This is a very special edition of Proton Exora. Only 25 limited units are built. This Exora symbolised the 25 years of Proton from 1985-2010. Named as Proton Exora 25th Anniversary Edition, the Exora is an icon from Proton to it’s supporter. The 25th Anniversary Edition Exora are equipped with uniqueness inside-out when compare to a normal Proton Exora.

All 25 unit of this anniversary edition of Exora is painted with Pearl White colour, only exclusive for these units. The front of Exora is painted with black from the middle grille down towards the bumper. The headlights are fitted with black painted parts and fitted with the same bodykit and chrome finish on the fog light similar to the New Exora we reported earlier, the Exora definitely looks more sporty. The rims of the 25th Anniversary Edition Exora are different as well.

Inspired by a tiger as what Proton logo represents too, the Exora is fitted with a tiger striped line sticker from front to back, ending with Proton’s 25 anniversary graphic. The rear cover is also painted with black. The roof of this Exora is  painted black  from front until the rear spoiler. Above the rear car number plate is a hidden reverse camera, which is viewable from the front center console.

More Details On Proton Exora 25th Anniversary Edition and Interior – CLICK HERE !!

Proton Exora recently has been improved by Proton. Although it is not a facelift of Exora (yet), but there quite a few improvement that Proton upgraded on the first Malaysia’s MPV. Themed as “Practical . Stylish” MPV, Proton obviously make the Proton Exora more stylish to look at.

The first impression we saw for this New Exora as compare to the previous, would be the bodykit. The Medium and High Line Exora will be equipped with this full bodykit as standard. The High Line Exora continues to benefit most in this upgrade where it’s get the chrome finish on the fog lamps.

The better designed 10 spokes 15″ rim, is fitted into all variant of Proton Exora. The Exora Base-Line drivers will have to drive better as the Base-Line does not have ABS & EBD, also does not equipped with reverse sensor for such as big car. Baseline Exora only has 1 air bag driver where as others have two (1 for driver and 1 for front passenger)

The New Proton Exora features new interior colour theme on the steering wheel finish and the inner door handle finish. As usual, the leathers seats only available in High Line version. The High Line Exora, will get a new center panel and a chrome finish on the gear lever. The audio system will have CD and MP3/WMA along with bluetooth. Only the baseline Exora has taken out the bluetooth capabilities and steering audio controls.

On top of that, the High Line Proton Exora will also get additional features such as, door visor, rear spoiler, front seat armrest, cruise control, DVD/LCD monitor for rear passengers, portable navigation system and tinted glass. The additional accessories, Medium Line and High Line Proton Exora will get are the boot organizer and multipurpose container.

The colour shown here is the new Plum Red Colour, other available colours as option are Genetic Silver, Solid White, Tranquility Black and Blue Haze.  The Blue and Red are not available for Base-Line. No horse power increase to the Exora, it is the same 1.6 liter Campro CPS engine produces 125bhp and 150Nm in the previous Exora. The additional price you’re paying for these upgrades on Proton Exora is RM1000, which in our opinion – it is worth it, just by taking the bodykit into count. As a reminder, the Proton Exora comes with 5-years or 175,000 km of warranty.

The New Proton Exora are priced with insurance are,

Exora B-Line (Manual)  – RM58,998
Exora M-Line (Manual) – RM65,998
Exora M-Line (Automatic) – RM70,998
Exora H-Line (Automatic) – RM76,998

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The deal that many Malaysians look forward to is called off. Volkswagen and Proton’s collaboration has been called off the second since we first heard of such possibility. This is rather abit of disappointing as we would expect the the collaboration would happen, Proton will have greater technology exchange learned from Volkswagen. Thus, indirectly we would get better Protons.

According a statement by Proton, Volkswagen parties had other priorities right now and would not pursuing any possibility tie-up with Proton. However this does not mean Proton’s aim to continuously improve themselves and their cars stop here. Proton will continue it’s Asean Multi-Local OEM strategy, which includes the Proton Emas project and more new models coming up. As well as certain product collaboration with it’s old partner – Mitsubishi. Proton is also working towards expanding in China with Youngman.

The Proton Gen2 has been in the market since 2004.  Proton Gen2 CPS which is available in these few year are only in the H-Line model. Now, Proton decides to gives a little extra to the customers.  Proton did a few cosmetic upgrade on the Gen2 CPS  (most significantly the black roof). The part that interest most of the people is Proton Gen2 CPS is available for M-Line now.

If you are not familiar how Proton classify their car model range, M-Line means medium line. The good news is Proton has reduce the Proton Gen2 CPS M-Line price by RM1,500 making it RM57,480 ( Automatic – version).  The best part out of you getting the cosmetic upgrade is -You are getting the 125hp Proton Campro CPS red cover engine instead of the 110hp Camrpo IAFM. This is a definitely not a common scenario coming from car maker which just reminded me Toyota Vios with just facelfit without engine upgrades but “upgraded” the price. The Proton Gen2 CPS H-Line prices are remain unchanged as compare to previous.

Something that put me off a little bit is that, the Proton Gen2 CPS M-line is only available with automatic gearbox. However you will have 2 colours to choose from – Solid White and Fire Red, both with black roof top. Proton has also tweaked the front grille, rims and door handle. Not something that we can notice easily.

Inside the revised Proton Gen2 CPS leather upholstery is available only for H-Line. M-line will most likely get the standard Gen2 fabric seat. On top of that, the new Proton Gen CPS M-line also doesn’t come with bodykit as standard. Other than that, multi-function steering wheel & foglights are only available in H-Line Proton Gen2 CPS.

The new refresh Proton Gen2 CPS will be available for viewing on Proton Showroom this Saturday (22nd May 2010).  We will be taking some live shots for you. If you are looking for a more spirited racing drive, you need to get the Proton Gen2 CPS H-Line for the manual gearbox. Prices and Range of the new Proton Gen2 CPS as below.

High-Line (Automatic) – RM62,938 
High-Line (Manual) – RM59,958
Medium-Line(Automatic) – RM57,480

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Proton Satria Neo  R3 Lotus Racing edition with Tuned 1.6 Campro CPS engine by Race Rally Research (R3) – Proton’s tuning division uncovered. With upgrades about RM60,000 of equipments and tuning from a standard Proton Satria Neo CPS, this mean machine receive a 145 bhp and 168 Nm of torque from a 1.6 engine. Judging by this figure, it is impressive.

However Proton only able to claims 9.2 second on this Proton Satria Neo CPS R3 Lotus Racing Edition. Another highlight of this car would be – it costs RM115,000. Many would think this it’s too much to pay for a Satria Neo. Let me walk you through the upgrades that has been done. The Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing edition looks some what fimilar from the Satria Neo R3, but Proton claims that claims it’s front back bumper are make with Race Proven FRP material and improved Aerodynamics.

The Proton Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing Edition is inspire by Lotus. Therefore, there’s only one colour available – which is Lotus’ Green. The car here, it’s also style with some sporty elements such as yellow racing stripes and carbon fiber materials all over the car. From the outlook, the most signification difference would the be widen fenders with air vents and a Lotus badge on it.

Check out the Video As We walk you through the Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing Edition.

The heart of the Proton Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing Edition is using the 1.6 Campro CPS which can be found on the conventional Satria Neo CPS. The displacement remained as 1597cc with maximum output of 145bhp @ 7,000rpm and torque of 168Nm @ 5,000rpm. This limited edition only comes with Manual Transmission.

Click here to Read more about of the Full Review of Proton Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing Edition with Videos and 57 photos! along with brochure

We are in the mist of consolidating our photos and info on the Proton Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing Edition. Meawhile Below are the Specification, Gallery and a footage of the car.

Specification

Check out the rear of the Proton Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing Edition. RM115k , if you want one.

Click here to Read more about of New Proton Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing Edition with Videos and more photos! along with brochure

Previously, Volkswagen AG had shown interest in Proton’s manufacturing infrastructure in Malaysia with intention to establish a CKD hub catering to the Asian market. Unfortunately, there are many things occurred and turn things down during discussion between the tie-ups.

Now, Skoda, Volkswagen or even the luxury Audi at an affordable price range is possible again for Malaysian fellows as Proton & Volkswagen talk resumed. This time it will not be a conditional takeover or tie-up talk but a discussion about to set up a completely knocked down (CKD) plant locally.

Last week, Proton CEO Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir confirmed that the company is in discussion with the German automaker. OSK Research added, “The feasibility of this potential tie-up is expected to be announced by the end of the first half of this year. If it materialises by 2011, the said plant will manufacture Volkswagen sedan vehicles catering to the domestic and export market, predominantly in the Asean region.”

It added that if Volkswagen does set up its hub here, the initial investment would be less than US$200 million (RM667 million). “Last year, the VW’s partnership deal with IndoMobil to set up a CKD assembly plant in East Jakarta, Indonesia, to manufacture its MPV line-up at an initial investment of US$140 million (RM467 million).

I would see if the proposed CKD plant in Malaysia goes thru, we will see the local facility catering to the production of the Sedan segment using the Proton’s Shah Alam plant.

Proton Persona Facelift 2010, or as Proton would like to call it – Proton Persona Elegance. The car just launch today and we manage to get many photos from the local Proton Showroom. The Proton Persona Elegance has new bumper, new foglights design, new headlights with black background and the new grille to match the refresh look. Not to forget the new facelift version of Persona comes with new design full bodykit as standard.

From the rear of the Persona Elegance as many claims from spyshot before the launch it has rear LED lights. I was wondering where did i saw similar rear lights design before – Top and Bottom Red, Middle transparent. After digging through my memories of automotive industry – i recall that, The New Mercedes E-Class is also having the similar design. No wonder, it’s call Persona Elegance.

Of course it also comes with a rear bodykit and a nicer finish of tailpipe. A bootlip is also fitted into the New Persona.As a side note, the model with photos here it’s a Proton Persona Elegance Medium Line with manual transmission.

Click here to Read more full review of Facelifted Proton Person Or rather Known as Proton Persona Elegance with 52 photos!

Proton Persona Facelift for 2010 is launching tomorrow (Thursday 18 March 2010).The spyshot of Proton Persona Facelift 2010 as claim here is taken today during noon when i was cruising on NKVE today.

As you can see a new design of tail lamps has been fitted on the new persona facelift. The new Proton Persona facelift in the trailer is fitted with bodykit. That’s with rear skirt,side skirt and bootlip as we can see here.

We did not manage to get the front shot of the car because it have been very dangerous.Notice that there’s also a show car for Proton persona with stickers on the top level of the trailer.Most of the Proton Showroom will have the car for display as for tomorrow morning.

More details will be here, when we review the car…

Proton (Malaysia National Car Maker) will be premiering its concept car at the 80th International Motor Show in Geneva on 2 March 2010. The car maker advisor - Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will be joining the event and launch the Proton Concept Car.

The concept car is a creative collaboration between Proton, Lotus Engineering and Italdesign Giugiaro. Moreover, the concept car is based on a hybrid propulsion system. The specially designed chassis also features a raised floor that can accommodate the conventional engine as well as the hybrid system’s batteries in the rear. The concept car leverages on maximising space, while maintaining the overall dimensions of a compact car.

The five-door, four-seater hatchback concept car has a total length of 3550mm and features a front-mounted endothermic engine for recharging the lithium ion batteries with a fully electric drive-train.

The car was conceived with the aim of maximising the interior roominess and improving access to the vehicle. The high position of the four independently-adjustable and sliding seats, allows passengers to fully enjoy the spacious interior. Thanks to the combination of these two technical specifications the car is easier to enter, as the seats’ H-points (or the position of an occupant’s hip) are at the same height as in an SUV.

Proton Holdings Berhad Group Managing Director, Dato’ Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamad Tahir, said that the collaboration is part of its long-term strategy to match global automotive standards and expand its footprint worldwide.