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NEWS
AIMS: Proton Exora and Prevé
Budget car company debuts two new vehicles in Sydney, both packaged with Australia's first five year free servicing dealProton, best-known for its Jumbuck ute and Australia's cheapest car, the S16 sedan, is hoping to get more Australian bums on seats with two new vehicles for the local market, the Prevé sedan and Exora people-mover, launched at the Australian International Motor Show (AIMS).
The Malaysian car maker has struggled to make a dent in the Australian marketplace since it first launched here in 1995 with the Proton Wira, but is hopeful its new Prevé mid-sized sedan, priced from a low $18,990 drive away with five years free servicing, can make an impact with local buyers.
That Proton will offer the Prevé (and Exora) with five years free roadside assistance and servicing suggests it is confident the cars can go the distance. Dubbed the 5+5+5 program, Proton offers five-year/150,000km warranty, five-year roadside assistance and five-year free service.
The Prevé sedan is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine worth 80kW/150Nm, coupled with either manual (five-speed) or automatic (CVT six-speed) gearboxes, the latter going for $20,990. Combined cycle fuel economy is rated at 7.2L/100km for the manual and 8.0L/100km for the auto.
Arriving in Australian dealerships from January 2012, the Prevé GX variant is the cheapest mid-sized sedan in Australia and comes as standard with Bluetooth, electric windows, reversing sensors, iPod connectivity, active front headrests and a large 508 litre boot.
In mid 2013 Proton will begin selling a more potent GXR version of the front-wheel drive sedan, powered by a turbocharged petrol engine 1.6-litre engine mated to a newer CVT (with seven-speed 'steps') that will also be offered with a better interior fitout – leather seats, sat nav, cruise control, push-button engine start, and automatic headlights and wipers. Pricing for the GXR model hasn't been finalised.
All Proton Prevé (pron: pray-vay) models get stability control and ABS but it remains to be seen if a five-star ANCAP safety rating will be forthcoming.
Proton's Executive Chairman, Dato' Sri Haji Mohd Khamil Jamil, was in Australia for the launch of the new car at the AIMS in Sydney and said the cars have been designed "...at the right time and at the right price for the Australian public."
He said that Proton is acutely aware of the importance a five-star ANCAP safety rating carries in Australia, and that Proton is working towards achieving the top rating.
"We want to emerge stronger as a global car company and redefine Proton as both a product and brand in the realm of a rapidly evolving and highly competitive global automotive industry. And to do this, we are strengthening our presence in key strategic markets, including Australia."
"Both the Prevé and the Exora represent a new and higher level of standard for Proton cars in all aspects, encompassing key aspects such as safety, performance, comfort, build quality, technology, overall design and convenience," said Mr Jamil.
Proton's new Exora people-mover is also earmarked for a five-star safety rating when it arrives in Australia mid way through 2013, and is the Malaysian car maker's first home-grown seven-seat vehicle.
Motive force will be provided by a turbo petrol engine generating 103kW/205Nm and a seven-speed automatic (CVT) gearbox will be the only choice. Two trim levels are on the cards and follow the Prevé naming convention: GX and GXR. All models come with dual front and front-side airbags, stability control, Bluetooth, and fog lights. Exora GXR models get a reversing camera, cruise control, and a roof-mount DVD-player to keep the kids entertained.
Proton has not settled on a price for the Exora yet, but expect it to be a price leader in the segment.
"We want to offer our customers a competitively priced seven-seater vehicle with comfort, performance and safety in mind, and we believe that the Exora meets all these requirements,” said Mr Jamil.
"The Exora will be an important model in our product line-up for the Australian market – and being our first seven-seater, it will provide customers with additional options when considering a new vehicle."
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Written byFeann Torr
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