Proton Waja

Infobox Automobile
boxcolor = red


name = Proton Waja
manufacturer = Proton
production = 2000–present
class = Compact
platform =
layout= FF layout
body_style = 4-door saloon
engine = 1.6 L "Mitsubishi 4G18" I4
1.6 L "Proton Campro S4PH"I4
1.8 L "Renault F4P" I4
2.0 L "Mitsubishi 6A12" V6
length = Auto mm|4465|1
width = Auto mm|1740|1
height = Auto mm|1420|1
wheelbase = Auto mm|2600|1
weight = Auto kg|1210-1249|0
predecessor = Proton Wira
aka = Proton Impian
related = Proton Gen-2
Mitsubishi Carisma
Volvo S40

The Proton Waja is a saloon car designed in-house by Malaysian automotive company, Proton, first released in August 2000. The Waja is the first Malaysian-designed car, with a chassis derived from a Mitsubishi Carisma and a Volvo S40. The name "Waja", which means "tough (as steel)", reflects the strength of the steel used for the Waja compared with the previous models. The name was chosen partly to counter the perception in the domestic market that Proton cars were less strong.Fact|date=April 2008 In the United Kingdom, the Waja is sold as Proton Impian, "Impian" being another derivative of the Malay language, meaning "dream".

History

The Proton Waja is the first model designed in-house by Proton. The development of the Waja began at the end of the 1990s together with the Campro engine, however the development of the Campro engine was still in progress at the time of its launch and therefore Proton had to source the 4G18 engine for the Waja from Mitsubishi,fact|date=April 2008 before switching to Campro engines in 2006. It was launched in August 2000 together with the introduction of Proton's new corporate logo. Early batches of the Waja had some serious quality problems due to some component vendors and suppliers skipping quality checks to rush for the huge early demand.Fact|date=April 2008 However, the quality of the components were strictly improved years later in 2005.Fact|date=August 2007

The Waja was facelifted twice since its debut in August 2000. The first minor facelift was in mid-2006 which only involved rear lights. The 2007 Proton Waja with a more substantial facelift was launched on January 19, 2007 together with the facelifted Proton Savvy. For the 2007 Waja, it was given a new grille which was nearly identical to the Savvy. The 2007 Waja also includes both ABS and air bag as standard for the Malaysian market, which were previously optional equipment. At the end of 2005, Proton additionally introduced another variant of the Waja, known as Proton Waja Chancellor, to be used by representatives of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the meeting of ASEAN leaders in the KLCC, shortly before its launch in 2006. The Waja Chancellor has a longer wheelbase and a 2.0 L V6 engine similar to that used in Proton Perdana V6, also sourced from Mitsubishi. By 2008, an updated Waja was launched with an improved Campro engine and a new center console with a new 2-DIN Clarion audio set.

Waja sales in the UK, where it is rebadged as the Impian, did not begin until April 2001, and it has continued virtually unchanged ever since. The Impian is only available with right hand drive while left hand drive models are available elsewhere in Europe as the Waja. Sales have not been strong,Fact|date=August 2007 as it was behind the best of the competition at its launch and virtually all of its competitors have been replaced since. Its decent ride and handling, generous equipment levels, competitive asking price and comprehensive aftersales package are perhaps the only things that keep it going with British buyers.Fact|date=August 2007

Performance

Engine specifications

----1.6 (4G18)
* 5-speed MT / 4-speed AT
* SOHC 16-valve inline-4 cylinder Mitsubishi 4G18
**Multi Point Injection (MPI) Fuel System
**Max output : Convert|106|hp|kW|0|abbr=on @ 6000 rpm
**Max torque : Auto Nm|145|0 @ 2750 rpm
**Max speed : Auto km/h|185|0 (manual); Auto km/h|180|0 (auto)

1.6 (S4PH without CPS)
* 5-speed MT / 4-speed AT
* DOHC 16-valve inline-4 cylinder Campro engine
**MPI Fuel System
**Max output : Convert|110|hp|kW|0|abbr=on @ 6000 rpm
**Max torque : Auto Nm|148|0 @ 4000 rpm
**Max speed : Auto km/h|190|0 (manual); Auto km/h|185|0 (auto)

1.6 (S4PH with CPS)
* 5-speed MT / 4-speed AT
* DOHC 16-valve inline-4 cylinder Campro CPS engine
**MPI Fuel System
**Max output : Convert|127|hp|kW|0|abbr=on @ 6500 rpm
**Max torque : Auto Nm|150|0 @ 4500 rpm
**Max speed : Auto km/h|196|0 (manual); Auto km/h|190|0 (auto)

1.8X (F4P)
* 4-speed AT
* DOHC 16-valve inline-4 cylinder F4P
**MPI Fuel System
**Max output : Convert|116|hp|kW|0|abbr=on @ 5750 rpm
**Max torque : Auto Nm|165|0 @ 3750 rpm
**Max speed : Auto km/h|186|0

2.0 V6 (Waja Chancellor)
* 4-speed AT
* DOHC 24-valve V6 6A12 engine
**MPI Fuel System
**Max output : Convert|148|hp|kW|0|abbr=on @ 6750 rpm
**Max torque : Auto Nm|179|0 @ 4000 rpm
**Max speed : Auto km/h|205|0

In its initial years in the market, the Waja was originally powered by a Mitsubishi 4G18 SOHC 1.6 L engine. Also made standard since the introduction of the Waja are multi-point fuel injection and brake configuration (front ventilated disc brakes and rear disc brake). All Wajas (excluding the Waja Chancellor) are also available in both manual (5 speed) or automatic transmissions (4 speed).

In 2002, the 1.8 L variant was introduced, powered by the same engine used in Renault Laguna II. The 1.8 L model incorporated drive-by-wire technology and variable valve timing (VVT) technology. However, the 1.8 L model suffered from poor sales because Malaysian customers were more familiar with Japanese engines and were less confident of European engines especially on un familiar with the maintenance standard;fact|date=April 2008 as a result, the 1.8 L variant was phased out in the following year. It was also believed that the Renault engine gain its trust back due understanding of owners on maintaining the engine.fact|date=April 2008

By January 2006, the Campro engine was finally used to power the Waja. Although the engine is similar to the engine used in the Proton Gen-2, the DOHC Campro engine used in the Waja has higher horsepower and torque, probably due to the remapping of the ECU and also a different air intake system. The 2008 Proton Waja is now powered with a Campro CPS engine with variable valve timing, which was not available in the previous Waja Campro models. [http://paultan.org/archives/2008/02/04/proton-waja-cps-16-now-in-showrooms/ Proton Waja CPS 1.6 now in showrooms!] - from paultan.org. Retrieved on 5 February 2008.]

The Waja Chancellor, which launched 2006, featured a longer wheelbase and was powered by a Mitsubishi 6A12 2.0 L V6 engine similar to that used in Proton Perdana V6, also sourced from Mitsubishi. The car is also available only with a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

The Waja/Impian is currently the only Proton car to have undergone a Euro NCAP test, receiving only moderate-to-mediocre results in a 2002 crash test. [ [http://www.euroncap.com/tests/proton_impian_2002/116.aspx Proton Impian Euro NCAP result] ]

cquote|Euro NCAP 2002 crash test ratings
*Adult Occupant Rating - Rating|3|5
*Pedestrian Rating - Rating|1|5

Proton claims that the Impian is the first of a new generation of cars that are designed to Euro NCAP standards and is the first Proton car evaluated by Euro NCAP. It scored 3 stars for adult occupant safety but only 1 star for pedestrian safety. This was a disappointing performance but Proton says it intends to improve future designs. But it has not yet been done till now.

The car's body was damaged so badly by the impact that it became unstable. The driver and front passenger risked serious injury. The child restraints performed poorly and it became apparent that, in development, too little thought had been given to their use.

By Proton's standards, the 3-star Euro NCAP test was a milestone. Compared to other European cars of the time, the scores are probably at average. The tested configuration with side airbags were never sold by Proton in Malaysia.

"Top Gear" aired a segment which featured a damaged Proton Waja alongside a damaged Toyota Avensis to show the differences between a 3-star EURO NCAP car and a 5-star EURO NCAP car after a head-on collision on a deformable steel concrete wall.

References

External links

* [http://www.ngv.net.my Official website of NGV specialist for Proton cars]
* [http://www.auto-asia.com/product/product.2000.05.10.01.shtml "Auto Asia" article]
* [http://www.proton.com/chancellor/ Proton Chancellor minisite]