The Proton Saga has been caught testing in Pakistan ahead of its introduction in the South Asian country. The above image from CarSpiritPK points to at least two variants of the compact sedan earmarked for the market, with one of it being the Premium, judging from the wheels.
Word is that the Saga will introduced by Proton’s local partner Al-Haj Automotive initially as CBU import from Malaysia, before local assembly kicks off in 2021. In April 2019, Proton and Al-Haj signed a licensing and technical assistance agreement related to the building of a factory in Karachi to assemble Proton cars there.
Then, it was announced that the Karachi plant will be built on a greenfield site with an initial investment of US$30 million (RM124 million). Operations are expected to start before the end of 2020.
It was previously reported that the Saga for Pakistan will get a slightly downsized engine to match the country’s auto tax structure. The car will still feature a 1.3 litre engine, but it will have a displacement of 1,299 cc instead of our S4PE 1.3 litre VVT mill’s 1,332 cc displacement,
This could well be a cylinder resleeve job to meet the capacity requirements, or it could be an entirely fresh engine altogether, coming from Geely. The Chinese automaker and 49% shareholder of Proton has a 1,299 cc four-pot called the 4G13 (not a Mitsubishi engine despite the familiar code), available in both turbocharged and normally-aspirated forms. In NA guise, the Geely unit offers 87 hp and 120 Nm, which isn’t far from the S4PE’s 95 PS/120 Nm.
As for transmissions, the latest Saga facelift – launched in August 2019 – saw Proton replace the old CVT with a Hyundai-sourced four-speed automatic. A five-speed manual is also available, of course. The X70 is another Proton set for Pakistan – the SUV has already been spotted testing in the fellow right-hand-drive market.
Recently, Proton shipped its first batch of cars to Kenya – 30 units of Sagas in knocked down form for assembly in the African nation. Seems like these days, the Saga is the only Malaysian that gets to travel.
GALLERY: 2020 Proton Saga Anniversary Edition
GALLERY: Proton Saga Anniversary Edition with optional accessories
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kenya, now pakistan? next afganistan and north korea ?
Proton goes where Toyota fears to tread.
Honda has the most fearest when Proton is getting more success
But can see Toyota fanbois repeatedly downvoting proton like comments. A clear sign that kuntavirus is back.
What do you expect? Norway, Switzerland and Luxembourg?
P2 in Sri Lanka, Mauritius. Bezza selling rm100k
If they can sell there, why not?
“kenya, now pakistan? next afganistan and north korea “?
Very likely, as all countries have not so good road conditions and need high quality cars. A P2 would fell apart after 10km.
Proton once export cars to first world countries like UK but due to the mismanagement and lembab attitude in Proton office, Proton became a Game Over carmaker and is forced to withdraw from every countries, leaving Perodua the only national carmaker successfully exporting cars. But today, with Geely’s Game-Changing knowledge and experience, Geely is able to restore Proton’s confidence. This is why we see Proton starts to export their cars to 3rd world countries again and soon 1st world countries.
Reason why Proton abandoned first world countries is due to their abandoning of private vehicles, Europe car sales are in decline while African & South American car markets are heading upward.
Even VW, GM, Toyota are going into these markets in force, does it mean they became lembaber in the opis? So you saying they have millions of lembabs worldwide, even worse than Proton. Looks like they need GC China to come rescue them, especially Toyota.
“Seems like these days, the Saga is the only Malaysian that gets to travel.”
Clear indication that Perodua export has died.”
successfully? i think ive seen more proton in the uk then p2.ngl proton reach way further then p2 ever did if anything p2 should be the one being grateful
Tahniah P1!
P1, Geely, Volvo, Lotus > all
We have to thank Geely for letting Proton to join the Geely family. Thanks to Geely, the supposedly Game Over Proton are now improving and learning everyday
Yes we Swedes have to thank Geely for letting Volvo to join the Geely family. Thanks to Geely, the supposedly Game Over Volvo are now improving and learning everyday.
“Seems like these days, the Saga is the only Malaysian that gets to travel.”
Clear indication that Perodua export has died.
But then again Daihatsu rebadges Perodua cars to be sold overseas so….who is rebadging who?
Daihatsu merely rebadging back their cars, sold under Daihatsu branding. Perodua cannot claim glory for that export.
ohh now you proud of the rebadge
Our Volvo cars are now designed globally and made in Belgium, Malaysia, China, etc for local and overseas consumption so… are we rebadging Geely global designed cars?
The far unit is wearing 14″ steel wheel caps. Not alloy wheels as mentioned in the article. Otherwise, good read.
Cash or credit?
If anything I think the cars sold there will need better air filters just like the ones sold in the Middle East.
Saw in Proton cars featured in filem Extraction,
Because that action scene (the bridge) was shot in Thailand, a small town called Tha Pha in Ratchaburi province, west of Bangkok.
This no problem
https://paultan.org/2020/07/09/proton-to-fit-all-cars-with-n95-cabin-filter-from-today-retrofit-available-for-rm59-15-discount-till-oct-9/
He’s talking about the engine air filter because of dust.
More important they need heaters. Pakistan is a cold country with snow.
No problem in expanding to such markets especially with “big-brother”, hope my concern is unwarranted, but why test again since the car is not new.
Different engine. Do you even read the article?
VTA tests have to be done for each individual country hence these test mules.
Have looked through the owner’s manual for the current Saga, the 1299cc engine is already spec’ed in the manual. It’s still the same S4PE engine, just with a slightly shortened stroke while maintaining the same cylinder bore diameter. It shares the same maximum power and torque figures with the “standard” 1332cc version.
Increasing the conrod length or piston height to reduce CC size is not so difficult to do.
And because the compression is higher then, they can use diesel too?
Different engine displacement. Do you even read the article?
Now carpet sellers in Malaysia can use Saga when they back at home.
Meanwhile Egypt still CKDing the left hand drive Saga FLX till now.
Meanwhile Egypt still clamour for out of production Gen2 and Persona CM, forcing proton to dust off their long stored toolings and moulds to restart production for these two hotselling models.