The upcoming Proton Saga MC3 was shown on livestream during today’s launch of the company’s first electric vehicle (EV) plant in Tanjong Malim. While not seen in full, we get to see parts of the brand’s staple sedan, with many of the revisions matching up to what we already expect from a prior leak and various spyshots.
Starting with the exterior, the Saga MC3 will sport new headlamps with C-shaped daytime running lights. As per leaked images, the DRLs will be visually connected by an Ethereal Bow on a full-width concave grille that is joined a thick upper chrome strip. Photos of prototypes indicate the headlamps will have two light bars acting as indicators on the inner part of each cluster.
Elsewhere, we spot new side mirrors with indictors that are more seamless integrated with the housing. At the rear, the new LED taillights with dash hinted by camouflaged prototypes are clear to see in the video.
These are smaller in size than the units on the MC2 and get a distinctive signature with slanted dashes and what appears to be a connecting light bar. The boot lid also looks new and is shaped with a small ducktail instead of the tacked-on-looking small spoiler on the MC2.
As for the interior, the Saga’s new conjoined screens seen in a leaked photo are present on the livestream, along with pill-shaped air vents and a dashboard that has a textured section ahead of the front passenger.
What’s still unknown is if the Saga MC3 will get a new 1.5 litre inline-four petrol engine (deep dive here). A leaked documents reveals there to be three variants, with the Standard and Executive receiving an automatic transmission, while the presumably top-spec Premium gets a CVT.
The current Saga is powered by a 1.3 litre inline-four petrol unit making 95 (94 hp or 70 kW) and 120 Nm of torque, with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic, although the former has been on its way out for some time. If the document is legit, we’re looking at substantial changes to the Saga’s powertrain.
Proton also mentions during the livestream that the Saga MC3 is built on the AMA platform, which is a platform used on models previously developed by the company but significantly upgraded to be relevant to newer safety standards and technologies.
It adds that the Saga MC3 was developed not just in Malaysia, but also in partnership with Geely at the Proton Research and Development Centre (PRDC) located at Hangzhou Bay in China – the entire development team is said to involve 240 employees from Malaysia. In the video, a prototype is also seen being tested in wintery conditions in China.
With almost everything out in the open, what do you think of the new Saga MC3? These are some major upgrades for the brand’s bestseller (it even looks set to get an ADAS suite), but the company still hasn’t revealed when it plans to launch the model.
VIDEO: Proton EV plant launch livestream recording
Proton Saga MC3 spyshots
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Saga always felt old school with the interior packaging. It’s ok having a low window line and a dashboard top that is below the hood line. However the results is that the rear seats are very close to ground resulting in limited-to-no thigh support for adults at the back. Then, for me and my height, my eye line is the top of the windshield when looking out from the driver seat.
You are too tall, another reason is this saga was create under khazanah era where they focus on sporty feeling thus lower seat making it better at handling (low gravity)
maybe it’s based on an extended version of the small hb Proton Savvy platform
I hope Proton can obtain 4 star is NCAP
If it has 6 airbags and all the ADAS nonsense, no reason it can’t. I would take 6 airbags over ADAS nonsense. Just a useless bleeping annoyance.
I thought they were aiming for 5.
We bet new SAGA MC3 will be launching on 16th September in conjunction with Malaysia day celebration.
That would be awesome.
If the 1.5L engine is the one from the Geely Emgrand, expect to see a sight that might be familiar to the Mitsubishi bros when they open the bonnet and have a look at the engine of the new Saga.
Didn’t in this video they did show upper parts of engine?
Proton trying to off load all current old version MC2 Saga stock to Grab drivers. Up to RM3,500 cash back plus 5% discount on Saga servicing. Also used MC2 prices falling like crazy so hard to sell my current Saga MC2. Sigh.
I think you should do research first. Before buying cars
you grab driver, of course the second hand value drop to the lowest. high wear and tear
Proton trying to off load all current old version MC2 Saga stock to Grab drivers. Up to RM3,500 cash back plus 5% discount on Saga servicing. Also used MC2 prices falling like crazy so hard to sell my current Saga MC2. Sigh.
i have bought a used 2023 Iriz early this year, no regrets, love the car. Don’t care about resale value. I drive car, not a used car salesman.
Manual?
What will be the gearbox? Geely or Punch? This is the most important factor. With new Geely engine and gearbox, it would be a sure fire winner and game changer.
Normal AT for base model and CVT for premium.
But do note that the CVT is NOT from Punch. They probably use CVT from Geely supplier. At least that is the rumors that going around.
It is from Punch, which is one of the supplier for some models by Geely.
If is punch cvt then really a deal breaker. From those stop production preve till the iriz now. It has a very serious flaws that the car will free gear at the middle drive with error p1765 pulley problem after certain mileage.
I read it somewhere that it’s a Punch CVT v2 .. Which claims to be a lot better than it’s predecessor. Can’t remember where I read it though.. too much article covering the “how it might look” rather than the reason why the Premium is the only variant getting the Punch while the lower variants are getting 4AT..
So proud of proton. C shaped headlamps mimicks many toyota current models including prius, crown, camry.
I like the rear light better.
Myvi bezza Vios city in danger position
If still the timing belt campro add in useless adas, I’ll proceed booked the bezza premium x silver wait 4 months.
Dont wait..just buy your bezza
Typical ‘use car till broke’ mentality
Vios city in danger
Myvi city vios in danger position
Vios city myvi in danger
Vios city myvi in danger position
Weird that when last time Myvi new model launched with ADAS it was all the buzz and very high praises, now Saga launching with ADAS suddenly becomes nonsense, what in the world is going on with people.
Because Saga MC3 is ADAS Version 1 lah. Take note ya current MyVi ADAS is already Version 3 while current Bezza ADAS is version 2.
City vios habislah
Despite all these updates, I would like Proton to also consider refreshing the seats in both the Saga and Persona. I believe this would be a quantum leap, as the seats and their technology have not seen significant upgrades. It is time to revamp them, just as other parts of the car have been improved. You can definitely develop a fresh design and compete against the market leaders.
Should be named Proton Saga 4th generation, not MC3 at all. Both exterior and interior are obviously different with current Proton Saga 3rd generation.