Now here’s something to get properly excited about – the new Proton Perdana! Reader Tilakiswaran Samurgam has just sent us this spy video of Proton’s upcoming flagship sedan undergoing on-road tests on a public highway. The 2016 Perdana was spotted on the PLUS Highway near Behrang.
While it’s still wearing a full-body camouflage, this video gives us the best view yet of the local carmaker’s next model. Early signs are looking good, don’t you think so?
It has been made public a few times before that despite being based on the eight-gen Honda Accord, the new Proton Perdana will have its own distinctive design inside and out, rather than a straightforward rebadge job like the current model (which is for government official use only). This video confirms that information.
The most noticeable feature is perhaps the thick C-pillars, as seen from the side. From this video, at least, it certainly looks like the car’s profile has been altered compared to the donor vehicle, with a shallower angle chosen for the rear glasshouse. How this will end up remains to be seen.
Up front, it’s all taped-up still, but the familiar Proton face is clear to be seen. Round the back, it’s interesting to see that the exhaust outlet appears to be integrated into the rear bumper. If this carries through to production, the Perdana will be the first Proton to have such a design feature.
We’re expecting the Perdana to launch next year with Honda powertrains. That means a 2.0 litre and 2.4 litre i-VTEC petrol engines matched to a five-speed automatic gearbox. We will publish more details on the 2016 Proton Perdana as soon as we get them, as always.
It’s early days still, but do you like what you see so far?
Current Proton Perdana (government official use only)
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments generally express excitement and optimism about the new Proton Perdana, with some praising its design resemblance to the Honda Accord and suggesting it’s a significant improvement over previous models. Several users highlight Proton’s improvements in engine and transmission, hopes for better quality, and potential success in markets outside Malaysia. However, there are also skepticism and criticism about Proton’s past quality issues, pricing strategies, and high costs due to protectionism, which some believe have led to overpriced vehicles and economic losses for Malaysia. Off-topic and biased comments, including accusations, political opinions, and off-brand comparisons, are also present but less relevant. Overall, the comments reflect a mixture of anticipation and cautious doubt surrounding Proton’s latest offering.