THE above picture shows a sneak preview of an all-new Proton saloon, the mid-sized four-door Inspira. If you thought you were looking at a Mitsubishi Lancer, you're not wrong.
The Inspira was developed from a Mitsubishi Lancer and are the fruits of Proton's relationship with Mitsubishi Motors. It will replace the Proton Waja saloon. There will be a choice of two engines -- a Mitsubishi 1.8-litre or a 2.0-litre engine. A CVT box with six virtual gears or a five-speed manual can be chosen with the 1-8-litre variant. The 2.0-litre range-topper will get the same CVT box as well. Clearly the collaboration had benefited Proton. Proton Group's managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir told Bernama that the collaboration helped Proton save a lot of funds and time. He said of the relationship, 'It's cheaper from the company's point of view.' Developing a new car would cost up to RM700million (S$295 million), he added. With a starting price of RM79,888, the Inspira will come with either a 1.8- or 2.0-litre Mitsubishi engine. You can choose to pair it with a five-speed manual or a six-speed continuously variable transmission.
Presumably only the 2.0-litre variant will also get the innovation vehicle electronic control system. Other features customers stand to gain from include auto cruise, automatic light and rain sensors, welcome and coming home light system, climate control for both front and rear occupants, and all-round airbags for passengers' safety. Proton aims to sell 1,600 units of the Inspira a month. 'The market for the C-Segment cars is about 5,000-6,000 units a month. So, we are looking at 1,600 a month as it is value for money,' Syed Zainal said. He also added that there are plans to export the Inspira. Prices start from RM79,888.
Inside, the differences are minimal. The three-spoke steering design has a Proton badge of course, and the instruments look the same. However, we just noticed that the “left speedo, right tacho” layout of the Lancer has been reversed for the Inspira, which has its rev meter on the left side. The multi-info screen is the orange one as per the Lancer sedan, not the full colour version on the Lancer Sportback. The wood trim in the P spec Inspiras are dark brown coloured (Lancer EX has greyish wood) while the 1.8 E gets a matte silver trim that’s nice to touch. All else is identical to these eyes, including the grade of plastics.
Presumably only the 2.0-litre variant will also get the innovation vehicle electronic control system. Other features customers stand to gain from include auto cruise, automatic light and rain sensors, welcome and coming home light system, climate control for both front and rear occupants, and all-round airbags for passengers' safety. Proton aims to sell 1,600 units of the Inspira a month. 'The market for the C-Segment cars is about 5,000-6,000 units a month. So, we are looking at 1,600 a month as it is value for money,' Syed Zainal said. He also added that there are plans to export the Inspira. Prices start from RM79,888.
Inside, the differences are minimal. The three-spoke steering design has a Proton badge of course, and the instruments look the same. However, we just noticed that the “left speedo, right tacho” layout of the Lancer has been reversed for the Inspira, which has its rev meter on the left side. The multi-info screen is the orange one as per the Lancer sedan, not the full colour version on the Lancer Sportback. The wood trim in the P spec Inspiras are dark brown coloured (Lancer EX has greyish wood) while the 1.8 E gets a matte silver trim that’s nice to touch. All else is identical to these eyes, including the grade of plastics.
The 4B10 1.8 litre pot found on the two Executive variants offers 140 hp at 6,000rpm and 177 Nm at 4,250rpm, while the 4B11 2.0 litre block in the Premium has 150 hp and 197 Nm at the same rpm as above. Performance-wise, the 1.8 manual has a claimed top speed of 202 kph and a 0-100 kph sprint time of 10.0 secs, while that of the 1.8 CVT is 191 kph and 11.4 secs. As for the 2.0 Premium, it gets to 198 kph and does the century sprint in 10.5 secs. As for kerb weight, the manual rolls in at 1,300 kg, while the 1.8 CVT and 2.0 P are 1,325 kg and 1,335 kg respectively.
Other items on the features list across the board are trunk lid remote release, front fog lamps, welcome home light system, driver’s side anti-trap/auto up-down power window, height adjustable driver’s seat and a MP3/Bluetooth-enabled CD player audio system with Arkamys 3D DSP. As befits its Premium suffix, the Inspira 2.0 gets a number of differentiation points and features compared to the two 1.8 Executive models, and these are:
- Cruise control (with steering wheel-mounted switches)
- Column-mounted paddle shift controls
- Automatic climate control
- Auto headlamp and rain sensors.
- Body kit and rear spoiler.
- Leather seats and door trim finishing (the 1.8 versions are in fabric)
- A GPS navigation system.
Peninsular Malaysia Prices
- Proton Inspira 1.8 M/T – RM78,999
- Proton Inspira 1.8 CVT – RM84,999
- Proton Inspira 2.0 CVT – RM91,999
East Malaysia Prices
- Proton Inspira 1.8 M/T – RM80,999
- Proton Inspira 1.8 CVT – RM86,999
- Proton Inspira 2.0 CVT – RM93,999
Langkawi Prices
- Proton Inspira 1.8 M/T – RM71,999
- Proton Inspira 1.8 CVT – RM75,999
- Proton Inspira 2.0 CVT – RM82,999
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