NUSAJAYA: Proton is confident that bookings for its latest model, Suprima S, will exceed the intial sales target of 750 units in its first month.

Its chief operating officer (Commercial), Hisham Othman, said the response for the hatchback model was "very encouraging" as the company had received hundreds of bookings although it was introduced in the market just about a week.

"From our observation, our customers are attracted to the model's exterior design, styling, colour choices and hatchback profile.

"During the test drive, they found out that this model is also good in terms of performance," he told reporters here today.

Hisham expected the Suprima S to contribute about 10 per cent to the overall monthly sales of Proton, based on growing interest for the hatchback model.

"The hatchback segment in Malaysia represents a niche market. Local customers are more fond of owning sedan models compared with the hatchback," he said.

He said hatchback models such as Suprima S were more favoured by customers with a small family.

Nevertheless, Hisham believed the hatchback market would grow every year and the model would become more popular among car enthusiasts in Malaysia.

"Our biggest market to date is Malaysia, and certainly it is our intention to export the Suprima S to foreign markets such as Australia, Indonesia, Brunei and Thailand, just like our other models previously.

"We are confident this model will get the reception in foreign market as it is recognised by the Australian NCAP (New Car Assesment Programme) with five-star rating, indicating the highest level of safety," he said.
 -Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: The newly launched Proton Suprima S is poised to be the "game changer" in improving the standards and qualities in the national carmaker's cars and changing public perception on Proton, Hong Leong Investment Bank said today.

It said the launching of Suprima S would enhance Proton's product range offerings and help to regain back market confidence and market share.

"We expect Suprima S to receive positive response from the public, similar to the previous launch of Saga SV in mid-June, which has received over 20,000 orders," said the investment bank in a note.

The new Proton variant priced between RM76,000 and RM80,000 and has successfully obtained Australasian New Car Assessment Programme rating of five stars and claimed to be superior to other same class hatchbacks available in Malaysia market, which are priced above RM120,000.

The bank maintained "buy" rating on DRB-Hicom with unchanged target price of RM3.36 based on 20 per cent discount to sum-of-parts valuation. - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: The Proton Suprima S five-door hatchback has a "fully loaded with built-in value" tagline, and is the national carmaker's most well-equipped car to date.

The Suprima S is available in two variants, namely Executive and Premium which are priced at RM76,688 and 79,988 (metallic colour) on-the-road in Peninsular Malaysia.

It comes with a five-year or 150,000km warranty (whichever comes first), Proton's five-year free road assist and a maximum five-Star ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) safety rating.

It has a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, mated to a seven-speed ProTronic CVT (continuously variable transmission), that produces 140ps at 5,000rpm and a maximum torque of 205Nm from 2,000 to 4,000rpm.


Its driving dynamics is enhanced with Lotus ride and handling.

The new hatchback's fuel consumption on the combined cycle is rated at 9.1 litres per 100km.

The new car was officially launched by Proton advisor and former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

Also present was Proton executive chairman Tan Sri Mohd Khamil Jamil who said, "The Suprima S comes with the highest safety standards Proton has offered. This is the future we envision for all our products and services, and represents the benchmark we set for the standards and quality that Proton aims to deliver to its customers."


Standard safety features for the new hatchback include six airbags, ABS (anti-lock braking system) with EBD (electronic brake force distribution), brake assist, ESC (electronic stability control) with Traction Control, Isofix and top tether mount point, front active head rest, front and rear fog lamps, all-round disc brakes, and rear parking sensors.

Also standard are projector headlamps, rear LED light guides, tail gate remote release, and a WiFi-enabled Proton Infotainment with Android-based operating system which features a seven-inch LCD touchscreen with DVD player, built-in GPS navigation, bluetooth, USB and iPod connectivity.

Meanwhile, features that are found only in the Premium variant include Hill-Hold Assist, front parking sensors, reverse camera, automatic headlamps, leather upholstery, six audio speakers, DRL (daytime running lights), paddle shifters, automatic climate air-conditioner, push start button, auto cruise and auto front wipers.


The Executive variant gets 205/55 R16 tyres while the Premium variant has 215/45 R17 tyres.

The Executive variant comes with water repellent fabric seats and four audio speakers.

The new hatchback's 427-litre rear luggage volume is said to be best-in-class.

Five colour choices are available: Fire Red, Tranquility Black, Solid White, Genetic Silver and a brand new colour, Atlantic Blue.


Proton chief operating officer (commercial) Hisham Othman said the name Suprima S is derived from the word "supreme", and reflects superiority in engineering, safety and performance.

"The S means sports. It is a hatchback, and meant to be sporty."

Hisham also said the Suprima S is not a Proton Preve hatchback.

"It is a new model for the hatchback segment."


Bernama quoted Poton as saying it is initially targeting to sell 750 units of the Suprima S locally per month.

Mohd Khamil however reckoned that it might exceed the target due to the current demand for hatchback cars from young customers.

"We are also looking at the export market as soon as possible, maybe within this year.

"We are targeting markets within the Asia Pacific for the time being, and probably we will start off with the Asian region such as Indonesia, Thailand and Australia."

However, Mohd Khamil said Proton would first ensure that it could meet domestic demand before exporting the model.
KUALA LUMPUR: The launch of Proton Suprima S will hopefully correct the public perception that the local car manufacturer produces sub-standard cars, said Proton adviser Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

This is necessary because Proton manufactures cars that meet international standards, he said.

“I hope the perception that Proton produces cheap, low quality cars will be corrected because Proton cars are of the same standard as other famous car manufacturers,” he said at the launch of Suprima S at the Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) Convention Centre here earlier today.

Dr Mahathir launching the Suprima S at the Matrade Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Suprima S is Proton’s first “hatchback” model fitted with safety features such as six airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC).

Dr Mahathir said the Suprima S was designed to attract the younger set of buyers who were keen on the hatchback as it is more sporty than the sedan.

Suprima S is available at all Proton showrooms nationwide with prices starting from RM76,338 for the Executive model and RM79,638 for the Premium model.

Public Land Transport Commission chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar, who was also present at the ceremony, was announced as the first buyer of the Suprima S.

Also present were Dr Mahathir’s wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali and Proton executive chairman Tan Sri Mohd Khamil Jamil. — Bernama