Proton GEN-2 1.6 GSX
Downsizing is a current motor industry buzz word. Effectively, it refers to buyers who are choosing to buy a car a size smaller than they normally would in a bid to cut costs. These people however, want to retain all of luxury they were used to.
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But what if you could downsize, get all the luxuries youve been used to yet not pay a ridiculous price to do so? Thats the thinking behind the car were looking at here, Protons GEN-2 1.6 GSX. All right, so youve never heard of it, let alone seen one. So what? All you need to know is that its affordable and that its been developed by Lotus.
Enough said? Well maybe not. Protons of the past were, to put it politely, less than class-leading. This GEN-2 wont be troubling Ford or Vauxhall sales figures too much but its a huge amount better than anything the Malaysian marque has produced before. The GSX sits above more basic 1.
6 GLS models (which start at £9,595) and comes with a tailgate spoiler and body coloured door mirrors and door handles. Proton has covered all angles of safety and security with four airbags, and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) for maximum stability under heavy braking. Choose the automatic version and enjoy cruise control as standard. Climate control with pollen filters and electric rear windows are standard and for the winter, Proton has added electrically adjustable door mirrors with a defogger.
"As a plush Family Hatch without a ridiculous price tag, Protons Gen-2 GSX makes sense"
Although the GEN-2 will doubtless sell on the basis of its looks and value proposition, a great deal of attention has been paid to how the car drives. Proton now own 100 per cent of Lotus and they want a return on that investment. Quick witted steering and an alert feel are Lotus trademarks and the GEN-2 isnt found wanting in this department. Factor in a chassis that corners without a great deal of understeer or body roll and you have a setup which will be more than adequate for most of the target market.
The more demanding minority may well find themselves wishing for a little more engine, so good is the ride and handling. The ride is firm without lapsing into harshness and float over longer undulations is well suppressed. Whereas previous Proton models have bought in design and engineering expertise from other companies, the GEN-2 is a proper in-house project that must rely on domestic success. The chassis is shared with the Impian saloon car and thats a good start.
The Impian is one of the better handling compact saloons and the dimensions, when translated to the GEN-2, give it a squatly purposeful, wheel at each corner stance. The exterior detailing shows a number of well-judged contemporary features from the sculpted headlamp units to the bold design of the hatch and the coupe-like window line. The 1.6-litre 110bhp CAMPRO engine has been developed in collaboration with Lotus and develops reasonable torque in the mid and upper ranges but youll need to resort to the gearbox to make progress in the lower gears.
Fortunately this isnt too much of a hardship as the standard manual gearbox is a slick system. This GEN-2 will cover the sprint to 60mph from rest in 12.6 seconds and run on to a top speed of 118mph. A combined fuel consumption figure of 39.
2mpg and CO2 emissions of just 169g/km are both extremely competitive. The cabin is a bit of a treat if youre used to acres of dull grey and boring details. Its styled by you guessed it the Lotus Design Studio and features a set of vertical air-conditioning knobs on the centre console support and a nice metallic finish that together really are a cut above the class standard in terms of aesthetics. The latest models feature darker plastic for the dash and door trim inserts and buyers have the option of specifying leather for the seats.
The steering wheel is also massively more sporting looking than the apologetic tillers seen in most cars of the Protons ilk as is the instrument panel with its twin cowled binnacle and metallic look to the dials themselves. Everywhere you look there are neat design touches, from the unorthodox handbrake grip to the semi-circular door pulls. Its true that this GEN-2 GSX doesnt quite have the polish of a top Ford Focus but its not far off and for £4,000 less, youd be foolish to completely ignore it. In fact, you could end up finding that this Malaysian Family Hatch is one of the industrys best kept secrets
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Proton GEN-2 1.6 GSX
PRICE: £10,595 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 7
CO2 EMISSIONS: 169-192g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 12.6s / Max Speed 118mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 39.2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin Airbags / reversing sensors
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: (length/width/height) 4310/1725/1435mm
