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Proton Starts the New Year with New Proton Savvy and Proton Waja


January 2007
 Filed under: PROTON Car News | PROTON Headlines
19/01/2007 -- PROTON today unveiled the new PROTON Savvy and PROTON Waja with enhancements designed to offer the best value-for-money package to customers in terms of specifications, safety and equipment level for vehicles in its class. Both cars are available for booking at all PROTON Edar and PROTON EON showrooms nationwide from today.

"The introduction of two variants for the PROTON Savvy - medium and highline model - presents customers with enough choice in making a purchase decision that is often influenced by price considerations, said PROTON Holdings Berhad Managing Director Dato' Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.
"These two new models are a prelude to a series of other products we intend to introduce into the market this year. Despite the tough market environment today, we are committed to continuously enhance and introduce new or refresh models for our customers at a very affordable price range".

Syed Zainal Abidin said the Waja - also Malaysia's best selling four-door 1.6-litre sedan - meanwhil, has been enhanced and positioned to offer the best value-for-money in terms of specifications, safety and equipment level for a vehicle in its class.

THE NEW PROTON SAVVY - BUILT FOR YOU

That is precisely what car buyers can expect and look forward to with PROTON today launching the 2007-model Savvy in time to usher in the New Year.

The new Savvy features changes to both the exterior and interior, sporting a newly-designed front grille and tailgate, equipped with sporty rear spoiler.

Giving customers a wider choice in terms of trim and price, the Savvy is available in the form of medium and highline models, both manual (MT) and an Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), with on-the-road price as follows:

* PROTON Savvy Medium-line 5MT RM 40,240.00
* PROTON Savvy Medium-line AMT RM 43,182.00
* PROTON Savvy High-line AMT RM 45,841.00

Powered by a 1.2 litre multi-point injection engine, the Savvy delivers a punch of 74 brake horse power, 105Nm of torque and capable of a maximum speed of 170km/h, making it one of the most charismatic vehicles in its class. With a power to weight ratio of 78.3bhp/tonne, the Savvy sprints from 0-100km/h in 12.6 seconds making it one of the most spirited and quickest against any other vehicle in its segment.

Fuel economy meanwhile, is rated at 5.3 litres per 100km driven at a constant speed of 90km/h. The Savvy is also the national record holder for the most fuel efficient drive around Peninsular Malaysia, an achievement recognized and endorsed by the Malaysia Book of Records.

Top of the range pick and new to the Savvy line-up is the highline model that comes standard fitted with an all-round host of added safety features that includes an anti-lock braking system (ABS), twin airbags (driver and front passenger), driver and front passenger seat belt pre-tensioners, alarm, and an engine immobilizer system - equipment more often synonymous only with cars in the larger vehicle segment and rarely made available in the supermini or city car category.

Safety features retained from the earlier generation Savvy and available throughout the base, medium and highline range are the rear seat belts with ISOFIX mounting points, seat belt fastener reminder, 3-point front a rear seat belts, collapsible steering column, laminated windscreen, tempered tail gate glass, reverse sensors, child lock capability on the rear doors, front ventilated disc brakes and rear drum brakes, as well as reinforced rear seats against luggage intrusion.

For a vehicle of its class and price, the Savvy, first launched in 2005, also rates as one of the most well-equipped not only in terms of safety, chassis engineering and driving dynamics but also in terms of features that come standard in a vehicle of its class, from its double din radio and CD player, four front and rear speakers and a digital instrument cluster to creature comforts such as driver and passenger side vanity mirrors, remote door mirror adjustment, central locking, fog lamps, luggage net, and centre console with twin integrated cup holders.

A unique and practical feature retained in the five-door city car is its 50-50 split and flat folding rear seats that more than doubles space from the standard 0.20m3 (with seats up) to 0.52m3 when the seats are folded to accommodate greater luggage area and for storing bulky items.

Changes in the new Savvy also include 14" inch alloy wheels for the medium range model and 15" inch alloy wheels for the High-line model. The PROTON Savvy's low cost of ownership and affordable maintenance already exists in the form of an engine oil change interval of 10,000km, an oil filter change interval of every 20,000km, and a timing belt and coolant change of every 60,000km.

But what has really distinguished the Savvy from its competitors is its Lotus input in engineering its chassis and suspension system that has earned it the distinction of having one of the most dynamic and superior ride and handling for a car in its class.

This is achieved by way of the car's enhanced structural and body rigidity that minimizes body flexing and bending and in the process helps to attain a greater level of occupant protection. This results in a car that has greater torsion and bending rigidity compared to previous Proton cars, one with equal or greater vehicle structural strength to even continental cars. The use of strong L3 galvanised steel - harder, stronger, lighter and more corrosion resistant - that forms the body of the car meanwhile, translates into improved steering, handling, cornering speeds, high-speed stability and a car that is more balanced and responsive to the driver's commands.

THE NEW PROTON WAJA - GET MORE OUT OF YOUR DRIVE

The 2007 PROTON Waja meanwhile, features an all-new front appearance, comprehensive host of safety features, and a reupholstered and more refined interior.

Priced at RM 59,388.00 (MT) and RM 62,888.00 (AT), the PROTON Waja introduces more than 14 new features into the car.

On the exterior, the Waja sports an entirely newly-designed front end, with changes that include fog lights, turn signal lamps, hood and garnish, and front bumper and grille for better aerodynamics and a more sophisticated presence. The car is available in five new colours ; metallic twilight blue, metallic Iridescent white, metallic gray, metallic brilliant red and burgundy.

While the interior is reminiscent of the original design, the choice of new texture leather, a two-tone black and light brown upholstery, steering wheel trim, parking grip and manual gear shift knob creates an entirely new look and feel.

Additional features introduced into the new Waja makes it one of the most well-equipped 1.6-litre sedans in the market (in its price category) in terms of safety and features comfort accessories.

Active-controlled performance, safety and security feature

* Lotus ride and handling
* 15 x 6.5JJ alloy wheels
* 195/55R15 tyres
* Front + rear suspension fitted with stabilizer bars
* Rigid and strongest body structure in its class
* Dual airbags (driver + passenger side)
* ABS (anti-lock braking system)
* Braking system - ventilated disc (front) + solid disc (rear)
* Laminated windscreens
* Front fog lights
* Reverse sensors
* Electrical immobiliser & alarm

Comfort/practical features

* Two-tone interior
* Leather seats
* Passenger side vanity mirror
* Front + rear power windows
* 2 din radio/MP3 player with bluetooth capability
* Multifunction audio switches on steering wheel
* Sunglass holder on driver¡¯s side
* Electric remote door mirror, manual folded housing
* Split, flat fold & double- action rear seat

Launched in 2000, the 1.6-litre Waja is PROTON's first Malaysian car following the company's transformation from a car assembler to a full-fledged car manufacturer with its own design, engineering, research and development, and testing capabilities.

With more than 260,000 units sold to date, the PROTON Waja has gained many accolades, namely for its fuel economy and for its superior driving dynamics. Much of this has been the result of a very strong and rigid chassis, its Lotus-tuned suspension, and the strong passenger cell for greater occupant protection. These elements combined give the car strong torsional rigidity that supports excellent ride and handling.

In January 2006, PROTON rolled-out the new generation Waja that is powered by the CAMPRO engine, offering customers a choice of greater performance and better fuel economy. The Proton Waja was also, in 2004, named as the most economical and greenest four-door, five-passenger sedan on the Australian market by the Australian Government¡¯s Greenhouse Office, commended for its excellent fuel consumption, low air pollution ratings and for being a cost effective, well engineered and practical vehicle.

-end-

Source: PROTON

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