Using an elongated Proton Iriz platform, the new Persona is available in three trims, namely Standard, Executive and Premium (with and without body kit) variants and comes with six colour choices of Cotton White, Fire Red, Sterling Silver, Graphite Grey, Quartz Black and Carnelian Brown (new).
READ MORE: Proton Persona test drive
The entry-level Standard is offered with a choice of a five-speed manual (RM46,800) or a continuously variable transmission (CVT ) RM49,800) and is followed by the mid-range Executive (RM55,800) before topping out with the Premium (RM59,800) - both available with CVT only.
The Persona comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty. Those who buy the car by Sept 30 are entitled to a three-year free service package (parts and labour included).
The new Persona reuses the same 1.6-litre VVT engine as before and gets mated to either a five-speed manual (Standard only) or CVT as before, but Proton said the engine's been further refined for improved Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels as well as fuel economy.
The 1,597cc engine is capable of producing 107hp at 5,750rpm and 150Nm of torque at 4,000rpm - fuel economy is rated as low as 5.6 (manual) and 6.1 litres per 100km (manual) thanks to the inclusion of an ECO Drive Assist system to help reduce consumption levels.
The Persona rolls on standard 15-inch wheels with 185/55 series tyres that obscure the disc (front) and drum (rear) brakes, while the MacPherson struts (front) and a torsion beam axle (rear) suspension gives it 155mm of ground clearance and takes care of ride and handling duties.
With the Iriz now sharing its platform with the Persona, it naturally has the same wheelbase at 2,555mm, but has been modified to stand 482mm-longer at 4,387mm, 2mm-wider at 1,722mm and 4mm-taller at 1,554mm.
The outgoing Persona, launched in 2007, came weighing in from 1,170 to 1,190kg and has a wheelbase of 2,600mm, while measuring 4,477mm-long, 1,725mm-wide and 1,438mm-tall.
Today, the Persona's standard equipment across all variants include rear fog lamps, front and rear proximity sensors, driver seat height adjuster and Eco Drive Assist.
The Persona gets a five-star Asean NCAP crash-test rating, while standard safety equipment includes two airbags (six for the Premium variant), anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, hill-hold assist, Isofix anchor points, dual pre-tensioner seat belts and reverse camera exclusively for the Premium.
With 510 litres of boot space, the company also touts its cabin as being spacious with seven cup-holders and two (Standard variant only) or four USB ports, while having ergonomically-designed seats and console layout in order to provide a comfortable ride for all occupants
Persona Standard
- Weight (kerb): 1,155kg (CVT - 1,175kg)
- Interior colour: Dual-tone, matt black finish
- Fabric upholstery
- Two-speaker sound system with radio/CD/mp3 playback, 2 x USB ports/AUX jack/ Wifi enabled and Bluetooth connectivity.
Persona Executive
- Weight (kerb): 1,195kg
- Front fog lamps
- Follow me home lamp
- Rear spoiler
- Interior colour: Dual-tone, titanium chrome finish
- Upholstery: Fabric
- Four-speaker sound system with radio/CD/mp3 playback, 4 x USB ports/AUX jack/ Wifi enabled and Bluetooth connectivity.
- Rear seat 60:40 split folding
- Remote trunk release
Persona Premium
- Weight (kerb): 1,210kg
- Front fog lamps
- Follow me home lamp
- Automatic headlights
- Automatic electric folding mirrors
- Optional body kit available
- Rear spoiler
- Keyless entry
- Push-start button
- Interior colour: Dual-tone, titanium chrome finish
- Leather upholstery
- Four-speaker touchscreen sound system with navigation, radio/CD/DVD/mp3 playback, 4 x USB ports/AUX jack/Wifi enabled and Bluetooth connectivity.
- Rear seat 60:40 split folding
- Remote trunk release
Proton expects to sell between 3,000 units and 4,000 units of the new Persona per month, to which chief executive officer Ahmad Fuaad Kenali said that the company expects to break even on investments for the model within the next two to three years.
"Based on the recent media preview, feedback for the car has been positive," he said at a press conference following the launch.
He said that the car will compete in the B-segment category - the same segment where the Perodua Bezza occupies - and would not cannibalise sales of its Saga model, which the company plans to launch next month.
Since the launch of the original model in 2007, some 250,000 units have been sold both locally and internationally.
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