One Directioners Life: Much anticipated Proton Prevé launched: RM60k

The wait is over. Proton has officially introduced its latest addition to the fold with the arrival of the Prevé. The car was launched an hour ago by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, at the Mines Malaysia International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Seri Kembangan.

It’s a huge car for the company, as its managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin stated at the launch. “The Prevé is a very important milestone for Proton in many ways. It represents a new and higher level of standard for Proton cars in all aspects encompassing safety, performance, comfort, build quality, technology, overall design and convenience,” he said.

“More significantly, it reflects on Proton’s maturity, technical knowledge and technological capability as a car manufacturer and to evolve from a domestic and regional player into a global car company,” he added.

As mentioned in our preview article about the car, the Prevé is available in three variant forms at point of launch, with two engine permutations and three transmissions – the list is led by the 1.6 CVT Premium, in turbocharged CamPro CFE form, followed by the 1.6 Executive CVT and 1.6 Executive five-speed manual, which both feature the normally-aspirated CamPro IAFM+ mill.

Both CVT-equipped variants feature a Punch CVT drivetrain – the High-line CFE variant gets the seven-speed VT3, dubbed the ProTronic, while the Medium-line spec’d IAFM+ runs with the six-speed VT2. The VT3 transmission is a derivative of the VT2 – both share the same package, but the VT3 is capable of higher maximum input torques (215 Nm as opposed to the VT2‘s 186 Nm).

Speaking of output, the CFE – which features a low-pressure turbocharger – is good for 138 hp at 5,000 rpm and 205 Nm between 2,000 – 4,000 rpm, and performance figures include a 0-100 km/h time of 9.6 seconds and a maximum top speed of 190 km/h. As for fuel consumption, the CFE manages 6.6 litres per 100 km, based on a combined cycle.

As for the IAFM+, the mill equips the two M-Line versions of the car, and output numbers for this one are 107 hp at 5,750 rpm and 150 Nm at 4,000 rpm. As for performance specs, the CVT version has a 170 km/h top speed and a 12.5 second 0-100 km/h time, while the manual does 180 km/h tops and does the century sprint in 12.0 seconds.

Consumption-wise, Proton states that the IAFM+ offers 5.8 litres per 100 km for the CVT version, while the five-speed manual manages 6.2 litres per 100 km, both sets on a combined cycle measurement.

	P3-21A	Waja	Persona
Length	4,543mm	4,470mm	4,477mm
Width	1,785mm	1,740mm	1,725mm
Height	1,524mm	1,420mm	1,438mm
Wheelbase	2,650mm	2,600mm	2,600mm
Front Track	1,542m	1,475mm	1,475mm
Rear Track	1,542mm	1,470mm	1,470mm
Luggage	506L	408L	430L
Kerb Weight	1,340kg	1,235kg	1,245kg

Dimensions-wise, the Prevé measures in at 4,543 mm long, 1,786 mm wide and 1,524 mm tall, and has a 2,650 mm wheelbase. Both the front and rear track is identical at 1,542 mm each, and the car has a ground clearance of 155 mm, and all the numbers are universal across the Prevé model range.

As mentioned in an earlier story about its dimensions, the Prevé is larger than its two predecessors, the Waja and the Persona – here’s a recap of the comparative figures. The earlier figures were accurate, with only a single mm difference in the width (earlier reported as 1,785 mm) as well as with the boot capacity of 508 litres (earlier, 506 litres) being the only items needing revision.

	P3-21A	Inspira	Altis	2012 Civic	Jetta	Forte	2012 Elantra
Length	4,543	4,570	4,540	4,525	4,644	4,530	4,530
Width	1,785	1,760	1,760	1,755	1,778	1,775	1,775
Height	1,524	1,490	1,465	1,435	1,482	1,460	1,445
Wheelbase	2,650	2,635	2,600	2,670	2,651	2,650	2,700
Luggage	506		475	464	510	495	485
Weight	1,340	1,335	1,315	1,295	1,417	1,359	1,269

Elsewhere, a recap too in comparing the Prevé with other C-segment sedans, including its own Mitsubishi-derived stablemate, the Proton Inspira, as the table below shows. The comparison is based on models with the biggest engines and specs (and thus the heaviest). The only thing missing from the table is the boot space capacity of the Inspira – it’s not the same as the Lancer, since the boot floor is raised to fit a full-sized spare.

Meanwhile, in terms of kerb weight, the 1.6 Premium CFE tips the scales at 1,340 kg, while the 1.6 Executive CVT is 1,325 kg and the Executive manual is the lightest of the trio, at 1,305 kg. The car comes with a 50 litre capacity fuel tank.

Suspension type is a MacPherson front and multilink rear, and all three variants wear 10-spoke 16-inch alloys, with GT Radial Champiro 205/55 series tyres, and features ventilated front /solid rear disc brakes. Water-resistant fabric seats feature across the range, as does hydraulic power steering – the choice for the latter was explained in our preview story.

Kit-wise, the Prevé comes with front and rear fog lamps, follow-me-home lights, driver’s seat height adjustment, vehicle immobiliser, projector headlamps with LED position lamps as well as ABS with EBD and dual SRS airbags as standard across the entire model range.

The top-of-the-range CFE gets brake assist and traction control, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Isofix seat mountings as well as two side airbags on top of that found as standard fare. It also gets tinted window film as part of the kit.

As expected, the CFE also comes loaded with the bells and whistles in terms of features and functions, with a push-start ignition, cruise control, auto headlamps, auto wipers, auto climate air-conditioning, a rear spoiler and a CD/MP3 player with Bluetooth, USB and iPod connectivity and integrated touchscreen GPS navigation unit.

There’s also a leather-wrapped steering wheel, auto fold side mirrors and steering-mounted paddle shifters. Both the Executive variants don’t get leather for the steering wheel, but all three variants feature steering audio controls. Likewise, the CD/MP3 player on the two Executive versions come with Bluetooth, USB and iPod connectivity, but the GPS navigation is an external (portable) unit.

The vehicle is also equipped with a Smart Information Display system (SID) that displays information such as average fuel consumption, distance to empty, battery health and faulty bulb indicator, gear shift lock indicator, home lamp indicator and vehicle intrusion warning, among others. And also on is on the move WiFi – the Prevé comes YES 4G-enabled.

Six colours are available across the range for the Prevé, and these are Blue Lagoon, Fire Red, Genetic Silver, Solid White, Tranquility Black and a new shade called Elegant Brown. Ah, yes, prices are as follows (on-the-road, inclusive of insurance):

The Prevé 1.6 Premium CFE: RM72,990 (metallic) and RM72,540 (solid)
The Prevé 1.6 Premium IAFM+: RM62,990 (metallic) and RM62,540 (solid)
The Prevé 1.6 MT Executive: RM59,990 (metallic) and RM59,540 (solid)

A first for Proton – the Prevé comes with a full five-year or 150,000 km warranty (whichever comes first).

By the way, about the surprise mentioned in our preview… we still don’t know what it is because it was never mentioned during the launch.

Update: More pictures of launch in the gallery. Even more to come soon, meanwhile check out the official TVC of the Proton Prevé in all three languages:

Proton Prevé Official TVC: English