Proton Gen-2 Persona Joins UK Line-Up

Proton Gen-2 Persona

With Lotus Influences

By Frank de Leeuw van Weenen
March 12, 2008 2:11 PM
Filed Under: Proton

With Lotus Influences

The Proton Persona was first launched in August 2007 in Malaysia, and soon after arrived in Australia. In its home country Malaysia the car was ordered by over 2,200 people before it was released, giving the car maker a big confidence boost. A couple of months later, Proton revealed the car to the Australian market and now it has been released in the UK and will be on sale by the end of the month.

In the UK the new model will be known as the Gen-2 Persona (instead of just Persona in Malaysia and Australia) and is powered by the new 1.6 liter Campro engine, engineered by UK-based sister company Lotus. The engine produces 110 bhp and 148 Nm of torque which is put to the road through a 5 speed manual or 4 speed automatic gearbox.

Standard equipment on the sub GBP 12,000 car include climate control with pollen-filter, electric windows, mp3-capable CD sound system, Anti-lock Bracking System, Electronic Brake Distribution, driver and passenger airbags, side impact protection bars, power steering and rear parking sensors.

Source: Proton

Press Release (Click to expand)

Proton Cars (UK) announces new addition to GEN-2 range

Proton Cars (UK) is introducing a new model to its range, the GEN-2 Persona. The latest addition to the GEN-2 line up is a four door saloon version of Proton’s popular five door hatchback.

The GEN-2 Persona is powered by a 1.6 litre Lotus engineered Campro engine which delivers a maximum output of 110bhp, 148Nm of torque and a top speed of 118mph. All manual transmission models have a five-speed gearbox with a four-speed automatic option also available and superb ride and handling comes courtesy of Proton’s sister company Lotus.

The Lotus influence is also evident in the exterior and interior styling, with strong lines and neat design touches. The tempest grey interior offers a spacious area for drivers with perfectly flat-folding 60:40 rear seats and ample boot space. Climate control with pollen filter helps drivers to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer and front and rear electric windows come as standard. Entertainment is provided by an integrated Blaupunkt radio/CD player, with an MP3-capable CD player and four way speaker system.

Fully equipped for a safe and stress free drive, an Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brake Distribution, driver and passenger airbags, side impact protection bars, power assisted steering and reverse distance sensors all come as standard.

The GEN-2 Persona will be available in UK Proton dealerships from the end of March 2008 with Proton offering £1000 discount off the £10,795 (MT) and £11,595 (AT) on the road price.

Comments

ck314
March 12, 2008 5:42 PM
A big confidence boost? lmao As if they could afford anything else. Looks like a clone of the Renault Mégane Sedan from the late 90s. Ironically "Personne" in french means nobody ahahahahah

Joe_Limon
March 12, 2008 7:16 PM
well it does a good job at filling in the cheap car persona, it's got the bland styling, bland performance, and is made in one of the cheapest places in the world.

zk9
April 23, 2008 11:09 AM
I am a Malaysian and I find your disparaging comments cheap and distasteful.

Alfafox5
March 12, 2008 7:19 PM
The Dodge Neon lives!!! From the back it looks like a retouched Dodge... all the while it impresses with... Side Impact Bars!? So very mid-90's... but that is why they call it entry level.

radmeister
March 13, 2008 2:22 PM
Neon mates with Sebring imo.

joelynn
March 13, 2008 12:26 PM
hahaha- no-one will buy it, Proton has zero presence in the UK, the only car remembered at all is the Satria GTi. The Gen2 sells poorly and we don't really like small saloons so this will sell even worse. You'd be better buying a Citroen or Skoda

phobos
March 13, 2008 12:53 PM
ugly piece of junk

View Comment Rules

Add Comment

You are modifying your comment

Exisiting User

Username
Password
remember me

New Users

Username
Email
Password
Comment

Your account

username
password

Other links