2016 Proton Saga 1.3L
It’s finally time for the new 2016 Proton Saga to face the
world. The budget sedan has officially been launched at the Setia City
Convention Centre and while it’s the last of Proton’s three sedans to be
introduced this year, it represents the
national carmaker’s bestselling model.
Sitting at the entry level of the company’s range,
the new Saga is priced at RM 36,800 for the Standard manual variant and RM 39,800
for the CVT. Moving up, the Executive CVT retails at RM 42,800, while the
Premium tops out at RM 45,800. All prices are on-the-road inclusive of insurance
and a five-year/150,000 km warranty, up from the old model’s three-year/100,000
km coverage.
The new car is built on the bones of the outgoing
Saga, but don’t let anyone tell you that it’s just a facelift. There’s a lot
that’s changed since the second-generation BLM model was originally introduced
way back in 2008, so let’s get to it.
The measuring tape alone indicates that there’s been
a significant rework – at 4,331 mm long, 1,689 mm wide and 1,491 mm tall, the
Saga is not only 74 mm longer than before, but also 9 mm wider and 11 mm lower.
Only the wheelbase remains the same, at 2,465 mm. The longer overhangs are
likely the reason why the boot is now seven litres larger, at 420 litres.
The front gets
more organic reflector halogen headlights (with Proton script on both the head-
and tail lights), a new dual-bar grille reminiscent of the Perdana (and the
original 1985 Saga) and a massive Persona-esque lower grille that flows under
the front fog light surrounds.
The surfacing has been made less
angular than before, with a rising shoulder line that carries the Iriz-derived
door handles and terminates at the tail lights – providing a more dynamic
appearance. The C-pillar also gains a new BMW-style kink.
At the rear, there are new trapezoidal two-piece
tail lights joined together by a horizontal bar; a more aggressive rear
bumper with a diffuser-style black insert completes the look.
A considerably revised cabin features inside. Up
front is a redesigned centre console incorporating the centre air vents, the
head unit, a wider row of buttons (needed to control additional functions, such
as central locking, front parking sensors and front and rear fog lights) and
the carryover air-con controls.
Other details to note are the rectangular air vents
with increased slats, Iriz-style faux dashboard
stitching, a new gearlever (also derived from the Iriz) for the CVT, revised
instrument cluster graphics and a new three-spoke steering wheel from the
Exora, Prevé and Suprima S. The door cards have also been restyled, while a new
folding rear bench adds an extra dimension of practicality.
All models are powered by the 1.3 litre VVT
four-cylinder engine, and only that engine. The removal of the 1.6 litre option
offered on the previous model is part of a range-wide restructuring, providing
some breathing space for the Persona that’s only available with the larger
mill. Despite being a new engine, outputs remain identical at 94 hp at 5,750
rpm and 120 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm.
Transmission options have also been streamlined,
with the five-speed manual gearbox only available on the base Standard variant;
by contrast, all models get a CVT. The latter is a CVT2+ unit, and is said to
be significantly improved over the one in the Iriz.
Other refinements to the powertrain include drop in
engine mount count – which themselves have been redesigned – from four to
three, in order reduce the transmission of vibrations into the cabin. The ECU
has also been retuned for a more linear throttle response.
Despite similar outputs, the Saga is now quicker
than before, with the manual clocking a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 12.2 seconds
(0.8 seconds faster), and the CVT model doing the deed in 13.1 seconds (1.4
seconds faster). It’s also more fuel efficient – Proton quotes consumption
figures at 90 km/h of 5.4 litres per 100 km with the manual (down from 6.0
l/100 km) and 5.6 litres per 100 km with the CVT (from 6.3 l/100 km).
The body is now 20% stiffer, and the doors require
less effort to close. Underneath, the chassis has been revised with new
springs, dampers and engine bay strut bar to ensure better handling and
control, while the steering has been made quicker and lighter; the steeper
steering rack angle also tightens the turning circle.
The Standard variant
gets taxi-style 13-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, a rear fog lights,
black plastic exterior trim, front and rear parking sensors, plain black
upholstery, a single-DIN head unit with Bluetooth connectivity, USB rear
charging ports and an ECO Drive Assist indicator from the Persona.
The mid-range Executive variant adds front fog
lights, 14-inch snowflake-pattern alloy wheels, body-coloured exterior trim,
black B-pillar trim, a rear bootlid spoiler, gloss grey interior trim and
mesh-pattern upholstery.
Stepping up to the range-topping Premium model nets
you intricate 15-inch alloy wheels, a chrome rear horizontal bar, wave-pattern
upholstery, multifunction steering wheel controls, a gloss grey gearlever, a
double-DIN head unit from the Exora and a reverse camera that feeds the view to
a small display on the rear-view mirror (also from the Exora).
Dual airbags are standard on the new Saga, along
with ISOFIX child seat mounts with top tethers. Impressively, the Premium model also adds stability control
and hill-start assist; however, ABS with EBD and brake assist is only available
on the Executive variant upwards, which is a right shame. All models get a
four-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating, up from three.
Proton is hoping to sell around 5,000 Sagas per
month following the model’s launch, with plans to export to right-hand drive
ASEAN markets (export production to start four months after Malaysian launch).
Colours available are Topaz Blue, Metal Grey, Fire Red, Sterling Silver, Cotton
White and Midnight Black.
Source : Paultan
