The 2021 Proton Persona and Iriz facelifts have been launched today. Proton’s refreshed B-segment sedan gets a more comprehensive set of updates this time around, now featuring revision to its mechanical specifications in addition to exterior and interior changes. Here, the Persona is available as 1.6 Standard, 1.6 Executive and 1.6 Premium variants, starting from RM 45,800 for the 1.6 Standard, RM 50,800 for the 1.6 Executive, to RM 55,800 for the 1.6 Premium variant, and pricing is on-the-road without insurance.
Powertrain in the 2022 Persona
facelift is a 1,597 cc inline-four with VVT, with outputs rated at 109 PS at
5,750 rpm and 150 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. This is mated with a continuously
variable transmission, instead of the four-speed automatic gearbox that was
previously rumoured. We understand that Proton has also improved the internals
and driving behaviour of the CVT, though no specifics have been revealed as
yet. We’ll know more when we get to talk to the R&D team soon. The top
Premium and Executive variants of the Persona will get 16-inch alloy wheels
with the Executive wheels in a plain finish, both shod in tyres measuring
185/55. The 1.6 Standard entry variant gets 15-inch alloys shod in 185/55
tyres. The Premium variant is also identifiable by its black roof.
Inside, the Persona dashboard
now does away with the 2019 facelift’s two-tone scheme, the contrast now
offered in the Premium trim level by the brown leatherette upholstery, whereas
the Executive and Standard trim levels get fabric seat trim. This covers the
seats as well as a section of the interior door cards, and the more unified
black scheme for the dashboard is in line with the colour scheme that has been
used in the Iriz. Up top, the Persona uses a grey headliner compared to the
black used in the Iriz.
The central upper stack brings
one of the most prominent changes to the interior of the Persona, where like
the 2022 Iriz, the infotainment unit is now a freestanding screen that now sits
atop the air-conditioning vents in the new layout, compared to the previous
configuration that had the vents vertically oriented on each side of the
screen. As on the Iriz, the central locking and hazard light buttons are now
stacked vertically. Infotainment kit in the 2022 Persona starts with a standard
audio setup in the 1.6 Standard variant, offering Bluetooth and six USB ports –
these are comprised of one data port and five charging ports. Here, audio comes
through two speakers.
The Executive variant swaps in
an eight-inch touchscreen monitor and adds smartphone connectivity, while the
speaker count is increased to a total of four. Finally, adding on from the
infotainment kit of the Executive variant, the Premium brings voice command,
online functionality for navigation, music streaming, weather forecasts as well
as 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity. Voice command in the Premium variant brings
control to aspects of the car such as power windows, air-conditioning,
navigation, music streaming. Meanwhile, the six USB ports are comprised of
three outlets in the front row and two in the back row, and one behind the rear
view mirror in order to power a dash cam.
Further equipment upgrades
from Standard to Executive include LED daytime running lights, one-inch upsized
wheels to 16-inch alloys and Intelligent entry with push-button start.
Additional comfort equipment comes courtesy of a central armrest, which covers
some additional storage aft of the parking brake lever. Like in the Iriz, the
trio of cupholders in the Persona’s centre console are of different sizes.
Safety equipment in the 2022 Persona facelift starts with four airbags (front
and side), ABS, EBD, brake assist, stability and traction control and hill hold
assist. The Standard variant gets two rear parking sensors. Meanwhile, the
Executive variant adds a reverse camera, and the Premium brings a total of six
airbags, comprised of front, side and curtain units.
Core colours available across all three variants of the 2022 Persona are Armour Silver, Rosewood Maroon and Ruby Red. The 1.6 Standard additionally gets Jet Grey, which is left out of the 1.6 Premium palette, but misses out on Snow White, which is reserved for the Executive and Premium variants. Finally, Space Grey is exclusive to the top Premium variant.
