Proton GEN•2
| Proton Gen-2 | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Proton |
| Production | 2004-present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact |
| Body style | 5-door hatchback |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Transmission | MT/AT |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm (102.4 in) |
| Length | 4,310 mm (169.7 in) |
| Width | 1,725 mm (67.9 in) |
| Height | 1,435 mm (56.5 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,230 kg (2,711.7 lb) |
The Proton Gen-2 is an automobile manufactured by Malaysian carmaker Proton, and was launched in the third quarter of 2004. The Gen-2 uses a platform which has been extensively developed in-house by Proton and their partner Lotus. Initially codenamed the Proton Wira Replacement Model, it was hinted that the car was to replace the Proton Wira. The name Gen-2 is an abbreviation of Generation 2, to symbolized the second generation of the very successful Wira as the first generation. The Gen-2 was among the first cars to be produced in Proton's Tanjung Malim plant, developed as part of its Proton City development project.
The Gen-2's platform is also used by the Proton Satria Neo (with a shortened wheelbase) and the Proton Persona (with an extended rear hang to form a more sedan-like body).
Specifications
| Powertrain Engine & Performance | |
|---|---|
| Engine | CamPro CPS, 4 Cylinder, DOHC 16V |
| Maximum Speed (km/h) | 195km/h |
| Acceleration 0-100km/h (sec) | 13.2 |
| Maximum Output hp(kW)/rpm | 125hp (93kW)/6,500rpm |
| Maximum Torque (Nm/rpm) | 150Nm/4,500rpm |
| Full tank capacity (Litre) | 50 |
| Tyres & Rims | 195/55 R15 - Alloy |
| Chassis | |
| Power Steering | Hydraulic Power Steering |
| Suspension (Front/Rear) | Macpherson Strut/Multilink with Stabiliser Bar |
| Brake (Front/Rear) | Ventilated Disc 15"/Solid Disc 15" |
Performance
Proton owns Lotus Cars that was involved in the development of the car. The Gen-2 is the first Proton model to use the new Proton/Lotus developed Campro engine. Although the Gen-2's S4PH 1.6-litre engine delivers a claimed 0–100km/h time of 11.2 seconds (manual transmission) and a contemporary maximum power output of 110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp) at 6000rpm, it suffers from poor mid-range torque.
This is due to a torque dip in the crucial 2,000 - 3,000rpm operating range, where the torque output decreases slightly before picking up back to its peak torque, which is delivered at 4,000rpm. This torque characteristic can clearly be seen in manufacturer published engine performance curves and is widely attributed to the missing Camshaft Profiling System (CPS) technical feature that the engine was named after, but which did not make production, to save costs.
The original (non-CPS) Gen-2's ECU's Engine and Automatic Transmission mapping has been modified several times since the car's launch to improve perceived mid-range pick-up, but the upgrades did not markedly improve the cars' driveability.
This undesirable torque dip was eventually corrected by Proton in 2008 with the introduction of the "new" CamPro engine, designated CamPro CPS, which finally delivered camshaft profiling (variable valve timing) as part of the engine specification.
Styling
The Gen-2 was styled by Proton's Australian-educated chief stylist Damian Chia. He drew inspiration from the traditional Malay kite known as wau bulan locally, and the handle of the Malay dagger, the kris, in shaping the unique grille of the Gen-2. Chia also gave the new car what he describes as "tiger-like eyes" to give the front a more forceful appearance.
For the interior design, the designer Zafruddin Shamsuddin did an out of the box approach. In Gen-2, a car designer approach measures differently. It does not reflect boring practicality but more of an enthusiast’s exciting vision of what a proper cabin should be. The result is more likely is Porsche 911 seats, Mercedes-Benz SL instrumentation, 997 Porsche analogue clock mounted on the center of the dash and a Lotus M250 air conditioning knobs on the centre console.
Changes and facelifts
In 2005, a lower-spec version of Proton Gen-2 powered by a 1.3 Litre (non-CPS) CamPro engine was offered in Malaysia with automatic transmission option only, and sold for RM46,000.00 to go head-to-head with the best-selling locally made 1.3-litre offering from Perodua, the other local car manufacturer. The 1.3-litre version was vastly underpowered for the car's body weight/size, a fact made worse in practice by the well-documented torque dip of the non-CPS Campro engine, and was a slow seller.
In December 2007, a new facelifted Proton Gen-2 was unveiled in Thailand in conjunction with the carmaker's entry into the Thai market. It also marked the first production Proton to be fitted with the CamPro CPS (variable valve timing) engine. The CPS variant was made available in the High Line model only, producing 127 horsepower (95 kW) compared to a non-CPS CamPro's 110.
On the 3rd of March 2008, the face-lifted Gen-2 was launched in Malaysia. Two 1.6-litre engine variants were made available, and the 1.3-litre was discontinued. The M-Line variant featured a non-CPS CamPro engine with IAFM, Proton's version of variable air intake management, while the High Line version used the more powerful CamPro CPS (variable valve timing) engine.
Exterior changes include a new front bumper and grill, and a reworked rear spoiler. The interior received a new dashboard incorporating a glove box for the first time, new door panels, and leather seats as standard in the High Line version.
Variants
Special Edition
Sometime after the launch of the standard Gen-2, came the special edition. It was fitted with a full body-kit, leather seats and lightweight sport rims. Handling is slightly better with the broader tires fitted and it is more aerodynamic. Comes in Matt Black and Chilli Red colour.
R3 Concept
R3 unveiled a prototype concept of the R3 Gen-2 at the Dreamcars Asia Motorshow 2005 on 7 July 2005. The close-to-production concept was developed to gauge public response to its styling and performance.
EVE Hybrid Concept
At the 2007 Geneva Motor Show from 8 - 18 March 2007, Proton and Lotus unveiled the concept model of the hybrid version of the Proton Gen-2. The hybrid concept was codenamed as EVE (Efficient, Variable, Environmental). The concept model will retain the same Campro engine as the main powerplant coupled together with an electric motor system to form the hybrid powerplant (See also Campro engine#Hybrid Campro engine).
Proton Gen-2 ecoLogic
On August 2007, Proton UK launched the bi-fuel variant of the Gen-2 for the British market, known as the Proton Gen-2 ecoLogic. This variant is designed to be used with both gasoline and LPG. The ecoLogic variant also applies to the Proton Persona as well, as the Persona is considered as the sedan version of the Gen-2. This conversion is made at the point of manufacture and does not increase the cost of the car, therefore a keen selling point for the eco-friendly among us.
Rebadges
The Proton Gen-2 was one of two models (the other being the Proton Savvy) that MG Rover was looking to rebadge when it entered talks with Proton's parent company in the mid 2000s. Both Auto Express and Autocar published shots of the car with a digitally recreated Rover grill. With MG Rover's decline at the time and its eventual purchase by the Nanjing Automobile Corporation, such plans have presumably been cancelled.
In July 2007, Proton signed an agreement with Jinhua Youngman Vehicle Co., Ltd., in which Youngman will import 30,000 complete built up units (CBU) of Gen-2s and resell them under their own Europestar brand (known as the EuropeStar RCR), with plans to eventually develop a new range of made-in-China cars using engineering services provided through Proton's Lotus.[1] Proton had previously done business in China (specifically, Guangdong[citation needed]) but withdrew due to poor sales.[1]
Pre-launch controversy
Shortly prior to its launch on February 2004, a well-publicized leak of the Gen.2's undisguised photos taken in the factory were leaked into the internet. The source of the leak was an anonymous user of Autoworld.com.my, who posted the said pictures in the website's photo album section. The incident prompted Proton to lodge a police report, which saw Autoworld's then-editor Chips Yap called in to provide information for investigation.
See also
- Proton BLM, a similar replacement model of the older Proton Saga.
- List of hybrid vehicles
References
- ^ a b "Proton Secures Deal With China's Automaker". Bernama. 2007-07-13. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
- 2. http://www.Gen·2 .net is one the Gen2 Car Club has members all over Malaysia and Overseas.
- ^ http://www.youngmanlotus.com/3_3.asp
- ^ http://www.youngmanlotus.com/6_5.asp
- ^ a b "Proton Secures Deal With China's Automaker". Bernama. 2007-07-13. http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=273089. Retrieved 2007-12-03.