It’s been an incredible year for Proton – the national carmaker has already introduced three new cars this year, and a fourth one is still to come. With the Ertiga MPV weeks away from its launch, we’re providing you a full gallery of the rest of the new models, the Perdana, Persona and Saga, to see how far the company has come in a relatively short period of time.
The Perdana was the first Proton to be unveiled this year, making its debut in June. The D-segment sedan is based on the eighth-generation Honda Accord, but the exterior has been given a significant revision. The front end gains a new dual-bar grille that flows into the reshaped headlights, now with LED daytime running lights. The lower air intake has also been redesigned for a more aggressive look.
Along the side, it’s clear that Proton has stretched the length significantly, by some 171 mm to 5,020 mm. The roofline has been lengthened and a teardrop-shaped glasshouse added, while the rear overhang has also been extended. Meanwhile, the rear has been embellished with L-shaped LED tail lights, as well as a rear diffuser painted in body colour, including the faux tailpipes – not to everyone’s tastes, this.
Inside, it’s pretty much identical to the Accord, save the addition of a new infotainment system with twin screens. Also unchanged is the engine lineup – a 2.0 litre SOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder with 154 hp at 6,300 rpm and 189 Nm at 4,300 rpm and a 2.4 litre DOHC unit with 178 hp at 6,500 rpm and 222 Nm at 4,300 rpm. Both are paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, with steering paddle shifters for the 2.4. Prices are RM113,888 for the 2.0L model and RM138,888 for the 2.4L, on-the-road with insurance.
Two months after the Perdana, Proton pulled the wraps off the B-segment Persona sedan, essentially a booted version of the Iriz hatch, but with improvements inside and out. The front has been redesigned with a new chrome bar that extends across the grille and headlights; the latter are now reflector units instead of the Iriz’ projectors. The lower grille has also been redesigned and now sweeps under the front fog lights.
Meanwhile, the C-pillar has been given a BMW-style kink, while the lengthened rear end gains one-piece tail lights joined together by another chrome bar, plus a sizeable black rear valence insert complete with reflectors and a centre fog light. The interior is very similar to that of the Iriz, with the addition of a black-and-light-grey colour scheme, a redesigned gearlever and gloss grey trim on higher-end models. The boot now measures a sizeable 510 litres, up from the Iriz’ 215 litres.
Unlike the Iriz, the Persona is only available with the 1.6 litre VVT four-cylinder engine, making 107 hp at 5,750 rpm and 150 Nm at 4,000 rpm. Drive is sent through the front wheels via either a five-speed manual gearbox or a CVT, the former only available on the base Standard variant.
Several improvements have been made to reduce NVH, such as a reduction in the number of engine mounts from four to three, a redesigned exhaust system and a revised ECU for a more linear throttle response. Slotting under big brother Prevé, the Persona retails at RM46,800 for the Standard M/T, RM49,800 for the Standard CVT, RM55,800 for the Executive CVT and RM59,800 for the Premium CVT.
Last but not least is the new Saga, launched in September. Based on the outgoing model it might be, but the new model has been rebodied, and shares no exterior panels. Up front, there’s a dual-bar grille like the Perdana, along with reshaped reflector headlights and a lower grille reminiscent of the Persona.
Moving back, there’s less angular surfacing, Iriz door handles and a Persona-esque C-pillar kink, while the rear gains trapezoidal tail lights – like the Persona, these too are joined by a horizontal chrome bar. A more aggressive rear bumper with a diffuser-style black insert completes the look.
With the Persona only available with a 1.6 litre engine, the Saga has more room in the marketplace, especially since it is now powered exclusively with a 1.3 litre VVT mill, producing 94 hp at 5,750 rpm and 120 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. As with the Persona, only the Standard variant comes with a five-speed manual option, with all other models coming with a CVT.
As with the Persona, the Saga gets most of the same NVH measures, including fewer engine mounts and a revised ECU. Sitting at the entry level of the company’s range, the new Saga is priced at RM36,800 for the Standard manual variant and RM39,800 for the CVT. Moving up, the Executive CVT retails at RM42,800, while the Premium tops out at RM45,800.
Want to know how these cars drive? Read our full reviews of the Proton Perdana, Persona and Saga.
GALLERY: Proton Perdana 2.4L
GALLERY: Proton Persona 1.6 Premium
GALLERY: Proton Saga 1.3 Premium
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Proton. May the Force be with you!
I am Honda. I am the best, high above the rest. Come and be my apprentice. I shall make you powerful and let’s conquer the world together.
They shud unify the design for all segments, just like toyota, honda, BMW, Mesidis, Audi, Kia/Hyun… oh wai… cannot, nanti kena bash for no originality cuz its okays to unify for foreign overlord brands but not P1. Yeah, jangan persoal basher logic.
Any idea if ErrR3 when will launch? Seems like no more camo road test news anymore?
Base on the 3 models by P1, I would say the Persona is the better buy here.
It has its own identity without looking over his shoulder who he is copying beside his good looking back with the whole light by itself while most manufacturer will usually split it into 2 section.
At 5 meters, the Perdana is a large car by any standard & at 2.4 liter guise, you get most of the features/gadgets & tech you find in a D-segment car with some spare $$$ for holiday.
still no see one new perdana in southern johor
Seen one or two here in skudai. Nicer in reality compared to the picture.
Proton, please rebadge suzuki vitara turbo
Move on Proton, make us proud again.
While the overall design execution of the Saga & Persona is considered acceptable, the Perdana is not especially at its price level. The style of the interior faux wood trim looks 1980s & obsolete, Proton should have opted for a much darker colour tone (e.g dark brownish or greyish) for the wood trim to make it looks more contemporary & classy. The rear body coloured faux exhaust which has been highlighted to death is the second drawback, although I’ve seen some attempts by the Proton plant to make the rear diffuser section black-coloured altogether to rectify this issue. IMHO, the Perdana would look much much better if they employed a much cleaner front & rear bumper design..
Ahoy Proton…you the man!
the new saga design is really an eyesore. Bezza also equally an eyesore.
why can they design the car to look sharp and muscular?
a budget car don’t have to have the budget look. Malaysian designers really need to stay competitive and think out of the box.
Persona is the best!!
Just look at the Persona, it’s so much taller than the Perdana which is based on the accord. a small car that is so tall makes no sense.
Look at how Honda design the Honda City, even though it’s budget car, it still looks better than the persona or the saga.
More taller, more headroom space..even persona are more taller , proton engineer doing a good job for making this car well balanced on high speed highway or corner..honda city? Sure sempit , handling trolley giant sampah
Bravo Proton
I kno u guys had a road test in da new Ertiga…. Wer is da report?!
The three cars are dominating our roads now…congrats proton…
Is the Ertiga released yet? No right
You can’t released a report on something that isn’t released yet because they have agreement with car makers.
Like that also don’t know
First of all please learn proper English.
Thank you PT…We’ve read all ur proton reviews. Sorry to say that mostly won’t buy it. Majority old car owners will hold out their old car till the change of gomen @ next PRU
If u plan to wait till change, ur car wud rot beforehand.
It’s my car that will rot, why u bother so much!!.
U said majo but actually only u la.. right? pity..
I hold my purchase until 8-seaters 1.5 TGDi Exora is launched.
Year end is coming. Last count was that Proton has only sold 50,000 cars. That is half of last year’s 100,000 cars.
Last year, when Proton sold only 100,000 cars, the Government thought Proton was gone case and it became big scandal. Mustapha had to make many press releases asking the viability of Proton as a company.
This year is worse. Despite few models already launched, only 50,000 cars sold. What a shocker.
And don’t forget, bulk of the 50,000 cars are bought by Ministries and Government departments as a “sedekah” to help Proton.
Kudos to Proton staff for working hard to turnaroud the company fate.
If talking about sales volumes, No matters how they talks about how ugly the bezza rear bumper was, the reality is that the bezza already more than 20 inside the small taman i live. Ya the persona are seemingly increasing each day in the city, but if compare with bezza it still lose by some margins.
Sorry P1, most of the malaysians still love their Honda cars…..
Since A, B and D segment are complete, what they need now is a revise C segment. The Preve need a facelift and total makeover. And then they can focus on building SUV.
I would say these are cars without own identiti. Any car can be the perdana. Persona is so dispropotionated. Look at the back of saga, is a SAD looking face. What a blurred front lamp of saga! Old persona and saga have better lines. Now i believed even the poor one who have no choice of car, would have a choice of not buying and ride motorcycle.
Seen like 2-3 new Perdanas so far and quite a few Personas and 1 new Saga on the road and of the 3 the Saga is the most ugliest and the Persona the best looking model.