Proton Perdana and how it came to be

By CARSIFU | 30 August 2016


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The current Perdana.


One of Proton’s job is actually to be the official car for the government of Malaysia, and of course, the chosen ride for the Prime Minister and the rest of the cabinet members. A tough job because Proton do not really have a luxury car to offer. What has been done before was to offer stretched version of the Saga and the Wira.

Still, it was not fit enough for the image the government was aiming for. The break came when Proton realised that in the early 1990s, the Malaysian economy had an average 8 per cent annual growth, which opened up a small space for a luxury D-segment market.

Back then, the D-segment was dominated by the Toyota Camry, Nissan Cefiro and the Honda Accord. With Mitsubishi onboard as its technical partner, the logical option was to rebadge Mitsubishi’s own D-segment, which was not sold in Malaysia. That was how the seventh-generation Mitsubishi Eterna became the Perdana. It was launched to the public in January, 1995.

INSPECTION COMPLETE...SOME OF THE PROTON PERDANA CARS, WHICH WENT THROUGH THE INSPECTION AT THE EON GLENMARIE SERVICE CENTRE SOME OF THE PROTON PERDANAS WHICH WERE INSPECTED AT THE SERVICE CENTRE YESTERDAY.
First-generation Perdana.


Just like the Proton Wira, the Perdana did not go through any big modification. Proton realised the market was small and the volume would not justify a huge R&D investment, plus the Perdana was dabbling in a market new to Proton.

It was an instant hit - waiting list was up to six months and soon, Proton conquered nearly half of the 2.0L market even though the RM85,000 sticker price was a lot higher than the Proton Wira 1.6L. Two years later, it went through a minor facelift with some chrome parts attached and the interior got some new plastics.

In 1998, Proton launched two hot models - the Satria GTI, and the second-generation Perdana. The new Perdana is based on the old one, but received various changes, including a 6A12 2.0L V6 engine from Mitsubishi. hence the name, Proton Perdana V6.

READ MORE:
First drive of 2016 Proton Perdana
Latest Proton Perdana launched
Second-generation Perdana.
The second-generation Perdana had an Alfa Romeo-inspired grille.



The boost in performance came together with Lotus-tuned suspension, which also helped to reduce the NVH levels of the car. Even the looks were improved, thanks to a bodykit, new alloy wheels and a new steering wheel. It was a huge success, and the Perdana V6 was soon exported to Brunei and Singapore.

In 2003, the Perdana V6 received a major facelift - the Alfa Romeo-inspired grille, newer bumpers, wheels and the interior too (panels and seats mostly). The suspension set up has been retuned again while the gearbox received a new algorithm, giving its fuzzy-logic system a boost. Proton continued to sell the Perdana V6 until 2010.

Proton Perdana (2014) - Rebadged Honda Accord - Gen 3
The third-generation Perdana was a rebadged Accord and had a short run. It was only sold to the Government.


In 2013, Proton launched the third-generation Perdana. It followed in the footsteps of the first Perdana, badge engineering but this time around, it is based on the eighth-generation Honda Accord. A modern platform with equally modern engine and transmission, this Perdana received minor exterior treatment and was sold only to the government.

Phase two of the third-generation Perdana was launched to the public last month and it certainly wowed the market. Using an upper body which was designed completely by Proton in-house designers, the Perdana is Proton’s latest offering and it comes with a host of modern technologies and features.

With two variants available, the Perdana 2.0L and the Perdana 2.4L Premium, the model is priced attractively. The Perdana 2.0L starts from RM113,438 while the 2.4L Premium is from RM138,438 (prices are on the road with insurance and GST).

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The latest Perdana continues to bank on the Accord but has a throroughly revised bodywork.


Below are the many features that you get with the latest Perdana

> Modern, reliable and fuel efficient power>plants (the 2.0L provides 154 hp and 189 Nm while the 2.4L offers 178 hp and 222 Nm.
> Modern 5-speed automatic transmission (the 2.4L gets paddle shifters)
> A double wishbone front suspension coupled with an independent multi-link rear set up
> 17-inch alloy wheels for both variants (the 2.4L gets dual-tone finishing)
> 70-litre fuel tank, lesser refuelling stops
> HID with auto-levelling function (2.4L variant)
> LED daytime running lights (DRL) for both variants
> All LED rear light combi for both variants
> Full bodykit with rear spoiler (for the 2.4L version)
> Dual-zone air conditioning system for both
> 8-way power driver seat with lumbar support (both)
> 4-way power front passenger seat (2.4L variant)
> 6.2-inch TFT touchscreen audio system with Bluetooth, AUX and USB connectivity
> a GPS navigation system (2.4L variant)
> 6-speaker audio system (the 2.4L adds a subwoofer)
> Dual front SRS airbags and dual side airbags for both
> ABS with EBD for both
> Electronic Stability Control (ESC) for the 2.4L variant
> Reverse camera for both
> Isofix anchorage points on both versions
> Six colour options for both
> Security tint film is also standard in both variants

Proton is selling the new Perdana at a price similar to a C-segment sedan, promoting its flagship as offering good value for money while displaying high kerb appeal.

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