Proton R3 launches three models...and NOTHING IS REALLY NEW

Proton has launched three models of the Proton Suprima, Proton Satria Neo and the Proton Inspira at the recent Proton Sales Carnival held at MITC Melaka on the 17th -19th January 2014 and the 24th to the 26th of January 2014 over in Juru, Penang. 

Proton Motorsports, or the R3 division did up the cars which are basically tarted up versions of the Suprima, Satria Neo and the Inspira. The Suprima S was launched in Melaka whereas the other two over in Penang.

The Suprima S is one of those premium specced variant which basically has a newly developed bodykit, new wheels, some springs and a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. And because of this the Proton Suprima S is now reborn as something called the Proton Suprima S Super Premium. In all honestly, it has one ugly bodykit with a front splitter that SHOULD have been less bulky and SHOULD have been painted in the colour of the car's body as then it would not look like an afterthought. It just looks too bulky to look good in black. Someone mentioned the word 'kampung' tuner and I agree to this.

In fact the reason I chose to put the photo of the Suprima S Super Long Winded Name that  is covered with all those models so that you have something more interesting to look at than a car that has an ugly bodykit. Of course this would be available at all Proton sales outlet if you inquire. I suggest you don't bother and just opt for a stock Suprima S instead.

The next car is the Proton Inspira 2.0E Super Premium. This is a RM102,000 Proton Inspira. RM92,000 gets you a standard Inspira 2.0E and again, in all honesty, this is the model you should buy. The RM10,000 gets you the bodykit and 18inch wheels and tyres. You could buy a Mitsubishi Lancer bodykit for much lesser and throw in some decent 17inch wheels for a lot less. Yes, you're telling me that this one is an original R3 edition. I don't care. R3 hasn't actually won anything big in recent years and R3 somehow fails to bring fear to most motor enthusiasts.

The R3 cachet does not stand in the same halls of heroes like BMW's M division, or Mercedes' AMG, or even RenaultSport for that matter. And according to Proton this Super Premium is to cater for that niche where customers prefer specification over anything else. These customers must be high on ganja or some illegal medication as they prefer to spend over RM100,000 on a Mitsubishi badged Proton. All they should have done is spend another RM25,000 or so and they can buy a original Mitsubishi Lancer GT. Or buy a nearly new used Lancer at RM100,000. The only reason these psychotic people bought a RM100K Proton Inspira. is that some kind of illegal substance was inhaled or swallowed or injected into their bodies. I'm serious.

And finally, you get a Satria Neo 1.6 Standard Line AT. In recent years Proton has only sold the Neo in full flavoured R3 spec. This basically meant the R3 bodykit, new R3 seats and some suspension bits. Now you don't get the front splitter and some other bits. So its cheaper than the RM60,000+ version by a good RM6,000. Don't complain as you're getting the same car without the front splitter, a 1 DIN head unit instead of a 2DIN entertainment system and fabric seats instead of some R3 leather/faux leather seats. And don't worry which version you choose. All have the same appaling headroom. I also think that the Satria Neo is so long in the tooth as it has been around for a long, long time. Proton needs to come up with a brand new Satria Neo instead of another version of the same old car.

And so, we've come to learn that Proton has launched three new variants for three different cars, but nothing's really new. Just some make-up, red lipstick and a new hairdo. Someone needs to deliver a new baby quick. It's getting dull  and tasteless as ditch water over at Proton these days.

Photo credit: proton....who seem to like putting women all over their new launches in most of their photos.