2008 Proton Jumbuck Reviews

…and competent budget cars rolling out of Australian showrooms.Cheap in 2011 no longer means tin-can terrible; from $11,790 for the Suzuki Alto to $12,990 for Nissan's Micra there's the choice of five, five-door hatchbacks safer, better-equipped and better-built than ever.Ten years ago the cheapest cars on the local market were the likes of the three-door Hyundai Excel at $13,990 and the Daewoo Lanos at $13,000.Since then average Australian income has jumped 21 per cent in real terms according to the ACTU even though petrol's gone from 80 cents a litre to $1.40 and more.But car prices have fallen in real terms, thanks to increased competition, a strong dollar and new brands headed this way from China.Technology, trickling down from higher-priced machines or, like stability control, mandated by authorities has made these budget cars more attractive than ever.Malaysian maker Proton were among the first to slice retail prices in the face of a feared onslaught from China, dropping the $11,990 S16 sedan into the light car battle market last November.Now Suzuki has taken the lead on pricing. (And Proton, with stock tight while waiting for a replacement, perhaps cheaper, model later this year couldn't make it to this comparison with an S16.)Their rivals are all finding new homes. While the overall car market is sluggish, down 5.3 per cent on last year, light cars have slipped only 1.4 per cent. Some 55,000 light cars were sold to the end of May, the second biggest segment after small cars and ahead of compact SUV sales figures.Suzuki Australia's general manager Tony Devers says the light car segment has grown dramatically over the past five years as Australians become more urbanised, more inner-city focussed.For Suzuki, light car buyers are split into two camps - over-45s looking for a second car and under-25s looking for university and city transport."What's the alternative - a four or five year old car with less fuel effciency and safety?" Devers says.VALUEYou get a surprising amount of kit in a cheap car these days: electric mirrors (in all but the Alto), airconditioning, plenty of safety equipment, electric windows (front only, but all four in the Chery) and quality sound systems.There is only $1200 between the cheapest and the dearest and the resale values are pretty close, too.Vehicle sizes are also much the same as is power. You would have to be Mark Webber to pick the difference between the least powerful (Alto 50kW) and the most powerful (Chery 62kW).The Micra wins on features with Bluetooth, USB input and steering wheel audio controls, but it is also the most expensive.The Alto is cheapest, but doesn't miss out on too many creature comforts except electric mirrors. And for an extra $700 the GLX has fog lights and alloys.TECHNOLOGYThe four cheapies we tested come with the new age of downsized engine. In the Micra and Alto, they are three-cylinder powerplants. The three-cylinder models were a little rough at idle, but so economical they mark the way of the future for city cars. In real world conditions, it was difficult to pick any power differences."It's surprising they are three-cylinder cars," says guest tester William Churchill. "They're pretty zippy for a three." On a low-tech note, it is difficult to distinguish the lock and unlock buttons on the Alto and Chery key fobs, while the Micra adds a car locator button that blows the horn.DESIGNThe Micra looks the most grown up and least quirky, having lost its bug eyes in the latest restyle. It also sits the nicest on its wheels, with marginal gaps in the wheel arches.One of our guest test-drivers, Amy Spencer, says she liked the slightly SUV look of the Chery. It also has smart alloy wheels and an instantly appealing interior.The Chinese have tried hard to funk up the cabin space, even if the seats lack support and some of the fit and finish isn't the best. Alto and Barina look similar on the exterior. Inside, both have comfortable and supportive seats, but the Holden trip computer is a bit too fussy and busy for easy reading.Cabin dimensions are similar across the four, although the Micra has best back seat legroom and the most luggage capacity, while the Alto's boot is tiny.The Chery also scored points with Spencer for its handy dashboard storage compartment.She and fellow volunteer test driver Penny Langfield also noted the importance of vanity mirrors on the visors. The Micra and Barina have two vanity mirrors, while the Chery has one on the passenger's side and Alto has one on the driver's side.SAFETYLangfield commented that safety is one of the most important aspects to consider."That is the thing you worry about the most with a small car," she says.But cheap doesn't mean they have scrimped on safety features. All have electronic stability control, ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution.The Chery has only dual front airbags, but the rest come with six airbags.According to the Australian New Car Assessment Program, the Chery has a three-star crash rating, Barina and Alto four stars and the Micra has not yet been tested, but the previous model with only dual front airbags had a three-star rating.DRIVINGWe took our three young volunteer drivers on a short city-based drive with plenty of hills and some freeway cruising. The Chery suffered a little from being straight out of the box with only about 150km on the odo and most of that on test.It may still be bedding in the brakes, but they felt mushy until they warmed up. Then they got a bit firmer, but still lacked initial bite and feel.The Chery's airconditioning also has a ringing sound in the fan which may go away after a while.We also noticed it revved a bit when you pushed in the clutch, indicating perhaps a slightly sticky throttle while still new.Yet the Chery drew favourable comments from all quarters for its responsive and "zippy" engine. However, Langfield noted it was "a bit sluggish coming up the hill"."I've heard all the hype about this being the cheapest car, but it goes better than I thought it would," she says. Spencer was rapt with the sound system: "It's great when you ramp it up."However, she instantly fell in love with the Micra."I liked this car from when I reversed it out of the carpark. It's quite zippy. I love the big mirrors. I like how the dashboard gives it a bit of space. It's not cramped up."She also liked the fact the seat height adjustment in the Micra and Suzuki: "It's great for short people."Churchill says the Micra's instruments are easy to read and found the audio controls on the steering wheel convenient."Smooth" was the word for Langfield to described the power, gearshift and ride."It's got a good audio system. The radio is nice and high," she says as she pumps up the volume on Triple J. She also likes the ample cup holders.The Barina is a no-fuss, solid and strong city car. "It's simple to drive but the LCD screen on the instrument panel is a bit distracting and very busy," says Churchill. Langfield agrees, but says, "I'm sure you would get used to it after a while."She liked the "smooth gear action" but found it "a bit gutless in places, but it picks up when you need it".The Suzuki surprised us all with its plucky three-cylinder engine. "It takes off when you want it to. It feels more intuitive and responsive," says Langfield.But Spencer laments the lack of boot space. "There'll be no camping weekends with this boot."Churchill says the gearshift was easy and the clutch feels light. "It's the most simple to get in and just drive."VERDICTThe Chery is the real surprise. It's better than we thought and attracted some good comments for styling, audio and power.The Barina feels safe, strong and reliable, while the Micra feels the most refined, although the most expensive. But we have to agree with the punters.While we found good and different points across the four we appreciate the Suzuki's willingness and price point as the leader of this pack.Last word goes to Langfield: "All these cars are better than my car so I really can't complain."VOTINGPenny Langfield: 1 Alto, 2 Micra, 3 Barina, 4 Chery. "It just feels good to drive. You feel like you are driving a real car, not a toy".Amy Spencer: 1 Micra, 2 Alto, 3 Barina, 4 Chery. "An all-round good car. It has a bit of storage space and just looks and feels good to drive."William Churchill: 1 Alto, 2 Barina, 3 Chery, 4 Micra. "I can get in and didn't need to get used to driving it. The dashboard is also easy to use."SUZUKI ALTO GLPrice: $11,790Body: 5-door hatchbackEngine: 1 litre, 3-cylinder 50kW/90NmTransmission: 5-speed manual (4-speed auto option)Fuel: 4.7l/100km; CO2 110g/kmDimensions: 3500mm (L), 1600mm (W), 1470mm (H), 2360mm (WB)Safety: 6 airbags, ESP, ABS, EBDWarranty: 3-year/100,000kmResale: 50.9%Green rating: 5 starsFeatures: 14-inch steel wheels, A/C, aux input, full-size steel spare, front power windowsBARINA SPARK CDPrice: $12,490Body: 5-door hatchbackEngine: 1.2 litre, 4-cylinder 59kW/107NmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel: 5.6l/100km; CO2 128g/kmDimensions: 3593mm (L), 1597mm (W), 1522mm (H), 2375mm (WB)Safety: 6 airbags, ESC, ABS, TCSWarranty: 3 year/100,000kmResale: 52.8%Green rating: 5 starsFeatures: 14-inch alloy wheels, front power windows, A/C, USB & Aux audio input, auto headlights off, optional full-size spareCHERY J1Price: $11,990Body: 5-door hatchbackEngine: 1.3 litre, 4-cylinder 62kW/122NmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel: 6.7l/100km; CO2 159g/kmDimensions: 3700mm (L), 1578 (W), 1564 (H), 2390 (WB)Safety: ABS, EBD, ESP, dual front airbagsWarranty: 3 yr/100,000kmResale: 49.2%Green rating: 4 starsFeatures: 14-inch alloys, full-size steel spare, A/C, 4 power windows and mirrorsNISSAN MICRA STPrice: $12,990Body: 5-door hatchbackEngine: 1.2 litre, 3-cylinder 56Kw/100nmTransmission: 5-speed manual (four-speed auto option)Fuel: 5.9l/100km; CO2 138g/kmDimensions: 3780mm (L,) 1665mm (W), 1525mm (H), 2435mm (WB)Safety: 6 airbags, ESP, ABS, EBDWarranty: 3 year/100,000km, 3-year 24-hr roadside assistResale: 50.8%Green rating: 5 starsFeatures: Bluetooth, A/C, 14-inch steel wheels, full-size steel spare, aux in, front power windowsPROTON S16 GPrice: $11,990Body: 4-door sedanEngine: 1.6 litre, 4-cylinder 82kW/148NmTransmission: 5-speed manualFuel: 6.3l/100km; CO2 148g/kmDimensions: 4257mm (L) 1680mm (W) 1502mm (H), 2465mm (WB)Safety: Driver's airbag, ESC,Warranty: three year, unlimited km, 24-hour roadside assistResale: 50.9%Green rating: 4 starsFeatures: 13-inch steel wheels, full-size steel spare, A/C, remote central locking, front power windowsUSED CAR OPTIONSTHERE are a number of options to an all-new light car if shopping for something secondhand and sensible.Among these, Glass' Guide lists manual versions of Honda's 2003 Civic Vi five-door hatchback at $12,200, the 2005 Toyota Corolla Ascent sedan at $12,990 and Mazda's 2004 Mazda 3 Neo (sedan or hatch) at $12,400.The Civic impressed at the time with good interior space and comfort, reliable reputation and a long list of gear including dual airbags, ABS plus power windows and mirrors.The Mazda3 range was an instant hit with critics and consumers, bringing style back to the marque. The Neo's standard gear included air-conditioning, dual airbags, CD player plus remote central locking. Toyota's Corolla has long been a safe and solid performer in the small to compact class; 2005 versions arrived with dual airbags, air conditioning, ABS and proven reliability.

And the VE Commodore was given just three stars. The latest Used Car Safety Ratings, taken from Monash University's Accident Research Centre (MUARC) crash survey awarded five stars to the Camry and Aurion on models built from 2006 until 2008. The results show that almost one in three vehicles have a "poor" or "very poor" crash test result. The worst result was for the 1990-96 Daihatsu Mira, while the 2004-07 VW Golf was the safest. The 1999-2002 Ford Fairlane/LTD, Holden's Statesman/Caprice and the 2003-5 Mitsubishi Magna/Verada line-ups all rated four stars.  Three-star ratings were also awarded to the 2002-08 BA/BF Ford Falcon, the Holden Statesman/Caprice range from 1994 to 1998 and the 2002-07 Holden Commodore VY/VZ range. The results also suggest smaller cars have improved in recent years, with the 1996-200 Volkswagen Polo scoring five stars and the 2005-2008 Holden Barina rating four stars. The ratings list showed that (excluding light-commercial utes) every vehicle class has at least one vehicle with an "excellent" five-star rating and of the 199 vehicles examined, more than a third scored either good or excellent. The survey rates occupant safety, as well as how other road users (cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists and other drivers) are affected in a crash, based on Australian and New Zealand injuries suffered by 5.4 million people from 1987-2008. FIVE STAR "excellent" Audi A4 01-08 BMW 5 Series 96-03 BMW X5 01-08 Chrysler Neon 96-99 Ford Explorer 01-05 Ford Transit 01-08 Mazda 6 02-07 Mazda MX5 Roadster 98-05 Mercedes Benz C-Class 00-07 Mercedes Benz M-Class 98-05 Mitsubishi Nimbus 99-03 Mitsubishi Pajero 00-06 Peugeot 307 01-08 Saab 900/9-3 94-02 Saab 9000 86-97 Subaru Liberty/Legacy/Outback 03-08 Subaru Forester 97-02 Toyota Aurion 06-08 Toyota Camry 06-08 Volkswagen Golf/Jetta 04-08 Volkswagen Polo 96-00 Volvo S40/V40 97-04 ONE STAR "very poor" Daewoo Espero 95-97 Daewoo Tacuma 00-04 Daihatsu Feroza/Rocky 89-97 Daihatsu Rocky/Rugger 85-98 Daihatsu Charade 93-00 Daihatsu Mira 90-96 Ford Festiva 94-01 Holden Commodore Ute VR/VS 94-00 Holden/Suzuki Scurry/Carry 82-00 Holden/Suzuki Drover/Sierra 82-99 Holden/Suzuki Barina/Swift 89-99 Hyundai Excel/Accent 95-00 Hyundai Getz/TB 02-08 Kia Ceres 92-00 Nissan Micra 95-97 Nissan NX/NX-R 91-96 Proton Wira 95-96 Subaru Impreza 93-00 Suzuki Vitara/Escudo 88-98 Toyota 4Runner/Hilux 89-97 Toyota Landcruiser 90-97

She is just like the Emperor who goes strutting in public without clothes, despite claims of an impressive new wardrobe, in the 1800s short story by Hans Christian Anderson.  In this case, the Prime Minister is wearing nothing for the election despite the impressive claims on her 'Cash for Clunkers' scheme.How? Why? The basics of the proposed car scrap scheme look good, with a $2000 bounty on any pre-1995 gross polluter turned in for crushing in favour of a green new car.  The government forecasts up to 200,000 trade-ins over four years on cars which have to meet either a six-star rating in the Green Vehicle Guide or emit less than 220 grams/kilometre of CO2. It is talking about lots of new cars, with safety benefits on the side, as Australians convert their rusty old hulks into something new in the driveway.  But as you drill deeper into the proposal you find flaws, and then one fatal error. It all looks simple for anyone who has a pre-'95 car in the family.  You bank the bounty, take the car to a dealership, then drive away in something shiny and new. But did you know the car must have been registered and insured for two years before the trade-in deal? Or that the paperwork must match the person doing the deal?  It's a way to ensure there are no $20 wrecker's specials rolled out by bounty hunters. Did you also know the cost of a new car against the valuation on a 1995 model?  The cheapest new cars in Australia today are the Suzuki Alto and Proton S16, which both sit at around $12,000 driveaway. But the Alto is tiny and the Proton is old, so the realistic new-car choices don't start until $15,000 and a new Commodore or Falcon is more like $40,000 on-the-road. Compare those numbers with the valuations for a '95 Commodore or Falcon.  Glass's Guide says the current figure is $2400 for an EF GLi or $3000 for a VR Executive in average condition. But what about the success of overseas schemes?  Yes, 'Cash for clunkers' schemes have worked well in other countries, but most have a bounty of at least $5000 against secondhand prices which are much lower than Australia. That's definitely true in Britain and France, where basic new-car prices are also lower. So now we come to The Big One.  Anyone doing the sums on a clunker deal is probably assuming they get $2000 cash from Canberra in addition to their trade-in. So the numbers don't look too bad. But the clunker is worth zero. Nothing. Not one dollar.  It will be going straight to the scrapyard, so there is not a single dealer in Australia who will give a single dollar for the car. That means the changeover price, which is what new-car deals are really about, goes way the wrong way.  And don't forget the Government is planning a $2000 bounty on cars which have a trade-in value above that figure.  That's why Emperor Gillard is wearing no clothes. Follow Paul Gover on Twitter!

WILL Power and Ryan Briscoe will start second and eighth in this year's Indianapolis 500. The Team Penkse pair were not able to match   their team-mate Helio Castroneves, who took pole position, and Briscoe actually dropped from fourth in the provisional running by taking a second shot at the top spot.CHAD Reed returned to the top of American motocross with victory in the first round of the outdoor championship following an injury-  plagued season in the supercross series earlier this year. Reed rode his Monster Kawasaki to an easy win at Sacramento in California, leading from start to finish.CHRIS Atkinson has a onfirmed start in the IRC rally series - second only to the world championship - with Proton as part of the deal which sees him chasing the Asia-Pacific championship with the Malaysian maker. His first IRC start is in the Ypres Rally, an all-bitumen event   in Belgium next month, following an engine problem that took him out of contention in Rally Japan last weekend.DAVID Brabham has scored another big win in the ALMS sports car series in the USA, taking victory in a six-hour race at Laguna Seca in California. Brabham shared his Honda racer with Simon Pagenaud and Marino Franchitti and they had to drive from last to first after a   technical penalty.JASON Crump has dropped to fourth in the World Speedway Championship rankings after a mediocre meeting in Prague last weekend. The defending champion was only eighth on the night and admits to feeling "out of form" with his riding.MARCOS Ambrose finished a pacey fifth in the showdown race ahead of the Nascar All-Star race last weekend but is still only 28th in the Sprint Cup standings. He finish was not good enough to win a transfer place in the main event, as only the top two drivers from the showdown were promoted to the All-Star even won by Kurt Busch.AUDI swept the latest round of the German Touring Car championship series at Valencia in Spain, with Mattias Ekstrom winning from Bruno Spengler in a Mercedes. Martin Tomczyk was originally second in an Audi but was excluded when his team made a mistake on tyres.YVAN Muller continues to lead the World Touring Car championship after another win with Chevrolet at Monza in Italy. The Frenchman is confirmed for the Gold Coast 600 international later this year with Andy Priaulx, who is fourth in the WTCC pointscore after Monza, will also jump into a V8 Supercar.

SUZUKI ALTO GLXNeil McDonald"IT'S almost cheap enough to put on a credit card."  So chirps a forthright female friend when I mentioned that the Alto costs just $11,790 for the starter GL model.  She did cringe when I pulled up to head out on the town though, expecting something larger than our modest Alto.  But as she settled in, elbow to elbow, the little Suzie won her over with its bright red paint scheme and bug-eyed headlights.As it whipped through inner city traffic she was even more startled by the quality of its ride, composure and zip.  Most people who have driven or been ferried around in Suzuki's little car warm to it. It is winning over friends everywhere.There are two reasons why — fuel economy and ease of parking.  The five-speed manual Alto sips fuel at the rate of 4.8 litres of petrol every 100km, allowing a reasonable range from its 35-litre tank before you have to duck into a servo.It's the ideal city car. The diminutive 1.0-litre three-cylinder is surprisingly capable around town and the five-speed is a breeze.  Being a three-cylinder it does tend to throb like a heartbeat at idle but this quirky characteristic only adds to its charm.But where it does come into its own is crowded supermarket carparks.  You can manoeuvre the Alto into the tiniest spaces, duck in to grab the groceries and be on your way while some drivers are still reversing their juggernaut off-roaders into place.The $12,490 GLX manual we drove has a few tasty must-haves like electronic stability control but also nice alloys, foglights, tachmeter, four-speaker stereo and height-adjustable driver's seat.  The only thing we really thought is missing from the spec sheet is electrically adjustable exterior mirrors.However, adjusting the passenger's mirror is reasonably easy because the car's so compact.The GLX has all the goodies but even the base GL does not skimp.  It comes with six airbags, anti-skid brakes, air conditioning, CD stereo with MP3 input and remote central locking.  What really surprises people about the Alto is its big-car like ride. The suspension is firm but rides the bumps well and the steering is direct and well-weighted. The front seats too, which are based on those in the bigger Swift, are comfy.Small children will fit in the back but it is tight for adults. Likewise the boot is relatively small. One person we know who owns one keeps the rear seats flipped forward all the time to carry gear.  Since it went on sale 10 months ago Suzuki Australia has been struggling to keep up with demand.  We can understand why.Suzuki Alto GLXPrice: From $11,790 (GL)Engine: 1.0 litresEconomy: 4.5 litres/100kmFeatures: Dual front and side head airbags, four-speaker CD stereo, anti-skid brakes, electronic stability control, air conditioning, electric windowsTick: Compact size makes parking a breezeCross: Lack of electrically adjustable exterior mirrorsKIA RIONathan MawbyONCE upon a time 'cheap and cheerful' meant a Datsun 120Y with a smiley face painted on.  Thankfully a few decades on the Kia Rio is in the picture.You could go for the ultra cheap base model for $12,990.  Spring for the four speed auto for about $17,400 drive away and you'll be a lot more cheerful than those who cheaped out on a base model when you inevitably get stuck in traffic.But the Rio doesn't stop at being cheap, it goes out of its way to save you money.  Even with the 1.6L four cylinder engine (there's also a 1.4L) speeding tickets will be the last thing on your mind.That's because you'll start to feel sorry for it at around 6000 RPM. At which point you'll be doing between 40 and 50km/h.  It can handle 100km/h, just give it a little time to get there and don't be shy about putting the foot down on hills. But you're not buying a cheap car to break the sound barrier.  If you're bound and determined to do so you could try driving it off something very, very tall — but that would void the Rio's five year unlimited kilometres warranty.  For your safety and that of others, do not do this.The flip side of a small engine is saving money on petrol, with a fuel economy of 6.8L/100km who's going to argue?  The Rio is going to suit those who want a car to go from A to B, and it ranges from average to brilliant on this front.  Handling in tight spaces, like shopping plaza car parks, is an example of the latter.Combine the responsive steering with its compact size and you can look forward to finally getting that Holy Grail car park near the doors. You know the one, it's between the two poles with paint scrapings at about the same height as the rear bumper of an over-ambitious four-wheel drive.But when you're finished bargain hunting with all the money you've saved buying a cheap car the small size will come back to haunt you as the tiny boot mocks any attempt to squeeze your new 42" plasma into it.   Add some groceries, a few bags of clothes and you'll be inching the front seats forward before coughing up bus fare for your passengers.On the plus side that means you'll be able to choose what you listen to on the way home.  Which is important when you've got a set of Tweeter speakers hooked up to an equalizer that tailors the cars sound system to your favourite tunes.A blue tooth system and iPod and mp3 connectivity will also help steer young drivers away from using their phone or iPod. A potentially life saving feature.But with a base model ANCAP rating of three stars you may feel like you're putting your bank balance ahead of your life.First car buyers on a budget and retirees looking to down size will appreciate a lot of what the Rio has to offer — just avoid freeways.Kia RioPrice: From $14,990Engine: 1.4-litre or 1.6-litre (please check with Nathan)Economy: 6.7 litres/100km, 6.8 litres/100kmFeatures: Dual front airbags, four-speaker CD stereo, power steering, air conditioning, electric windows, remote central locking.Likes: Industrial strength heating, headroom and vision, particularly side mirrors,Dislikes: Lack of power, uninspired exterior, poor use of interior space, particularly the bootFORD FIESTAFiona HudsonFIRST, an admission: there's quite a few unworn items hanging forlornly up one end of my wardrobe, sale tags still attached.  Pristine pieces include a shirt bought at such a discount that burnt-orange and brown stripes seemed an attractive combo, and jeans so cheap I kidded myself dropping two sizes would be easy.Yep, I'm a total sucker for a bargain.  So a declaration I was absolutely smitten with the Ford Fiesta CL prompted knowing nods from my partner who assumed its low price colored my judgement.There's no disputing this little ripper is value for money. The base model includes air-conditioning, CD sound system, power steering, electric windows, two airbags, anti-skid brakes and remote locking (check!).More importantly though, the Fiesta is a great drive.  The peppy 1.6-litre engine made buzzing around inner-city op shops and vintage stores even more of a joy than usual.  It accelerates brilliantly, corners neatly, and has a particularly nifty gearbox.  It's slim shape slips into the squeeziest of parking spots, making me wish I could do the same in those useless skinny jeans! There's a bit of a blind spot when reversing though.Thoughtful touches such as parking and interior lights that illuminate when you unlock it add to the impression of safety — great for women out late on their own.  As well as being practical, this beauty is more stylish than its boxy competitors, with modern curves inside and out.The dashboard is perhaps a bit too space-age  — I struggled to figure out the radio toggle and an off-putting sprawl of other buttons, but GenY would probably get it.  The cheap fabric seat coverings and some plastic fittings on the trim are minor quibbles, though by no means deal-breakers.There's absolutely no danger this little number will sit unloved in the driveway of any bargain hunter — even if you do opt for the rather hideous metallic lime green color they call "Squeeze".Ford Fiesta CLPrice: From $16,090 (three-door)Engine: 1.6-litreEconomy: 6.1 litres/100kmFeatures: Dual airbags, four-speaker CD stereo with MP3 capability, power steering, air conditioning, remote central locking, electric front windowsPROTON S16Kathryn FirkinI SUPPOSE it's easy to be impressed when you start with rock bottom expectations, but this car has definitely surprised me.  It's hard not to feel underwhelmed when you're told you'll be testing Australia's cheapest car, but from the get go the Proton S16 has been a winner.The lack of luxuries aside — because let's face it, there are none — this car is great to drive.  It's a lovely change driving off in a new car without feeling like you first need to read a manual.  Everything is simple and easy to use, and there are no nasty surprises.The car comes with power steering and is easy to handle.  Ducking in and out of busy city traffic is a breeze, and even the horn is surprisingly powerful.Space inside the car is also impressive.  Unlike many of its cheap counterparts, the Proton S16 won't cause too many cramped legs, or cause squabbles over who gets to ride in the front passenger seat.Having said that, you probably also won't have friends cue up to go for a ride with you.  It's also unlikely to raise your social status, impress prospective dates, or intimidate that jerk who cut you off.The car has character, despite being basic.  I even found myself giggling when I discovered I had to use a key to open the boot — very old school.It's biggest downside is the single driver's side airbag.  Unfortunately that's a pretty big downside in my books.  Another shortcoming is the sound quality of the stereo.  With just two speakers, music lovers will be wanting to upgrade their stereos straight away — or risk listening to tinny, faint tunes.There is no automatic version of the Proton S16 yet, although that's coming this year.  But while shifting between first and second gears in bumper traffic is not always a joy, you'll be surprised how quickly you move through the five gears on an open road.For a small — and cheap — car, the Proton S16 is surprisingly powerful and reaches 100km/h relatively effortlessly.  It is also fairly fuel efficient, with an economy of 6.3L/100km.  The bargain price tag means you probably also won't have too many concerns squeezing into tight parking spaces, or navigating hectic shopping centre carparks.So should you buy one?  As a basic, daily commuter car the Proton S16 is great value.  As a family car, or people mover, the safety features on this car are not really good enough.Proton S16Price: From $11,990Engine: 1.6-litreEconomy: 6.0 litres/100kmFeatures: Driver's airbag, two-speaker CD stereo, power steering, air conditioning, remote central locking with immobiliser and alarm, rear parking sensorsProton S16Price: From $11,990Engine: 1.6-litreEconomy: 6.0 litres/100kmFeatures: Driver's airbag, two-speaker CD stereo, power steering, air conditioning, remote central locking with immobiliser and alarm, rear parking sensors

Australia's star in the World Rally Championship has been sitting on the sidelines since Subaru pulled out of motorsport before the start of the 2009 season, apart from a one-off run to fifth in Ireland in a Citroen.Now Chris Atkinson has been signed by Proton to lead its attack on this year's Asia-Pacific Rally Championship, which could easily become a stepping stone back into the WRC with the Malaysia maker. Proton is competing in the new S2000 category with a Satria Neo developed in Britain by Mellors Motorsport and Atkinson's team mate is speedy Scot Alistair McRae.The pair will open their 2010 action in just over a week in the Malaysian Rally before competing in six other events including Rally Queensland on the Sunshine Coast from July 31 to August 1. Ironically, Atkinson drove the course car for the Queensland event last year during a break at home on the Gold Coast while he was searching for a drive."I've been out for a year and that was tough, but to be out of the sport for two years would have been way too much," Atkinson says. "I really appreciate this opportunity to work with Proton, it's going to be great to get behind the wheel and go racing again."His car has been quick in previous starts, although not as pacey as the latest S2000 Ford Fiesta and Skoda Fabia. It has had several podium finishes in Europe. But the Asia-Pacific series has been dominated in recent years by another Australia, Cody Crocker in a showroom-class Subaru Impreza, and he is not competing in the championship this year as he works towards a start in the world championship.Atkinson has already tested the Proton in Wales and will run again in Malaysia before the rally, after a break this week in Queensland."I'm really excited about the year ahead. I've tested the Satria Neo S2000 briefly in Britain and it's a very, very good car," he says.Atkinson should be the pace-setter in the Asia-Pacific series after 32 points-scoring results in his 67 starts in the world championship with Subaru. He was also a class champion in the regional series with Suzuki on his way up the rally ladder."To be honest, I can’t wait to get started," Atkinson says.

The tricked-up green and yellow hot hatch belongs to Proton. Called the R3, the track-ready car has been specifically developed by Lotus Racing. An initial batch of only 25 cars are being made for Malaysia in full Lotus Racing F1 livery. The car has reignited Proton Australia managing director, John Startari's appetite for a performance Proton in the local line-up. He says company executives agree that the R3 could be a much-needed ‘halo’ car for the brand. "This would be perfect but we have to work up a business case," he says. The hot Proton is being built by the company's R3 (race, rally, research) division. Three are going to the Formula 1 Lotus Racing team and two will be given to race drivers Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen. The R3 makes extensive use of racing technology to reduce weight and help performance. It has a carbon-fibre bonnet, custom light-weight wheels, R3 bodykit for enhanced aerodynamics, AP racing brakes and expensive Ohlins adjustable dampers. And the engineers have not stopped there. Stiffened rubber bushes and revised suspension geometry delivers racecar-like direct steering and improved cornering precision. Lotus has shaved 62kg out of the standard car's weight by using carbon fibre, delivering a better power to weight ratio. Power comes from worked version of Proton's CamPro 1.6-litre four-cylinder, which develops 108kW at 7000 revs and 168Nm at 5000 revs. The car reaches 100km/h in 9.2 seconds and has a top speed of 200km/h. Startari says the R3 costs the equivalent of $35,000 in Malaysia and this could work against its appeal locally. A similar car for Australia will need to be "in the mid-$20,000 range", he says. Electronic stability control, which is absent on the Malaysian car, would also need to be added. "And that calibration work can take up to eight months," he says. Apart from price, there are engineering hurdles to overcome before it's road ready. "We hope to get it but there is a lot of compliance work to be done in terms of emissions," Startari says. "Australia may not use the same identical car because there is a lot of expensive hardware on it." Startari is even considering a lower-cost R3-style car without the expensive modifications but sporting the Lotus body kit. "That could be an option," he says. He says the engine may need to deliver more power to compete with other local hot hatches. Proton is currently working on a turbo-charged four-cylinder which could be more suitable.

AUSTRALIAN Formula 1 driver Mark Webber is on cloud nine after Red Bull's one-two finish at last weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix. "It could have gone either way, but in the end Seb (Sebastian Vettel) did the job at the crucial stage and deserved the victory," he says. "A one-two finish for us as a team is sensational. The cars ran very well and it was a nice come back for us after a tough few races where we didn't finish as we wanted to. I'd like to be one spot further up, but its a great result for the team."V8 Supercars Australia is keeping its options open in the search for alternate engines for the V8 Car of the Future. The category estimates that a current high-end V8 Supercar engine costs a ludicrously high amount to run at almost $40 a kilometre. Mark Skaife, who heads the CoF committee, acknowledges that the biggest point of contention in CoF was the engine program. Under CoF, V8 Supercars plans to overhaul engine systems used from 2012.Today engines cost about $100,000. However CoF wants a lighter and longer-lasting engine for $50,000 with a 10,000km life cycle and the same output as today's cars.HAVING achieved two career milestones in an impressive performance at the recent Clipsal 500, Tony D'Alberto believes next week's Hamilton 400, New Zealand will be a good indicator of whether he can carry the form into the rest of the season. "I would love to think we could do that more often," D'Alberto says. "The car's very good at street circuits so we are looking forward to getting over there and seeing how we go."THE Hamilton 400 will be a big milestone for Steven Johnson. The No17 Jim Beam Racing driver celebrates his 150th ATCC/V8 Supercar event start in New Zealand, becoming just the 13th driver in history to achieve the feat. Since debuting at Oran Park in 1994 Johnson has notched up 337 starts, three wins, two poles, and 11 podiums. Johnson is downplaying the achievement. "It does make me feel old," he says. "I haven't thought about it too much but I'm pretty pleased to have been around for so long."THE International Rally of Queensland has received a huge boost with the signing of world rally star Chris Atkinson to contest the event for the Proton R3 team. Gold Coast-based Atkinson, 30, and fellow World Rally Championship driver Alister McRae, will line up in a pair of Proton Satria Neo S2000 cars for the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship. The Queensland rally on July 30 is round four of the championship. Atkinson, McRae and the British-run Mellors Elliot Motorsport Proton team are expected to be strong contenders in Queensland, where Atkinson won in 2004 before joining Subaru for four years in the World Rally Championship.MORE rounds, more drivers in the feature races, the reconfirmation of the television package and a tweaking of the points structure have all been discussed at the first planning meeting for the 2010/11 World Series Sprintcars campaign. The World Series management group met in Adelaide recently to review last season and plan next season, which is says will be the biggest in the history of the national series. WSS group chairman Geoff Kendrick says there have been "a lot of expressions of interests from tracks". "The reaction has been positive with most of the tracks already indicating they will take a WSS round next year" he says.ASTON Martin will tackle this year's Nurburgring 24 hour endurance race in a Rapide. The Rapide endurance racer has very few modifications, apart from the removal of the luxury interior addition of mandatory safety gear and racing slicks. The brand has been quite successful in Le Mans-class racing and has performed well at the Ring in the SP8 category, which it has won the past two years running. Last year a V12 Vantage had a class win and came 21st overall. Apart from the Rapide, Aston is running a V12 Vantage in this year's event.IT has only just had its debut at the Geneva Motor Show but Volvo's new S60 is already track ready. The sedan debuts in the Belgian Touring Car Championship this weekend. The racecar put together by the Chinese-owned Swedish carmaker's Belgian S60 racing team. The liveried racecar shares little with the road-going S60. The Belgian Touring Car Championship is highly-regulated. Each car shares a tube chassis, extensive aerodynamic work and front and rear suspension. The S60 racer gets its power from a rear drive 305kW V6 mated to a six-speed manual

Proton of Malaysia is going hybrid, but doing it with baby cars and maximum flexibility in everything from plug-in power to fuel for a tiny petrol engine. It began the move by unveiling three concept cars at the Geneva Motor Show. They have silly names — EMAS, EMAS Country and EMAS3 — but show Proton is serious about greening its business and creating demand for cars which have yet to hit showrooms outside Malaysia. "The unveiling of the concept cars reflects the long-term strategy we have in matching global automotive standards as we expand and reinforce our presence worldwide," says Proton's managing director, Syed Zainal. "We strive to listen to our customers to ensure the development of a global car that meets customer's requirements and expectations. The aim is to produce the global car for world market in the future." The concept cars are also part of Proton's 25th birthday celebrations in Malaysia. EMAS — the world for gold in the Malay language — stands for Eco Mobility Advance Solution, and is a collaboration between Proton, its subsidiary Lotus, and the Italian design house, Italdesign Giugiaro. The key to the EMAS mechanical package is a plug-in, petrol-electric drive system fired by a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder engine that can run on petrol, ethanol, methanol or natural gas. It produces 35 kiloWatts. There is also an electric motor, good for 45kW and 240 Newton-metres of torque. The cars' performance is leisurely, with a 0-100km/h time of 14 seconds, but the top speed is 170km/h and they can travel for 50 kilometres on pure battery power. The EMAS cars are a three-door city car, a five-door, four-seater hatchback and a three-door, five-seat crossover. All are designed with maximum interior space, high-tech electronics in the cabin, low-drag bodies, and compact overall dimensions for easy parking. Proton is not making any sort of production commitment for the hybrid heroes but shows the brand is planning for a sustainable future.

Green is not just a theme at Geneva. Like chocolate and watches, the Swiss are turning an automotive fad into a phenomenon at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.It is one of the first international motor shows to dedicate a “green pavilion” that is allowing carmakers and specialist automotive environment companies to exhibit their wares under one roof.Production ready hybrids, electric concept cars, the electric Mini, the battery powered HydroGen 4 from Opel, a Kia hybrid electric and natural gas car and a city car powered by the latest generation batteries developed by Croatian company Doking are on display. Other companies and some Swiss universities are exhibiting high-tech refueling and recharging stations for tomorrow’s cars.It is the type of ingenuity that is attracting mainstream carmakers too.Two sportscars, the Twenty-4 Le Mans race developed by the same Swiss company, which built the GreenGT electric racer, and the 3.3-litre V6 Quaranta hybrid sportscar developed in 2008 by Italdesign-Giugiaro are also on show. The Twenty-4 Le Mans racer is powered by two electric motors with around 298kW and 2000Nm and weighs less than 900kg. It is expected to hit 100km/h in less than four seconds and has a top speed close to 300km/h.But the green theme is not isolated to one pavilion.Apart from its Quaranta, Italdesign Giugiaro has introduced a family of low environmental impact cars created with Malaysian carmaker Proton. The first Proton concept, uses a hybrid drive system. It is designed to maximise available interior space and ergonomics in a four-seater, five-door hatchback that is just 3.5m long.“This is the outcome of several years of study,” Italdesign chief Giorgetto Giugiaro says. “The solution allows interior spaciousness on a par with that of a D segment car despite maintaining the exterior dimensions of an A segment car.”Finnish electric carmaker Valmet is showing off its Eva 2+2, which it claims can travel up to 160km on one charge and Swiss specialist electric company, Protoscar has the Lampo 2 sportscar. Based on the General Motors Saturn Sky and Opel GT, the Lampo 2 uses two electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack that deliver 300kW/640Nm that enable the light-weight two-seater to hit 100km/h in just 5 seconds and top speed of 200km/h. The car has a range of 200km.Apart from the Europeans, Japan is also showing off some quirky concepts.The Honda 3R-C is a revolutionary one-person battery electric vehicle concept that is making its world debut alongside the EV-N concept, being displayed for the first time in Europe. The three-wheeled 3R-C concept looks to a future when consumers want commuter vehicle for one with zero emissions. The 3R-C uses a battery electric drivetrain mounted low in the three-wheeled chassis. Honda says this allows a low centre of gravity and improved stability.It has a clear canopy that covers the driver’s seat while it is parked and not in use. On the road, the canopy becomes a wind-blocker to protect the driver. The design has a high sided safety shell that provides excellent crash safety as well as protection from the weather. In front of the driver is a lockable boot area, which gives significant secure storage for luggage or other items. The 3R-C study was created by European designers working at Honda’s Research and Design facility in Milan.Despite the green tinge to Geneva, petrol power still reins.Porsche’s new Cayenne made its world debut, along with a hybrid version boasting a V8 with the economy of a V6. The car has a parallel hybrid drive system that can deliver fuel economy of 8.2 litres/100km and CO2 emissions of 193g/km, making it the cleanest Porsche in history. Apart from the hybrid, the new petrol Cayennes are expected to be more than 20 per cent more fuel-efficient than the previous model.BMW and Lotus are also showing off hybrid models, the ActiveHybrid 5 hybrid  - essentially a very lightly disguised new 5-Series - and Evora 414E hybrid. The Evora shares its 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine with the Proton concept. The sportscar also gets two electric motors to drive the rear wheels, delivering 304kW and 800Nm via a single-speed transmission that can mimic upshifts and downshifts of a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is the third hybrid model unveiled. It follows the ActiveHybrid versions of the X6 and luxury 7 Series sedan.Opel, the European division of General Motors, is showing off its number one prototype of its version of the Chevrolet Volt, called the Opel Ampera.