Proton
Volkswagen and Proton collaboration fail, again!
About two weeks ago Malaysian auto maker Proton said that it will announce the results of its negotiations with German auto giant Volkswagen and the company has kept its word and revealed its decision. There will be no collaborations between the two companies unfortunately.
This becomes the second time partnership talks between the two have failed. Proton said that Volkswagen has other priorities and it would like to focus on other areas of its business. Proton acknowledges this and said that it will continue with its ASEAN Multi-Local OEM project and concentrate on other ventures such its partnership with Mitsubishi, which will spawn a Lancer-based Proton Waja, due to be released this year.
Proton will also focus on the EMAS project and continue working with Italdesign Giugiaro (designer of the EMAS Concept), a company that is now owned by Volkswagen’s Lamborghini. The Lotus owner is also working on a turbocharged engine project dubbed Project Phoenix and the next generation Proton Persona, a car that recently received a facelift.
Volkswagen did reveal plans some time ago that it wants to set up assembly in Malaysia and many expected Proton to fulfill that intention. With the talks down the drain it is unknown if Volkswagen still wants to continue with this plan. Managing director of Volkswagen Malaysia did say back in March that it would be finalizing its assembly plans by the first half of 2010, with the first locally assembled models to be rolling out within 12 to 18 months after the announcement.
Proton tie-up with Volkswagen: Announcement expected in 2 weeks!
Malaysian automaker Proton and German auto giant Volkswagen are set to announce a likely partnership in the next two weeks. This doesn’t come as a surprise since both companies have explored working together in the past and there have been hints of a possible tie-up since a couple of Volkswagen models have been seen in Proton’s Shah Alam headquarters recently.
Proton’s chairman Mohd Nazmi Mohd Salleh broke the news to Malaysia’s The Edge during the company’s annual general meeting. He said, “The outcome of the talks with VW will be made public in two weeks time. I don’t want to jump the gun.”
Previously in 2007 Volkswagen was set to purchase a stake in Proton but the negotiations failed. At the moment we don’t know the specifics on the potential collaboration. It could be a contract assembly agreement, a technical collaboration or perhaps en equity tie-up.
During the AGM Proton also revealed consolidated profit before tax of RM285 million for the financial year ending 31st March 2010 which is an improvement of over 150% compared to the same time last year which saw a RM319 million loss. Proton claims that the jump into the black is encouraged by the healthy sales of the Saga, Persona and its first MPV the Exora.
Looks like Volkswagen is really serious about becoming the world’s No. 1 automaker by 2018. It already has 10 auto brands under its umbrella including Porsche and recently acquired Italian design house Italdesign Giugiaro via Lamborghini.
Proton reveals three EMAS concepts in Geneva
Proton has officially unveiled its highly anticipated EMAS concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The company is showcasing three variants of the hybrid concept including the more regular EMAS, the EMAS Country as well as the EMAS3. Other than ‘gold’ in Malaysia’s national language, EMAS stands for Eco Mobility Advance Solution.
The more regular EMAS variant is a 5-door hatch which is able to accommodate four occupants while the EMAS Country is more like a crossover with a raised suspension and SUV styling. The EMAS3 is a 3+1 seater 3-door hatch that is specified for city driving. As previously mentioned the EMAS concept is powered by a hybrid system that is made up by a 1.2 liter 3-cylinder engine that acts as a range extender.
The actual drive is provided by the electric motor. To me this looks like a better solution for alternative fuel vehicles. The electric motor makes 75kW (peak power, 45kW continuous power) and 240Nm of torque. 0 – 100 km/h takes a 14 seconds while top speed is figured at 170 km/h.
Inside there are two display screens in the center mounted at a concave angle. The right one shows the speedometer and other information like energy flow while the left screen displays entertainment and communication functions. The concept is also said to feature an interior space that is comparable to a C, D segment or an SUV.
More importantly, Proton’s managing director Dato Syed Zainal has confirmed that the concept will go into production and we can expect to see it in 2012 or in 2013. More images can be found after the jump. There is also a short video clip for your enjoyment. Read the rest of this entry.
Proton’s concept hatchback to be unveiled in Geneva
What you see above is a new concept vehicle by Malaysian auto manufacturer Proton. The concept is a four-seater hatchback that was co-designed with Italdesign Giugiaro. The concept features a hybrid drive system that includes an internal combustion engine which is fitted on the front axle. The engine will recharge the lithium ion battery pack to provide a pure electric drive.
Some reports are suggesting that the concept utilizes a Lotus-sourced Range Extender System that has a 1.2 liter 3-cylinder engine that weighs only 56 kilograms. It is optimized for 2 RPM points. First generates 20hp at 1,500 revs while the other makes 47hp at 3,500 revs while peak torque is figured at 107Nm, achieved at 2,500 revs.
“This is the outcome of several years of study: the solution allows interior spaciousness on a par with that of a segment D saloon despite maintaining the exterior dimensions of a segment A car” explained Giorgetto Giugiaro, Chairman of Italdesign Giugiaro.
“You could say that it is a brand new type of car, a new automotive concept where looks are as important as function, ergonomics and comfort, not to mention environmental impact. It is higher than other compact cars to make the best use of interior space; the seat H point is at the same height as the passengers’ hips: you do not get down into your car as in a coupé, you do not climb up as in an SUV but you enter in a natural way. Rear seat comfort when you enter and leave the car is absolutely unprecedented, the distance from the front seat is comparable to that of an SUV” added Giugiaro.
According to the press release the yet-to-be-named concept has a platform that was designed by Giugiaro. The platform has been raised to house the lithium-ion battery pack. The 3550 mm-long concept also features four seats that are all identical. From the single image we have here which was revealed on the Giugiaro website, I must say that it looks pretty good. The concept will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show on March 2nd.
Ride with Alister McRae in the Satria Neo Super 2000 rally car: with video!
Couple of days ago I was given the opportunity to take a ride with Alister McRae in the Satria Neo S2000 rally car on a short rally circuit in Sepang, Malaysia. The event was organized by Proton and it gave a selected few the chance of sitting in the passenger seat while an experienced rally driver brings out of the best from the car. The event kick started at 5.00 pm local time and was ‘blessed’ with the typical Sepang weather. Remember the “out of this world” downpour that red-flagged this year’s Malaysian Grand Prix? Well, we got the similar ‘wet’ treatment as well.
But unlike the Formula 1 race, the organizers were somewhat looking forward to the rain, thinking that it would be more fun, which was true when I found out eventually. As mentioned the man behind the wheel was Alister McRae, with a very familiar last name because he is the brother of late rally God Colin McRae. The Satria Neo S2000 under him outputs 278hp and 271Nm of torque from its normally-aspirated 2.0 liter 4-pot. It is a Renault-sourced engine which is also found in the Proton Waja in a 1.8 form. The entire car was prepped by UK’s Mellors Elliot Motorsport (MEM) and features a 6-speed Xtrac sequential transmission.
McRae, partnered by co-driver Bill Hayes raced the Satria Neo S2000 in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) as well as in the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) this year and the campaign is scheduled to continue next year. In fact, the duo just came back from a second place finish at IRC’s Rally of Scotland. Back to the quick experience report. As the car returned to pick me up, I was able to hear to rumble of the engine about 100 meters away. I nestled myself onto the co-driver’s race seat and straight away gripped the roll cage bars. Away we went and I noticed that keeping the Neo S2000 smooth at low speeds looked a little difficult for the average Joe, it begs the driver to drive the car in racing mode all the time.
McRae was keeping his cool while we headed towards the rally circuit. Once there, he hit the gas and I was instantly pushed back further into the seat and my first expression: “arrrggghhhhh!!!” It was already about 6.00 pm and it was raining, so you can already imagine how dark it was. On top of that, the circuit was part of a palm oil plantation and having trees all over also helped reduce sunlight.
I mentioned that McRae kept his cool while heading to the circuit, well guess what? He was still cool when he was pushing it. I was screaming like there is no tomorrow as the Neo S2000 was driven on slippery, muddy surface. The element of fear was evident all the time as just about a meter or two from the car was a tree, all the time! And yet, McRae looked as though he was having evening tea!
The car looked like it was out of control but McRae was able to keep it in control. Through out the entire 2 kilometer circuit McRae looked like he was part of the car. Everything was so ‘fluid’ and I really respect the level of commitment a rally driver gives behind the wheel! This is where experience, good judgment and ‘bravery’ come into play. I was just lucky enough to go home with a dry pair of pants! Well, talking or in this case, writing can only do so much, hence we have something better, yes a video! Continue reading to check out the 2 minute 29 second-long video. Read the rest of this entry.
Proton developing hybrid drive for Exora MPV with Lotus
According to a published report by Malaysian news agency Bernama, Proton is developing a hybrid drive system for the the Exora MPV with Lotus. The prototype cars are currently being tested in the UK and Proton’s managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Syed Mohamad Tahir has tried them out. These hybrid Exoras are expected to arrive in Malaysia for further testing by the end of this month or latest by early next year.
The hybrid Exora is scheduled to be introduced into the market sometime in 2011. The word of Proton developing a hybrid system for its vehicles isn’t actually new. The automaker showcased a Proton GEN2 EVE Hybrid Concept back in 2007 in which the 1.6 liter Campro was paired with a 40hp electric motor. The concept featured a CVT transmission. Total power output was rated at 141hp and torque was figured at 233Nm from as low as 1,500 revs.
Earlier this year Proton gave us a glimpse of a range-extending hybrid system. It basically uses an electric motor as the main drive and a 1.2 liter 3-cylinder engine is used solely as a generator.
Proton Exora MPV officially launched in Singapore: More details
We have already revealed to you that Proton’s first MPV, the Exora, has been launched in Singapore. This time around, we have slightly more details to share with you. First up, only the Exora Medium-Line (M-Line) is available in Singapore, hence there is no High-Line (H-Line).
With the Exora M-Line, currently available is the automatic version, which is priced at S$57,999 including COE. The manual version will arrive at a later date. The Exora M-Line, which is offered in five different body colour options (Genetic Silver, Tranquility Black, Haze Blue, Solid White and Gaia Blue), comes with twin front airbags, front seat belt pretensioners, ABS and EBD. Overall, Exora has achieved the equivalent of Euro-NCAP 4-star rating.
Since it is an M-Line, it comes with grey interior with fabric seats. There is no DVD player and Bluetooth connectivity, which are both offered with the H-Line in Malaysia. The Exora is already available in Proton showrooms, and test drives can be arranged.
The Exora also features, among others, a BCM (Body Control Module), Drive By Wire (DBW) technology, dual blower air conditioning (with individual vents for each row) and more. It is powered by a 1.6 liter CamPro CPS powerplant that is good for 125HP and 150Nm of torque. Fuel consumption wise, based on 90km/h constant driving, is rated at 13.8 kilometers per liter, or 7.2 liters per 100 kilometers. On another note, Proton plans to introduce a Turbo variant of the Exora (based on the 1.6 CamPro) into the Malaysian market sometime in 2011.
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