PUTRAJAYA: Proton kicked off a pre-launch programme here for the media today to sample the Prevé, its first global car previously known by the code name P3-21A.
The new C-segment sedan is targeted at the small family who prefers stylish design with excellent riding comfort, safety and quality. It's also pitched at young professionals and executives leading an active lifestyle.
Indicative prices of the car, as announced at Proton's Power of 1 showcase last month, is from RM62,000 to RM75,000.
No photography was allowed, with Proton issuing only teaser shots of the car that you see here.At today's product briefing, Proton group managing director Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir finally confirmed the name of the P3-21A which had in recent days been leaked out as Prevé (pronounced Prae-vae).
Three 1.6-litre model variants will be offered. Executive variants come with a 5-speed manual transmission and a '6-speed' CVT. Both uses the CamPro IAFM+ engines while the top of the line Premium variant is fitted with the turbocharged Charged Fuel Efficiency engine with a '7-speed' CVT.
The Premium model has torque output that mimics a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated powerplant but has combined fuel consumption of 8.2l/100km.While Proton did not reveal performance details of the lower end models today, it did announce that the engine of the Premium model produces 138bhp and 205Nm. Its sprint from 0 to 100kph is achieved in 9.6s.
In addition, its transmission ensures smooth gear change while the ‘7-Speed ProTronic’ allows the driver to override the automatic mode by moving the shift lever into a second shift gate to ‘upshift’ and ‘downshift’.
Other value-for money features in the car are active headrests, four cupholders and stowage spaces on all four doors.
The Premium Prevé gets extra goodies such as four airbags (two front and two side); paddle shifters, auto rain sensor, stop-start button and a CD Player with Bluetooth & built-in GPS Navigator.
ABS with EBD is standard while Electronic Stability Control is available in the Premium variant. Proton said the car has the best stopping distance in its class at 36.8m when compared with three foreign models.
It also boasts the best legroom in its class with front and rear spaces at 930mm and 815mm respectively.
Syed Zainal said the name was based on the English word 'preve' which means proof or 'to prove' (a point).
He said the car was a clean departure from the past and was not a replacement model for any existing cars.
The Prevé was planned holistically from the start with Proton having a clear idea on what future variations of the car will be, said Syed Zainal, adding that the public could expect a sporty hatchback variant in coming months.
The Prevé sedan, which will be launched this month in a choice of six colours, is available with water-repellent fabric seats and future plans include bodykit and leather seats to jazz it up.
Proton has received around 1,000 bookings for the car so far even before launch with 75% of bookings for the Premium variant.
As a global car, Proton has the world market in mind for the Preve with Indonesia and Thailand as the first export markets to get it within three months of domestic launch followed by gradual rollout to other countries such as China, Iran and Australia. Exported cars will retain the Prevé name.
Proton senior director of operations Dr Wolfgang Karl Epple said the body of the car was the most rigid Proton has ever produced, resulting in a vehicle that's surefooted in corners and stability at high speeds yet retaining an ideal weight for better fuel efficiency.
The torsional body rigidity also ensures cabin integrity during collision.
Members of the media were given the opportunity today to drive the Prevé from here to Setul, Seremban, and back covering a total distance of 157km.
Overall impressions of the two CVT variants were positive (more details to follow in Star2 on Sunday). Click
VIDEO: The new Proton Prevé name
-Proton Managing Director Datuk Seri Syed Zainal explains the name
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