FastMotoring Motor News In Speed

Last Thursday, Proton launched the new revision of Satria Neo R3 here in Malaysia. This model is an enhanced model of the Satria Neo CPS. It now comes enhanced with exclusive R3 body kit and accessories pack.

This newly revised Satria Neo R3 was officially launched by Proton’s Executive Chairman – Dato’ Sri Hj. Mohd Khamil Jamil at the Proton Centre of Excellence in a ceremony also attended by famous names in local and international rally motorsports such as Karamjit Singh, Kenneth Koh, Syafiq Ali and James Veerapan.

“The Satria Neo is one of Proton’s most popular and iconic models. It has achieved numerous outstanding successes in the arena of motorsports. Its fantastic winning records are testament of its capability and its race track qualities are undeniable. With the introduction of the Satria Neo R3 today, we are offering to our customers, a tried and tested model that now comes fully equipped and with the added R3 kit and accessories for a fresher and clearly more distinctive sporty style. R3, also known as Race, Rally, Research, is PROTON’s motorsports performance arm, very much similar to those used by other OEM’s,” said Dato’ Sri Hj. Mohd Khamil.

The pair of front seats of the Satria Neo R3 now come with better seat support. The interior of the car now comes with some Alcantara finishing and 2-din headunit with satellite navigation system. The car is fitted standard with a unique 16-inch R3 design alloy wheels wrapped with Continental MC5 195/50 R16 tyres.

The Satria Neo R3 come with the same 1.6-liter CPS engine that outputs 125hp @ 6,500rpm with max torque of 150Nm @ 4,500rpm. Based on the technical specification, the acceleration from 0-100km/h for the manual variant takes 10.5 seconds, while the auto takes 12.9 seconds. Top speed is 190km/h for manual and 185km/h for auto. The weight of the Satria Neo R3 is 1,212kg for manual and 1,227kg for auto. The figures may not be convincing for some of you here. However, handling is the main picture for this car.

At the same time, Proton also offers special R3 packages and performance enhancements for existing Satria Neo owners. 

As added promotion for new Satria Neo R3 buyers, the car will get free signature R3 side stripe and front grille stickers for bookings and registration made by 31 December 2012. In addition, Proton also offers a list of upgrades to the new Satria Neo R3 such as Lowered Spring Set, Full Exhaust System and Belt Accessory Drive are also available via the special R3 packages.

The summary as below (after discount):-

-       R3 Satria Neo Lowering Spring Set – RM 541.00

-       R3 Satria Neo Carbon Fibre B Pillar Garnish Set – RM211.00

-       R3 Satria Neo Side and Grille Stripe Sticker – RM140.00

-       R3 Satria Neo (Campro) ECU + Full Exhaust System – RM 2,841.00

-       R3 Campro/CPS ALU Extended Water Pump Pulley + R3 Campro/CPS Accessory Drive – RM 315.00

The new Satria Neo R3 is available in 3 colours – Fire Red, GTi Silver and Tranquility Black.

The new Satria Neo R3 comes in 2 variant; the Executive Line AUTO and Executive Line MANUAL priced at RM64,250.00 and RM61,250.00 on-the-road in Peninsular Malaysia. The new Satria Neo R3 comes with 3 years or 100,000km warranty. It is officially open for booking and customers can make their order with a booking fee of only RM300.00.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Proton Satria Neo R3

Proton has recently unveiled the Prevé and Exora at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show. The Prevé, a stylish midsized sedan, is now officially open for booking, while the spacious 7-seater Exora will go on sale mid-2013.

The models were unveiled by Proton Holdings Berhad Executive Chairman, Dato’ Sri Haji Mohd Khamil Jamil at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show. Also present were Proton Holdings Berhad Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Lukman Ibrahim and PROTON Cars Australia’s Chief Operating Officer, Kaye Amies.

 “Both the Prevé and the Exora represent a new and higher level of standard for Proton cars in all aspects encompassing key aspects such as safety, performance, comfort, build quality, technology, overall design and convenience,” he said.

Proton also understands the importance of achieving the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) maximum 5 star safety rating and other market requirements and is working towards meeting these requirements for the two models.

“We want to emerge stronger as a global car company and redefine Proton as both a product and brand in the realm of a rapidly evolving and highly competitive global automotive industry. And to do this, we are strengthening our presence in key strategic markets, including Australia.”

“We have been working very closely with Proton Cars Australia to ensure all future vehicles launched in Australia meet our aspiration to produce the right car at the right time and at the right price for the Australian public.”

Photo Gallery: Proton Prevé and Exora @ 2012 Australian International Motor Show

Proton Prevé has succeeded to capture the Malaysian market, with the total bookings of 11,310 received within 2 months since launch, the figure has surpasses the milestone of 10k units. Proton claims this figures has make the Prevé most popular 1.6L sedan in the market.

“This is a very positive sign for us and further proof that PROTON can engineer and manufacture world class products,” said PROTON Holdings Berhad Executive Chairman, Dato’ Sri Hj Mohd Khamil Jamil.

The Proton Prevé offered in three variants: the Premium with 1.6 Charged Fuel efficiency or CFE (turbocharged) engine mated to PROTON’s 7-speed ProTronic CVT, and two Executive variants utilizing the 6-speed CVT transmission, and 5-speed manual transmission – both coupled with the IAFM+ engine. Priced from RM72,990 on-the-road (peninsular Malaysia) for the Premium variant, RM62,990 for the Executive CVT and RM59,990 for the Executive with manual transmission, the Prevé comes with a five-year or 150,000km warranty (whichever comes first) making it an affordable as well as attractive family and executive sedan.

The Prevé also offers buyers the performance equivalent of a 2-litre engine capacity vehicle, with its 1600cc power plant producing 138 brake horse power at 4,000rpm with a maximum torque of 205Nm from 2,000 to 4,000rpm, essentially offering the best acceleration for a vehicle in its class. Despite this, the Prevé offers a commendable fuel consumption rating of 6.6 litres/100km. On top of exceptional performance and fuel economy, the Prevé is equipped with a Push Start button, LED lights and many more features. 

For more details, Check out our article for Proton Prevé during launch.

Another breaking news from Proton, or rather something that the fellow media and public would expect soon the day will come. Our beloved Proton Group MD, Dato’ Sri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir has tender his resignation as Proton Group Managing Director. This will take effect on 4th July 2012. Approximately 5 weeks from now. Throughout the 6 years serving for Proton, we have seen some remarkable improvement & planning done in Proton Group.

Proton’s press statement stated, Dato’ Sri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin which to pursue his own interests that is reason behind for this resignation. Also along the news, the Chief Financial Officer Encik Azhar bin Othman has also tender it’s resignation to serve Proton.

Following the departure of Dato’ Sri Syed Zainal, the Executive Chairman of PROTON, Dato’ Sri Haji Mohd Khamil Jamil, will continue leadership role in steering the Company forward.

We met Dato’ Sri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin a couple of times, it is our opinion to say, Dato’ Sri is a nice chatter, and a confident leader. Attending recent events like the Proton Preve launch, we also notice that Proton’s staff show much support to Dato’ Sri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin. Nevertheless, We at Fastmotoring.com wishes Dato’ Sri all the best and we hope to see you contribute your expertise and experience in Malaysia’s automotive industry again.

Today, Proton has confirmed that the Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus plc, Dany Bahar has been temporarily suspended from his role to facilitate an investigation into a complaint about his conduct made by Lotus’ penultimate parent company, DRB-HICOM Berhad.

Based on the Press Release, Dato’ Lukman Ibrahim, Mr Mohd Khalid Yusof and Mr Aslam Farikullah (representatives of Lotus’ parent companies) have been authorised by Group Lotus plc’s board to handle and conduct the day-to-day management and affairs of the Lotus Group during the the absence of Mr Bahar’s. They will be assisted by Mr Rusman Zaihan. They have been authorised to take up these duties during the suspension period.

Furthermore, Proton also confirmed that its holding company DRB-HICOM is not selling Lotus, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Proton, despite the recent media reports on speculation and rumours coming from unreliable sources on the purported intent to sell.

According to Executive Chairman of Proton Dato’ Sri Haji Mohd Khamil Jamil, “We acknowledge that Lotus can provide value to Proton. Lotus is an iconic brand with global presence and positioning, coupled with unsurpassed engineering expertise and a talented workforce.”

He added, “Both Proton and DRB-HICOM will continue to review the existing business plans and financial position of Lotus in taking Lotus forward in the immediate- to medium-term. DRB-HICOM has sent in a team comprising local and international consultants to Lotus from March 2012 to conduct an operations and legal audit on Lotus group of companies.”

Unfortunately, there is no statement in the press release from the Managing Director of Proton, Dato’ Sri Syed Zainal Abidin regarding this incident.
 

The need for this review is especially pertinent in light of the existing financial obligation of Lotus in the form of a £270 million syndicated loan taken at the end of 2010 which we reported it here. The six financial institutions acting as lenders are CIMB Bank, Malayan Banking Berhad, Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited, Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Berhad, Affin Bank Berhad and EON Bank Berhad (now known as Hong Leong Bank after merging).