1999 Proton M21 Reviews

But the reduction comes at a cost -- customers will be no longer offered five years free servicing.The Preve will be priced from $15,990 drive-away for the 5-speed manual variant and $17,990 for model fitted a 6-speed CVT for the rest of 2013. In place of the generous free servicing promotion, Proton is introducing a capped price servicing scheme for the models first five annual services.Powered by a 1.6L four-cylinder petrol engine delivering 80kW and 150Nm, the Preve boasts a pretty handy standard features list including 16-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, 60-40 split fold rear seat, and steering wheel audio and phone controls. Budget conscious buyers can also be reassured by the model’s five-star ANCAP safety rating.General Manager of Sales & Marketing at Proton Australia Billy Falconer said the Preve delivers excellent value for money. “These days everyone is seeking excellent value and keeping an eye on their spending.”“With this special offer we have Australia’s most affordable small car and the peace of mind of five years of capped price servicing, five years warranty and five years roadside assist. Added to that is the security of a five star ANCAP safety rating.”Joel Helmes is the editor of the Behind the Wheel radio program, heard on more than 150 stations around Australia, and www.behindthewheel.com.au 

Proton has finally earnt the coveted five star ANCAP safety rating for one of their cars.The Prevé is the first car in Proton’s range to receive the top safety rating – an achievement ANCAP Chairman Lauchlan McIntosh says is a testament to the Malaysian manufacturer's commitment to improving car safety."A lot of time and effort has been invested in improving the design and safety equipment of the Prevé and it is reassuring to see Proton reach this mark." McIntosh said in a statement. “Proton hasn’t let previous poor results for its vehicles hold it back; rather they’ve used this as an incentive to strive for the top safety rating for the Prevé.”The Prevé managed to match the rating of several cars in the same category, including Mercedes-Benz B-Class, BMW 3-Series and the Volvo V40.In the official ANCAP report the Prevé provided acceptable driver chest and leg protection, passenger chest protection in the even of an offset crash and side impact crash. The car received high ratings in all collision tests; however the only drawback was its rating in pedestrian protection."ANCAP is increasing the standards for pedestrian protection for all star ratings over the next few years," said Mr McIntosh. In order to achieve a five star safety rating, the minimum pedestrian protection rating is being raised from ‘marginal’, to ‘Acceptable’ from 2014. The Proton Prevé was released in January of this year. Its high safety rating and affordable price tag (from $18,990) may help make it a more attractive option in a crowded compact market.

The Malaysian maker is trying to haul itself out of the bargain basement using a mid-sized Preve with a value price and a five-year care package that sets a new standard in Australia.The Preve is on sale from January at $18,990 driveaway and will be followed by the Evora people mover in June. Both cars have a new ‘Five Star’ support package that runs to a five-year warranty, five-year roadside assist and five years of free servicing and Proton is also aiming for a five-star ANCAP safety score.But Proton has a disastrous stop-start history in Australia and admits it needs to change radically to build some confidence and support for the brand. Its sales this year are down by more than 20 per cent, even from a miserable base of less than 1000 sales by October 2011, at just 760 cars. And the Preve, even with a push direct from Proton chief Datuk Jamil, will struggle with a 1.6-litre engine in a field that includes the impressive Mazda6, Ford Mondeo and more than a dozen others."You have to put the peg in the sand and say this is our new starting point," Proton Australia's general manager of sales and marketing, Billy Falconer, tells Carsguide. "I wouldn't say it's the last chance but we've had re-launches before. What we want to do is reassure people."The Preve is a major change of direction for Proton, which has always exported baby cars developed for its Malaysian base. It looks good but the engine is underwhelming and the rest of the package - even with Lotus suspension tuning - is not going to win people across from mainstream brands. But Falconer is talking positive about the car and the new approach."It's been a long time coming. We've excited about it. I think the Preve is a better offer than the S16 at $11,990," he says. "Yes, it's the lowest price in the class. But price is not what we'll sell on going forward. With a five-year package we're showing we're supporting the brand.The Exora is a good looking seven-seater that will be priced around $25,000 on the road and Falconer says there are more newcomers for Proton by 2015. "We're not happy at all with our sales, but at the end of the day we've had no new models for three years. Now there are three other new models with two years."The Preve and Evora were previewed at the Australian International Motor Show, where Proton chief Jamil was optimistic about the future. "We think that, in Australia, the demand for mid-size sedan cars like this is very popular," he says. "In terms of projection we are looking at about 200 to 240 cars a month."That means an ambitious sales target of 2500 in the first year, rising to 4000. But Jamil says Proton is not renewing its efforts in Australia just to save face, or to lose money. "It's no point of us doing good numbers but losing money at the end of it. At the end of the day, it's the top and bottom line that matters very much to the company. Its not just about selling cars, it's about maintaining your name and your brand. 

...kicking off tonight with special appearances from V8 Supercar drivers. Cars from several different forms of motorsport are also on show giving visitors the chance to get up close and personal with vehicles they usually only see flash by at racing speeds. Porsche has the 2006 American Le Mans Series LMP2-winning RS Spyder on display, highlighting its racing pedigree, while the Toyota 86 which won its class in the 40th Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race in May is also present. Mitsubishi also has the Pikes Peak conquering electric i-MiEV of Beccy Gordon on display, which was the only street-legal 100% electric powered production car competing in the gruelling 19.98 kilometre hill climb in the United States earlier this year. If off-road motorsport is more of a passion, then visitors can get up close with the 2011 Asia Pacific Rally Championship-winning Proton or the current Australian Rally Championship-winning Honda Jazz. It is not just championship-winning cars that are on display at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show, with racing legend Allan Moffat appearing at the Ford stand on both Saturday and Sunday. In fact, a host of current V8 Supercar drivers will be at both Ford and Holden across the weekend, including drivers from Ford Performance Racing, Dick Johnson Racing, Stone Brothers Racing and the Holden Racing Team. Visitors will also get the chance to see what’s next in the world of motorsport with some exciting concepts and prototypes dotted throughout the stands. Hyundai has the exciting new Veloster Race Concept car on display in tarmac rally specification, and with a few minor modifications, this vehicle would be eligible for Australia Production GT, Australia Rally Championship or Asia Pacific Rally competitions. Ford is also showing off its V8 Supercar Car of the Future that it will use in the 2013 V8 Supercar Championship against long-time rival Holden, as well as new arrivals Nissan and Mercedes-Benz. Japanese manufacturer, Subaru is also displaying a track-ready BRZ concept from partner, New Zealand-based Possum Bourne Motorsport. “The Australian International Motor Show is about all different forms of cars and much of what we see on the road in production models comes from what happens on the race track,” said Russ Tyrie, Event Director. “In what promises to be an exciting closing weekend to the 2012 Show, visitors will get to see racing cars from the Past, Present and Future as well as plenty of their favourite motorsport identities.” The 2012 Australian International Motor Show will be held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour until Sunday 28 October, opening at 10am daily. DETAILS OF APPEARANCES Friday 26 October Saturday 27 October Sunday 28 October  

It’s one of the cruelest ironies of the automotive world: those with the most mouths to feed can least afford a seven-seat wagon.But budget brand Proton of Malaysia may provide some relief, with a new cut-price family car to go on sale by the middle of next year. The new Proton Exora, unveiled at this week’s Sydney Motor Show, is expected to undercut the Kia Rondo7 – which starts at $25,990 plus on-road costs for a model with manual transmission.Proton says its Exora seven-seater will be priced below the Kia Rondo7 – and come with more equipment, including automatic transmission, a gutsy 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, a roof mounted DVD player, parking sensors, cruise control – and air-conditioning for each row of seats.In further relief to families, the Proton Exora will come with free servicing, roadside assistance and warranty for five years – the longest such coverage in the industry. “Australia is a tough market and Proton is still new to a lot of people, so we know we have to make a bold statement on price and peace of mind,” says Proton Australia general manager of sales and marketing, Billy Falconer.“The quality of our cars is now right up there with other manufacturers and the five-year coverage is about sending a message that Proton is here to stay.” Proton says it will offer two versions of its seven-seater when it goes on sale in June 2013 – both will be priced below $30,000 drive-away. The high-grade model also comes with a rear view camera.While the Exora is well equipped, a question mark remains on safety. The Exora comes with stability control (compulsory on all new cars from November 2012) but it only has four airbags – and they’re only protecting front seat occupants. The precious cargo in the second and third rows of seats have no airbag protection.Proton Australia is unsure what safety rating the Exora will achieve when it is tested by independent authority ANCAP. The highest ANCAP score Proton has received to date is a “marginal” three-star rating (out of five) for its S16 sedan tested in 2011. The Proton Jumbuck ute scored an “unacceptable” one star rating when it was tested in 2010.The Exora comes to Australia mid-way through its lifecycle. Released in Malaysia three years ago it has just received a facelift; this is the model that will go on sale in Australia. The next generation, all-new version of the Exora due for release in late 2014 or early 2015 will likely be a five-star safety car, Falconer says.“Proton as a company has fully embraced five-star safety for the future,” he says. “They see it as an essential part of any new model.” Falconer says interest in the Exora has been strong at the motor show. “We’ve got a long list of names of people to contact when it finally goes on sale,” he says. “One lady has already tried to buy the car on display.” 

Turbocharging comes as a fresh blast of air to Proton and literally boosts its new sedan and people mover ranges. The show is the debut for the Preve (pronounced prevay) sedan in GX and turbocharged GXR versions. Proton Australia’s general manager of sales and marketing Billy Falconer says the Preve is the first of Proton’s new generation cars. The Preve GX is powered by Proton’s 1.6-litre Campro engine mated to a five-speed manual. A CVT automatic, with six preset ratios will be optional. The car, which will be priced under $20,000 and goes on sale directly after the show, has an expansive feature and safety list. This includes 16-inch alloy wheels, daytime running lights, park sensors, LE D tail lights, electronic stability control and six airbags. The GXR version, with its turbocharged engine giving it the grunt of a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine, comes along in a few months. It will be the first in the Proton fleet to be fitted with a seven-speed ProTronic CVT with steering-mounted paddle shifters. Additional features in the GX include push-button engine start, automatic airconditioning, automatic headlights and wipers, leather interior, satellite navigation and electric folding mirrors. It’s the sort of offering to make people pay attention.  

The Malaysian brand's latest model, the Proton S16 FLX, sporting a long list of enhancements, more dynamic styling and design. The small sedan comes in two variants, GX and GXR, both available in manual and CVT transmissions, and priced from $13,990. Standard safety features across the entire range include Electronic Stability Control, ABS, Dual front airbags, pretensioning seatbelts and reverse sensors. Also new are fender design, hood, headlamps, grille, and front and rear bumpers and the side mirrors now incorporate LED turn signals. Inside, the S16 FLX has new seat and door trim fabric, a radio CD/ MP3 player with AUX and USB ports, and a steering wheel with built-in audio switches. Outside, it gets foglights and alloy wheels, and the GXR adds features like a rear spoiler and leather interior. The car has a three-year, unlimited km warranty and includes 24 hours roadside assistance. Drive-away prices are $13,990 for the S16 FLX GX manual and $14,990 for the GXR. CVT auto adds $2000 in each case.  

Australia's most successful international rally driver claims that at 32 he can still force his way back into the top level of racing in the World Rally Championship. The quietly-spoken Gold Coaster is the hot favourite for this weekend's International Rally of Queensland where he is competing in round three of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship that he is currently leading."I've still got a lot of years left in me," he said yesterday at the shakedown for this weekend's event through the slippery forest roads of the Sunshine Coast hinterland."Just look at (Petter) Solberg who got a factory drive with Ford at 38 and is still running at the front, so I reckon I've got at least another eight to 10 years in me."Atkinson won the Queensland event in 2004 before heading to the WRC with the Subaru factory team until 2008. He has since competed in the past two APRC seasons, coming a frustratingly close second last year."The break from WRC has really refereshed me and now I'm keen to get back to the top," he said.In an effort to revive his WRC career, Atkinson will compete in a Ford Fiesta in the Finnish and German events later this year for "drift king" Ken Block's team."I need to be doing WRC events. That is the only way to show your true speed up against the best in the world," he said."I've been in discussion with teams, but they want to see what we can do in the WRC."There are still only a handful of drivers who can run in the top three and we used to be one of those. But that was three years ago and people want to see I can still do it."Atkinson doesn't mind the pressure of being "hot favourite" for the third year in a row at the Queensland rally, despite mechanical issues in the past two years preventing him from converting that favouritism into victory."I guess that's expected at a home event," he said."I put the same pressure on myself and you have to work harder than the others. It's a rally I have to win."But rallying is a team sport and our team is better prepared this year."Atkinson has switched from a Proton to a faster Skoda Fabia S2000 this year and is leading the series with team-mate Gaurav Gill second."That's the first thing you have to do; beat your teamnmate, but Gill will be quick."His other main rival is his replacement at Proton, Per-Gunnar Andersson, a two-time Junior World Rally Champion. Atkinson said the wet clay surfaces in the forestry stages will make this event "tricky"."Usually it's a hard surface with plenty of grip here, but there are some new surfaces with clay on top and when it gets wet it's more like ice than dirt," he said."There will be a lot of changing from wide roads with good grip to narrow roads with no grip, so you will have to drive precise and choose the right tyres and car set-up."The 44th International Rally of Queensland also features other series running concurrently such as the Australian Rally Championship and, for the first time, the Side-by-Side Rally Challenge with former Australia including three-time ARC winner Cody Crocker driving with V8 Supercar racer Tim Slade.PROFILEChris AtkinsonBorn: November 30, 1979, BegaWRC career: Subaru 2004-2008, Citroen Junior team 2009. 68 rallies, 6 podiums, 41 stage wins, fifth in 2008 season.Career highlights: 2003-04 Super 1600cc Asia Pacific champion; second in 2004 ARC, winner 2002 Australian Privateers Cup 

It marks the Malaysian battlers' brand finally shifting gears here in Australia. The Preve the first Proton car developed for global sales, and not just an inwards-looking Malaysia market, and has new management at home to back the drive and end the perception that the company is just part of the country's public service. The Preve - pronounced 'pre-vay' - will be in showrooms in September with a starting price that should be around $18,000. Proton Cars Australia says the Preve will be a rival to the Kia Cerato and Hyundai i30 and will hit following the baby Evora people mover, taking over from underwhelming efforts including the S16 and - despite strong sales - the baby Jumbuck ute. It still only comes with a 1.6-litre starter engine, although there is also a turbocharged version of the small four. But Proton denies any desperation in the latest move. "No, it's not our last chance," Proton boss John Startari reveals to Carsguide. "This is the start of a new product range and a new position for the company. There's never been a time when the company has been able to compete on an even footing in Australia in terms of specification, features and safety." Proton has not had any four or five-star safety cars in Australia, based on ANCAP testing, and it has also sold cars with engines too small for local conditions and drivers. But Startari says that is changing and the company's new management, under the DRB-Hicom automotive conglomerate, is providing extra drive. "Proton has been very vocal in saying that Preve is the first global product. That can only benefit countries like Australia," he says. At present, Proton is only a blip on the Australian sales charts and has delivered only 379 cars to the end of April, a 23.7 per cent slide from 2011. Even though the Jumbuck is officially gone from its brochures, it is still the best seller with 111 deliveries. Startari refuses to be downbeat with new products on the way, although he admits his job is not easy. "Obviously, every car manufacturer in the country has plans for their future and there are extra cars to back this up at Proton.  "We've got Exora coming, which is a new segment for us and will fill a void from Jumbuck. Jumbuck had a niche of its own and it's the same for Evora, because non-one else has a small people mover. "Then we're looking at a hatch version of the Preve in 2013, as well as vehicles in other segments. But I cannot talk about that yet."  

And the two new models could finally give new-car buyers a reason to return to a Proton showroom in 2012. The Exora people mover will headline for the Malaysian brand but it's an all-new Persona, traditionally the company's price leader but coming with a new name, that has the most potential beyond the new year. There will also be an update for the S16, called the FLX and pitched into the bottom end of the baby-car class, as well as an overdue commitment to safety. And Proton is going turbo, both with the Exora and a version of the Persona. "We've finally got a bit happening in the new year," says John Startari, managing director of Proton Australia. This past year we've done less than enough. We were hoping for 2100 sales but we'll probably do around 1600." The local operation has been hit heavily by delays in product updates from Malaysia, as well as the loss of its unique - but short on safety - Jumbuck ute. "We think the Exora could give us something to fill that Jumbuck niche. It's a smaller people mover and there aren't too many competitors," says Startarti. "It's a genuine seven-seater but about the size of a Toyota Avensis, as opposed to a Kia Carnival." The Exora is just starting to get traction in Malaysia and Startari says it will only come to Australia with the top-line mechanical package, a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine and automatic gearbox. The likely target price is less than $30,000, on the road. But - and it's a big one - both the Exora and Persona will be in the second half of the year. "Yes, Exora is delayed. It's scheduled for August," Startari says. "Exora is scheduled for August. It gives us a replacemtn for the Jumbuck niche. There are not too many competitors with a vehicle like it, as a smaller people people. It's a genuine seven-seater but about the size of a Toyota Avensis as opposed to a Kia Carnival. Before the heavier hitters, Proton will have an update of the current Persona Elegance and a S16 FLX to keep things ticking over. The objective is to hold a price line below $15,000 on the road. We'll have a starter car with dual airbags, ESP and ESC. We've already landed the first of the FLXs. Mass production starts in Malaysia in January and it will be here in March." Further into the future, and despite a battle that's raging over the ownership and direction in Malaysia, Startari says Proton has a plan to give it a solid future. "I think Proton will be at the cutting edge of safety, and we'll be using the Exora platform to leverage the Lotus ride and handling in all our cars," he says. "Proton is also aiming for five-star safety with all its future models."