Proton Suprima S News

Proton is readying a rebirth in the Australian market now that the Malaysian carmaker is co-owned by Chinese automotive conglomerate Geely, who also counts Volvo, Lotus, Polestar and Lynk & Co under its umbrella.Local sales of Proton models – including the Exora, Preve and Suprima S – have come to a near-halt recently, with just a single new registration last year after sliding from 421 units in 2015.However, with Geely in control of Proton and snapping up 49 percent of the carmaker, plans are underway to rebadge China-sourced vehicles, as well as develop fresh models, for Australian market consumption."I would look closely at what Proton are up to," Geely head of international PR Ash Sutcliffe told journalists at last week’s Shanghai motor show. "Proton may be planning a return to Commonwealth nations in the near future."Mr Sutcliffe singled out Proton’s expertise in right-hand-drive development would complement Geely’s vast production resources."Proton have a lot of experience in developing right-hand-drive cars, and their chassis and platform development is really helpful for Geely," he said."For example, we do a lot of testing in Malaysia that we can’t do in China – hot-weather testing, when it’s cold here we can go there, and they have fantastic facilities, and they’ve got a lot of talent in developing right-hand-drive cars. So the match together is quite good."The first Geely-sourced vehicle to launch internationally last year was the Proton X70 mid-size SUV, a rebadged Bo Yue, which Mr Sutcliffe said has given the Malaysian brand a shot in the arm.However, the X70 is only a stop-gap solution, with future Proton models expected to be jointly developed with Geely, according to Mr Sutcliffe, though no timeline is yet set.As for Geely’s freshly-minted Geometry electric vehicle (EV) brand, Australian and South-East Asian market consideration is currently underway, which will be finalised in the next two years.

Proton has unveiled a new ‘race inspired’ R3 Super Premium version of its new Suprima S small hatch, with added sports styling details to sit above the existing Suprima S GXR range-topper.Shown at the Proton Sales carnival in Malaysia this week, the R3 Super Premium gains unique 17-inch alloys and redesigned front and rear bumpers and sideskirts.The R3 Super Premium is otherwise mechanically identical to the existing $19,790 (drive away) Suprima GX and $24,590 (drive away) GXR, including the 103kW/205Nm 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine.Also like the GX and GXR, the R3 Super Premium was unveiled with a CVT auto, with a six-speed manual due to be added to the lineup later this year.Speaking at the Suprima S R3 Super Premium’s unveiling, Proton’s Deputy CEO Dato’ Lukman described the new model as the Malaysian brand’s “most comprehensively equipped model in terms of performance, styling, safety, driving dynamics and sophistication.”“The new variant will open up the Suprima S to a specific market segment that would cater to customers who give priority to car specifications,” Lukman added.Like the Suprima S GXR, the R3 Super Premium will be equipped with leather trim, cruise control, push-button start, paddle shifters and a reversing camera as standard.Local pricing for the Proton Suprima S R3 Super Premium will be announced when it arrives in Australian showrooms later this year.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn 

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $40,000-$59,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000New cars for 2014 | over $100,000 LIGHT CARSAlfa-Romeo MiTo: The Mini Cooper-rivalling MiTo hatch is due for a refresh in January. Tweaked styling is expected, along with updated features and sharpened pricing in line with other recent Fiat Chrysler Australia pricetag shuffles. (Approximately 25,000-30,000)Honda City and Jazz: Honda’s slow-selling City compact sedan is due to be replaced by an all-new model in the second quarter of 2014, leading the also-new third-generation Jazz compact hatch which is expected in around June. The new Jazz will benefit from a new dual-clutch auto transmission, and a new hybrid variant is expected to dip well below the current petrol-electric model’s 4.5L/100km combined figure. (Approximately $16,000-23,000)Kia Rio: Also due for a refresh in the third quarter is the Kia Rio light hatch and sedan range, with the stylish model likely to score visual tweaks and value gains to keep up with more recent competition. (Approximately $15,000-22,000)Mini Cooper: Mini will bring the all-new third-generation ‘new Mini’ Cooper to our shores from May, with the entry models using a new 1.5-litre three cylinder turbo petrol or diesel engine, and the hot Cooper S to step up to a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol from the same family The three-door hatch will be the only bodystyle to lob in 2014, with convertible and a new five-door hatch (at least) to follow later. (Approximately $31,000-$46,000)Volkswagen Polo: Volkswagen’s Polo light hatch range is also due for a mid-cycle refresh in the second half of the year, with revised styling, plus efficiency and technology trickle-down from the Mk7 Golf likely. Approximately $17,000-29,000)SMALL CARSAlfa Romeo Giulietta: Following on from its pricing shuffle in 2013, the small Giulietta hatch range also due for a mid-cycle refresh later in 2014. Approximately 24,000-40,000)Hyundai Elantra: Hyundai will revise its Elantra sedan in January, with freshened styling and a new local suspension tune expected to be the main changes. (Approximately $20,990-$30,190)Kia Pro_cee'd GT: Kia will bring the Pro_cee’d GT down under in March, with the new hot hatch set to go head to head with its mechanical sibling the Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo. (Approximately $30,000)Kia Soul: Also expected in March is a heavily revised version of the trendy Soul small hatch, with rejigged styling, upgraded underpinnings and petrol and diesel drivetrains. (Approximately $21,000-$30,000)Mazda3: Mazda will renew its assault on the Australian sales charts in January, with the arrival of the new third-generation 3 sedan and hatch models. The new 3 will be available with 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre versions of Mazda’s SkyActiv petrol engine from launch, with diesel versions set to follow later. (Approximately $20,000-35,000)Nissan Pulsar SSS sedan: In the third quarter, Nissan will break with Pulsar SSS tradition by adding a sedan version of the hot turbocharged model, with Mazda’s SP25 sedan its only logical rival. (Approximately $31,000)Peugeot 308: Peugeot’s headline act for 2014 will be the new 308 small hatch, with the lighter and more efficient model arriving before the end of the year to target Volkswagen’s Golf head-on. (Approximately $25,000-$40,000)Proton Suprima S: Proton will launch the Preve sedan-based Suprima S small hatch in January, in $21,790 (drive away) GX and $26,590 (drive away) GXR spec levels. Available with a CVT auto initially, both versions will use a 103kW/250Nm 1.6 litre petrol turbo. Cheaper $19,790 (GX) and $24,590 (GXR) six –speed manual versions will arrive later in the year. (Approximately $19,790-$24,590)Proton Preve: In the second quarter, ther Malaysian brand will add a five-speed manual version of the Preve GXR sedan, which is expected to undercut the existing CVT auto version by $2000 with a $20,990 drive away pricetag. A more upmarket Preve LE is expected at around the same time, and likely to be priced around the $25,000 mark.Renault Megane: Also due around June is a mid-cycle refresh for the Megane coupe, cabriolet, and wagon models. (Approximately $20,000-$50,000)Skoda Rapid Spaceback: Skoda will introduce the much anticipated Rapid Spaceback in the second quarter, with the new hatch to sit beneath the recently launched Octavia Liftback and wagon. (Approximately from $20,000)Toyota Corolla sedan: Toyota’s grasp on the Australian market is set to be strengthened by the arrival of a sedan version of the new Corolla in February. Both European and US versions of the new sedan have been unveiled, and the Australian model will most closely resemble the European model. (Approximately $20,000-$32,000)Volkswagen Golf wagon: Volkswagen will add a wagon bodystyle to its Mk7 Golf lineup early in 2014, mirroring the hatch with its range of petrol and diesel engines. (Approximately $27,000-37,000)FAMILY CARSFord Falcon: The once-mighty Falcon range is set to undergo its final facelift in the fourth quarter of 2014, ahead of it’s now certain doom in 2016. Minor styling revisions are expected, but the addition of Ford’s SYNC multimedia system and the return of the XR8 V8 model (as FPV is wound up) are likely to be the biggest changes. (Approximately 37,000-56,000)Kia Optima: Kia’s Optima will score a mid-cycle update in January, with revised styling inside and out, along with added features. (Approximately $30,990-$40,490)PEOPLE MOVERSCitroen C4 Grand Picasso: Citroen will replace the long-serving C4 Grand Picasso with an all-new version in the second quarter of 2014. The new model promises to continue as a stylish alternative to other seven-seat people movers with a choice of petrol or diesel drivetrains and will hopefully retain the current model’s sub-$40,000 pricing. (Approximately $37,000-$40,000)Honda Odyssey: An all-new Odyssey eight-seat people mover will follow in February, with fresh styling, improved features and safety and a more efficient drivetrain. (Approximately $35,000-$43,000)Kia Grand Carnival: Later in the year, Kia will replace the segment-champion but ageing Grand Carnival model. Improvements to safety, features, and efficiency are expected, and should be a winner if the smaller new Rondo is anything to go by. (Approximately $39,000-56,000)SUV/4WDFord EcoSport: The Blue Oval’s new EcoSport baby will complete its lineup in February, with the cheaper Trend and Ambiente spec levels joining the top-line Titanium that launched the model in December. (Approximately $20,790-27,790)Honda CR-V diesel: Honda will kick off 2014 by adding the first-ever diesel variant to the local CR-V SUV lineup in January. The 2.2 litre unit produces 110kW/350Nm, and will be available in six-speed manual or five-speed auto with all-wheel drive only. Official fuel consumption is as low as 5.8L/100km. (Approximately $35,000-$45,000)Jeep Cherokee: Jeep’s new more-civilised Cherokee SUV will arrive in the first half of 2014, with a choice of 2.4-litre petrol, 3.2-litre petrol V6, or 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines. (Approximately $28,000-$37,000)Kia Sportage: During the second quarter, Kia will grace its Sportage medium SUV with a more significant update than the minor revisions made in mid-2013 with the shift to European production. Like Optima, expect fresh interior and exterior styling and new features. (Approximately $25,000-$40,000)Kia Sorento: The final Kia model for 2014 is likely to be a significantly revamped Sorento seven-seat SUV, with a comprehensive design update inside and out to bring it in line with the fresher styling of its Hyundai Santa Fe mechanical twin. (Approximately $38,000-$51,000)Nissan X-Trail: Nissan will replace its hugely successful X-Trail medium SUV in about July, with the bigger design offering seating for seven for the first time, and improved refinement to go with its softened exterior design. (Approximately $30,000-$47,000)Nissan Qashqai: Nissan’s other significant SUV arrival for 2014 will be the Dualis-replacing Qashqai compact SUV, which will arrive in five-seat only guise in the third quarter. (Approximately $26,000-$36,000)Renault Captur: The Renault Captur will arrive mid-year, representing the French brand in the rapidly expanding compact SUV segement. The Clio-based crossover should start in the low $20,000s, and challenge the Trax, Juke, 2008, and EcoSport. (Approximately from $20,000)Skoda Yeti: Skoda’s best-selling Yeti compact SUV is also in line for a mid-cycle refresh in around June, with revised styling and features to bring it in line with the brand’s newer models. (Approximately $26,000-$38,000)Suzuki S-Cross: Suzuki’s SX4-replacing S-Cross will arrive in January, with reduced fuel consumption an increased interior space over the model it supercedes. Like the SX4, the S-Cross will continue with 2WD and AWD options, and will be priced between $22,990 and $34,990.COMMERCIAL VEHICLESFord Transit: Ford’s commercial lineup will receive a boost in January with the arrival of an all-new Transit van model, with the light-duty Transit Custom touching down ahead of the heavy-duty Transit Cargo range in April. (Approximately $36,000-$52,000)Renault Kangoo Maxi crew van: A passenger-carrying Kangoo Maxi crew van is also expected in the second quarter. (Approximately $27,000)

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | $20,000-$40,000New cars for 2014 | $40,000-$59,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000New cars for 2014 | over $100,000 LIGHT CARSHonda City and Jazz: Honda’s slow-selling City compact sedan is due to be replaced by an all-new model in the second quarter of 2014, leading the also-new third-generation Jazz compact hatch which is expected in around June. The new Jazz will benefit from a new dual-clutch auto transmission, and a new hybrid variant is expected to dip well below the current petrol-electric model’s 4.5L/100km combined figure. (Approximately $16,000-23,000)Kia Rio: Also due for a refresh in the third quarter is the Kia Rio light hatch and sedan range, with the stylish model likely to score visual tweaks and value gains to keep up with more recent competition. (Approximately $15,000-22,000)Mitsubishi Attrage: Mitsubishi is expected to add the Attrage compact four door – effectively a Mirage sedan – to its local lineup in the second half of 2014, to go head to head with other compact sedans like the Holden Barina sedan, Honda City, and Nissan Almera.(Approximately $15,000)Proton GSC: In Q3, Proton will bring its Volkswagen Up-rivalling GSC (Global Small Car) to Australia just months after its upcoming global debut. Previewed by the Proton Emas concepts that have been doing the rounds since 2010, the production model’s name is yet to be confirmed, and will likely arrive with a price under $13,000. (Approximately $12,000)Volkswagen Polo: Volkswagen’s Polo light hatch range is also due for a mid-cycle refresh in the second half of the year, with revised styling, plus efficiency and technology trickle-down from the Mk7 Golf likely. (Approximately $17,000-29,000)SMALL CARSProton Suprima S: Proton will launch the Preve sedan-based Suprima S small hatch in January, in $21,790 (drive away) GX and $26,590 (drive away) GXR spec levels. Available with a CVT auto initially, both versions will use a 103kW/250Nm 1.6 litre petrol turbo. Cheaper $19,790 (GX) and $24,590 (GXR) six –speed manual versions will arrive later in the year. (Approximately $19,790-$24,590)  

Two variants are offered in GX and GXR spec, and the car is the Malaysian company's most comprehensively equipped model introduced here. Suprima S runs yet another version of the Campro 1.6 litre, DOHC engine, this time with a low boost (11psi or .80bar) turbo attached for a significant boost to torque and power. The turbo system features an intercooler for added efficiency and the engine achieves 103kW at 5,000 rpm and 205Nm at 2,000-4,000 rpm.Suprima S will be available with a seven-speed Protronic CVT transmission with paddle shifters, followed by a six-speed manual transmission from next year, at a $2,000 saving over the CVT.Ride and handling was looked after by Lotus which promises tidy dynamics. Suprima S also has an ANCAP five-star safety rating.FEATURESThe sporty exterior styling theme continues inside the cabin starting with steering wheel audio and phone controls and a dark grey upholstery tone.Kit includes Bluetooth, USB and iPod connectivity, Smart Information Display which includes a trip distance and time meter, instant fuel consumption and distance to empty, gear shift lock, car a keyfob low battery warning, seat belt reminder, intrusion alarm, service reminder and the usual array of warning lights.The GXR gets piano black highlights on the steering wheel, gear knob and centre console  and leather upholstery.It also gains push button start/stop, steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, cruise control, automatic headlights, automatic front wipers and climate control. Satnav is also included along with park sensors and hill hold assist.Suprima S hits the road here from January 1 priced from $21,790 drive away with CVT transmission.