Proton GEN • 2

proton
Proton GEN • 2 (2005)
GEN • 2
Production period:	2004–2012
Class :	Compact class
Body versions :	Station wagon
Engines:	Petrol engines : 1.3-1.6 liters (82-93 kW)
Length:	4310 mm
Width:	1725 mm
Height:	1435 mm
Wheelbase :	2600 mm
Empty weight :	1190-1230 kg
Previous model	Proton Wira
successor	Proton Suprima S

The Proton GEN • 2 is a small passenger car manufactured by the Malaysian automaker Proton and launched in the third quarter of 2004.

The GEN • 2 is based on a platform that was developed by Proton in collaboration with its partner Lotus Cars . Originally the project was called Proton Wira Replacement Model , which indicated that this model was intended to replace the Proton Wira . The name GEN • 2 is an abbreviation for Generation 2 , as it was intended to designate the second generation of the very successful Wira.

The GEN • 2 was one of the first models to be manufactured in the new Proton factory in Tanjung Malim . This plant is part of the Proton City development plan .

The GEN • 2 platform is also used for the Satria Neo (with a shortened wheelbase) and the Persona (with an enlarged rear overhang).

GEN • 2 (2004–2012)

Engine characteristics

The development partner Lotus Cars is now part of Proton. The GEN • 2 was the first Proton model to use the jointly developed Campro engine. The engine of the type S4PH with 1.6 L displacement of the Gen-2 provides 110 hp (81 kW) at 6000 min ^-1 and the vehicle accelerates in 11.2 h s of 0-100 km /.

Between 2000 min ⁻¹ and 3000 min ⁻¹ the torque curve drops off somewhat, ^only to peak at 4000 min ⁻¹ . This torque characteristic can be seen in the diagrams published by the manufacturer and is generally associated with the lack of cam adjustment (CPS), after which the motor was actually named. For economic reasons, however, this was not ready for series production. In order to improve the acceleration in the medium speed range, the design of the engine and automatic transmission have been changed several times since the start of production, but so far without success.

The undesirable torque weakness was finally corrected by Proton in 2008 when they brought out the "new" Campro motor with the originally planned cam adjustment, the Campro CPS .

Competitor

In Malaysia this car was in direct competition with the Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio models assembled there, but its price was undercut by around 20%. Compared to the Honda City and Toyota Vios models manufactured in other ASEAN countries, the price difference is around 30%. Proton's price advantage in Malaysia is mainly due to the high import duties on imported vehicles, which should actually be abolished by the ASEAN trade agreement in 2005. The Malaysian government, however, interpreted the agreement to mean that the tariffs would not fall until three years later, after they were unable to enforce a three-year special regulation aimed at their country. The 2008 deadline set by the government itself has been ignored by the government so far.

Revisions

In 2005 a stripped-down version of the Proton GEN • 2 with a 1.3-liter four-cylinder in-line engine without CPS was released, which was only available with an automatic gearbox in Malaysia and sold for RM 46,000, putting it in direct competition with the best-selling 1.3-liter model from the manufacturer Perodua , which is also based there . This model was clearly underpowered; a fact that was exacerbated by the well-known weak torque of the engine and resulted in very poor sales figures.

Rear view

In December 2007, at the same time the brand was launched in Thailand , a new Proton Gen-2 was presented there. This was the first Proton with the new, improved Campro engine. This new engine with cam adjustment was only available in the highest equipment variant and developed 127 hp (93 kW) instead of the 110 hp (81 kW) for the Campro engine without cam adjustment.

On March 3, 2008, the face-lifted GEN • 2 was also presented in Malaysia. There were two 1.6-l variants, the 1.3-l version was no longer available. The Medium Line variants (M-Line) had the engine without cam adjustment, but with variable intake (IAFM), while the High Line variants (H-Line) were equipped with the Campro engine with cam adjustment.

Externally, the model had modified front bumpers, a modified grille and a rear spoiler. Inside there was a new dashboard, for the first time with a glove compartment, new door panels and leather seats as standard on the H-Line.

variants

Special edition

Some time after the introduction of the GEN • 2 there was a special model, equipped with a body package, leather seats and alloy wheels. It's designed to be more aerodynamic and handling is better than the standard model due to wider tires. The special model is delivered in the colors matt black and chilli red.

R3 Concept

Race • Rally • Research (R3) released a concept car called the GEN • 2 R3 at the Dreamcars Asia Motorshow 2005 on July 7, 2005. The production-related execution should test the audience's reactions to the new styling.

EVE Hybrid Concept

At the Geneva Motor Show 2007, Proton and Lotus presented the GEN • 2 Hybrid concept vehicle called EVE (Efficient, Variable, Environmental). This car had the same 1.6-liter Campro engine as the production models, in conjunction with an electric motor with 144 V and 30 kW.

Proton Persona

On August 15, 2007, Proton released the new Persona model , which was essentially a modified GEN • 2 with an enlarged trunk and some cosmetic changes. While the GEN • 2 was originally intended to replace the Wira , the Persona is now being treated as the actual successor of the Wira, since it is about as large as this. In addition, the Wira was exported to Great Britain as a Persona, which is why the Persona is now being delivered there under the name Proton GEN • 2 Persona .

Proton GEN • 2 ecoLogic

In August 2007 the British branch of Proton presented a bi-fuel variant of the GEN • 2 for the British market under the name Proton GEN • 2 ecoLogic . This variant can be operated with both petrol and LPG . Also from Persona there is a ecoLogic variant, since it is the Persona to the notchback variant of the GEN • 2nd

Technical specifications

	1.6
Engine characteristics
Engine type	R4 petrol engine
Displacement	1597 cc
Max. Power at min −1	82 kW (110 PS) / 6500
Max. Torque in min -1	148 Nm / 4000
Power transmission
drive	Front wheel drive
Gearbox, as standard	Manual transmission
Gearbox, optional	( Automatic transmission )
Readings
Top speed	190 km / h (185 km / h)
Acceleration, 0-100 km / h	12.2 s (14.2 s)
Fuel consumption over 100 km (combined)	6.3 l super (6.8 l super)
Tank capacity	50 l

Badge engineering variants

The Proton GEN • 2, along with the Proton Savvy, was intended to be marketed under its own name by the MG Rover Group in the United Kingdom, which began discussions with Proton's parent company in the mid-2000s. Auto Express and Autocar auto magazines published photos of the cars with a Rover grille. With the demise of MG-Rover and its takeover by the Nanjing Automobile Group , these plans came to nothing.

In July 2007, Proton signed an agreement with Jinhua Youngman Vehicle under which Youngman would import 30,000 units of GEN • 2 CKD kits and sell them under their own name, Europestar . There were plans to develop a new model range of automobiles made in China with Malaysian engineering. Proton had previously traded in China, especially with Guangdong, but then withdrew from there due to insufficient sales.

Indiscretion before presenting the model

Shortly before the GEN • 2 was presented in February 2004, unauthorized photos of the model that had been taken in the production facility appeared on the Internet. The source of the information leak was an anonymous user of Autoworld.com.my , who uploaded these photos to the website's photo album. Proton then filed a complaint with the police, who called the operator of the website at the time, Chips Yap , for questioning.

Web links

Commons : Proton GEN • 2  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

• P roton Gen-2 Review . Motorstop.asia

Individual evidence

1. ^ ^{A b} Proton Secures Deal With China's Automaker . Bernama.com