Proton Gen.2 2005 review
A compact car the size of a Corolla is the beginning of a change in Proton's life.
The Malaysian brand is aiming to make its way into the automotive world, and not just by making big claims about its ownership of sports car company Lotus and the fine Italian motorcycle brand MV Agusta.
Gen2 is the first in a new generation of Proton vehicles. It is the product of a new generation of managers, a new design of a new generation of local designers, and a pointer to a future without the Mitsubishi vehicles and systems that started it all.
Proton says Gen2 is proof that the company can go it alone in the 21st century.
It shows great promise, featuring clean and eye-catching styling, its own Campro engine, Lotus suspension and a strong Proton personality.
This is the Proton package, from the first design sketches to final assembly at the company's huge new assembly plant outside of Kuala Lumpur.
And it's a good drive. Here is a car that is amazingly sporty. It has a compliant suspension with excellent grip and good feedback.
Proton Australia also did a good job on pricing after previous missteps, starting with the Gen2 at $17,990 and keeping even the flagship H-Line car at just $20,990.
But Gen2 has a long way to go in terms of quality.
The main assembly work is well done, but there are some obvious flaws in the interior components and parts that point to the inexperience and possibly incompetence of the Malaysian supplier companies.
The car needs to be lowered due to mismatched plastics, faulty switches, scratched shift knobs and general squeaks and hisses.
When you add in the need for premium unleaded fuel for an engine that's only 1.6 in the 1.8 range and the possibility of long-term quality issues, the Gen2 isn't about to make a breakthrough in Australia.
It's a pity because it has a lot of strengths and Proton is trying to build a solid audience.
He has money and obligations in Malaysia and has learned from mistakes, including stupid names and low prices. But still, Gen2 won't bother the class-leading Mazda3 or even the Hyundai Elantra.
Vfacts' sales data for January shows its place in Australia. Proton sold 49 Gen2 vehicles against the small car sales leader Mazda3 (2781). Toyota sold 2593 Corollas and 2459 Astra Holdens.
So Proton is at the very bottom of the class in sales, but it will improve.
It has a lot of new models in the works and plans to promote its name and dealership in Australia, so it's probably best to view Gen2 as the start of something new.
