2025 Proton Saga MC3 to get new 1.5L 4-cylinder engine, choice of AT and CVT, no manual – leaked doc

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A document and some photos originally leaked on Tiktok have been shared by The Ajerul, apparently revealing that the upcoming Proton Saga MC3 – surely one of 2025’s most anticipated things on four wheels – will get a new 1.5 litre four-cylinder engine (deep dive here) and a choice of conventional auto (AT) or CVT gearboxes, with no manual option present.

If the document is legit, there’ll be Standard, Executive and Premium variants – the first two will use AT gearboxes while the Premium will use a CVT. We wonder if the AT is the existing Aisin unit or a new one. Proton’s budget sedan is no stranger to either gearbox type, but it’s been a long time since we had a Saga 1.5, and if it’s going to continue being marketed as an A-segmenter, that’s quite a big engine for one. There was of course a 1.6 a long time ago, but the Saga was then a ‘B-segment’ car.

2025 Proton Saga MC3 to get new 1.5L 4-cylinder engine, choice of AT and CVT, no manual – leaked doc

There are also some leaked photos, showing a full-width concave grille (songket pattern?) over-lined by what looks like a thick chrome strip, plus an Ethereal Bow that cups the Proton logo and ‘continues’ into the new LED headlamps by means of the ice hockey stick-shaped DRLs.

There’s an interior shot too, showing a new dashboard with pill-shaped air-con vents, twin conjoined screens and what looks like a textured passenger-side dash. Also, is that a frameless rear-view mirror? Let us know your thoughts!

Proton Saga MC3 spyshots

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Jonathan James Tan

While most dream of the future, Jonathan Tan dreams of the past, although he's never been there. Fantasises much too often about cruising down Treacher Road (Jalan Sultan Ismail) in a Triumph Stag that actually works, and hopes this stint here will snap him back to present reality.

 

Comments

  • Bapak besar tebal pintu dia.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Ricky on Aug 05, 2025 at 6:15 pm

    Aw…why cvt again?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • Landan on Aug 05, 2025 at 7:09 pm

    The CVT is considered top spec here but I think the AT is the better choice. It is more robust thus hassle free and also normally more refine. fuel consumption may be slightly higher though. I may be wrong cause this could be a new improved modern CVT.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
    • Its likely the 8‐ratio CVT from the Emgrand, instead of from Punch. This matches Geely’s plan to standardise powertrain across brands.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • rosdi on Aug 05, 2025 at 7:10 pm

    Skip the CVT, get the AT, it’s more reliable and durable. My AT Saga has no problem whatever.. been driving it for 14 years…, bought it in 2011.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 2
  • YB Kinte Kunte on Aug 05, 2025 at 7:37 pm

    If Saga comes with punch CVT…dont buy it.
    A simple Aisin 4 speed auto will do the job.
    The 1.5 …four cylinder engine is a welcome.
    Time this Saga awaken the Perodua guys to cut the steep Bezza pricing a bit.
    At the rate Geely ” chinanise “the Proton lineup,the Iriz and Exora might be the next.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2
    • Yup that Belgium made punch cvt is cheap and junk… Stick with Toyota cvt or the 4 speed gear box. If price increase over 50k.. better start looking at BYD.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
    • Its likely the 8-ratio CVT from Emgrand because it is already a common unit in Geely group. A bit tricky about which AT box though, but here’s keeping fingers crossed P1 can squeeze the budget to put in the 6AT from Emgrand instead of the old 4AT.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
  • Nice, priced wisely it will sell like hotcakes. But im still waiting for the new gen bezza and myvi before making my choice.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • Refer vios 1st gen 2002 on Aug 05, 2025 at 8:40 pm

    Bye bye timing belt campro and p1765 punch cvt.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • ahmadjr on Aug 05, 2025 at 9:48 pm

    i think 1.0 turbo like new almera is better cuz can take on both bezza and axia sales. but 1.5 4cyl is ok too better than myvi

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • Syaiful Nizam Hassan on Aug 05, 2025 at 10:25 pm

    No flagship variant?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • why is it called MC3? Major change 3?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Dheeba on Aug 06, 2025 at 8:41 am

    and here i am thinking the 1.5 manual proton ae back to run the streets. haiseh

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • opmanmy on Aug 06, 2025 at 8:56 am

    CVT…total crap. Replaced 3 units already. 2 units under warranty…the other after warranty. Proton CVT quality is a joke!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 4
  • Laugh on Aug 06, 2025 at 10:24 am

    Eeeiiihhh…..
    So weird lah these people in P1.

    Stick to the 3cylinder engines lah…
    Last time say this good that good, better lah and all sort of excuse.

    So now recovered or disposed off all the old 3 cylinders in store already ah?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 15
    • The 3 cylinder is good but the new 4 cylinder is better in almost all criterias. The natural progression of technology is to go for the better choice. Which part of that is too hard to understand for you?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 0
  • nak kete senang jaga on Aug 06, 2025 at 10:30 am

    If u owned a proton punch cvt car before then u will have dilemma buying cvt car again.

    Jerking like rookie driving manual clutch, fluid change required change filter, clutch adaption rm500+. After some mileage the car free gear at middle drive with lampu durian appearing.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
  • Kancil Hybrid on Aug 06, 2025 at 11:40 am

    Tak faham kenapa nak offer non MT yg berbeza. CVT dan AT tu dua2 AT la.

    Bukan ke tu menyusahkan production dan menambahkan kos?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
  • serdanglinkun on Aug 06, 2025 at 1:29 pm

    hopefully proton redesign the rear passenger seat longer/higher… the current one is like kindergarden chair

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Donald Tham on Aug 06, 2025 at 2:24 pm

    This car is workshop best friend

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 6
  • scary punch on Aug 06, 2025 at 4:18 pm

    Saga flx cvt 2015 selling rm8k nobody wants while a 2005 timing chain 4at myvi still can sell rm12k.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • ishakzin on Aug 06, 2025 at 6:35 pm

    bye bye timing belt so by by pick up power,mc 3 use cvt punch version 2″oh no.. 4 At i’ll thing better lasak n save metanance like MT, if cvt i think better EV compare ice cvt, 1.5 i think’k better than 1.0turobo like Ativa ur Almira, underated power hu hu.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Rueush on Aug 06, 2025 at 7:37 pm

    These images have been circulated and leaked for the past months .. But you guys just keep pushing the useless render image.. Guess it better late than never

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • That Guy on Aug 19, 2025 at 11:59 am

      Probably because PT has now verified it with an insider. They’ve shared this to PT’s socmeds when it first leaked, but unlike most online auto ‘publications’, PT is a bit more reserved regarding unverified info. Comes with the status.

      Also if Proton was pissy about the leak, there could be fallout to the relationship they’ve built with Proton that PT doesn’t want to deal with.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Btw, if the 1.5L 4 cylinder engine is the one from the Emgrand, that engine is actually an evolution of the 4G15 that powered many Proton models during their early rebadged Mitsubishi days. So yeah, the Saga has gone full circle and is using a newer version of the Mitsubishi engine that used to power the 1st gen Saga. That also means cast iron engine block and timing belt are here to stay lol.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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