The 2019 Proton Persona facelift was officially unveiled to the Malaysian media yesterday and we also managed a test drive of the Persona 1.6 Premium CVT. This comes about eleven days after PROTON unveiled the 2019 Proton Iriz facelift. The whole preview process was held at PROTON’s Malaysia Design Centre and test track in Shah Alam. It was deja vu. Except this time the Iriz had become a Persona, which is essentially an Iriz with a boot. Since this is a facelift, the changes were down to the exterior styling, the addition of the voice command GKUI Infotainment system and some minor changes or quality improvements to 303 parts inside the facelifted Persona.
One other interesting bit that I will get out of the way first is that PROTON have not announced the prices for the four (4) variants that will be offered for sale and the fact that the facelifted 2019 Proton Persona and the 2019 Proton Iriz will be launched simultaneously by the end of this month, or earlier. I hope it doesn't fall during the upcoming school holidays as I have holiday plans!
The Persona, like the Iriz features styling cues that bring it in line with the Geely-Proton collaboration X70 SUV. The front gets what PROTON calls the Ethereal Bow design for the chrome bow shaped bit on the grille which continues to the top of the headlights as well as the Infinite Weave pattern which sits on the front grille. I must say that this Persona has more design cues of the new family styling compared to the Iriz facelift.
The rear of the Persona somehow looks a little wider up top but slimmer and better looking at the base of the bumper than before. This new car looks like it does not have a super large rear end as the integrated bumper garnish does not make the car look bottom heavy anymore. Coupled to a now gloss black bootlid spoiler which breaks up the top part of the rear, the Persona looks better from the rear three-quarter view. Overall the exterior styling is more successful than the pre-facelift model.
As for the interior, you get the Geely based GKUI infotainment system which allows you to give voice commands for changing the radio, navigation, music, other connectivity functions. It does not allow changing of air-condition controls, no window controls or more advanced voice commands like the X70 SUV. It is actually good enough for the segment.
We've also tried out the new Persona at PROTON's test track after the initial preview. In terms of how it drives, it is similar to when it was first launched. PROTON claims that 303 parts have been changed, improved or upgraded and this have improved the braking, quality and the NVH levels. Braking seems to be quite similar, as are the NVH levels. It may be slightly quieter as the rear but it feels the same when driving it. The car features the same good ride and handling as well as the same average levels of refinement as before.
There is not much that we had felt in terms of improved refinement while driving the car round the test track. We did feel that the car is as stable and secure as before. No change in how stable it feels around the high speed track. Have a look at our video here on our initial test drive and findings (if you are interested, I have linked our video on the facelifted Proton Iriz down below.
Do note that like the Iriz, the powertrain and drivetrain are as before, the same 1.6liter engine is fitted to the Persona. It makes about 107hp and 150Nm torque. You can pair the engine with either a 5 speed manual transmission or the CVT gearbox. PROTON claim that they've improved the gearbox and engine tuning. They've stated that there is some small fuel savings (less than 4% off from the previous fuel consumption figures) but you may not actually benefit from it unless you drive really carefully.
Flash booking promotion starts on 12th March 2019 / Update of the Iriz Flash Booking
PROTON will be holding a ‘flash promotion’ for the 2019 Persona starting today. This is like the one that they have held for the upcoming 2019 Iriz. Those who are interested can place an online booking for only RM9.99. This special online promotion is set to end at 11.59pm on 22 March 2019. This super low booking fee is also refundable. They're not taking your Ten Ringgit unless you're willing to go through with the booking.
“PROTON aims to make its cars accessible to as many potential buyers as possible. That is why the RM9.99 flash promotion is being offered for the 2019 Persona. The low commitment fee is just one part of the deal. The convenience of being able to place a booking online from virtually anywhere there is a data line is the second part of the equation, making the act of booking a car simple and fast,” said Dr Li Chunrong, Chief Executive Officer of PROTON.
PROTON also has some good news to those that want to buy the Iriz. The flash promotion offer for the Proton Iriz will also be extended to end on the same day as the promotion for the 2019 Persona. This means customers will be able to place a booking for either car online until 22 March.
22nd March 2019. Do take this date into account folks. Anytime around this date is when both Iriz and Persona will be launched. They like surprises.
Now if you are interested in previewing the cars....
The first joint customer preview of the Persona and Iriz will take place this weekend 16 – 17 March at Proton Edar 3S centre in Plentong, Johor Bharu. Previously, customer events had been held at Proton Edar 3S centres at Chan Sow Lin and Damansara but they only featured the Iriz as the Persona had only just be revealed to us media people.
Now let's get on with the Facelifted 2019 Proton Persona from the words of PROTON - It does explain quite clearly on what has been added into the facelifted Persona
2019 PROTON PERSONA DESIGN BRIEF
Penned by a team led by the head of PROTON Design, Azlan Othman, the 2019 Persona benefits from expertise drawn from other design centres within the Geely group of companies.
Working to a design brief with the model slogan Intelligence That Cares the Persona’s design embodies its three USPs of peerless connectivity, practical functionality and proven safety. It also uses styling elements to create a visual link with other Proton models.
The design updates are subtle but make the Persona stand out from its predecessor. At the front, it receives a new outer grille inspired by the “Ethereal Bow” that debuted on the Proton X70 and also features on the Iriz. The radiator incorporates the “Infinite Weave” pattern sculpted into its design and sits on top of a redesigned front bumper.
Sleek new LED daytime running lamps (DRL) are housed over a honeycomb mesh backing while a new bumper lower garnish ties together the new design elements of the front bumper and frames the lower air intake more elegantly.
At the rear, the most noticeable changes are the PROTON name proudly spelled out on the trunk lid garnish and a new bumper lower garnish that enhances the rear visual identity. A slimmer spoiler adds a sporting touch while a new bolder flowing typeface for the Persona name badge matches the overall exterior styling theme.
A new 15-inch aluminium wheel design and a shark fin antenna provide the final exterior styling touches.
The intelligent car for families
Similar to its sister car the Iriz, the 2019 Proton Persona features an intelligent head unit that is equipped with an embedded eSIM card and offers apps for music streaming, weather updates, navigation and voice recognition. Access to the system is via a 7-inch full colour touchscreen with 16GB of internal memory. There is also Wi-Fi connectivity and full mirroring capabilities for Android smart phones via an app.
“The Proton X70 introduced the concept of intelligence to our range of cars and the 2019 Proton Persona and Iriz have now received similar features. Their intelligent head unit offers voice command, weather forecast, navigation and music streaming functions and they can all be accessed using the Hi Proton! catchphrase. These are first in class features for cars in the B- segment so we hope to build on the advantage we now have over our rivals,” added Dr Li Chunrong.
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