During the launch of the facelifted 2022 Iriz and Persona earlier this month, Proton focused on the headline-grabbing features, including a thoroughly-revised interior, new voice control functions and a crossover-style Active variant for the facelift. But these largely superficial items hide a great deal of much-needed improvements that address some longstanding customer complaints.
These under-the-skin tweaks were explored in great detail in a roundtable interview with the company’s vehicle programme executive Adzrai Aziz Ibrahim. There were a total of 200 new parts added to both models, including six performance improvements, much of which we will report about over the coming days.
For now, we will focus on one of the biggest shortcomings of the outgoing model, fuel consumption. Adzrai said that the team has made big strides in the area, and despite there being no fundamental changes in the hardware since the 2019 facelift, the company is making some big claims regarding the cars’ efficiency.
On the NEDC cycle, the Persona achieves a fuel consumption figure of 6.6 litres per 100 km (15.2 km per litre), while the Iriz does a claimed 6.7 litres per 100 km (14.9 km per litre); the slightly taller and heavier Active is capable of 7.0 litres per 100 km (14.3 km per litre).
By comparison, the 2019 Iriz and Persona had a fuel consumption figure of 7.5 litres per 100 km (13.3 km per litre), so that’s a seven per cent improvement for the Active and a not-insignificant 11% and 12% reduction for the regular Iriz and Persona respectively.
The improvements come mostly from software upgrades, which include a stepped-ratio SAT function and a Neutral Idle Control (NIC) which disengages the clutch when the car is at a standstill. Proton has also recalibrated the ECU of the 1.3 and 1.6 litre VVT engines and added a new Eco mode (completely separate from the Eco Driving Assist indicator, which merely lights up when you’re driving efficiently) that disconnects the clutch off-throttle at speeds under 70 km/h, allowing the car to coast.
The latter, said Adzrai, provides a further seven to ten per cent improvement in fuel consumption in real-world driving, according to in-house testing. Eco mode is not activated upon startup so it cannot be included as part of the NEDC figures, he added, although Proton estimates a one-per-cent reduction on said cycle.
It should be noted that the Iriz and Persona’s figures are still some way short of the Perodua Myvi‘s claimed 20.1 km per litre (5.0 litres per 100 km), achieved even with the larger 1.5 litre engine. Notably, the two Protons still do not qualify for Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) status and do not receive specific incentives as a result.
GALLERY: 2022 Proton Iriz facelift
GALLERY: 2022 Proton Persona facelift
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Still thrash and outdated IMO. Malaysian deserves a better B-segment national car than this.
If your so smart go build your own “better” car then.
Ah yes the typical “go make your own if you don’t like it”.
That’s like saying, this restaurant’s food is disgusting, but I’m not a chef so it’s fine.
You don’t go into a local mom n pop tuck shop and demand for a Michelin 5 star meal, do you? Oh you do, and you go on to critic them, you say? You must feel very vindicated for doing so.
Game Over car, until today still facelift. Better to discontinue it and replace it with a Geely model
Dear Gary, in case you haven’t noticed we’re in Malaysia, our local mom n pop tuck shop are the ones with the best foods, so your argument is invalid.
P.S. We also have a large variety of delicious food that are affordable here as well, Michelin stars aren’t given based on pricing but taste.
P.P.S Michelin only awards up to 3 stars, not 5, this isn’t a Lazada review.
Thanks for your input and have a nice day. :)
Geely already has a few models, Proton just doesn’t have enough money to bring in.
Ya, Proton needs to pay a huge sum to Geely for any new models, that don’t include the cost of left to right conversion.
If looking for car, Iriz is best B segment national car.
If looking for transportation from point A to point B then Iriz is not the best choice.
Iriz 1.6L won the 400m drag race in 18.7 sec, while Myvi 1.5L only achieved 20.2 sec.
Thumbs down also useless, it’s a fact. Hahaha
the iriz is quite honestly underated,
why are people hating on this car so much
Cuz fanboys from other brands just cannot admit it is that good, u know
Nope.
The problem is proton, which has a habit of releasing half baked cars….that take years to sort out leaving early adopters with a bad aftertaste.
The car may be good but poorly executed. Well engineered, poorly built. Proton sets high expectations that itself cannot meet.
It does drive better and more refined in NVH than the myvi, but looses on build quality, efficiency, reliability and had a poorly done gearbox. The 5 speed manual was fine. This is not to mention the host of skeletons proton had to deal with in very poor customer perception dating back decades.
Nothing is perfect but in the spirit of Kaizen, something the Japs have forgotten, Proton continues to put faith and constantly improves their products as time goes on. Public perception is just that, a perception but nothing really substantial. It is more towards society failure in being easily swayed by perception rather than anything concrete from Proton’s side.
Because Myvi is a lot better than Iriz. The huge gap of the sales figure alone is enough to prove Myvi is Malaysian’s choice.
Exactly your name, plain bs. Perodua sells more than ferrari, axia sales far far outnumber laferrari but will any sane person will claim that axia is better than ferrari’s latest masterpiece.
If these fuel consumption figures are actual road-tested (with car being loaded, AC activated, realistic mix driving speed, uphill/downhill, etc), then I would be pretty impressed.
So, Proton care to comment?
Proton: So would you rather want us to put up a pluck from the sky figures like the other competitor?
Do you even know what NEDC cycle test is? Plotong fanbois are dumbos
The acronym can tell you it is New European Driving Cycle, a well known benchmark standard used by nearly all auto brands.
But i guess Proton haters must be dumber not to know that.
Isn’t what you mean is NEDC cycle test, which is mentioned in this article?
NEDC is a rolling road test (i.e. using a dyno), not a real-world road test. Proton isn’t cheating or being lazy – it’s simply the industry standard.
The newer WLTP cycle has replaced NEDC in Europe, but it’s also a rolling road test. The only real-world road test standard is Real Driving Emissions (RDE) which, as its name suggests, measures emissions only and complements WLTP in Europe.
So why are the X50 & X70 both received EEV when they are gas guzzlers?
“Perodua Myvi‘s claimed 20.1 km per litre (5.0 litres per 100 km), even with the larger 1.5 litre engine.”
What do you mean with larger 1.5 liter engine?
Iriz used 1.6 litre engine
I got confused by this comment too but I think the writer was referring to the 1.3 and 1.5 engines in myvi
I might not have made it clear enough in the story but you’re spot on.
That is what happen when you try compare apples to oranges, 1.5L to 1.6L engine, NEDC to JC08 standards, sedan to hatchback.
Jepunis make figures cannot be trusted la. Proton figures are still reflective of real world consumption that any owner could get but try ask the many P2 owners if they ever achieve those stated FC and I bet 100% none of them even come close to those figures.
Proton used to publish fuel numbers based on 90kmh constant speed drive. Real world?
At least they use NEDC now. Credit where credit is due…at least now.
The best value for money B segment sedan/hatchback. Really good ride & handling, chasis feel solid, superb safety features and comfortable for long distance drive.
The trick is to go to the showroom, standing Infront of it, the revised grill and the led headlight with the thick blackened edges, honestly best in class. just by looking at the picture it won’t do a justice. Good job to the designers. Active variant 2021 pov.
Engine+gearbox combo is a dealbreaker for people who appreciates refinement. They should at least offer more expensive variant with new and better engine/gearbox combo.
U should try out the new ones before basing your decision on the old cars. Just try it
Already tried it, even the lousiest Jatco CVT better than this Punch CVT in any day.
You are well known here for whacking Proton, I highly doubt you ever did.
Proton showroom just gradually opened. Very fast you already test drive.
Coming soon
“It should be noted that the Iriz and Persona’s figures are still some way short of the Perodua Myvi‘s claimed 20.1 km per litre (5.0 litres per 100 km), achieved even with the larger 1.5 litre engine. Notably, the two Protons still do not qualify for Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) status and do not receive specific incentives as a result. ”
I thought 1.6 liter is larger than 1.5 liter… Maybe iriz/persona duo are lighter as well for the writer…
On personal note, should apply this enhancement to exora CFE Turbo engine as well…
I meant that the Myvi’s 1.5 litre engine is larger than the base 1.3 litre mill, which is even more fuel efficient.
Can the previous Persona and Iriz owners get their car software ‘updated’? They should do if it can be done.
I doubt it is a simple firmware update, the electronics & ECU would have been a newer generation to enable the mechanical changes within the new car. To note even if you constantly update bios & drivers in your PC it still won’t give you that 20% performance improvement. You can only get that with a hardware change out.
Lancer GT 2.0 at 1385kg is rated at 6.1 litre / 100 km.
That was 14 years ago.
but actual real world figure is 10~12 liter/100km
Inspira 2.0 users can tell you those numbers are bullsacks. Opm is right on the money
Proton should have a split (independent) unit that caters for bodykit and accessories, I am sure this will complement well with their customer needs. I for one like to have a Proton Persona Active bodykit
I got confused by this comment too but I think the writer was referring to the 1.3 and 1.5 engines in myvi
Persona owner, 2021 facelift version. So far after 6 months using it, i can say the fuel usage claim is true.