Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
The Gen2 is an important mark in Proton history as it was the first Proton car with the new Proton Campro engine, and with this facelift it gets a new series of engines based on the Campro.
The enhancement allows for a sportier and performance-driven model compared to the previous Gen2, while at the same time, retaining the hatchback's young and sporty image.
The medium line version features a new Proton Campro 1.6 IAFM engine. The IAFM system solves the infamous torque dip of the barebones Campro engine, and should be a lot better to drive around the city now, as you do not need to rev very high to get sufficient torque for acceleration.
The Proton Gen2 mid line with the IAFM Campro 1.6 delivers 110 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 148 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. Torque at an engine speed of 3,000 rpm is 139 Nm, while the barebones Campro only delivered 128 Nm of torque at that engine speed.
The engine, in addition to providing smooth and responsive driveability, is also environmentally friendly as it complies with the latest European emission regulations. The Medium Line variants will feature the improved Campro IAFM engine, first introduced in the new Saga which will launch in Bahrain by February.
The interior gets a redesign, adopting the Persona's interior featuring a redesigned dashboard without the odd clock in the middle and gaining a glove box. The door trim is all-new, features power window switches on the door armrest instead of in the middle of the two front seats.
The Lotus influence is also evident in the exterior and interior styling, with strong lines and neat design touches. The tempest gray interior offers a spacious area for drivers with perfectly flat-folding 60:40 rear seats and ample boot space. Climate control with pollen filter helps drivers to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer and front and rear electric windows come as standard. Entertainment is provided by an integrated Blaupunkt radio/CD player, with an MP3-capable CD player and four way speaker system.
Fully equipped for a safe and stress free drive, an Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brake Distribution, driver and passenger airbags, side impact protection bars, power assisted steering all come as standard.
"The Gen2 is known as a performance-driven vehicle. What we have done is to make it more powerful, responsive and redesigned it to provide the facelift model with sportier looks that are more contemporary to match its performance," said Proton Holdings Bhd managing director, Dato' Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.
"Product changes, improvements and enhancements will be a continuous effort to reciprocate the faith and confidence that the customers have in us. In this instance, customer feedback on quality in the earlier Gen2 model has been taken into consideration and incorporated into the facelift Gen2," said Syed Zainal.
Other additional features of the facelift Gen2 include new bumper and grille, front skirt, black headlamp bezel, side sill moulding, alloy rims, rear skirt and rear spoiler.
Proton has made further value-added changes to the facelift model which includes new interior trim, large cargo space with foldable rear seat and removable rear shelf trim; glove box, extra storage and compartments.
