Everything Proton at Power of 1

There's a lot about Proton Malaysians are not aware of even though it's the national car company. Many think it's just assembling models that have been made by other companies and does not have much in-house capability to develop its own cars. At the Power of 1 showcase now on at the National Stadium carpark in Bukit Jalil, outside Kuala Lumpur, the company shows off its technology and visitors will be surprised at the many facets of its business which may not have been publicised much.

One of the highlights at the event is the new model that will be launched very soon. Its name is still not known and it goes under the project designator of 'P3-21A'. As with the run-up to the launch of the Saga a fgew years ago, Proton is teasing the public by showing bits and pieces of the car as it is assembled each day. There is a complete car on the site but it's inside a box and you can peep through small holes to see some sections. There has also been the occasional appearance of a camouflaged model which gives an idea of the size and profile of the car.

There's something for everyone at the Power of 1 and those who are planning to buy a new car would do well to go there as there are very good deals on offer. Representatives from bansk are present to provide assessment of qualification for H-P loans on the spot so that eliminates one step in the buying process and you don't have to waste time and get disappointed.

There are also lots of prizes to be won including three cars, one of which was won yesterday by 19-year old Sarah Helmy. To try your luck at winning the cars, all you need to do is enter the 'SMS & WIN' contest at the event which ends at 10 pm tomorrow night. To check what activities are on today and tomorrow, visit the event website here.

Proton's in-house capabilities to develop its own models have been increasing  since the mid-1990s and the R&D division can now handle all aspects right from the first sketches

For more than 10 years, Proton has been using CAMPRO engines which have been developed in house. The CAMPRO CFE is the latest version which is already in the Exora and will also be in the new model

Proton's suppliers also have interesting displays at the event and one of them is displaying the different instrument panels used by Proton models, showing how they have evolved, and what might be next

This Saga does not need petrol or diesel to run! It's a prototype electric car  developed by Proton which is now undergoing real-world trials at Putrajaya 

Lotus is also displaying its models at the event and showing off their famous ride and handling superiority during driving demonstrations. Lotus DNA can also be found in Proton models

Those who want to improve the looks and performance of their Proton can visit the R3 shop for accessories (left) and at the Proton Lifestyle shop, you'll find the latest clothes and other Proton goodies

Alister McRae will be showing off the performance of the S2000 Satria Neo which won Proton and him the 2011 Asia-Pacific Rally Championship

The R3 motorsports unit has also developed a concept model of the Satria Neo and the  Artiga lightweight concept (right), using the Satria Neo, is also on display for the second  time in Malaysia. It made its first appearance at the Shanghai Motor Show last year.

No, these are not secret prototypes that the R&D boys are working on. They are actually cars which Proton workers have built on their own using a RM5,000 grant and parts which have been discarded.

Great deals if you're looking for a new car! And there's also a counter where you can  find out more about the AMP range of after-market Proton parts

Each day, a model of the new Proton sedan has been assembled on the site and certain features have been highlighted. But the event ends before the car can be completed! There is a complete car inside a box and if you peep though the holes, you'll see some parts like the headlight (right). If you're lucky, Proton might also show a camouflaged car occasionally as a surprise...

There will also be a driving demonstration of the latest Lotus F1 racing car which will be at the F1 GP in Sepang later this month

Proton welcomes Malaysians to join its company and if you're excited about working there after seeing the R&D activities, there's a stand where you can make enquiries about job opportunities

These are the future customers of Proton whom the company wants to develop world-class cars for

For more information on the latest Proton models or to register your interest 

in the new Proton model to be launched soon, visit www.proton-edar.com.my

Nadzmi exits Proton

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh has resigned as Proton chairman and director with immediate effect.

In a filing to Bursa Malaysia on Friday, the national auto maker said his resignation was part of a term stipulated in the sales and purchase agreement (SSPA) between Khazanah Nasional Bhd and DRB-Hicom Bhd.

"We wish to highlight that the resignation of Nadzmi as the chairman of the board of Proton and all other appointments by virtue of his position as director, is part of the terms of the SSPA," Proton said.

Nadzmi, 57, nominated by Khazanah, was appointed Proton chairman on Jan 1, 2009 and was also chairman of the boards of various subsidiaries within the Proton group of companies.

He previously served the national car company as its managing director between 1993 and 1996.

Schumacher pleased with promising Mercedes

Michael Schumacher: "It is good to see that we were
competitive in different circumstances"

Michael Schumacher is happy with Mercedes' competitive start to the Australian Grand Prix weekend, but warned against reading too much into the times.

Schumacher set the fastest time in the second practice session and the third fastest time overall behind the two McLarens. Rain ahead of both sessions made it hard to draw conclusions, but Schumacher said it was a positive first day for Mercedes.

"Today was a nice start into a hopefully exciting season, and certainly two promising sessions for us," he said. "However, I would not go so far as to speak about being confident, as the weather conditions were too mixed to gain a clear picture.

"We know what Friday sessions are for and don't know what fuel loads others were running. On the other hand, it is good to see that we were competitive in different circumstances today and that the car provides good handling - I just feel it."

Despite the decent lap times, Mercedes motorsport president Norbert Haug said the main focus had been on race pace.

"A decent start for us on this first Friday of the new Formula One season," Haug added. "Michael felt well in our new car, as did Nico. Both drivers concentrated on race simulations with different programmes, and both were on the medium tyres as the team took the decision to save a set of options for the better track conditions tomorrow. Our team worked perfectly today which gave us a good start into the new season."

ESPN

EXORA Bold Premium And EXORA Prime For Greater Exclusivity And Performance

SUBANG JAYA, 15 December 2011 – PROTON Holdings Berhad today announced the availability of two new variants of Malaysia’s first MPV, the Exora which features an all-new 1.6-litre Campro Charge Fuel Efficiency (CFE) engine with performance comparable to that of a 2-litre engine.

The CFE engine is available in the new Exora Bold Premium and the top-of-the-line Exora Prime model that comes equipped with a CVT transmission. 

“The combination of the Campro CFE engine and CVT transmission not only gives the Exora Bold Premium and Exora Prime greater efficiency and fuel economy,” said PROTON Holdings Berhad Group Managing Director Dato’ Sri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.

He added that CFE uses the force induction technology which provides maximum power at lower RPM. “Boosted with the more efficient 1.6L engine, customers will experience powerful performance which is comparable to a 2.0L engine, with much lower fuel consumption. The additional power kicks in to provide more pulling power when accelerating or overtaking. In short, it’s what you can aptly describe as a “pay-as-you-go” engine, which gives you more “vroom” for every litre of petrol used.”

The benefits of the CVT transmission include the intelligence of selecting the best ratio that would suit a particular driving condition thus allowing the Exora to become extremely fuel efficient, and what is known as “steepless” smooth acceleration due to its discreet gear changing for best comfort.

The Exora Bold is also being offered in executive trim powered by a 1.6-litre Campro CPS engine available in both manual and automatic transmissions. PROTON is also offering a 1.6 standard trim which is powered by the same engine and a manual transmission.

The exclusive, six-seater Exora Prime features a number of enhancements. The exterior upgrades include an all-new front and rear bumper design; electric folding door mirrors; rear disc brakes; blacked-out headlamps; smoked rear combi lights; 16” inch gold-finished alloys; a rear garnish finishing; and available in a newly-introduced colour which is Absolute Brown.

An all-new leather interior is complemented by the walnut centre panel finishing, gear panel bezel, air-conditioning vent outlets and metallic beige door switch covers and inner door handles. The Exora Prime is also equipped with a second row Captain Seat, head rest monitors and an audio system incorporating navigation and a reverse camera.

The Exora Bold Premium meanwhile, also sports electric folding door mirrors, rear disc brakes, 16” inch alloys, and a new front and rear bumper design. The interior however, benefits from a sportier treatment in the form of a dual-tone combination leather seats with liquid silver appointments to its gear panel bezel, door switch cover, air-conditioning vent outlets and inner door handles. The vehicle is also equipped with a reverse camera and rear view mirror with LCD.

“The Exora Bold Premium and Exora Prime offer consumers exclusive and elegant styling combined with Lotus Ride and Handling for excellent grip, stability, response and safety, all, at an affordable price and the best value for money for a vehicle in its class, in line with our brand promise of ‘Committed to be Better’,” said Dato’ Sri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin.

Since it was first launched in April 2009, a total of 65,049 units of the Exora have already been registered with PROTON receiving some 82,854 bookings. The Exora has a monthly sales average of 1,800 units and with the introduction of Exora Bold Premium and Exora Prime, the company is optimistic of securing a monthly sales volume of 2,000 units.

With buyers opting for the Exora because of its interior spaciousness, exterior styling, features and reasonable pricing, it has also won numerous awards which include being named Midi MPV of the year at the NST/Maybank Car of the Year Awards in 2009; Best Local Assembled MPV at the Asian Auto-VCA Awards in 2009; and Small/Mid-size MPV of the year at the Autocar Asean Car of the Year Awards in 2009. The Exora also received the Frost & Sullivan 2010 Malaysia Excellence Awards for Best Automotive Debut Model of the Year in 2010.

The popularity of Exora is also evident in other Proton markets. Last year, the Exora was the only MPV named as one of the top ten cars in Thailand by a renowned English newspaper in Bangkok. And more recently this year, the Exora Star won two separate awards in Indonesia; the “Best Budget MPV 2011” at the Indonesian Automotive Awards and MobilMotor magazine’s ICOTY (Indonesian Car of the Year) Best Small MPV 2011.

The Exora Bold Premium and Exora Prime models will only be available for registration by the second week of January 2012.

In the meantime, customers are invited to test drive the Exora Bold Premium with CVT transmission at the nearest PROTON showroom. In conjunction with the launch of the new variants, PROTON is also organising a Proton 4 U Day from 16-18 December at all Proton sales outlets nationwide. Door gifts are being offered to those who test drive the Exora. The Exora Prime however, will not be available for test drive and can only be viewed at these selected outlets: Crystal Showroom, Juru Branch, Plentong Branch and Mutiara Damansara. 

Variant Tentative OTR

1.6 Standard MT RM 59,998

Bold 1.6 Executive MT RM 70,998

Bold 1.6 Executive AT RM 74,998

Bold 1.6 Premium CVT RM 79,998

Prime 1.6 Premium RM 88,998