Proton Gen-2

Infobox Automobile
boxcolor = red


name = Proton Gen-2
manufacturer = Proton
production = 2004–present
class = Compact
platform =
layout= FF layout
body_style = 5-door hatchback
engine = 1.3 L "Campro S4PE" I4
1.6 L "Campro S4PH" I4
length = Auto mm|4310|1
width = Auto mm|1725|1
height = Auto mm|1435|1
wheelbase = Auto mm|2600|1
weight = Auto kg|1190|0
predecessor = Proton Wira (hatchback)
related = Proton Persona
Proton WajaThe 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 is mostly Malaysian-developed. Loosely based on a mid-90s Mitsubishi chassis, the platform has been extensively developed by Proton and their partner Lotus. The Gen-2 was initially codenamed the Proton Wira Replacement Model, hinting that the car was to replace the Proton Wira. The name Gen-2 is an abbreviation of 'Generation 2', to mark the success of Proton which is using its own engine for the car.

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).

Current generation (2004-present)

Performance

Lotus Cars, which is owned by Proton was instrumental in the development of the car which is mainly evident in the car's world-class ride and handling characteristics. The Gen-2 is the first Proton model to use the new Proton/Lotus developed Campro engine. Even though the S4PH 1.6L engine, the first capacity fitted to the Gen-2, is contemporary in maximum power output, it suffers from poor mid-range torque.

This is due to its torque dip in the crucial 2,000 to 3,000 rpm operating range, where the torque actually decreases slightly before picking up back to its peak torque at 4,000 rpm. This torque characteristic can clearly be seen in manufacturer published engine performance curves and is widely attributed to the missing Camshaft Profiling technical feature that the engine was named after, but which was dropped from production probably for cost reasons. However, this torque dip was corrected by Proton in 2008 with a new Campro CPS engine.cite web |url=http://paultan.org/archives/2008/08/13/proton-gen2-cps-highline-manual-test-drive/ |title=Proton GEN2 CPS Highline Manual Test Drive - dyno chart | accessdate=2008-08-13 |author=Paul Tan |date=2008-08-13 |publisher=Paul Tan ]

The Gen-2's ECU Engine and Automatic Transmission mapping has been modified several times since the car's launch to improve perceived driving characteristics, but have not resulted in changes to manufacturer's torque and power curves and figures.

Competing cars

In Malaysia, the car goes head-to-head against the likes of the Hyundai Accent (Verna) and Kia Rio (Pride), but undercut these by about 20 percent. Against the ASEAN-made Honda City and Toyota Vios, the discount is even greater, at about 30 percent. Proton's price advantage in Malaysia can be attributed to a discriminatory tax structure that an ASEAN trade agreement was supposed to disallow by 2005, but which now has January 2008 as its postponed deadline.

Changes and facelifts

In 2005, a lower-spec version of Proton Gen-2 powered by 1.3L Campro engine was made available in Malaysia with automatic transmission option only.

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 marks the first production Proton with the Campro CPS engine installed in the engine bay. The CPS variant is a High Line model only, producing 127 horsepower compared to a normal Campro's 110.cite web |url=http://paultan.org/archives/2007/12/01/facelifted-proton-gen2-with-cps-launched-in-thailand/ |title=Facelifted Proton GEN2 with Campro CPS engine launched in Thailand! |accessdate=2007-12-04 |author=Paul Tan |date=2007-12-01 |publisher=Paul Tan ]

On the 3rd of March 2008, the facelifted 2008 Proton Gen-2 was launched in Malaysia. Two variants are available. The medium line variant is powered by the Campro IAFM engine, while the high line version uses the more powerful Campro CPS engine. Exterior changes include a new front bumper and rear spoiler, while the interior gets a new dashboard incorporating a glovebox, new door panels, and leather seats for the high line version.cite web |url=http://paultan.org/archives/2008/03/03/2008-proton-gen2-facelift-with-cps-launched/ |title=2008 Proton GEN2 Facelift with CPS launched! |accessdate=2008-03-03 |author=Paul Tan |date=2003-03-03 |publisher=Paul Tan ]

Variants

R3 Concept

Infobox Automobile
name = Proton Gen-2 R3 Concept
manufacturer = Proton

Race • Rally • Research (R3) unveiled a prototype concept of the Gen-2 R3 at the Dreamcars Asia Motorshow 2005 on July 7, 2005. The close-to-production concept was developed to gauge public response to its styling and performance.

EVE Hybrid Concept

Infobox Automobile
name = Proton Gen-2 EVE Hybrid Concept
manufacturer = Proton
engine = 1.6 L "Campro S4PH" I4 "(combined with a 30 kW, 144V electric motor)"

At the 2007 Geneva Motor Show from 8 to 18 March 2007, Proton and Lotus unveiled the concept model of the hybrid version of the Proton Gen-2. The hybrid concept is 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 Persona

On August 15, 2007, Proton launched the Proton Persona, essentially a Proton Gen-2 with an extended boot and cosmetic changes. While the Gen-2 was originally intended to replace the Proton Wira, the Persona is currently touted as an actual replacement of the Wira, which size is roughly the same as the Persona. The Wira was coincidentally exported to the United Kingdom under the Persona name; therefore, the 2007 Proton Persona is rebadged as the Proton Gen-2 Persona in the UK.

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. [ [http://paultan.org/archives/2008/08/30/proton-launches-proton-gen2-ecologic-in-the-uk/ Proton launches Proton Gen-2 ecoLogic in the UK] - Paul Tan. Retrieved on 30 August 2008.] 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.

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 Youngman Automobile Group Ltd Co, 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.cite web |url=http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=273089 |title=Proton Secures Deal With China's Automaker |accessdate=2007-12-03 |author= |date=2007-07-13 |publisher=Bernama ] Proton had previously done business in China (specifically, Guangdongfact|date=December 2007) but withdrew due to poor sales.

ee also

* Proton BLM, a similar replacement model of the older Proton Saga.
* List of hybrid vehicles

References