Persona hits at $17K

Proton has pledged to take the battle up to the 'name brands' in the local compact car market with a Small Car package at a Light Car price. Enter the new Persona -- on sale officially this month, the new Mazda3-sized (and styled) four-door will hit the market at a very competitive $16,990.

This price buys you the five-speed manual version. And there's also a $2000 more expensive four-speed auto offered, with both variants powered by the Malaysian brand's latest 82kW/148Nm CamPro 1.6-litre petrol engine.

Based on the Gen2 hatch but featuring significant changes in styling, structure and substance, the Persona features an impressive convenience equipment list. Air-conditioning, rear park sensors, power steering, windows and mirrors, keyless entry and auto door locks, immobiliser and alarm, multifunction steering wheel with audio controls and trip computer are all standard.

The standard spec also includes height and tilt adjustable driver's seat, 60/40 splitfold rear seats (which fold flat to increase boot space from an impressive 460lt to a cavernous 830!), 15-inch alloys, quality Goodyear rubber and front and rear fog lamps.

Indeed, the sole factory option is metallic paint at $350. Of the seven colours offered, five are metallics.

But it's not all good news. While the new car features Bosch-developed antilock brakes and four-wheel discs, the Persona actually features less standard safety equipment than the Gen2 hatch it effectively supercedes.

While Proton claims structural improvements to the Persona, the new car gets just two airbags -- driver and front passenger. Gone are the standard side airbags of certain Gen2 hatch models. Also absent is any 'safety pack' style options. Stability control, side bags or curtain airbags are not offered on the car at all.

Proton says it is working with the factory with an eye to adding the features as options -- potentially on higher-spec model to supplement the current single offering. At this stage, it says it's unlikely that model will appear until the middle of 2009.

The maker is looking to the Small Car sizing of the Persona to attract buyers. Also high on the agenda is the car's impressive claimed fuel economy -- 6.6L/100km for the five-speed manual.

Proton boss John Statari says he doesn't believe the safety equipment gaps will affect the Persona's acceptance, Down Under. He says the market is not yet safety driven, pointing out that the top selling models of the top-selling Small cars are all base variants.

"They [the above-mentioned safety features] are not offered in the lower spec variants of the [Persona's] competitive vehicles, so we don't believe it will be a concern," he told the Carsales Network.

Startari confirmed, however, that Proton had commenced discussions with Bosch (in Australia) with regards to testing various stability control systems, ahead of the anticipated mandatory use in new cars Down Under.

"Proton has already had discussions with Bosch -- which supplies the ABS system -- in Melbourne. Rather than rush in, there are several types of ESC and some that are more effective than others, so they're evaluating those that are on the market and making their choice from there," Startari said.

"Given the current [Proton] Australian passenger car range is fitted with ABD brakes the adaption of ESC won't be difficult," he added.
 
Look for our launch review of the new Proton Persona soon.

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