Satria Neo R3 - Lotus Racing: Impressive? Not Nearly...

Proton's R3 division has teamed up with Lotus Racing to produce the Satria Neo R3 - Lotus Racing. Only 25 will be built in conjunction with Proton's 25th Anniversary celebrations.

Capable of churning up to 145BHp, the Satria Neo R3 - Lotus Racing has Lotus' DNA imbued in it, such that car enthusiasts are bound to take interest in it. Never mind that it's a Proton and with it comes the bad image of quality control issues.

While I haven't test driven it personally, judging by the video shot by Cars, Bikes & Trucks (CBT), the car's performance is, well, not nearly as impressive as it could have been (click on link below).

On the test track, the car could hardly go beyond 160Km/H+ on straights. This is not surprising, considering that cars with 145BHp under the hood need a bit more road to reach 170Km/H+.

What would have really been impressive is a turbo or compressor to go with the souped up 1.6L engine straddling the front of the Satria Neo R3 - Lotus Racing. The car would have really flown then.

Alas, that is not to be. And what a wasted opportunity.

Consider the fact that only 25 are being built. This means that the buyers are already going to pay premium for the cars. And they are going to be from among an exclusive bunch of people who have more money than they know what to do with.

So, arguably, Proton could have gone all the way by boosting the engine output to 180BHp+ with a turbo or compressor, and still have people waiting in line to buy the Satria Neo R3 - Lotus Racing.

Well, that's Proton for you - getting things both right and wrong at the same time.

For more information, visit CBT's website at http://cbt.com.my/100330/proton-satria-neo-r3-lotus-edition

Proton Launches New Concept Car

Proton's been working with Italdesign Giugiaro to produce a compact concept car that's both a hybrid and a pseudo SUV. The car is being showcased at the 80th International Motor Show in Geneva.

Judging by the picture on the left, the yet-to-be-named concept hybrid car looks novel and attractive, and has interesting features to boot.

For instance, the compact-size concept hatchback maximises interior roominess (hence its tortoise-like shape) and comes with seats that are positioned at a height where most people can simply hop on and hop off easily, like the way we do with SUVs.

Its floor is raised to accommodate a conventional engine as well as a hybrid system’s batteries in the rear.

No information has been given in the initial Press Release on when the proof-of-concept car would be produced. Reportedly, one of the three being showcased in Geneva runs, although that remains to be seen.

Also, judging by how much more refinement is required from concept to production model, it may take a while and the process may result in disappointments.

For instance, those funky windows that slide downwards from midpoint are way too small to be safe. So, you can expect the production version to have more conventional windows, thus changing the concept car's novel look and shape substantially.

Those LED front lights are also non-commercially attractive for the mass produced low-to-mid range production version. So, we'll have to expect them to go as well, hence compromising the look and shape of the concept car further.

And of course, there's the question of rims and tyres. The concept car comes with suitably sized large rims, low profile tyres and sporty ride height. You can expect those to be excluded from the production model due to cost cutting considerations.

Also, for the sceptics whom Proton has cultivated through the years with its perennial quality control issues, the production model that comes from the concept may be riddled with quality problems as well.

So, on the balance, well done Proton for coming up with a good looking concept car that's distinctive. Let's hope you don't "screw the pooch" by producing shoddy production versions of the concept car, thereby dashing the hopes and expectations of Malaysians who are forced to continue supporting your need for domestic market protection.

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Addendum: Proton's named its concept car EMAS - Eco Mobility Advanced Solution. Not very imaginative, albeit the acronym makes sense. According to CBT, the car will be produced in the next 18 months.

For more information, visit http://cbt.com.my/100302/geneva-pre-motor-show

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Addendum II: Catch the video of the concept car EMAS being driven around on its own power. Clearly, it moves. Can't say for sure if it's using a hybrid engine or a conventional engine, but it moves. As for the other two variants, they're CGI.

See http://www.protonconcepts.com.my

Lotus Evora - I Want One!

When it comes to desirable cars, the Lotus Evora is ranked very high in a lot of people's list. Hailed as one of the best two-seater sports cars in the world, the Evora is an Elise with plush trimmings that make it more than just a damn good track car.

Proton intends to start selling it in Malaysia. Sadly for middle-class people like me, the Evora would be sold at a price higher than RM265,000, which means only people who have more money than they know what to do with will be able to afford this beauty.

Oh, well. Takde rezeki (yet).

Meanwhile, middle-class people can eagerly anticipate the introduction of Campro Turbo engines to the car market towards the end of this year. And about time too.

Straight up or naturally aspirated cars tend to use a lot of fuel to produce the kind of power that turbo cars produce. It's like comparing a big bonfire to a blast furnace - so much more burning material or fuel is required to light up a big bonfire compared to the blast furnace, which uses compressed air to produce more heat.

Let's hope Proton doesn't disappoint car enthusiasts with its perennial poor quality control issues when it introduces the Campro Turbo engines. It would be yet another slap in the face to consumers who turn to Proton if they have to contend with turbo or engine problems.

Also, let's hope that with the introduction of the Campro Turbos, Proton would be able to sell more cars overseas. That way, it can let go of the domestic market protection that it clings on to for dear life at the moment.

All the best to Proton.