Proton Perdana

Infobox Automobile


name = Proton Perdana/Proton Perdana V6
manufacturer = Proton
production = 1995–present
class = Mid-size
platform =
body_style = 4-door sedan
engine = 2.0 L 4G63 I4 (1995-2000)
2.0 L 6A12 V6 (1999-present)
transmission =
length = Auto mm|4615|1
width = Auto mm|1730|1
height = Auto mm|1400|1
weight = Auto kg|1336|0
predecessor =
successor =
aka =
related =
similar = Hyundai Sonata
Kia Optima
Honda Accord
Toyota Camry
designer = The Proton Perdana is a mid-size car produced by Proton. It is a badge engineered version of the seventh-generation Mitsubishi Eterna.

History

Perdana SEi (1995-1998)

The Perdana was first introduced by Proton in 1995 with Mitsubishi's proven 2.0L 4G63 engine. It was based on the Mitsubishi Galant platform and was thus similar to the Mitsubishi Eterna in Japan, but received minor internal and external changes when it was launched locally in Malaysia. The first generation Perdana was also Proton's first car to offer an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and cruise control.

In 1997, the Perdana was given a facelift with a chrome grille, a new rim design, new body colours and upgraded interior trimmings.

Perdana V6 (1999-present)

In 1999, Proton shoehorned a 2.0 L 6A12 V6 engine (also sourced by Mitsubishi) into the Perdana. The so-called Proton Perdana V6 also had a new bodykit and 16" rims. The original Perdana soldiered on for a short while before it was dropped. With Lotus-tuned and upgraded suspension settings, the car handles well through tight corners and it is a good high speed cruiser.Verify source|date=April 2008

In 2003, the Perdana V6 was given a major facelift, gaining a new Alfa Romeo-esque front grill (earning the moniker "Alfadana" in MalaysiaVerify source|date=April 2008) and new bumpers. Inside, it was given a new aluminium-effect trim. This iteration remains on sale to date. Also made available is a luxury variant of the Proton Perdana V6 with an extended length of 25cm (10 inches) in the rear door, dubbed the Proton Perdana V6 Executive. The Executive is essentially a conversion of the Perdana V6 by Automotive Conversion Engineering (ACE), a subsidiary of EON specialised in developing limousines for statesmen and building TD2000s.cite web|url=http://www.eon.com.my/eonace/ACE/html/products.htm|title=ACE >> Products|accessdate=2008-07-24|author=|date=|publisher=Official ACE website at eon.com.my] cite web|url=http://www.eon.com.my/section.cfm?id=165|title=Other Products & Services > Automotive Conversion Engineering Sdn Bhd |accessdate=2008-07-24|author=|date=|publisher=Official EON website] Two Perdana V6 Limousine variants are additionally released by ACE with extended lengths of 66cm (26 inches) and 91cm (36 inches), and sport far more luxuries then the Executive variant.

Like the original Perdana, the Perdana V6 was not exported to Europe, although it was tested by Britain's "Top Gear" magazine in their April 1999 issue, as there were plans at the time to sell the V6 in Europe. The plan never materialised.

Prospective successor

As a tie-up between Proton and Volkswagen was discussed between 2004 to 2007, it was expected the successor to the Perdana would be based on a Volkswagen Passat platform. However, with newfound confidence in itself after warm reception of the Proton Persona and brisk sales of the Proton Saga, Proton snubbed Volkswagen and decided not to go ahead with the tie-up in late-2007.

There was also talk between Proton and Mitsubishi Australia in 2005 to have a replacement Perdana in the form of a rebadged Mitsubishi 380 sedan. These talks never eventuated. To date, there has not been any further announcements on the Perdana's successor.

Use in the Malaysian government

Under the guidelines of Malaysia's automotive policies, cars for use by federal and state governments are required to be of national makes.cite web |url=http://rockybru2.blogspot.com/2008/07/perdana-vs-kompressor.html |title=Perdana vs Kompressor ms icon |accessdate=2008-07-22 |author=Bernama |date=2008-07-21 |publisher=Rocky's Bru2 ] As Proton is the only purely local carmaker to produce cars large enough to qualify as upper-range vehicles, the Perdana, along with the Waja, is favoured as a government car for high-ranking government officials, including the Prime Minister. With the exception of Sarawak,In the Sarawak government, "the heads of department had a choice on the model of car they preferred as long as it was within their entitlement" (ranging from German to Japanese models) but some have opted to use their own cars for official functions, while a Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow is officially used by the Chief Minister of Sarawak. The Sarawak government has not been known to purchase Proton Perdanas for years. (cite web |url=http://everythingcars.net/archives/2008/07/malaysia-sarawak-has-not-bought-proton-perdana-for-years/780/ |title=: Sarawak Has Not Bought Proton Perdana for Years |accessdate=2008-07-26 |author=EverythingCars.Net |date=2008-07-26 |publisher=Everything Cars Network )] the Proton Perdana V6 Executive is currently the standard Perdana in use for such purposes.

Maintenance cost controversy

The build quality and cost of maintenance of the Perdana V6 Executive was questioned following a controversy in July 2008 on a move by the "Barisan Nasional"-ruled Terengganu state government to purchase 14 Mercedes-Benz E200 Kompressors, which were intended to replace existing 2004 Perdana V6 Executives as part of their fleet of state government cars.cite web |url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/20/nation/20080720192106 |title=Terengganu: Mercedes purchase was cost-cutting measure |accessdate=2008-07-22 |author=R. S. N. Murali |date=2008-07-20 |publisher="The Star" Online ] Terengganu State Secretary Mokhtar Nong argued that the decision was made as a result of the Perdanas' lack of reliability, explaining the Perdanas often require costly maintenance, especially on the gearbox, when used for continuous, long distance journeys. Two of the Perdana V6s in particular needed cumulative repair costs of RM175,229.97 and RM132,357.76 respectively since 2004.cite web|url=http://paultan.org/archives/2008/07/23/terengganu-will-justify-in-detail-e200k-purchase/|title=Terengganu will justify in detail E200K purchase|accessdate=2008-07-23|author=Paul Tan|date=2008-07-23|publisher=Paul Tan's Automotive News]

Proton denied the allegation of high maintenance costs from Terengganu state government, citing the regular maintenance (motor oil and oil filter replacement) for the Perdana to be around RM200.cite web|url=http://paultan.org/archives/2008/07/23/proton-no-warranty-claims-recorded-perdana-v6-executive/|title=Proton: No warranty claims recorded for Perdana V6 Executive that needed over RM100k in repairs|accessdate=2008-07-23|author=Paul Tan|date=2008-07-23|publisher=Paul Tan's Automotive News] The controversy has raised suspicion of maintenance fraud by the state government of Terengganu,cite web |url=http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0724&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka_Hadapan&pg=mh_03.htm |title=BPR siasat kos senggara Perdana V6 Terengganu ms icon |accessdate=2008-07-24 |author=Norliza Abd. Rahman |date=2008-07-24 |publisher=Utusan Malaysia Online ] as the regular cumulative maintenance costs of a typical Perdana V6 for the same period is far lower than the claim by the state government and also due to the fact that there was no such warranty claims being made by the state government since October 2004 for one of the defected cars.

References

External links

* [http://www.proton.com Proton's official website]
* [http://www.v-sixers.com Kelab Perdana V6 : V-Sixers Club Official website]