2010 Proton Jumbuck Reviews

Last week government ministers said they were in talks with Volkswagon and French rival Peugeot-Citroen about possible acquisition of the Malaysian government’s 42.7 per cent stake.Peugeot-Citroen last night bowed out of talks and said the company had no plans to buy any part of Proton.Volkswagon is also no longer believed to be interested after the Malaysian government refused to allow the German car maker to have management control.Proton has sold 1628 cars in Australia this year, comprising the light cars Satira and Savvy, plus small cars Persona and Waja.Investment companies including DRB Hicom and the unlisted Naza Group are believed to have expressed interest in the Malaysian Government’s share."We submitted a letter of interest to the Ministry of Finance about two months ago and are awaiting word from them," Naza Group chief executive Nasimuddin Amin was quoted as saying in the Star newspaper.Naza assembles cars in a venture with South Korea's Kia Motors Corp., while DRB Hicom has alliances with Isuzu Motors Ltd., General Motors Corp., Honda Motor Co. and is controlled by politically well-connected businessman Syed Mokhtar Albukhary.But Malaysian ministers are understood to be seeking foreign investment for Proton.Proton, established in the 1980s, is an icon of Malaysia's rapid industrialisation.Its fortunes in Southeast Asia's biggest car market have plummeted from about 60 percent three years ago to just 40 percent this year due to improving sales from second national manufacturer Perodua and cheaper foreign models.ASEAN's impending decision to liberalise decades-old protectionist policies in its auto sector also could hurt Proton's bottom line, analysts say.European automakers are attracted to Proton because it gives them a chance to break into the Southeast Asian auto market, historically dominated by their Japanese rivals.Proton has two plants in Malaysia, with a total capacity of 380,000 cars per year that can be raised to 1.2 million units per year if there is sufficient demand. The plants are currently using only half their capacity.-With wires

For a long time, Proton's best-selling model was an aged, two-tone bargain ute named after a sheep — the Jumbuck. But this year, the Malaysian manufacturer has sharpened both its form and its design in order to be competitive, with two new models that look more Lotus than jolly Jumbuck.Proton has come ahead in leaps and bounds in the past few years, bringing Lotus into the fold and doing away with the bulbous, conservative school of design that still afflicts some Asian marques.The Savvy is one such point-proving model. Released earlier this year, it holds the title of the most affordable five-door hatch on the market — no mean feat, considering the current push towards small and economical. But this is where Savvy shows its street smarts.The Savvy is on the anorexic side of light, with a kerb weight of just 965kg. This allows for a milk-bottle engine to power the car — an 1149cc four is all that beats under the bonnet.It puts out just 55kW at 5500rpm, and 105Nm. That won't blow anyone away at the lights, and revs are needed off the line with a load, but the engine works particularly well around town, matched to a concise, open-gated five-speed manual.The clutch is a little sensitive at first, and the pedals too high for this driver, but ergonomics are otherwise comfortable.Proton has sold out of its consignment of automatics, with the $1000 clutchless manual overwhelmingly popular.Naturally, the Savvy's a winner at the bowser. With a claimed 5.7 litres of premium unleaded per 100km in both manual and auto guise (and just 0.2 litres more on test), it's not far behind the hybrid Toyota Prius in real-world driving.The engine is loud and tyre roar is rampant at speed, but the Savvy makes up for that in corners. It takes turns like a little Lotus cousin should.The steering rack is quicker than expected, and communication through the wheel and tyres is superb, thanks to 15-inch alloy wheels and well-tuned suspension.In fact, the worst thing about the car is probably the tyres, which are fairly average in the dry and horrendous in the wet, provoking wheelspin (from a one-litre engine!) and serious understeer on a slick road.It also has a space-saver spare. But tyres can be replaced, and the Savvy comes standard with ABS/EBD, which is more than some of its similarly poorly shod hatch competitors.Even with four full doors and five seats, the Savvy is tiny — just 3.7m long — but a 1.65m width makes the cabin roomy for front passengers.Squeezing into the tiniest spaces is almost guaranteed, as the Savvy comes standard with reverse parking sensors.You miss out on electrically adjustable side mirrors, but the cabin is so compact that it's no effort to adjust the passenger-side reflector.The real squeeze is for rear passengers: the seat is a little too compact for three people, and a flat, unsupportive foam filler and a lap-only centre seat belt render the skinny centre position almost useless.Although there's no external boot release, cargo space is substantial. And up front, where most of the action is, driver and passenger are well looked after.Some cheaper cabin plastics are compensated for with little luxuries like standard climate-control aircon, and visibility is excellent, particularly with the cut-away design of the door.For a $13,990 car, the Savvy was more than a little surprising. Stick a new set of tyres on, and you have a practical, well-specced five-door hatch with more standard features than some cars $5000 dearer.Brand confidence, questionable cabin plastics and resale values will continue to be a burden on Proton in the near future but, like some of the Korean marques, it is stepping further ahead in the quest to be competitive.The Satria, the nameplate that put Proton on the map, is making a comeback and should join the Savvy in this new-look, Lotus-influenced family by year's end.The makeover is producing more than just pretty faces.

A friend bought a new car last week. That's not unusual, but the car she chose is not one you might expect. It is a Proton Savvy — red with the automated manual gearbox. The Malaysian baby car was not on her shopping list at first, then she read about it and had committed within a week.Why? Because the price is right, because it looks good and because she thought it was fun to drive. She could have gone for a Holden Barina or a Hyundai Getz or any of the other baby cars in the $15,000 price range, but decided the Savvy felt more substantial and more sporty at the wheel.That is good news for Proton, which believes it builds cars that drive to a slightly different beat. It has launched a new-model drive led by the GEN-2 hatchback and now the Savvy, with a new Satria coupe just on the road at home and heading Down Under next year.But Proton is still battling to win ground in Australia, and has lost sales and share at home as it faces tougher competition without enough ammunition to compete.The Savvy was developed specifically for Malaysia and was originally going to be called Sassy, until the former chief executive realised it would be a turn-off for the young men who might enjoy the car.So it is small — even smaller than the Getz — and only has a 1.2-litre engine. But the value deal is good and no other cars at $13,990 come with twin airbags, anti-skid brakes, air-conditioning, alloy wheels and rear parking radar.The Savvy is light on fuel and has an official rating of 5.7L/100km for the manual; an impressive figure against the 7.1L for Getz, 7.5L for Ford Fiesta and Barina's 7.8L.It is helped by having an overall weight of less than 1000kg. Proton claims it has a super-rigid body, is well-finished, tough and will be ideal for first-car buyers.But power is nothing special, with only 55kW and a claimed 0-100km/h time in the 12-second bracket. The mechanical package includes a five-speed manual gearbox, but Proton has a five-speed automated manual (no clutch, but you still have to change gears with the lever) from Renault.The first shipment of Savvys was a sellout, and Proton Cars Australia believes it will do well as more people see the trendy compact on the road. Savvy is not the best car in the class. That honour goes to the Ford Fiesta.Yet it has charm. And it looks good. And you don't have to buy much petrol. When you drive the Savvy you are conscious it is small, even in the small-car class, but it still feels solid. It is a strength that comes from the basic body structure and suspension and steering allowing good connection to the road. Lots of small cars feel light and wobbly, but not the Proton.It also has supportive front buckets, simple but effective instruments, a solid sound system and enough space for five adults.It turns well, has good grip, and always lets you know what is happening at the wheels.But the engine never feels particularly keen, even if you push to the redline, although there is reasonable torque in the midrange. But the payback comes at the pumps and we had no trouble scoring 6.L/100km economy during our road test, with much better results on the freeway, despite an engine that is spinning beyond 3000 revs at only 100km/h.The five-speed manual has well-spaced ratios, but we had a little trouble selecting first and with the one-two shift at times.But there is absolutely no drama in parking, the headlamps are good and the safety bonus of anti-skid brakes and the parking radar is a plus. Those elements will make a big difference for Proton in the showrooms.

Industry figures released this week show the real boom in the market has been in four-cylinder cars valued at less than $25,000.Known as the light car segment, sales in the division are up 22.7 per cent for the year to date on last year, while the large car segment is down the same figure. Last month light cars were up by 31.4 per cent on August last year.Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Peter Sturrock says this trend has increased over the past couple of years, with a recent acceleration put down to high petrol prices."Well, quite simply because they are more fuel efficient, small and less expensive to purchase in the first place and they're less expensive to run," Sturrock says.A total of 10,806 light cars were sold last month and 77,650 sold this year, which is 14,346 more than last year. Leading the line-up is the Toyota Yaris, with a starting price of $14,990, which recorded 2673 sales in August, taking the total to 18,064 for the year to date.Added to this figure are the remaining 304 Echos that Toyota has sold this year, before the nameplate was changed to be consistent with the Yaris badging used in Europe.Hyundai's small Getz, named Australia's Best Small Car for 2005 by Australia's auto clubs, has also achieved an increase in sales, with 1738 models sold last month, and 13,863 for the year, an 18.4 per cent improvement over the same period last year.Getz prices start at $13,990 and stretch to $18,380. The cheapest car on the market, the Holden Barina, starting at $13,490, has the third highest sales for the segment, with 1091 sales in August and 9567 for the year to date.The Barina is followed by the Suzuki Swift, Honda Jazz and Kia Rio, all recording between 5500 and 6800 sales each for the year-to-date and just under 100 sales in August.Sturrock says while fuel prices are contributing to a shift to these cars, good value at a low price is also converting buyers."The small cars now are very well equipped," he says. "Some years ago they were the basic models, but now they're well equipped with safety and anti-theft, occupant protection, airbags and ABS, and they often have Electronic Stability Control."Features in this segment on cars such as the Yaris and Getz include front airbags, an MP3 compatible CD system, airconditioning, power windows, central locking and ABS. Some even come with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and anti-skid technology.Holden's Barina offers airconditioning as standard, a feature that has to be bought as an option in the $34,990 base model VE Commodore Omega. The Hyundai Getz also offers a five-year/130,000km warranty.Toyota spokesman, Mike Breen, says this segment also offers a good alternative to second-hand cars."With the options that you can get on a brand new car, plus the new car warranty, it's quite appealing, especially to younger people," he says. And it seems a wide variety of buyers are purchasing these light cars, from students through to families and retirees.Hyundai spokesman Richard Power says its small cars, the Getz and Accent, are finding a market among a variety of drivers."We get quite a few young people buying it as their first new car and there's loyalty from senior motorists, who don't need a big car any more and are very attracted by the long warranty," he says. Overall, the car market has dropped by 3.4per cent on last year, with 642,383 vehicles sold, a decrease of 22,513 vehicles. August was also down from 2005 by 4516 vehicles.In the small car segment, sales are up 3 per cent year-to-date, with the Toyota Corolla the segment leader with 4147 sales in August and 31,705 Corollas sold this year. But small car sales also experienced a slight drop last month, down 1.3 per cent or 244 vehicles.Sturrock says that although the large car segment is down by 26,461 vehicles, it is still an important part of the market."It has reduced over time from what it was to where it is today," he says. "But it's still about 25 per cent of the passenger car market. You see very strong interest in the new Holden Commodore and the new Toyota Camry, there's been an excellent reaction."WHAT'S SELLINGToyota Yaris 18,368Hyundai Getz 13,863Holden Barina 9567Suzuki Swift 6703Honda Jazz 5936Kia Rio 5579Ford Fiesta 4407Mazda2 3934Hyundai Accent 3593Mitsubishi Colt 1516VW Polo 1337Peugoet 206 1071Citroen C3 486Proton Savvy 357smart fortwo 326Renault Clio 173Citroen C2 139smart forfour 132Fiat Punto 113Daihatsu Sirion 40Proton Satria 9Suzuki Ignis 1*Source: VFacts (light car sales 2006 to end August)Note: Yaris sales includes 304 Echo salesTHE CHEAPIESHolden Barina from $13,490Hyundai Getz from $13,990Proton Savvy from $13,990Toyota Yaris from $14,990Hyundai Accent from $15,990Mitsubishi Colt from $15,990Suzuki Swift from $15,990Ford Fiesta from $15,990Honda Jazz from $15,990Kia Rio from $15,990Mazda2 from $16,335Peugeot 206 from $16,990VW Polo from $16,990

They show the Satria Neo, a compact hatch that will be in Australia in November with a sub-$20,000 price tag.The original Satria was a hero car for the Malaysian company and won plenty of friends as a GTi sporty in Australia.The style of the newcomer is very similar, which is why Proton has kept the name, but it has a funkier edge and the company is promising much better quality.It comes on the back of the breakthrough Gen.2 five-door hatch and the baby Savvy, which is just starting to arrive in local showrooms.Proton has only revealed bare details on the Satria Neo, which is powered by its in-house Campro four-cylinder engine and has suspension developed by Lotus, the British sports car and engineering company which it owns.

1. What is the background to Proton Cars? "The company was started by the Malaysian Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in 1986 as part of the country's industrialization plan. "These days the shift is changing from affordable Malaysian motoring to a global plan. The company has nine models and produces 190,000 cars a year, and is also the owner of Lotus in Britain." 2. What makes a Proton different? "It's exceptional, class leading ride and handling. And value for money. So it's a combination of those two things." 3. How big is Proton in Australia? "We're only a small player, operating below the radar, however our five-year plan will establish us as a niche player competing with mostly European brands. "We currently only sell 2100 cars a year but we plan to lift that to 12,000 by 2010. This year we are aiming for 3990." 4. How does such a small operator get noticed in such a huge business? "The key is to spend our limited marketing budget in the key target areas for our vehicles. We're not trying to be all things to all people." 5. What about your current model lineup? "It is limited but expanding. We currently compete in two segments, however we plan to capitalise on the growing small and light segments. "Our models are the Jumbuck ute, which is totally unique in Australia and selling around 1200 a year, only limited by supply from Malaysia. We also have the Gen.2, which is Proton's first total in-house project and is manufactured in an all-new factory north of Kuala Lumpur. "We are now also introducing the Savvy baby car and will have a replacement for the Satria in the third quarter of this year. The Savvy is a five-door hatch, best suited to city use, and it's unique selling point is the ride and handling with exceptional fuel economy. The economy is 5.7 litres/100 kilometres, combined. We also think it looks pretty good." 6. Proton has been linked to both Mitsubishi and Volkswagen at times, what is the current situation? "Proton has just signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mitsubishi to share technical expertise and platforms for future model development. In return, Proton will supply a Malaysian vendor base and manufacturing facilities within the Asean group of nations for Mitsubishi. "The Volkswagen deal has changed slightly and will now only involve technical and training assistance, and in return Proton will assist VW with Malaysian distribution and a dealer network. Terms could not be agreed on the finer details of the original plan, which was platform sharing and joint manufacturing with Volkswagen taking a majority stake in the company. "The new Mitsubishi deal takes the company full circle as Proton started its life as a re-assembler of Mitsubishi vehicles."

The Corolla-sized compact is the start of a change of life at Proton.The Malaysian brand is looking to make its own way in the car world, and not just by trumpeting its ownership of the Lotus sports car company and Italy's wonderful MV Agusta motorcycle brand.The Gen2 is the first in a new generation of Proton cars. It's a product from a new generation of management, a new design from a new generation of local designers and the signpost to a future without help from the Mitsubishi cars and systems that got it started.Proton says the Gen2 is proof the company can go it alone in the 21st century.It shows plenty of promise, featuring styling that is clean and attractive, its own Campro engine, suspension by Lotus and a distinct Proton personality.It's a Proton package, from the first design sketches to the final assembly at the company's huge new assembly plant outside Kuala Lumpur.And it's a good drive. Here is a car that's surprisingly sporty. It has compliant suspension with great grip and nice feedback.Proton Australia has also done a good job on the pricing after earlier mistakes, starting the Gen2 at $17,990 and holding even the flagship H-Line car to only $20,990.But the Gen2 has a long way to go on the quality front.The basic assembly work is fine, but there are some glaring flaws in components and cabin parts that point to the inexperience and – perhaps – incompetence of Malaysia's supplier companies.The car has to be marked down over mismatched plastics, faulty switches, scratched gearknobs, and general squeaks and tizzes.When you add the need for premium unleaded fuel for an engine that is only a 1.6 in a field of 1.8s, and the potential for longer-term quality problems, the Gen2 is not going to make a breakthrough in Australia.That's a pity, because it has plenty of strengths and Proton is trying to build a solid following.It has cash and commitment in Malaysia, and has learned from mistakes, including silly names and poor pricing. But still the Gen2 isn't going to worry the class-leading Mazda3 or even the Hyundai Elantra.Vfacts sales figures for January show its place in Australia. Proton sold 49 Gen2s against small-car sales leader Mazda3 (2781). Toyota sold 2593 Corollas and Holden 2459 Astras.So Proton is at the bottom of the class on sales, but it will improve.It has lots of new models under development, and has plans to push its name and representation in Australia, so it's perhaps best to see the Gen2 as the start of something new.

Knowing that Lotus has its parent company in Malaysia also gets a lot of attention, primarily disbelief.But that's life in the British car industry, which has seen virtually all its big brands succumb to offshore ownership.Lotus owner Proton doesn't dwell on history, rather it picks up on its British arm's substantial engineering excellence and injects it into its latest five-door hatch, the Gen.2.Yes, that's its name. Though for following traffic, the bootlid says CamPro Gen.2, proving that the erratic English of a 1960s Japanese car industry is not dead.For heaven's sake . . . CamPro sounds like the nickname for a South-East Asian prostitute and Gen.2 sounds like her daughter. Wombat would have been better.But what's in a name? The car is well designed, freshly styled with a blunt Mazda-like nose and a sweeping tail that is a bit Volvo S60-ish.It's not a big car, though there's ample room for four adults and the boot is both spacious and extendable, thanks to the split fold-down rear seats.Proton designers neatly trim the cabin in soft beige hues, so it's all quiet pastel and airy and welcoming in a warm and fuzzy sort of way.The dashboard gets top marks, with easy-to-read instruments, Blaupunkt radio/CD that looks as though it came out of a Citroen, and an unusual vertical stand for the ventilation and airconditioning controls that is straight out of a Lotus Elise.But there's no glovebox – an underdash tray holds your gear – and only one cupholder.The seats are remarkable in having virtually no lateral support – but more of that later.A bit fell off, but I put it back, indicating quality control is the next priority.The best thing about the Gen.2 is its ride. It rates as one of the best rides in its class and has handling that will put cars costing three times its price to shame.The steering feel is excellent, as are the ratios; the road holding is sharp and the body stance is flat; and the engine – though well down on power – is an eager player for some quick motoring.Even the brakes are all-wheel discs, so the taut chassis is somewhat of a big, yet welcome, surprise.But while you're enjoying that handling, your body is not. The seats are well finished, but have no lateral support and a shallow cushion, which don't produce much comfort. In effect, the car's handling is way above your ability to sit there and exploit it.The engine appears to have all the credentials, though at 82kW it's down a bit on its rivals. However, it gets along without fuss and it accelerates faster than you expect.The manual gearbox linkage is a bit notchy, though the ratios are well suited to the little engine.It's a pretty good car at an exceptional price that outpaces the Koreans.The final comment is that Proton's use of a space-saver tyre is inexcusable and, like any other carmaker who wants to go cheap on the Australian public, should be made illegal on safety grounds.

That rude, obnoxious man, for example, will always remain so, even if he is really quite polite and reasonable, and was just having a bad day when you first met him. And so it is with most things, even cars.My first impression of the new Gen 2 Proton was that I thought the doors were going to fall off.Awkward, clunky, not easy to open. Not a good start.But try to put that aside. Take a step back and look at the design.From the outside, it looks good, not "astonishing" like the publicity promises, but it is sporty and stylish, and I love the Energy Orange paint job. A few people commented that it looked like an Alfa. Even the badging, they said, has similarities. Now check out the inside ... but you have to open those doors again.The interior is not as impressive. Too much plastic and there's not enough room for your legs.Even my short limbs were bruised after too many close encounters with the steering wheel height lever.And, yes, I know you can lift the wheel up and lower the seat, but that didn't help much, either.There are not enough compartments, just two narrow ones in the doors plus the centre console.And there is no glove box. None. Just a little ledge.The stereo controls on the dash are a bit space-age-ish but the sound from the Blauplunkt system is music to your ears and the wheel-mounted buttons are in the perfect spot. Airconditioning and fan speed dials are large and easy to use but look out of place on a central column under the dash.Even the sporty double veranda over the speedo looks odd, like Mickey Mouse ears.The handbrake resembles an upside-down stirrup and the one cup holder won't fit a water bottle.How does the rear section hold up? It's roomy and comfortable enough to keep teens quiet on a long drive (what more could you ask?) but the back doors are just as stiff as the front ones.Now for the hatch. The boot is huge but there's another door. And unless I've missed something, there is only one lever by the driver's seat to release the hatch, which is heavy to open and close.Why go further? Because beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I may just be a weakling when it comes to opening doors.The Proton Gen 2 is a great size for city driving but it also handles highways beautifully. At higher speeds, it holds the road, hugs corners and the 1.6-litre engine has enough power when you drop back a gear, to overtake with confidence.The trip computer is a nice extra, calculating fuel consumption and telling you how far you can travel before you have to fill up again.If only I could handle the doors.LOVE IT LEAVE ITProton Gen 2 LOVE ITPlenty of room in the back for growing teens.Huge boot.LEAVE ITThe doors (although that wouldn't be very safe).Clunky gears.No glove box ... not even a tiny one.Almost useless cup holder.Clock is almost impossible to read while driving.

The Malaysian hatchback, five-doors in a compact package, has some perky style, a peaky 1.6-litre engine and well-behaved chassis.Prices start at $17,990, top of the tree is the H-Line version with auto and a $22,990 tag.There are some good parts and some ordinary parts to the Proton Gen 2. The style is neat and clean; there's a cool, straightforward stance to the front end and a little rise in the profile to that high rump. Inside, it has a fresh and simple, uncluttered approach to dashboard style and layout. The stereo (with tiny controls) is integrated into the dash, the airconditioning controls sit below.There is a deal of plastic here. Some is acceptable, some bits such as those inside door handles are tacky and feel a tad fragile.While on doors, this M-Line version of the Gen 2 Proton had sticking doors all round. All shut with a decent sound but all were reluctant to open clean.The design, inside and out, is good but loses something in the execution. Taller drivers will find the cute sports steering wheel set too low and the seat too high; some of the materials and some of the fit and finish could do with extra polish.The Gen 2 Proton arrives in three trim levels, all with a fair amount of gear.An entry level L-Line, from $17,990, is packed with airconditioning, power windows and mirrors, driver and passenger side SRS airbags, remote keyless entry, CD player and trip computer.The M-Line Proton at $19,500 adds ABS brakes, alloy wheels plus cruise control on the auto. The H-Line from $20,990 adds side SRS airbags, climate-control airconditioning, electronic reversing sensor, front and rear fog lights, rear spoiler and mobile phone holder.Out and about the 1.6 litres and its 82kW is adequate. There is enough power for most drivers, although it can struggle down low in the rev range and others in this class have more refinement.There is little argument with the five-speed manual gearbox, the ride or the handling of the front-drive Gen 2.Perhaps the steering could be sharper but the Proton is quite willing to be pushed along without too much front-wheel fight or understeer. It follows through with suppleness and a decent amount of grip.This Gen 2 shows some promise as a handsome and handy hatchback.The road manners are good, the style is cute. There remains room for improvement in build quality (check it against a Honda Jazz or Mitsubishi Colt) and in some of the cabin's ergonomics, particularly the driver's seat-steering wheel relationship.But if the Gen 2 is evidence of future Proton products, the brand is steadily moving on.