MALACCA: The new Proton Persona is due to be launched in August, followed by the new Saga in September, and a Suzuki Ertiga-based MPV in October.

This was confirmed by Proton CEO Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Mohd Kenali at a media briefing.
"It's going to be a very busy period for us, and we hope that the new models will spur sales," he said.

The 1.4-litre Ertiga-based MPV will be positioned below the Proton Exora, which means it will compete against the Perodua Alza.

Proton chief designer Azlan Othman said the new Perdana, Persona and Saga are designed as a family. "When all the cars are out, you will be able to see similarities in the design," he said.

Also, the new Perdana which presently has a Honda Accord platform and powertrains, is due to get a new Petronas-developed 2.0-litre NE01 turbocharged engine in 2017 or 2018. The NE01 engine is co-shared by Petronas and Proton. In January 2016, Proton announced it had teamed up with British powertrain engineering company Ricardo to develop a new-generation family of engines based on the NE01 engine, with the first one to be ready by the end of 2017.

Six engine variants will be deployed in Proton cars from 2018. They are: 1.0L 3-cylinder VVT (Variable Valve Timing); 1.2L 3-cylinder VVT; 1.3L 4-cylinder GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection); 1.5L 4-cylinder GDI; 1.3L 4-cylinder TGDI (Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection; and 1.5L 4-cylinder TGDI. The 1.5-litre TGDI engine can develop 180bhp and 250Nm of torque.

According to Proton, the new family of engines could deliver up to 20% higher performance, and an average of 25% lower fuel consumption. A new torque converter CVT transmission is presently being developed in parallel. The new engines would also be compatible with the auto start/stop feature that saves fuel.

Other than dual VVT, the new engines would have integrated exhaust manifold, are said to be low maintenance with timing chain and will have longer service intervals.

In a Reuters report quoting Japan's Nikkei, Proton is said to be negotiating with foreign partners, including some big names, for a stake in the company as part of its restructuring.

"Successful talks would mean the re-entry of foreign capital along with technology know-how for the first time since January 2005, when Mitsubishi Corp severed ties with Proton," said Nikkei.

"We want a partner with an equity share in Proton," Malaysia Automotive Institute chief executive Madani Sahari told the Nikkei Asian Review in a recent interview. The institute is an agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry to promote the automotive sector.

"There are a couple of interest(s) from global original equipment manufacturers, and Proton is reviewing them," he said. Madani, who is also the secretary of a state task force to revive Proton, suggested the potential foreign partner would be an automaker with a global brand, the report said.

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