The 2017 Proton Iriz has been officially launched in Malaysia. As reported
previously, the variant line-up has been trimmed to make it more streamlined
compared to before.
Now, buyers will get to choose from a total of four
variants – 1.3 Standard MT (RM 43,800), 1.3 Standard CVT (RM 46,800), 1.3
Executive CVT (RM 50,800) and 1.6 Premium CVT (RM 58,800). Before this, the
variant count stood at eight, with manual and CVT options for all variants,
including the now retracted 1.6 Executive.
These on-the-road prices are inclusive of insurance
and a five-year/150,000 km warranty. Two new exterior body colours have also
been introduced – Ruby Red and Carnelian Brown – joining the existing Graphite
Grey, Atlantic Blue and Cotton White (Citrus Green is no more).
Revisions for the Iriz include a number of noise,
vibration and harshness (NVH) refinements. These include a reduction in the
number of engine mounts from four to three, a new exhaust system from French
supplier Faurecia and higher-quality sound insulation.
The company claims that with all these improvements,
the Iriz is now five decibels quieter than before. Aesthetic changes for all
variants can be seen at the front, where there’s now a gloss black front grille
garnish. Meanwhile, the cabin sees a redesigned instrument cluster with an ECO
Drive Assist indicator for CVT models, as well as a new gearlever with a
side-mounted unlock button. There’s also new fabric upholstery with blue and red
stripes, along with red stitching.
As for variant-specific changes, the 1.6 Premium now
comes with a two-tone exterior colour scheme, where the door mirror caps, roof
and spoiler receive a Quartz Black finish. Moving inside, the Premium switches
from to part-leather upholstery (previously full-leather), and is joined by red
stitching on the steering wheel and carpets. Gloss grey coats the previously
matte centre console and gearlever surrounds, and the instrument cluster shroud
is now finished in gloss black.
The infotainment system is new too, now offering
Smart E-Link smartphone screen mirroring. Certain features such as automatic
headlight activation, auto-folding door mirrors and the auto-up function for
the driver’s side window have been removed from the Premium’s kit list. Other
items such as LED daytime running lights, a dual-tone bodykit, a larger rear
spoiler, 15-inch two-tone alloys and steering wheel audio controls are retained
on the Premium variant.
Next up, the 1.3 Executive now receives front fog
lights, keyless entry and push-button start on top of a bodykit, rear spoiler,
body-coloured door handles, rear wiper, rear seat USB chargers and adjustable
rear headrests. The variant continues on with 14-inch alloys, a slightly
smaller rear spoiler, double DIN head unit and urethane steering wheel.
Equipment count on the 1.3 Standard is the same as before and includes
projector headlights, LED tail lights, 14-inch alloy wheels, fabric seats,
reverse sensors and a 2-DIN radio/CD head unit with Bluetooth connectivity, USB
and auxiliary ports and four speakers.
Safety kit remains the same as before, with dual
airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, stability control, hill-start assist,
front seat belt reminders and ISOFIX child seat anchors (rear). The 1.6 Premium
also gets side and curtain airbags (six airbags in total) and seat belt
reminders on all seats.
The engine choices remain identical, with the
1.3 litre VVT four-cylinder engine continuing to produce 94 hp at 5,750 rpm and
120 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, while the larger 1.6 litre mill pushes out 107
hp at 5,750 rpm and 150 Nm at 4,000 rpm. However, Proton has retuned the engine
control unit (ECU) and the CVT’s transmission control unit (TCU) for a quicker,
more linear response.