its rear end designed to hide the exhaust tail pipe.

The 1-DIN Clarion radio looks the same to us (except for the MP3/WMA logos which indicate support for those files), but there are new USB and AUX-in ports which are not integrated into the radio but are instead positioned to the lower right of the radio. This takes up some of the cubby hole space below the radio.

The steering wheel now has audio control buttons, similiar in style to the Satria Neo’s.

The fabric pattern on the door cards and the seats are now of a different design (old one is on the left). The baseline model in Thailand has a yet another different fabric pattern, and the one we are showing above in comparison to the old fabric is the high spec fabric pattern.

There are now rear power window button controls. As for which of the Malaysian car specs will feature rear power windows and which won’t, we’ll have to wait for the Malaysian launch.

There’s a new alloy wheel design, but the tyre size is the same as before – 185/60R14.

There’s now the option for a front passenger airbag which takes up the ’tissue box’ holder compartment in the pre-facelift Saga.

These are the only changes we are able to see so far, and we have to note that some of these updates like the USB/AUX function, the extra airbag and the rear power windows could only be for the higher spec models. Four colours are available in Thailand – Solid White, Tranquility Black, Genetic Silver and the new colour you see here which is Blue Rock.

There could be other changes on the mechanical side of things though, which we will probably only be able to find out when we speak to Proton’s engineers in Malaysia. The Thai spec sheet (which you will be able to see after the jump) quotes 70kW and 120Nm, which is the same as the pre-facelift Saga.

Enjoy a high-res product and live image gallery as well as a video after the jump.
[Read more...]

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Facelifted Proton Saga waiting to be unveiled at the 2010 Thailand International Motor Expo!

November 30, 2010 at 12:34 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, New Proton Saga, Proton

We’re reporting to you live from the Thailand International Motor Expo 2010 in Bangkok. There will some cars of interest to us that will come your way later, but the biggest news without doubt will be the world debut of the facelifted Proton Saga.

For now, we know that the refreshed Saga has some major changes in the sheetmetal and added features in and out. We don’t have any information on if there’s any technical changes in the engine bay at this moment.

We are also looking forward to see the progress on Honda’s New Small Concept, whether it’s a close to production “concept” or the full production model. The facelifted Honda Accord is also slated for its Thai launch here.

We will be back shortly with information, images and a video from the Saga launch, which will happen around lunch time, so make sure your browser is locked on to this website!

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Proton Saga Facelift Artist Renderings – debut at KLIMS?

October 29, 2010 at 10:02 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Malaysian Makes, New Proton Saga, Proton

Here are artist renderings of what the upcoming Proton Saga Facelift could look like, created by Theophilus Chin based on our previous sightings of the car (once in a parking lot and another time on the move).

I highly doubt that a price-sensitive model like the Saga would come with the projector headlamps that Theophilus has given the renderings above though (nothing wrong with a little wishful thinking eh?), but the rest of the details were done based on the spyshots, such as the new shape for the headlamps and the front grille, as well as the reflectors on the rear bumper.

If you want a recap of how the taped up Saga facelift test units look like, you can refer to our two previous posts or check them out after the jump where we’ve embedded them for reference purposes.

We expect the 2011 model year Proton Saga facelift to be officially unveiled at the KL International Motor Show 2010 at the end of the year, as Proton has previously indicated that it will be unveiling a facelift model there.
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Proton Saga Facelift – New Batch of Spyshots!

October 25, 2010 at 5:20 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, New Proton Saga, Proton, Spyshots

This second set of Proton Saga facelift photo sent in by reader Bazli are one of the clearest yet, as it was snapped while the car was parked at a highway rest stop yesterday, while our previous shots of the car featured it on the move on a highway near Bukit Jelutong.

The shape of the front end slightly be made out behind the thick disguise. The grille of course gets the same signature Proton family grille that’s found on the Persona, the Exora and even the new Proton Inspira.

From this angle shot we can note a few more changes. I like how the new rear bumper now has integrated reflectors in them, it’ll definitely enhance the look of the bumper. The pre-facelift bumper was bare, although it had a little diffuser-look design at the bottom. You can also notice the new design for the alloy wheels as well as the new design for the tail lamps, which in the Bukit Jelutong photos we observed were powered by LEDs.

No clear photos of the interior so we can’t really see if anything is different but I do hope that the highline model gets dual airbags as standard – it’s already been offered on the 25th Anniversary Edition. Notice the little LED turn signal peeking from the side of the wing mirror.

Look after the jump for a full hi-res gallery of Bazli’s snapshots.
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Proton Saga facelift spotted near Bukit Jelutong NKVE toll

August 9, 2010 at 2:55 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, New Proton Saga, Proton, Spyshots

Proton gave us the second generation Proton Saga back in early 2008 and it was easily the most anticipated car ever during that period of time, as everyone expected it to be the most affordable Proton sedan one could buy, given the Saga’s positioning.

Following a 5 year lifecycle, we should be able to expect the third generation Saga in late 2012 or early 2013 but before that it’s time for a mid-life facelift sometime this year or next year, which will hopefully revise the model line-up to include a model with dual airbags like available on the 25th anniversary special edition.

In any case, it’s about time that we see taped up facelifted Proton Sagas running around, like this one here snapped by reader Victor while exiting the Bukit Jelutong toll entering the NKVE. At the front we can see that Proton has given it the family grille with the horizontal bar that’s found on the Persona and the Exora.

The rear end also looks different. The Saga that’s currently available has tail lamps that position the signal lamp on top, so the upper most part of the tail lamp is clear. Fortunately in one of these photos we can see the car braking so it shows that the brake lights have been moved to the area where the signal lamp previously occupied.

Look after the jump for the full gallery of Saga facelift spyshots.
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Proton Saga 25th Anniversary Edition features dual front SRS airbags and 4 power windows!

July 11, 2010 at 9:21 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, New Proton Saga, Proton

Like the 25th Anniversary Edition Exora, the Proton Saga 25th Anniversary Edition is also limited to 25 units and comes at a premium price of RM 54,500, considerably higher than the both the top of the line Saga SE’s RM44,548.00 price tag. As a reference, a Saga M-Line is priced at RM41,548.00.

But the premium of close to RM10,000 brings you something else other than your usual 25th Anniversary ‘look’ which is the nice brown Nappa leather, bodykit (looks the same as the SE’s), alloy wheels unique to the Saga 25th Anniversary Edition, grey instrument faces (Saga is black face and Saga SE is white face) and the ‘tiger’ stripes running the length of the shoulderline.

If you look at the photo of the interior above you’ll see that the hole on the passenger side of the dashboard that was previously a storage area has been ‘filled up’ by a passenger SRS airbag. The car also has power windows on all four windows.

In this sense the specs seem quite similar to the Australian market Proton S16. I’m hoping that with a future facelift or specs update we’ll be able to get dual SRS airbags in regular Proton Saga models as well. I also hope that ABS brakes are in the works as this is even missing on the Australian S16!

Click here for the full specifications list, and check out our live photo gallery of the limited edition Saga after the jump.
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25th Anniversary Proton Saga Snap & Win Contest

May 31, 2010 at 5:07 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, New Proton Saga, Proton

The Proton Saga ‘Snap & Win’ Photo Contest with the theme ‘Ease your Life’ is one of the activities that Proton Edar have planned in conjunction with Proton’s 25th Anniversary celebration.

The contest is broken down into 2 categories – Old Saga and New Saga. The Old Saga category includes the 85-91 Saga, 92-08 Iswara and the 03-08 Saga. And of course for the New Saga category, all new Saga of all specs can join.

Basically what you have to do is snap an original and creative photo of yourself or your family with any Proton Saga and submit the entry online at the Saga Snap & Win microsite, or via snail mail (address can be found below). You also have to submit a creative caption to describe how the Saga have eased their life in less than 140 words.

VIDEO: Proton Saga History

There is no purchase required and you don’t even have to own a Proton Saga to join. You can use your neighbour’s, friend’s or family’s Proton Saga. Each person is allowed to submit a maximum of 5 entries but of course you can only win once. I’m probably going to try to join using Danny’s old Proton Saga ;)

The criteria to win is 70% judging and 30% public voting. The judging will be based on relevance, originality and creativity among other judging criteria. The following are the prizes:

Old Saga New Saga
Grand Prize RM25,000 Grand Prize RM25,000
1st Runner Up RM8,000 1st Runner Up RM8,000
2nd Runner Up RM5,000 2nd Runner Up RM5,000
Consolation (10) RM1,000 Consolation (10) RM1,000


Click to enlarge – an example entry?

Winners will also be invited to the Proton 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner. The judging panel will shortlist 50 entries for public voting, which accounts for 30%. There is also a reward for public voters who consistently voted for the grand prize, 1st runner up prize and 2nd runner up prize. Each individual can vote once a day for their preferred finalist. There’s three prizes to be won – RM2,500, RM2,000 and RM1,000 for the voter category.

Head on over to the Proton Saga Snap & Win Microsite to find out more about the contest and how to join. For those who want to send in their entries via snail mail, you can send it to Proton Saga Snap & Win Contest, PG-15A, Ground Floor, Jaya 33, No.3 Jalan Semangat, Section 13, 46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Remember to send your 140 word caption, your full name, your IC number, your contact number and your email address.

Basic editing of the photos are allowed such as color correction, sharpening and etc but no heavy Theophilus Chin style photoshops are allowed :P
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Proton to hold Ride & Handling Day – Saturday 6th March 2010 in Danga Bay, Johor

March 3, 2010 at 11:41 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, New Proton Saga, Proton, Proton Satria Neo

Remember the Satria Neo Unleashed with hitz.fm event last year? Proton and hitz.fm actually organized an event where avid autocrossers can try their hand at the Satria Neo. You drive through a straight line and obstacle course, and whoever clocks the fastest time wins a prize!

This year the challenge is back in Danga Bay Johor, and the event is even bigger this time. There’s not only a challenge for the Satria Neo but for the Proton Saga as well! Here’s the full lowdown on the activities happening this Saturday the 6th of March 2010 beginning from 4pm to 1030pm:

  • Saga Ride & Handling Challenge – 25 participants
  • Satria Neo Ride & Handling Challenge – 25 participants
  • Test-drive activity (Satria Neo, Saga, and Gen2)
  • PROTON Mini Technologies Display by R&D
  • LOTUS Showcase (performance cars)
  • Sales Activity (Satria Neo Saga, Gen2)
  • Parts and Services display (genuine parts)
  • Merchandize booth
  • Demo performance by LOTUS
  • Satria Neo, Saga, Gen2 Club gathering & car showcase
  • Games and quizzes by Hitz.FM’s DJ and announcers
  • Closing act by Artistes (Pesawat & One Buck Short)

Neo CPS

As you can see above, the Ride & Handling challenge is open only to 50 participants – 25 for the Satria Neo CPS and 25 for the Saga. Participants need to have a valid driving license and need to fulfill the rules and regulations, terms and conditions, and signed indemnity form of the event. Interested person can register at the counter when the announcers announce the time for registration (4.00pm – 4.30pm). All participants will go through safety and course briefing handle by professional track safety instructors. Participant will be guided / supervised by professional instructor during the laps to explain about the cars and to ensure the safety of the participant/ public during the laps.

The first place winner of either category will win RM500 and a Sony Ericsson F305. The second place prizes are RM300 and a Canon 480 digital camera. The third place winners will get RM200 and a RM500 Padini Voucher.

As for the test drive activity, Proton has set up a special course for you to be able to try out the car’s handling instead of a regular showroom test drive where you probably just drive around the showroom area. So if you’re in the market for a Proton sometime soon you may want to test drive the car at this course as well as a regular showroom drive so you can try how the car performs in both worlds – both under hard driving conditions and in a neighborhood.

If you book your car on the day itself there’s a low downpayment scheme and other promotions available. I don’t know what they are right now so you’ll have to pay a visit to the event to find out! Also, Proton Parts Center will be having sessions to educate the public on how to differentiate the original parts with non-genuine parts, and the causes and effect of using non-genuine parts.

Lotus Elise

A professional driver from Lotus will be showcasing the driving demo using their cars to highlight the capability of the cars’ handling. As you know Lotus cars are gokarts on steroids – usually people reserve that term for MINIs but these Lotus cars are the real thing. There will be opportunities for a taxi ride with the cars together with the driver.

Satria Neo, Saga and Gen2 club members will be there to display their cars at the event.A contest will be held to award the most outstanding car for each category. The criteria of the selection of the winner are exterior condition, paint job, decals, stickers, rims, interior cleanliness & practicality, and modification changes. Of course you’ll probably expect some really fast “Campro Turbo DIY” cars there or even some with MIVEC or GSR swaps, but engine bay will not be evaluated as Proton are not promoting any changes made to the engine. Judges will be appointed from Proton managements, the artistes and professional drivers.

Other than that, the public can also participate in any games activities on that day such as a be mini futsal challenge, team activities, and others. These games will be conducted by Hitz.fm announcers Natalie and Jin and they will also be having quizzes. The closing performance will be a performance by One Buck Short and Pesawat, which will start after the demo performance by Lotus mentioned earlier.

So this is something for you to check out this Saturday if you live in the south. RELA will be in charge on that day to handle traffic and parking. Just remember to bring a bottle of mineral water as I’ve been informed that Danga Bay did not give permission for the sale of F&B during the event so you’ll have to bring your own.

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