SPYSHOTS: 2021 Proton Persona with LED taillights, Iriz with crossover styling – both to swap CVT for 4AT?

SPYSHOTS: 2021 Proton Persona with LED taillights, Iriz with crossover styling – both to swap CVT for 4AT?

The 2021 Proton Persona and Iriz facelifts have been sighted in their camouflaged 2021 forms once again, and this time the duo has been photographed from behind, whereas the previous sighting in September depicted the sedan and hatchback head-on.

The forthcoming update for Proton’s B-segment sedan appears to include smoked LED tail lamps, while a new rear bumper looks like it has done away with the silver-look finished dual kinks along most of the lower edge on the current car. Still present and visible through the Persona’s camouflage foil are the pair of slim reflector placements from the 2019 model, and the concealed wheels are new, too.

Over to the Iriz. The development hatchback unit also photographed here is likely the version sighted in September, also wearing the wheel arch extensions and roof rails for a crossover-styled version; these elements were seen on the Iriz Active MkII concept of 2015, which in show car form also featured contrasting exterior trim and interior highlights.

2021 Proton Iriz; frontal view of 2021 Persona and Iriz (right) – click to enlarge

The previously seen frontal view of the 2021 Persona and Iriz depicted front ends that were mostly camouflaged at the time, indicating revisions to the fascia which will likely include the ‘infinite weave’ signature to bring them visually closer to their latest stablemates.

The 2019 facelifts made their debut last April, therefore the updates will go beyond aesthetics. The 2019 Proton Saga brought a four-speed automatic transmission to replace the CVT in the previous model, so a version of this four-speed auto could feature in Proton’s forthcoming updates for the B-segment duo.

The engine range will likely continue as those presently available, with the crossover Iriz likely to be pitched as more premium and therefore a prime candidate for the 1.6 litre VVT powertrain that outputs 109 PS and 150 Nm of torque. The 1.3 litre unit in the 2019 Iriz makes a claimed 95 PS and 120 Nm of torque.

The 2021 facelifts of the Proton Persona and Iriz are expected to premiere next year, when both sedan and hatchback models will most likely bring updates to their respective interior equipment lists.

GALLERY: 2019 Proton Persona 1.6 Premium

GALLERY: 2019 Proton Iriz 1.6 Premium CVT

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Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • Dredd on Dec 02, 2020 at 1:28 pm

    The much rumored Proton Persona and Iriz 1.5TGDI incoming?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
    • Bujang Tua on Dec 02, 2020 at 1:35 pm

      Tetap juga tidak laku.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 46
    • TakLaku on Dec 02, 2020 at 3:38 pm

      Iriz can stop production cos very poor sales.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 20
    • Melania Rosmah on Dec 02, 2020 at 6:30 pm

      The 4 speed auto gear from Hyundai ..oh no…My friend bought Saga this Jan…The gear change stops at gear 3 only.
      After being konk for a month..waiting for spare gear box..the new replacement gear also give out the same shit.
      My friend sold it at a hefty loss to a used car dealer,and bought a Bezza instead.
      Never use an ancient 4 speed auto,apart from Aisin of japan.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 57
      • Leklu on Dec 02, 2020 at 10:45 pm

        Typical story by Perodua sales person. Friend car got problem and always end up bought a Perodua. Lol

        Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 55 Thumb down 3
        • Rosmah Kaki Gebang on Dec 03, 2020 at 9:09 am

          Yeah totally! Quite the opposite actually. I bought a saga this year n it works fine n even a friend of mine who bought bezza earlier on feel kinda regret for not buying Saga for the value. Lol. But he didn’t sell his bezza to buy proton tho because u know thats a horse shit fairytale story. Who tf change cars like changing clothes! XD

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 1
    • Alson P on Dec 03, 2020 at 3:04 am

      1.5L GDI NA

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • Driver5 on Dec 04, 2020 at 6:44 am

      AEB please.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • please on Dec 02, 2020 at 1:28 pm

    This time get rid of Halogen light please. Come on its 2020 already.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 3
    • kon_tol on Dec 02, 2020 at 2:46 pm

      halogen light is ok what..agreed led is better..but for me halogen give more eye comfort to driver & incoming traffic

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 54 Thumb down 2
      • panjang on Dec 02, 2020 at 3:56 pm

        Agreed…dont forget that white beam from LED headlight is practically useless when it rains at night and the road have no street light.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 31 Thumb down 1
    • For budget segment, halogen is still ok because of low replacement costs.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 1
  • it seems that from the photos the ground clearance of crossover iriz is unchanged (compared to persona). i am expecting a bit taller. the roofbar is obviously there.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • potato on Dec 02, 2020 at 1:43 pm

      iriz crossover much copied kia picanto x-line. inspired by the company’s X50 crossover and X70 models, nicely rugged. good design!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • syafiq on Dec 02, 2020 at 1:41 pm

    Come on Proton …sudah colaborated dengan Geely, tak kan tak boleh produce Electric variants? And please export to overseas like Latin America or Africa for petrol version and future electric, export it to Europe…no need too focus for Malaysian market…even brand x popular dari Iran (IranKhodro) pun dah export kereta ke europe dan latin amerika….and Indian car (Tata & Mahindra) already produce LHD cars for export to Chile.
    What happen to Proton car dealer in Chile? Bankrap already?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 31
    • Rakyat Malaysia on Dec 02, 2020 at 4:50 pm

      You think so easy to produce electric cars ah? This isn’t like make microwave ovens, it takes a lot of investments and again let me remind you Proton have done their hard work in developing an electric car with Iriz EV but who can afford it? Even MINI EV is a Rm20,000 premium on top of the regular petrol variant so I ask you if you willing to spend 70-80k for an Iriz EV?

      Whatmore electric cars are dependent on seamless charging network. These are available in cities at developed nations but what do you expect from 3rd/4th world countries. Even Msia we don’t have enough chargers which results in range anxiety for prospective buyers. Most are willing to give hybrids and PHEV a try but not full EV and damning releases from environmental groups have stated that PHEV cars are worse than regular petrol cars in carbon emissions.

      Proton is not ready to intro electric cars simply because we Msia is not ready for it yet.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 40 Thumb down 8
    • Talk is cheap on Dec 02, 2020 at 5:18 pm

      Ask yourself first can you afford to spend more than RM100k for an electric car? For example Nissan leaf RM188k, how many people can afford? Talk is cheap, but not for the price of EV car here in Malaysia.

      Btw, do you think Proton only focus on local market? What about X70 launched in Brunei and Pakistan? Read more news la.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 4
    • Ruslan Bahari on Dec 02, 2020 at 5:39 pm

      Some people think export is justba click of a button. Silly. And with Geely on board, you think all will click in place?

      First, there is a corrections required internally to improve the quality, efficency and plug all the gaps. Then, launch new products with a domestic focus first because going global is not cheap.

      It is called a business plan. Look it up.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 3
  • Unknown on Dec 02, 2020 at 1:43 pm

    Maybe the 1.3L variants will come with the smaller 1,298 cc engine destined for Paki market.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 1
  • Good cars are getting cheap on Dec 02, 2020 at 2:56 pm

    Unlikely there’ll be an engine change but am looking forward to the features it will bring. I just hope a price increase isn’t underway even with simple ADAS, as that would be a big turn off, unless there is an option without them like the x50. The gearbox change is much welcomed, hopefully it fixes the fuel consumption a bit more.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 1
  • Justice on Dec 02, 2020 at 4:50 pm

    back to 4 speed auto tranny? what a shame..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 6
    • Rumour only so far. Nothing is confirmed yet.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • It’s a small city car. If you have the money for a car with very high tech why are you buying iriz?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
      • for pure city drive, i think an Axia will do the job, no need Iriz … unless want to fly like MyVi la

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 6
    • Alson P on Dec 03, 2020 at 3:09 am

      CVT better than 4AT..
      5AT better than 4AT..
      Say no to 4AT

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 4
    • What can proton do bro? They have to meet the local market demands and a lot of locals prefer dinosaur cars with ancient technology, the main reason why P2 can still sell well here but not overseas.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • Proton oh Proton on Dec 02, 2020 at 5:06 pm

    Please upgrade to 1.0 turbo.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3
  • Raja Kamarul on Dec 02, 2020 at 5:34 pm

    Be pleasantly surprised with a new drivetrain and tranny, guys. The Geely engine family is extensive.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Kingkong on Dec 02, 2020 at 6:55 pm

    Why keep recycle the same car? We want new model not hundred times of facelift.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 4
  • EdLKS on Dec 02, 2020 at 10:58 pm

    Ho hum..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Pomesh on Dec 03, 2020 at 10:06 am

    Huh. Proton why always think like RICER only? Everytime since produced persona and saga always give new facelift or additional accessories or new colour or new skirting. Come lah pls make some changes in performance like engine gearbox fuel consumption and more. Asyik kasih kereta Yang make up shj. Kan Ada geely bagi mereka redesign kereta sedans…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
    • Kiaputon on Jan 02, 2021 at 10:56 pm

      At least still better than P2 selling dinosaur ancient technology

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Iriz Active compete with the upcoming Perodua Ativa.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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