Proton GEN-2 GLS LE

The availability of an even more affordably priced GLS LE model should do much to increase the appeal of Protons GEN-2 family hatch. Jonathan Crouch reports

Protons revival continues. Not so long ago dismissed as an automotive backwater, this Malaysian marque is now starting to make waves, with sales up substantially so far this year. Its a trend the brand is aiming to continue with the introduction of the GEN-2 Family Hatchback were looking at here in GLS LE guise.

Build
Comfort
Depreciation
Economy
Equipment
Handling
Insurance
Performance
Styling
Value

This car, developed in association with sportscar makers Lotus, is better than a Proton has any right to be. Nevertheless, it takes time for peoples perceptions to change and good or not, the £9,000-£9,600 price tag pitched for the 1.3 and 1.6-litre mid-range GLS models that most people bought was considered a stretch too far for many, even though it represented a saving of thousands on equivalent Astra or Focus model.

Hence the importance of the GLS LE variants were looking at here, offered with £1,000 off the list prices, meaning a starting price for the 94bhp 1.3-litre version of under £8,000. Thats not far off citycar money for a full-fledged family hatchback. For this kind of cash, you might expect to end up with a stripped out econobasic model but in fact, all the items youd want are still included as standard.

These include 15" unique alloy wheels , air conditioning with pollen filter, a Blaupunkt radio/CD player, ABS, remote central locking and an alarm and engine immobiliser. Customers can also choose to upgrade their LE with a half price £225 upgrade pack which includes front fog lamps and rear spoiler. Theres also low rate, no deposit finance offers, with APRs fixed for up to five years. Opt for the entry-level 1.

3-litre variant and the performance isnt too much different from that of the 1.6-litre version, with rest to sixty taking 15.4s (as opposed to 12.6s for the 1.

6-litre) and maximum speed of 112mph (118mph for the 1.6). Unfortunately, the fuel consumption story is likewise (40.4mpg combined as opposed to 39.

2mpg for the 1.6).

"To sum up the Proton GEN-2 GLS LE is easy. Just get yourself a Ford price list and see how much you pay for less"

Otherwise, its the familiar GEN-2 recipe, though one that has been given a spruce-up in recent times. The trademark seats with their integrated head restraints remain, as do the vertically stacked air-conditioning knobs on the centre console with their fetching metallic finish. The latest models feature darker plastic for the dash and door trim inserts however, which gives the cabin a more up-market air. The steering wheel is 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. Plastics quality still marks the GEN-2 out as a budget offering but theres little else to give the game away. 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. This sporty styling does have a knock-on effect inside where headroom is an issue for tall passengers in the back seat but otherwise, interior space is adequate with the split-folding rear seats lowering to reveal an 850-litre luggage capacity.

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. 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. On the road, the 1.6-litre 110bhp CAMPRO unit we tried 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.

The 1.6-litre 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. To sum up the Proton GEN-2 GLS LE is easy. Just get yourself a Ford price list and look at the £11,500 price tag attached to the cheapest, most basically specified entry-level version. Were the Malaysian car to be a world away in terms of build quality and dynamics, the cost difference could be justified but it isnt.

All right, so this Proton still isnt screwed together quite as well, nor is the quality of materials used quite as good but theres not too much in it. Against that, the handling is just as good, the styling more attractive and the specification on another planet. All of which ought to be enough to elevate this car to a place on your shopping list, even if you were thinking of spending a good deal more than £8,000 on a Family Hatchback. Pricier isnt necessarily better.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Proton GEN-2 GLS LE range
PRICES: £7,995-£8,695 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 7
CO2 EMISSIONS: 169-192g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.6] 0-60mph 12.6s / Max Speed 118mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.6] (combined) 39.2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin Airbags / reversing sensors
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: (length/width/height) 4310/1725/1435mm