New Proton Persona Launched

However, like the successful Satria Neo, Proton’s sad fate might benefit from a healthy dose of fate with this new model, which promises to deliver great things. Nice try, but it still looks a little like a notchback version of the Gen.2

This latest addition to the PROTON family is the fifth model fully built by PROTON after the introduction of the Waja in 2000, the Gen.2 in 2004, the Savvy in 2005 and the Satria Neo in 2006.

Developed with the PROTON i-CARE commitment to improve every quality aspect - from design, styling and production to sales and after-sales, Proton also claims that the Persona will “redefine” a Proton.

2,200 bookings have been received for the PROTON Persona, even before it was officially unveiled by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, with 350 cars already registered and delivered to customers nationwide upon launching.

The Persona is available in five variants - the 1.6 base-line automatic and manual; 1.6 medium-line, automatic and manual; and 1.6 high-line automatic only. The model currently comes in six colours; Blueberry tea, Light gold, Tranquillity black, Metal grey and Solid red. The seventh colour, Solid white, will be made available from September onwards.

The Persona will be powered by the existing 1.6 litre Campro engine, and it will carry a price tag that ranges from RM44,999 to RM55,800

Proton claims though, the launch of the Persona had nothing to do with a coincidental diligence of audit conducted by Volkswagen, which took place around the same time. A due dilience audit is an investigation or audit of a potential investment which serves to confirm all material facts in regards to a sale.

“It is important for Proton to be comfortable with its potential partner. And as soon as that is confirmed, then I believe we must tie up the deal as quickly as possible,” he said.

He further added that the introduction of the Proton Persona “had nothing to do with the timing of Volkswagen’s due diligence study, but it does prove to the world that Proton is still capable of coming up with a superb product.”

Credits: nikolaiski