Best Selling SAGA Now Even Better - New Proton SAGA FLX 1.3L To Provide Greater Fuel Efficiency With CVT

SUBANG JAYA  – PROTON Holdings Berhad launched the new Proton Saga FLX 1.3L today; a new model enhancement to its Proton Saga model, which provides consumers with greater savings on fuel consumption and smoother drive with the use of Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) technology.

The Proton Saga is the best selling model in Malaysia from January to June 2011, contributing towards making PROTON the overall market leader in Malaysia in the first half of 2011. Since its introduction, the new generation Proton Saga has been well received by the public, winning Frost & Sullivan’s Best Model of the Year 2009, Best Passenger Car of the Year 2010 and recently, Best People’s Car Award – the main award at the Asian Auto – Auto Industry Awards 2011. The car boasts an outstanding sales record, with over 250,000 units registered and over 300,000 units booked since its launch in January 2008 until June 2011.

Now, with the new Saga FLX 1.3L, the best selling model got even better. Following PROTON’s earlier announcement in June declaring the successful development and integration of the CVT technology with its CamPro engine, the automatic variant of the new Saga FLX 1.3L utilizes the CVT, as opposed to the conventional Automatic Transmission (AT) gear. 

“The new Proton Saga FLX is the product of PROTON’s continued commitment towards providing better performing cars to our consumers. This is yet another milestone in our quest to continuously improve our range of products to cater to the needs of today’s market,” said Dato' Sri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir, Group Managing Director of PROTON Holdings Berhad.

“Because of the lighter built of the engine, along with the ‘stepless’ gear transition that the CVT provides, the Saga FLX delivers a fuel consumption drop of four percent in an urban driving environment, with consumption dropping up to 10 percent when driven on highways,” said Dato’ Sri Haji Syed Zainal. He added that this transmission change improves the drivability and responsiveness of the car without compromising its power.

“The utilisation of CVT technology has a far reaching impact to the consumer. Other than the fuel saving, the smoothness and reliability that CVT provides allows the engine to run at an optimum level, thus resulting in less engine fatigue and improving its long term durability.”

The Proton Saga FLX 1.3L Executive variant comes with a list of added features, notably driver and passenger air-bags along with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD).

“It is PROTON’s intention to provide not only an affordable car to consumers, but also one that possess the technological advancements and safety features that our customers will appreciate,” Dato’ Sri Haji Syed Zainal expressed. “We are committed to providing our consumers with better driving satisfaction and safety confidence.”

The Proton Saga FLX is available in a new colour - Elegant Brown, in addition to the existing options of Tranquility Black, Genetic Silver, Solid White and Blue Rock. It is priced between RM 38,598 and RM 44,998 and is now available for bookings and can be viewed at all Proton showrooms nationwide. 

For further information, customers can visit, www.proton.com

MONTHLY PERFORMANCE OF THE PROTON SAGA - 2010/2011

COMPARISON BETWEEN CVT AND STANDARD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Proton R3 Satria Neo – short test drive impressions

We are back from a short test drive session of the Proton R3 Satria Neo, which happened at Proton’s testing ground in Shah Alam. Unlike the RM115k limited edition Lotus Racing Satria Neo (back when Proton and 1MRT were still on friendly terms), this version is much more accessible at RM79,797 but will still provide enthusiastic drivers with plenty of smiles.

To keep the price down, the R3 Neo doesn’t include the Lotus Racing Neo’s headline Ohlins suspension and AP Racing brakes, which were inspired by the real Lotus cars. The modded Campro CPS engine is the same. As we found out, the changes don’t detract from the fun factor and performance of the LR Neo, which makes it the better buy. There are even some improvements thrown in.

Continue reading the report after the jump.

This R3 Neo isn’t an afterthought or a development of the Lotus Racing Neo, although that limited edition came out first. On the contrary, development of this car started three months before the LR Neo was launched, which translates to early 2010, explains Tengku Djan, head of R3. After that, the idea of a Lotus Racing Neo came along, and R3 had to rush that car out within 6-7 weeks.

So we are actually looking at the final fruit of R3′s tweaking of the Satria Neo. In a nutshell, the R3 Neo is powered by the exact same engine as the LR Neo, which is the Campro CPS unit upgraded to make 145 hp at 7,000 rpm and 168 Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm. The stock engine makes 125 hp and 150 Nm. No Ohlins coilovers and mega AP brakes here; this car comes with R3 specified suspension and stoppers.

The S4PH powerplant has been given a host of upgrades to reach this state. Reprofiled camshafts that increase valve lift and overlap helps breathing, aided by a K&N filter in a carbon air box. Lightweight adjustable camshaft pulleys reduce inertia and enable fine tuning of valve timing.

To match all these is an R3 ECU calibrated with revised fuel maps and a focus on performance. There’s also a 4-2-1 R3 exhaust system similar in design to that found in the LR Neo, except that it’s in full stainless steel and without ceramic coating. Mated to the engine is a close ratio five-speed manual gearbox – there’s no auto option. 0-100 km/h is done in 9.2 seconds, top speed is 205 km/h.

For the suspension, R3 ordered a few settings from the OE manufacturer before finally deciding on this set. The springs are shorter and their rates firmer than the standard Neo CPS. As for what they were looking to achieve for the handling, drift master Tengku Djan said that R3 wanted to “bring back a bit of the old GTI feel”, referring to the old body Satria GTI and Satria R3. Ride height is 10 mm lower than the Neo CPS.

Brakes wise, the R3 Neo uses performance pads that have an operating temperature of up to 400 degrees C and increased fade resistance over the standard car. The calipers are stock.

The Satria Neo is already one of the most sporty three-door hatchback designs around, and the R3 Neo takes it a step further. Only available in “Fire Red” with a black roof and bronze accents, it looks fantastic in the sunlight. Not sure about you, but I never really liked the LR’s green and yellow theme – this looks much better in my opinion. Also nice are those six-spoke 16-inch R3 alloys in gunmetal.

Unlike the LR edition, the R3 Neo uses the standard Neo CPS bodywork, with additions such as a front splitter (reduces undercarriage turbulence and increases downforce, according to R3) and a new design spoiler, which is more subtle than the standard car’s and improves aerodynamics. There are R3 logos on the sides of the wing. The rear bumper is stock, although the trademark central exhaust tip is different.

I stepped in the car expecting the typical Neo reception of zero headroom (I’m not that tall at 175 cm, but we’re required to wear helmets when driving at Proton’s oval) and looking through the top quarter of the windscreen, but was pleasantly surprised to find that there was room to spare.

I was then told that the seats are new – the rails are in the same place, but the seat base goes deeper now to free up some much needed headroom. You’ll also notice that the seat backs are more shapely compared to the old chairs – there’s added thigh, hip and shoulder support here.

The steering wheel is wrapped in “Trivel Fibre”, which is an Alcantara type material, and has a red centre marker, just like in Renault Sport cars. The panels around the audio buttons have the carbon fibre look. There are lots of panels in red to match the exterior and like in the LR Neo, the gear knob is a chromed ball. The aluminium pedals are identical as well.

We weren’t given much time behind the wheel, but enough for a good impression. Flex your right foot and the louder exhaust note is immediately noticeable. The R3 Neo pulls away cleanly and smoothly, without being bogged down by any holes and trenches in the torque delivery. But it’s not particularly strong below 4,000 rpm, which is the point the high lift cam profile comes into play.

As expected, from here, the engine gains a second wind as it charges towards redline, which is 7,500 rpm in the R3 Neo (cut off at 7,800), although the unchanged meter panel will show that you’re already swimming deep in the red sea. Once in the zone, the tacho needle gains urgency that’s previously unseen, and there’s no slowing down because the Variable Intake Manifold (VIM) changes to the short runner at 5,500 rpm.

The R3 Neo, like the standard car, is meant to be revved all out for enjoyment, and with the short ratio gearbox, it’s extremely effortless to get there – it’s time for the next gear before you know it. The sound is more towards boomy than VTEC screamy, but it’s fun nevertheless.

We also tried out the R3 Neo over a section of crests and dips to check out the primary ride, which it passed with admirable composure. Rolling over thin metal strips saw the Neo cushion away the impact instead of reacting with a bounce or shimmy. We’ll never know how it feels like on a poorly surfaced B-road with these examples, but I’m betting it’ll cope well.

Doing the slaloms at 70 km/h revealed a slightly different character from our limited Lotus Racing Neo experience (never got to drive it on public roads). While the green car gave hints that it likes to dance around the cones, rear end edging out a little, the R3 Neo felt less active at the back. More like a normal road car, in other words, albeit a grippy one that corners very flat. Turn in is sharp, and steering feel is good. Can’t wait to drive it on the road.

We did some braking tests as well, and while this car doesn’t have the stupendous stopping power of the LR Neo’s AP Racing brakes, it’s more than good enough, and there wasn’t any fade although I wasn’t the first to do the test. The LR edition is probably the most over braked car in the world, so we’re just reverting to the real world – no big loss.

The R3 Satria Neo serves up good looks and good vibes for the enthusiast driver. It’s quite good value too – 80k for 145 hp can’t be found elsewhere (correct us if we’re wrong, new cars only) – and has new features that the wider market appreciates such as a push start button and a 2-DIN touch screen ICE system with GPS.

It’s not perfect though – just as I was getting tempted, the Neo’s long and heavy free swinging door slammed on my hips upon exit, not for the first time.

Tarikh Lihat Anak Bulan Ramadhan 2011

Terasa kejap masa berlalu.Sekarang kita sudahpun dalam Bulan Julai 2011.Ini bermakna, kita sedang menghampiri bulan Ramadhan 2011.

Hampir setahun Ramadhan 2010 meninggalkan kita, dan bersyukur ke hadrat ilahi, kita masih dikurniakan umur dan kesihatan yang baik.Dan diharap juga, sepanjang bulan Ramadhan 2011 ini, Allah mengurniakan kesihatan yang baik kepada kita untuk menunaikan ibadah berpuasa dengan sempurna.

Menurut laman web Majlis Raja-Raja,tarikh yang ditetapkan untuk melihat anak bulan untuk penetapan tarikh awal puasa 2011 adalah pada 31 julai 2011.

Ini bermakna, hanya ada kurang 3 minggu sahaja dari sekarang, sebelum tarikh puasa diumumkan.Bagi sesiapa yang nak ganti puasa yang tak cukup tahun lepas, eloklah berbuat demikian sekarang.

KELEBIHAN RAMADHAN

Bulan Ramadhan merupakan bulan yang mempunyai banyak kelebihan. Kedatangannya selepas dua bulan yang juga tidak kurang keistimewaannya iaitu Rejab dan Sya'ban. Bagi tujuan menyuburkan rasa tanggungjawab dan rasa ingin menambahkan ibadat kepada Allah sepanjang Ramadhan ini, di sini dibawa beberapa hadis yang menceritakan mengenai kelebihannya.

1. Abu Hurairah menyatakan : Telah bersabda Rasulullah S.A.W yang bermaksud : Apabila telah tibanya Ramadhan, dibuka pintu-pintu syurga dan ditutup segala pintu neraka dan diikat segala syaitan. -Hadis dikeluarkan oleh imam Bukhari, Muslim, Nasai'e, Ahmad dan Baihaqi-

2. Daripada Abu Hurairah daripada Rasulullah S.A.W telah bersabda yang bermaksud :Sesiapa yang berpuasa Ramadhan dengan penuh keimanan dan keikhlasan nescaya akan diampuninya segala dosanya yang telah lalu. - Diriwayat oleh imam Nasai'e, Ibn majah, Ibn Habban dan Baihaqi-

3. Abu Hurairah telah berkata : Aku telah mendengar Rasulullah S.A.W bersabda tentang Ramadhan yang bermaksud : Sesiapa yang mendirikannya(Ramadhan) penuh keimanan dan keikhlasan diampunkan baginya apa dosanya yang telah lalu. - Hadis riwayat Bukhari, Muslim, Tarmizi, Abu Daud, Nasai'e,Malik,Ahmad dan Baihaqi-

4. Daripada Abu Hurairah telah berkata: Rasullah S.A.W telah bersabda yang bermaksud : Sembahyang yang difardhukan kepada sembahyang yang sebelumnya merupakan penebus apa antara keduanya, dan Jumaat kepada Jumaat yang sebelumnya merupakan penebus apa antara keduanya, dan bulan kepada bulan(iaitu Ramadhan) merupakan kaffarah apa antara keduanya melainkan tiga golongan : Syirik kepada Allah, meninggalkan sunnah dan perjanjian (dilanggar). Telah berkata Abu Hurairah : Maka aku tahu perkara itu akan berlaku, maka aku bertanya: Wahai Rasulullah! adapun syirik dengan Allah telah kami tahu, maka apakah perjanjian dan meninggalkan sunnah? Baginda S.A.W bersabda : Adapun perjanjian maka engkau membuat perjanjian dengan seorang lain dengan sumpah kemudian engkau melanggarinya maka engkau membunuhnya dengan pedang engkau, manakala meninggal sunnah maka keluar daripada jamaah(Islam).-Hadis riwayat Ahmad, Al-Hakim, dan Baihaqi-

5. Daripada Abi Soleh Az-zayyat bahawa dia telah mendengar Abu Hurairah berkata: Rassullah S.A.W telah bersabda yang bermaksud : Setiap amalan anak Adam baginya melainklan puasa maka ia untukKu dan Aku akan membalasnya. Dan puasa adalah perisai, maka apabila seseorang berada pada hari puasa maka dia dilarang menghampiri(bercumbu) pada hari itu dan tidak meninggikan suara.Sekiranya dia dihina atau diserang maka dia berkata : Sesungguhnya aku berpuasa demi Tuhan yang mana diri nabi Muhammad ditanganNya maka perubahan bau mulut orang berpuasa lebih harum di sisi Allah pada hari qiamat daripada bau kasturi, dan bagi orang berpuasa dua kegembiraan yang mana dia bergembira dengan keduanya apabila berbuka dia bergembira dengan waktu berbukanya dan apabila bertemu Tuhannya dia gembira dengan puasanya. -Hadis riwayat imam Bukhari, Muslim, Nasai'e, Ahmad, Ibn Khuzaimah, Ibn Habban dan Baihaqi-

PENERANGAN HADIS

1. Semua hadis menceritakan betapa besarnya kelebihan bulan Ramadhan untuk kita sama-sama menghidupkannya dengan segala amalan sunnah.

2. Pintu syurga dibuka sepanjang Ramadhan, manakala pintu neraka pula ditutup. Ini menggambarkan bagaimana Allah begitu mengasihani hambaNya yang taat beribadat dan menurut segala perintahNya.

3. Syaitan diikat sepanjang bulan Ramadhan agar kita dapat menunaikan segala ibadat dengan penuh keikhlasan. Tetapi kita perlu ingat bahawa kawan syaitan yang berada pada diri kita iaitu nafsu akan menggantikan tugas syaitan jika kita lalai.

4. Pentingnya keikhlasan dan keimanan kita dalam menunaikan ibadat.

5. Puasa mampu menjadi perisai diri daripada terjebak ke lembah maksiat, begitu juga ia mampu menghapuskan segala dosa-dosa yang lepas jika kita benar-benar bertaubat.

6. Kita mesti menghidupkan sunnah yang mana yang paling besar ialah berada dalam jemaah Islam terutama di dalam mengembalikan semula khilafah Islamiah yang telah lama dihancurkan iaitu pada 1924.

7. Jauhkan daripada syirik pada Allah sama ada berbentuk perbuatan, niat ataupun percakapan. Kita mesti mematuhi segala perjanjian yang dibuat selagi tidak melanggar hukum syarak.

8. Kita mesti berpuasa pada semua anggota bukannya pada makan dan minum sahaja.

9. Bau mulut orang berpuasa lebih harum daripada bauan kasturi.

10. Orang berpuasa akan mengecapi dua kegembiraan iaitu ketika berbuka dan apabila bertemu Allah kelak.

11. Di dalam menunaikan ibadat puasa kita mesti banyak bersabar dan jangan suka berbual kosong apatah meninggikan suara apabila bercakap.

Biografi

1. Kitab Fadhailul Awqat oleh imam Al-Baihaqi,ditahqiq oleh Adnan Abdul Rahman MajidAl-Qaisi,Maktabah Al-Mnarah,Makkah.

2. Fathul Bari syarah sohih Bukhari oleh Ibn Hajar Al-'Asqalani

3. Syarah sohih Muslim oleh imam An-Nawawi.