<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1" ?>
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/">
<channel>
<title><![CDATA[Yahoo! rss_cars : Proton]]></title>
<link>http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/news-reviews/proton.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Proton]]></description>
<language>ukiedata</language>
<lastBuildDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:38:00 GMT</lastBuildDate>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton Savvy - Citycar Secret : SAVVY UP]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - Jonathan Crouch on our long term Proton Savvy, the citycar sector's greatest secretIncreasingly, we're becoming two or even three-car families. The second or third car typically needs to be a little urban runabout - and all the main makers will try to sell you one. A less obvious but arguably better value choice however, may be one of the new breed of affordable little citycars - something like Proton's little Savvy perhaps. We've been running one long term to see if it stacks up against the more familiar market leaders.Wearing its £7,295 price tag lightly, our top of the range Style model actually looks pretty good finished in black. I thought that there was something about its stance and features that was redolent of the original Renault 5, no bad thing in my book. Though some of the interior plastics left a bit to be desired, my overall first impressions were good. Unlike so many budget cars, the Savvy at least benefits from an interior that has been styled rather than cobbled together from disparate third-party supplier catalogues. With alloy wheels and air conditioning, it's a long way removed from a typical econobox. My first move was to plug in our Mio C210 portable satellite navigation system. The Mio is a decent unit that's dependable, rugged, inexpensive and which can be removed from the car easily, thus removing temptation from potentially light fingered types. Firmly suctioned to the Savvy's windscreen, this £199 gizmo managed to give the car a real upmarket feel."The Savvy has the capacity to silence the cynics"The first thing that strikes you when you drive the little Proton is how good it's steering is. Whisper it if you will, but the Savvy is impishly good fun to drive. The steering has a reassuring feel, welcome in this age of anaesthetised electrically-assisted helms. Likewise, the suspension suppresses the usual bump and thump of the average British road surface. Up the speed a little more and the story remains the same. The Proton still feels supple at speeds way out of the comfort zone of its 1.2-litre petrol engine, its body control admirable and utterly bereft of the soggy front under damping or high speed float that would affect a comparable small Volkswagen driven at similar velocities. Impressive stuff. Likewise, the handling is well up to scratch. Grip is good, the front-wheel drive chassis holding on doggedly before lapsing into mild understeer, the lightweight 1.2-litre engine helping keep your cornering line tight and true. It's vaguely puzzling as to how this unassuming looking car can be quite this competent until a recollection comes whistling out of the blue, hitting you like an airborne anvil. Lotus! Owned by Proton, the consulting genius of Lotus was used to develop the handling characteristics of the Savvy and boy, does it show. Compared to an equivalently priced Hyundai, Kia or Chevrolet, the Savvy is leagues ahead in terms of driver appeal. It's a neatly proportioned car, measuring 3710mm in length. This compares with 3456mm for the Citroen C1 and 3495mm for the Kia Picanto, so it's a little bigger than the city car norm, coming half way between these tots and the 3917mm of a supermini like a Ford Fiesta. This means that access to the back through the rear doors isn't as cramped as in certain city cars, helped in no small part by a generously stretched wheel at each corner stance. Where the Savvy isn't quite as good as rivals like the Citroen C1 is in terms of interior width where it breaks the tape at 1345mm. Needless to say, you wouldn't want to sit three adults across the back. Still, there's a reasonable amount of luggage space, with perfectly flat-folding 50:50 rear seats contributing to a 909 litre boot capacity when they're flat. Although only the 1.2-litre petrol engine is available at the moment, it's a pleasantly punchy 1.2-litre unit that makes 74bhp. This translates into the ability to hit 60mph in 12.2 seconds, which is very good indeed for a vehicle in the city car class, as is the 106mph top speed. This is a car with genuine motorway ability, although engine noise can be a little wearisome on longer journeys. The stereo system is reasonably loud if you feel the need to drown out the sound of induction. As a second or even third car, the Savvy makes a lot of sense. Normally I'd recommend buying something like a used Ford Focus if you're looking to spend this sort of money but if you're running a number of cars, the ease and reassurance of buying new can't be discounted. The choices in this corner of the market aren't too good but amongst them the Savvy deserves serious consideration. I've been offered a car swap by some curious members of the road test team but I've turned `em all down. The Savvy can be our secret.Facts At A Glance CAR: Proton Savvy range PRICES: £8,295 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 3E-4E CO2 EMISSIONS: 134g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 13.9s / Max Speed 99mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 30.5mpg / (extra urban) 51.3mpg / (combined) 41.2mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and Passenger front airbags / ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: (length/width/height) 3710/1643/1480mm]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-savvy--citycar-secret-1005670.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-savvy--citycar-secret-1005670.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:38:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20090820/19/2672625937.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Subaru Justy & Proton Gen-2, Five years, 60,000-miles]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car Enthusiast - Two cars offer five years and 60,000-miles of warranty for UK buyers.]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/27042009/36/subaru-justy-amp-proton-gen-2-five-years-60-00-18.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/27042009/36/subaru-justy-amp-proton-gen-2-five-years-60-00-18.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:19:28 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="97" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carenthu/20090427/17/2978109440-subaru-justy-amp-proton-gen-2-s.jpg" width="149"/>
<media:content url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carenthu/20090427/17/2978109440-subaru-justy-amp-proton-gen-2.jpg" expression="full" width="640" height="417" medium="image" type="image/jpeg"/>
<enclosure url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carenthu/20090427/17/2978109440-subaru-justy-amp-proton-gen-2.jpg" length="129230" type="image/jpeg"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton Savvy - Unexpected Value : STYLE TRIAL]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - A well equipped urban runabout is going to cost you the best part of £8,500, right? Wrong - at least in the case of Proton's affordable little Savvy. But what's the downside? Does this spacious Malaysian citycar really stand up to the rigours of day-to-day urban life? We've been running one to find outLet's start with the headliner and work from there. The Proton Savvy Style that we've chosen to run as a long term car costs £7,500. By new car standards, this is hardly a hill of beans. In fact it wouldn't even buy you a set of ceramic brake discs for a Porsche 911. Girded with the fact that this is an extremely cheap little car, you could reasonably expect not to get whole lot and that what you do get would be ruthlessly built down to a price. It's a reasonable expectation but, in this case, one that misses the mark by quite some margin.Let's start by having a look what else £7k will buy you. A Chevrolet Matiz is within reach as is the base specification CitroÃ«n C1. You could also run to a Daihatsu Charade, the entry-level Fiat Panda or a 1.0-litre Kia Picanto. Take your pick from either the Perodua Kelisa or Kenari or the budget Smart fortwo Pure 50. Those looking for a more chi-chi image will doubtless turn to the Toyota Aygo 1.0 or the Volkswagen Fox 1.2. Then there's the Savvy. Where our `Style'-trimmed model scores in terms of value for money is that, firstly, it's not the cheapest car in the range - it's actually the best equipped - and, secondly, it has a 1.2-litre engine where most rivals sport a 1.0-litre powerplant. There's another convincing reason why the Savvy deserves serious consideration. It's quite comfortably the best to drive of the whole lot. Some cars take time to grow on you whereas others impress right from the outset. The Savvy falls into the latter camp. You'll only need to drive one fifty yards to figure out that this little five-door hatch has quite uncommonly good steering and gearchange quality. How good? The steering offers more feel and accuracy than a Honda S2000 roadster or a Renault Clio 197 hot hatch while the gearchange is sweeter than that found in performance cars like the Subaru Impreza WRX or the Alfa Romeo Brera. Both the steering and gearchange at first feel shockingly out of place, the equivalent of popping the Savvy's bonnet and finding a Porsche flat-six under there instead of the 1.2-litre 74bhp unit."The Savvy Style is an unusual mix of budget and slightly incongruous brilliance"The flipside of injecting such excellence into the Savvy's driving manners is that it ups the ante for the rest of the dynamics to an unreasonable extent. Taken in isolation, the ABS-equipped brakes work very well but, you know, they don't feel as punchy as a Porsche Boxster's. Suddenly you find yourself being overtaken by unreasonable expectation. The 1.2-litre engine is willing but not especially smooth, being rather resonant up to 5,000rpm and thrashy thereafter. It's probably the weakest part of the Savvy's DNA but it is enough to make it one of the quickest sub-£7,500 cheapies, getting it to 60mph in 12.2 seconds and then on to a terminal velocity of 106mph. Living with the car on a day to day basis shows up its qualities and quirks. It's far better equipped than any £7k car has the right to be and it's not always the more obvious things like twin airbags and the remote central locking that impress. The air conditioning blows strong and cold. The tyres aren't some crummy no-name make, instead being Goodyear Eagle NCTs. There's a useful pair of rear parking sensors to make pinpoint reversing simplicity itself and the door mirrors are big and clear. That's not to say there aren't minor annoyances. The central locking's propensity to re-arm itself after 30 seconds can confuse and when you're approaching the vehicle with an armful of shopping bags, it would be convenient to have some form of external tailgate release. Instead you'll need to put all the bags down, walk round and open the door, lean over and pop the tailgate release lever and then commence loading. The 50/50 split/fold rear seats are easy to use but the back rests can pop out of alignment if you attempt to force them flat. The Savvy is packaged very well with plenty of legroom for one six footer to sit behind another - rare in this class of car. Rear headroom is adequate as long as you don't measure anything above six feet tall - the only real difficulty coming when trying to extricate big feet from the rear footwell. The rear seats could also be a little more sculpted given that there's not a central fifth berth and that the door pulls sit right where a passenger's elbow rests - siting them further forward would probably have been a smarter idea. The front seats offer good lateral support and there's no shortage of room up front even for taller drivers. The blue cloth and yellow dial combination of our test car didn't find universal favour but the dashboard design and layout is sound. The Clarion stereo is not only punchy but also features buttons big enough to be operated by a grizzly bear, handy when you're driving and don't want to hunt for a microscopic control. There's silver coloured trim on the stereo, the centre console, the steering wheel and the door pulls which livens up the ambience a little. The trigger grip handbrake, the audible bleep when you slot reverse, the ten-spoke alloy wheels , the honeycomb design rear light clusters, the high level rear brake light and the sporty centre exhaust all display a depth of thought and design that are so often missing on a car that competes in this price bracket. The Proton Savvy Style may not be the first name you put on your sub £7k shortlist but on any objective basis, it deserves to be one that gets serious consideration.Facts At A Glance CAR: Proton Savvy range PRICES: £7,495 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 3E-4E CO2 EMISSIONS: 134g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 13.9s / Max Speed 99mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 30.5mpg / (extra urban) 51.3mpg / (combined) 41.2mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and Passenger front airbags / ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: (length/width/height) 3710/1643/1480mm]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-savvy--unexpected-value-1005672.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-savvy--unexpected-value-1005672.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:47:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20090820/12/1114476180.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton GEN-2 1.3 GLS : THE GEN ON FAMILY HATCHES]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - The entry-level 1.3-litre GLS version of Proton's GEN-2 family hatchback showcases much of its appeal. Jonathan Crouch reportsProton's revival continues. Not so long ago dismissed as an automotive backwater, this Malaysian marque is now starting to make waves, mainly since the introduction of the GEN-2 Family Hatchback we're looking at here in 1.3-litre guise.The latest versions benefit from a sportier interior with red trim on the seats, doors and steering wheel as well as a re-designed dashboard and handbrake. There's also a redesigned glove box for added comfort and convenience. Customers who choose this 1.3 GLS model will benefit from a smarter cloth interior and other nice touches include automatic central locking, a remote-operated boot release and (at last) door-mounted window switches. Outside, there's also a more aggressive bumper and grille. So to the 94bhp 1.3-litre GLS entry-level variant we're looking at here. The performance isn't much different from that of the 1.6-litre models with rest to sixty taking 15.4s (as opposed to 12.6s for the 1.6-litre) and a 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). What is different is the price - £1,000 less than the 1.6-litre version. That could make all the difference between getting potential buyers into the showroom and losing them to more established rivals. Upon reaching said showrooms, those potential customers should be favourably impressed - and not just by the car. A recent national dealer survey saw Proton's dealers rated as second only to Lexus for helpfulness, which shows how the network has been pulling its socks up in recent times. As for the car, well despite the more affordable price, 1.3 GLS buyers still get the same specification as 1.6-litre GLS customers. And that means air conditioning, alloy wheels, a CD player with a 10-disc autochanger, twin airbags, remote central locking with an alarm/immobiliser, electric front windows and reverse parking sensors. Try asking for that little lot for under £13,000 from your local Ford or Vauxhall dealer."To sum up the Proton GEN-2 1.3 GLS is easy. Just get yourself a Ford price list and see how much you pay for lessâ€¦"Otherwise the GEN-2 package is as you were. The chassis is shared with the Impian saloon and that's a good start. The Impian is one of the better handling compact cars 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. 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 isn't 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. The cabin is a bit of a treat if you're used to acres of dull grey and boring details. It's 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 Proton's 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. To sum up the Proton GEN-2 1.3 GLS is easy. Just get yourself a Ford price list and look at the £12,000 price tag attached to the cheapest, most basically specified entry-level Focus 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 isn't. All right, so this Proton still isn't screwed together quite as well, nor is the quality of materials used quite as good - but there's 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 £9,000 on a Family Hatchback. Pricier isn't necessarily better.Facts At A Glance CAR: Proton GEN-2 1.3 GLS PRICE: £8,795 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 6a CO2 EMISSIONS: 166g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 15.4s / Max Speed 112mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 27.7mpg / (extra urban) 54.3mpg / (combined) 40.4mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin Airbags / reversing sensors WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: (length/width/height) 4310/1725/1435mm]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-gen-2-1.3-gls-1004560.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-gen-2-1.3-gls-1004560.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:33:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20090820/12/3635590902.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton GEN-2 Persona : THIS TIME IT'S PERSONAL]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - Like the GEN-2 but wish it had a boot? Proton is nothing if not accommodating. Andy Enright reports on the four-door Persona saloon model.The GEN-2 hatch has done much to revive Proton's fortunes in the UK, but the Persona saloon version will probably remain a niche player. Like the hatch, it's good looking, handles well and is very cheap. Interior build quality shows that in this corner of the market, you tend to get what you pay for.Let's take the common assumption that you can't buy a bad car these days. If that is indeed the case, a great car two years ago will still be a very good car today. It's exactly this problem that budget car manufacturers are up against. Proton's GEN-2 Persona might wear a very low sticker price but a two year old Ford Focus saloon will be more affordable still and there would be few dissenters when it came to identifying which was the better car. Still, there is a quorum of buyers who want a new car with all the peace of mind that brings and if that is indeed the case, the GEN-2 Persona makes a strong case for itself. Proton is always quick to remind anyone who'll listen that it now owns Lotus and that the famous British sportscar manufacturer has had a hand in developing the handling packages on its current models. The GEN-2 Persona has benefited from the input of the renowned Lotus chassis engineers and Proton is also at pains to point out that the revised interior on the Persona was penned by the Lotus Design Studio. Unlike the hatchback model, which offers a choice of two engines, choosing what powerplant you get with your GEN-2 Persona is a whole lot easier. Basically, there's just one engine offered and it's the top spec 1.6-litre 110bhp CAMPRO unit that has been developed in collaboration with Lotus. This produces reasonable torque (148Nm) in the mid and upper ranges but you'll need to resort to the gearbox to make rapid progress at lower revs. Fortunately this isn't too much of a hardship as the standard manual gearbox is a slick system. The GEN-2 Persona will cover the sprint to 60mph from rest in 12.6 seconds and run on to a top speed of 118mph."Look at what £11,000 buys you in the new car market and it's easy to get a little depressed. Then try this"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 isn't found wanting in this department. The ride is firm without lapsing into harshness and float over longer undulations is well suppressed. 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 GEN-2 Persona benefits from many of the updates visited on the GEN-2 hatch. This means you'll find seats with integrated head restraints, and 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 and buyers have the option of specifying leather for the seats. The steering wheel is massively more sporting looking than the apologetic tillers seen in most cars of the Proton's 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 there's 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 well integrated boot 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 flat to give internal access to a well-shaped boot.. Equipment levels are competitive, but Proton has rather confusingly specified the GEN-2 Persona in a way unlike the hatchback models. In terms of the amount of kit you get, the one Persona trim level sits somewhere between GLS and GSX hatch models. You can count on twin front and side airbags, body coloured door mirrors and door handles and (in automatic form) cruise control. Then there's air conditioning, an adjustable steering column, electric front windows, power steering, a CD stereo, reverse parking sensors, a rear boot spoiler, chromed number plate surround and audio controls mounted on the steering wheel. There's also a Blaupunkt MP3- compatible CD player. You'll pay £10,795 for the privilege of GEN-2 Persona ownership although Proton periodically offer some quite generous discounts. An automatic gearbox tacks another £800 onto this price but unless you're using your GEN-2 for the dullest of urban commutes, we wouldn't bother. You won't see the investment back come trade in time. In the past, Proton hasn't fared too well in terms of retained value, the brand being seen as a rather low-rent commodity but the company hopes the association with Lotus and the development of fresh models like the GEN-2 will start to change that. It hasn't filtered through so far and you'll need to budget for the fact that this GEN-2 Persona will probably only be worth around 26 per cent of its new value in three years time. This rather offsets the decent 39.2mpg fuel consumption figure and the modest Group 7 insurance. Carbon dioxide emissions of 172g/km aren't great, this figure being higher than a BMW 325i. There is also a GEN-2 Persona ecologic model which runs on liquid petroleum gas and offers motorists the chance to cut their fuel bills and costs exactly the same as the petrol-driven model. Look at what £11,000 buys you in the new car market and it's easy to get a little depressed. You'll need another £5,000 to get yourself behind the wheel of the entry level Ford Focus saloon, so perhaps we shouldn't be too harsh on this Proton's shortcomings, these being poor CO2 emissions, an interior of mixed materials quality and the lack of a diesel engine option. Balanced against its qualities, of which we would identify a decent chassis, clean styling, great steering, strong equipment levels and that aggressive asking price, it's fair to say that Proton has done a good job with the GEN-2 Persona. The demand for compact saloons in this country remains rather small and there's a curious market mechanic at work that says that these models usually only sell to more mature buyers in top line trim levels. As such, the GEN-2 Persona will have its work cut out. We wish it luck.Facts At A Glance CAR: Proton GEN-2 Persona PRICE: £10,795 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 7 CO2 EMISSIONS: 172g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 12.6s / Max Speed 118mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.6] (urban) 28mpg / (extra urban) 50.4mpg / (combined) 39.2mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin Airbags / reversing sensors WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: (length/width/height) 4310/1725/1435mm [est]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-gen-2-persona-1005932.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-gen-2-persona-1005932.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:06:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20090820/12/185144120.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton GEN-2 1.6 GSX : PLUSH WITHOUT THE PRICE TAG]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - If you're thinking of switching from a largish family car into something slightly smaller but just as plush, Proton's GEN-2 GSX is worth considering, thinks Jonathan Crouch`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.Hence the up-market, up-spec versions of Citycars, Superminis and Family Hatchbacks you can buy. Let's take Family Hatchbacks as a specific example. Though the market leader, Ford's Focus, starts at around £12,500, a surprising number of buyers opt to pay nearly £4,000 more and get what effectively is the same car but with plush Ghia trim. These are people that in the past, would have been buying Mondeos. But what if you could downsize, get all the luxuries you've been used to yet not pay a ridiculous price to do so? That's the thinking behind the car we're looking at here, Proton's GEN-2 1.6 GSX. All right, so you've never heard of it, let alone seen one. So what? All you need to know is that it's affordable and that it's 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 won't be troubling Ford or Vauxhall sales figures too much but it's a huge amount better than anything the Malaysian marque has produced before. The GSX sits above more basic 1.6 GLS models and comes with a tailgate spoiler and body coloured door mirrors and door handles. The latest versions benefit from a sportier interior with red trim on the seats, doors and steering wheel as well as a re-designed dashboard and handbrake. There's also a redesigned glove box for added comfort and convenience. Other nice touches include leather seats, automatic central locking, a remote-operated boot release and (at last) door-mounted window switches."As a plush Family Hatch without a ridiculous price tag, Proton's Gen-2 GSX makes senseâ€¦"Outside, there's a more attractive rear spoiler, plus front and rear skirting, with restyled alloy wheels and race-inspired black-backed headlamps completing the look. There's also a more aggressive bumper and grille. 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. 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 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 isn't 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 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 you'll need to resort to the gearbox to make progress in the lower gears. Fortunately this isn't 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. There is also a GEN-2 available in ecologic guise which runs on liquefied petroleum gas and offers motorists the opportunity to cut their fuel bills in half. The cabin is a bit of a treat if you're used to acres of dull grey and boring details. It's 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 steering wheel is also massively more sporting looking than the apologetic tillers seen in most cars of the Proton's 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. It's true that this GEN-2 GSX doesn't quite have the polish of a top Ford Focus - but it's not far off and for £4,000 less, you'd be foolish to completely ignore it. In fact, you could end up finding that this Malaysian Family Hatch is one of the industry's best kept secretsâ€¦Facts At A Glance CAR: Proton GEN-2 1.6 GSX PRICE: £10,795 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 7 CO2 EMISSIONS: 172g/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]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-gen-2-1.6-gsx-1004561.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-gen-2-1.6-gsx-1004561.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:02:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20090820/16/4156951798.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton GEN-2 Range : MY GEN-ERATION]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - There's more to Proton's GEN-2 than its small pricetag. Steve Walker reportsâ€¦A low price is no longer enough to guarantee respectable sales in the family hatchback sector. There was a time when undercutting the class leaders by a grand or two would be a sure-fire way for budget models to turn a profit but today's car buyers are demanding and getting more. Better quality, more innovative design, increased desirability and superior warranty packages. Modern budget hatchbacks must deliver all this on top of that attractive value proposition. It's a tough call but Proton hopes its latest GEN-2 can rise to the challenge.The latest versions benefit from a sportier interior with red trim on the seats, doors and steering wheel as well as a re-designed dashboard and handbrake. There's also a redesigned glove box for added comfort and convenience. Customers who choose the GLS model will benefit from a smarter cloth interior, whereas those opting for the 1.6 GSX model can expect leather seats. Other nice touches include automatic central locking, a remote-operated boot release and (at last) door-mounted window switches. Outside, the flagship GEN-2 GSX model gets a more attractive rear spoiler, plus front and rear skirting, with restyled alloy wheels and race-inspired black-backed headlamps completing the look. There's also a more aggressive bumper and grille on all models. Whereas Proton models of old bought in design and engineering expertise from other companies, the GEN-2 is a proper in-house project. Proton is always quick to remind anyone who'll listen that it now owns Lotus and that the famous British sportscar manufacturer has had a hand in developing the handling packages on its current models. The GEN-2 has benefited from the input of the renowned Lotus chassis engineers but curiously, Proton is also at pains to point out that the revised interior on the latest GEN-2 was penned by the Lotus Design Studio. A car boasting of interior design by Lotus is rather like a fancy restaurant proudly announcing that its chef was trained at KFC, salubrious cabins not really being a Lotus forte. On climbing inside the GEN-2, however, there's plenty to admire."â€¦potential buyers should be impressed"The GEN-2's 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 steering wheel is massively more sporting looking than the apologetic tillers seen in most cars of the Proton's 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 there's 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 isn't 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. There are only two petrol engines available at the moment - of 1.3 and 1.6-litres in size - and neither are bad units. The 1.6-litre 110bhp CAMPRO unit has been developed in collaboration with Lotus and develops reasonable torque in the mid and upper ranges but you'll need to resort to the gearbox to make progress in the lower gears. Fortunately this isn't 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. Equipment levels are competitive across the two trim levels, as is pricing. The 1.3-litre comes only in GLS guise and costs £8,995. As for the 1.6-litre models, the GLS opens at £9,995, plus there's a range-topping GSX pitched at £10,795. Automatic gearboxes tack another £800 onto these prices but unless you're using your GEN-2 for the dullest of urban commutes, we wouldn't bother. There's also a GEN-2 Persona saloon version if hatchbacks aren't your thing. Proton are also offering the GEN-2 in ecoLogic guise, which runs on LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) and could potentially cut the car's running costs in half. This model costs the same as a standard petrol-driven model. All models get twin airbags while the GSX gets side airbags, that tailgate spoiler, body coloured door mirrors and door handles and (in automatic form) cruise control. All models also get air conditioning, an adjustable steering column, electric front windows, power steering, reverse parking sensors and audio controls mounted on the steering wheel. Entertainment is provided by an integrated Blaupunkt radio/CD player with RDS and a four way speaker system. A Bluetooth hands-free kit which works through the audio system can also be fitted as an accessory. Overall, a commendable effort from the Malaysian marque which should encourage more potential customers to head for their dealers. Upon reaching said showrooms, those potential buyers should be impressed - and not just by the car. A recent national dealer survey saw Proton's dealers rated as second only to Lexus for helpfulness, which shows how the network has been pulling its socks up in recent times. As for the GEN-2, well it's priced at around £4,500 less than an equivalent Ford Focus and it isn't £4,500 less of a car. Not by a long shot. Which really says all that needs to be said.Facts At A Glance CAR: Proton GEN-2 range PRICES: £8,995-£10,995 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 6-7 CO2 EMISSIONS: 164-176g/km PERFORMANCE: [1.6] 0-60mph 12.6s / Max Speed 118mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.6] (urban) 28mpg / (extra urban) 50.4mpg / (combined) 39.2mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin Airbags / reversing sensors WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: (length/width/height) 4310/1725/1435mm]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-gen-2-range-1004559.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-gen-2-range-1004559.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:42:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20090820/15/1305166887.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton GEN-2 ecoLogic Range : THE GENERATION GAME]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - Proton are offering drivers the chance to dramatically cut their fuel bills by introducing two dual-fuel ecoLogic cars to their GEN-2 range. Matt Low reports.Proton has expanded its GEN-2 range with two dual-fuel models that run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Protons will never be big sellers but with the promise of half-price driving on offer and no conversion cost, a GEN-2 ecoLogic could be the answer to your economy prayers.There was a time in the not too distant past when LPG was heralded as the answer to soaring fuel prices. The government even offered motorists a grant to convert their vehicles to run on the alternative fuel. A lot of manufacturers began producing vehicles that ran on LPG and a network of LPG filling stations sprang up around the country in preparation for the revolution. So why aren't we all driving LPG cars already? Because the government decided to pull the plug on the grants and, left with a conversion fee of around £1,500 to £2,000 and a dwindling number of filling stations offering LPG, drivers decided perhaps it wasn't such a great idea after all. But now LPG is back on the radar in the form of Proton's new GEN-2 ecoLogic cars. The Malaysian manufacturer have been supplying over 300 of the dual-fuel cars to the Humberside police for the last ten years and the boys in blue say they have made savings of around £300,000 during that time. With that in mind, Proton have extended the dual-fuel system to their passenger cars in the hope that the potential savings on offer will appeal to the economical motorist. The only engine on offer with the GEN-2 ecoLogic is a 1.6-litre 110bhp CAMPRO unit. It's worth remembering that this powerplant has been developed in collaboration with Lotus, who Proton own, and it provides a better drive than you might expect. It produces reasonable torque in the mid and upper ranges but you'll need to work the gearbox to get some speed up at lower revs. Fortunately this isn't too much of a hardship as the standard manual gearbox is a slick system. 0-60mph is reached in 12.6 seconds and it can achieve a top speed of 124mph. Maximum torque of 147Nm is produced at 4,000rpm."At around 60p a litre for LPG, a Proton GEN-2 ecoLogic is going to be very cheap to runâ€¦"The GEN-2 ecoLogic runs on petrol for around 20 seconds after turning the ignition key, before switching to LPG when it is most economical to do so. This means you will have to demonstrate a certain amount of forward-thinking and ensure that there is always a bit of petrol in the tank so you don't get caught out. But aside from that it's a hassle-free system, with the fuel source controlled by a switch next to the gearstick. Four lights next to the switch act as a fuel gauge and tell you how much LPG you have left in the tank. Switching between the two is seamless, with only a very small loss of power noticeable when running on LPG and even then, only when climbing steep hills. The build quality in the GEN-2 range is a big improvement on previous efforts and it's no different in the ecoLogic models. The interior features darker plastic for the dash and door trim inserts and the steering wheel is massively more sporting looking than the apologetic tillers seen in most cars of the Proton's ilk, as is the instrument panel. 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 there's little else to give the game away. There is a second filler cap next to the petrol cap which is matched to the exact colour of the car so the fact the GEN-2 is running on an alternative fuel is virtually undetectable. The tank itself is situated in the spare wheel well meaning you do have to do without a fifth wheel. In terms of boot-space lost, it's a matter of a couple of inches in depth so no great loss there. Both models feature `ecoLogic' badges on the rear. There are two body styles available in the GEN-2 ecoLogic range, the GSX hatchback or the Persona Saloon. The latest version of the GSX features a sporty interior with red trim on the leather seats, doors and steering wheel, remote central locking, an alarm and engine immobiliser, electric front and rear windows, twin front and side airbags, 15-inch alloy wheels and front fog lights. The Persona's inventory includes electric door mirrors, a boot-spoiler, a Rheostat dimmer, chrome number plate surrounding and a stainless steel exhaust trim. Both models feature air-conditioning with a pollen filter and height and tilt adjustable driver's seats. Both models feature halogen headlamps with automatic levelling, an adjustable steering column, power steering, reverse parking sensors and audio controls mounted on the steering wheel. Entertainment is provided by an integrated Blaupunkt radio/CD player with RDS and a four way speaker system and a Bluetooth hands-free kit which works through the audio system can also be fitted as an accessory. In terms of safety, the whole GEN-2 range includes EBD, ABS, twin front airbags and rear childproof locks. At around 60p a litre for LPG, a Proton GEN-2 ecoLogic is going to be very cheap to run. Fuel consumption is increased slightly when using LPG but not enough to cancel out the low cost of the alternative fuel. The cost of converting a car to LPG is around £1,500 to £2,000 but Proton have absorbed that cost themselves, meaning the initial outlay for one of their LPG models will not cost a penny more than a standard petrol model. If you drive 10,000 miles in one year with the cost of petrol and LPG at £1.12 and 58p respectively, your savings should be in the region of £500. That's a sum not to be sniffed at. Proton also offer a three-year/60,000 miles total vehicle warranty with RAC cover on all their GEN-2 ecoLogic models. Liquefied petroleum gas is itself a by-product of extracting and refining crude oil and would be put to waste if it wasn't converted so if you're interested in saving the planet, the GEN-2 ecoLogic ticks all the right boxes. It also produces lower emissions than a standard petrol-driven car. There are those sorts of drivers who, above all else, care about brand and image and for them, the Proton will doubtful even register on their radar. Then there are the sort of drivers who care about getting good value for money, then spending very little on running costs. For those sorts of drivers, the GEN-2 ecoLogic will be right up their street. The fact it offers no conversion cost and the potential to cut fuel costs in half will appeal to the more frugal driver and for this reason alone it will shift units. That said, the latest GEN-2 range is a marked improvement on previous models and the cars themselves are actually pretty attractive propositions. The exterior styling, interior quality and handsome list of mod-cons on offer here are rarely seen on budget brands and if doubters can get past the Proton badge, they may be pleasantly surprised.Facts At A Glance CAR: Proton GEN-2 ecoLogic range PRICES: £10,795-£10,995 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 6-7 (est) CO2 EMISSIONS: 130g/km PERFORMANCE: Max speed 124mph / 0-60mph 12.6secs (est) FUEL CONSUMPTION: [LPG] (combined) 70.1mpg (est) STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: EBD, ABS, twin front airbags, childlock WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?:]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-gen-2-ecologic-range-1006189.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-gen-2-ecologic-range-1006189.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:42:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20090820/16/164632948.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton latest to launch green brand]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car Enthusiast - Malaysian car maker, Proton, now markets dual-fuel cars under its ecoLogic brand.]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/03092008/36/proton-latest-launch-green-brand-0.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/03092008/36/proton-latest-launch-green-brand-0.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:29:45 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="150" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carenthu/20080903/15/1274747738-proton-latest-launch-green-brand-s.jpg" width="216"/>
<media:content url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carenthu/20080903/15/1274747738-proton-latest-launch-green-brand.jpg" expression="full" width="611" height="425" medium="image" type="image/jpeg"/>
<enclosure url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carenthu/20080903/15/1274747738-proton-latest-launch-green-brand.jpg" length="181813" type="image/jpeg"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton GEN-2 - The Value Question : POWER GEN]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - We've spent time at the wheel of Proton's budget-priced GEN-2 to determine whether cheapness is its greatest asset or if there's really value in there too. Steve Walker reportsProton doesn't ask a lot for its GEN-2. In fact, the Malaysian manufacturer takes a very reasonable approach to the pricing of all its models. As a result, buyers are faced with this key question. With other manufacturers charging considerably more for equivalent products, is Proton's offering merely cheap or does it represent sound value for money? As questions go, this is a biggy that strikes at the very heart of Proton's positioning in the UK marketplace. What better way to answer it then, than by spending an extended period at the wheel of the GEN-2.If any model can, our 1.6 GSX model should show the Proton GEN-2 in a positive light. It's the top trim level and while the 1.6-litre CamPro petrol engine won't be the choice for economy-minded motorists, it's a free-revving unit that responds sharply to a dip of the throttle and emits a mildly sporty roar as you get up towards the top of the rev range. Proton have worked to instil a sporty element to the handling too. The expertise of Lotus cars was employed to tweak the dynamics of the GEN-2 and the car feels lively on the road with its pointy steering and firm ride. Much about the way the GEN-2 drives feels a little dated and it's conspicuously lacking the big car feel that has been engrained into the leading family hatchbacks over recent years. Still, that's not necessarily a bad thing. There's a certain rawness and old-school charm about the car that makes it enjoyable to drive. You can feel a lot more of what's going on beneath the wheels through the suspension and steering wheel than with other rivals, though this can get wearing on longer journeys. Still, it's fun on short ones. The car is a five-door family hatchback but it's on the small side compared to rivals like the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra. It's 4310mm long and 1725mm wide, where a Focus is 4337mm by 1834mm. The GEN-2 feels compact on the road too, more akin to a supermini that the larger family hatchbacks. It's easy to thread through gaps and park, although the high tail means rear visibility isn't the best you'll come across."The GEN-2 serves up and exciting driving experience that may not be the last word in refinement but is great fun on shorter trips"The GEN-2 isn't a common sight on the roads but neither is it an unattractive one. The shape is fairly middle-of-the-road but the GSX extras give it more of a purposeful edge. 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 sporty styling does have a knock-on effect inside where headroom is an issue for tall passengers in the back seat and the oversize front seats limit leg room behind but otherwise, interior space is adequate with the split-folding rear seats lowering to reveal an 850-litre luggage capacity. The GEN-2's interior design has a pronounced sporty edge and from the font on the instruments to the unorthodox stereo-controls, much of it looks good. Less impressive is the quality of the materials used and the door linings and dash constructed of hard plastics and a number of flimsy bits of trim dotted around the cabin. The titanium finishes on the gear lever and handbrake have already stared to wear on our model and the icon has faded from the driver's electric window button. It raises concerns over the longevity of the GEN-2's cabin if parts of it are looking tired after less than 10,000 miles. To be fair, Proton has recently been taking steps to improve the interior. Just after we received our testcar, a package of GEN-2 improvements were announced that included a sportier interior with red trim on the seats, doors and steering wheel as well as a re-designed dashboard and handbrake. There's also a redesigned glove box for added comfort and convenience. Customers who choose the GLS model will now benefit from a smarter cloth interior, whereas those opting for our 1.6 GSX model can expect leather seats. Equipment-wise, the GEN-2 has a lot to offer for a sub-£11,000 car. Electric windows, a Blaupunkt CD stereo, central locking, air-conditioning, all the essentials are included. There are also twin front and side airbags and ABS brakes with EBD, while the exterior look of the car is enhanced by a set of 15" alloys, front fog lights and a rear spoiler. So we come to the question of cost. At under £11,000, the GEN-2 1.6 GSX comes in significantly cheaper than an equivalently engined Ford Focus or Vauxhall Astra. You'd be looking at £13,000 to £15,000 for one of those with a similar specification. The GEN-2 is patently not in the same league as these big players in terms of its quality but are its mainstream rivals £3,000 better? Our long term test has indicated that they may not be. The GEN-2 serves up an exciting driving experience that may not be the last word in refinement but is great fun on shorter trips. It's also well-equipped and distinctively styled, a good choice if you don't want to follow the herd into one of the volume selling alternatives. The quality of the interior raises concerns but the low grade materials are screwed together reasonably well and considering its compact size, the GEN-2 offers a decent amount of space for four passengers. Overall, the car is very likeable and worth a look at the prices Proton is asking. If you can negotiate a bit of a discount, so much the better.Facts At A Glance CAR: Proton GEN-2 1.6 GSX PRICE: £10,995 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 7 CO2 EMISSIONS: 192g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 12.6s / Max Speed 118mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 39.2mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin Airbags, curtain airbags, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: (length/width/height) 4310/1725/1435mm]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-gen-2--the-value-question-1006061.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-gen-2--the-value-question-1006061.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:42:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20090820/18/2389218089.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton GEN-2 - Long TermTest : STYLE ON A BUDGET]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-gen-2--long-termtest-1006060.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-gen-2--long-termtest-1006060.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:38:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20090820/19/295513791.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton GEN-2 - The Day-To-Day Choice : PEAK PERFORMANCE]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-gen-2--the-day-to-day-choice-1005665.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-gen-2--the-day-to-day-choice-1005665.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:38:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20090820/12/652673603.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton Savvy Unexprcted Value : STYLE TRIAL]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-savvy-unexprcted-value-1005672.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-savvy-unexprcted-value-1005672.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:32:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20081022/02/4044515.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton Savvy - Long TermTest : SAVVY UP]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-savvy--long-termtest-1005671.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-savvy--long-termtest-1005671.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:31:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20090820/19/1226286690.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton Savvy Range : PARTICLE PHYSICS]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-savvy-range-1004729.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-savvy-range-1004729.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:28:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20090820/14/3787087490.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton Satria Neo - Long TermTest : ITS NAME IS NEO AND IT'S UNDER TEN GRAND]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-satria-neo--long-termtest-1005668.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-satria-neo--long-termtest-1005668.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 16 May 2008 11:25:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20090820/18/876289026.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton Satria Neo - Family Choice : FAMILY FAVOURITES]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-satria-neo--family-choice-1005667.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-satria-neo--family-choice-1005667.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 May 2008 13:18:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20090820/15/3643930995.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton Savvy]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Five of the Best - Another relatively unknown name offers budget motoring here, but is low pricing enough?]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/15042008/49/proton-savvy-40.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/15042008/49/proton-savvy-40.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:32:56 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="96" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/5best/20080415/15/3788220498-proton-savvy-s.jpg" width="149"/>
<media:content url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/5best/20080415/15/3788220498-proton-savvy.jpg" expression="full" width="1445" height="934" medium="image" type="image/jpeg"/>
<enclosure url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/5best/20080415/15/3788220498-proton-savvy.jpg" length="280851" type="image/jpeg"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton Satria Neo - The Lotus Effect : PROTON ACCELERATOR]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-satria-neo--the-lotus-effect-1005669.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-satria-neo--the-lotus-effect-1005669.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:04:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20090820/15/1865232290.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton gains Persona]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car Enthusiast - Proton is adding a new saloon model to its GEN-2 range with an engine developed by Lotus.]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/11032008/36/proton-gains-persona-0.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/11032008/36/proton-gains-persona-0.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 Mar 2008 08:18:41 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="163" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carenthu/20080311/08/959976765-proton-gains-persona-s.jpg" width="217"/>
<media:content url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carenthu/20080311/08/959976765-proton-gains-persona.jpg" expression="full" width="949" height="713" medium="image" type="image/jpeg"/>
<enclosure url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carenthu/20080311/08/959976765-proton-gains-persona.jpg" length="133870" type="image/jpeg"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton GEN-2 GLS LE : THE GEN ON FAMILY HATCHES]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-gen-2-gls-le-1004927.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-gen-2-gls-le-1004927.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 08 Oct 2007 15:47:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20080115/12/4202951507.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton Impian - Long Term Test : SHOCK TACTICS]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-impian--long-term-test-1005786.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-impian--long-term-test-1005786.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 05 Oct 2007 11:07:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20080115/12/2808321210.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton Savvy (2005 - To Date) : SAVVY SEARCH]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-savvy-2006027.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-savvy-2006027.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jul 2007 01:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20081018/01/2133720467.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton GEN-2 : BUDGET BLUES?]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-gen-2-116.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-gen-2-116.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 20 Jun 2007 01:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20080116/09/2454253275.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton Satria Neo - LongTerm Test : ITS NAME IS NEO]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-satria-neo--longterm-test-1005668.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-satria-neo--longterm-test-1005668.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Mar 2007 17:04:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20080115/12/1956955252.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton Impian : BUDGET BLUES?]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-impian-138.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-impian-138.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 20 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20080116/09/291127846.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton Impian Range : IMP MY RIDE]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-impian-range-1003003.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-impian-range-1003003.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 04 Dec 2006 11:34:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20080115/13/603469547.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton Savvy Style : STYLE TRIAL]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-savvy-style-1006027.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-savvy-style-1006027.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Aug 2006 10:51:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20090820/16/2102283438.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton Compact and Satria (1993 - 2005) : PRICING MAKES PERFECT]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-compact-and-satria-2002746.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-compact-and-satria-2002746.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2005 01:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20081113/00/4150378043.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Proton Persona / Wira (1993 - 2005) : IMAGE ISN’T EVERYTHING]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-persona-/-wira-2002537.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/proton-persona-/-wira-2002537.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2005 01:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20081113/00/3110296502.jpg" width="129"/>
</item>
</channel>
</rss>
<!-- 1257685025 --><!-- p3.auto.ird.yahoo.com uncompressed/chunked Sun Nov  8 12:57:05 GMT 2009 -->
