Thursday, July 09, 2020

Proton Launches the Saga Anniversary Edition - Celebrating 35 Years of Malaysia's First National Car


The Proton Saga now celebrates 35 years of existence with the launch of a special model featuring a unique colour scheme, extra accessories and is limited to 1,100 units. The special edition Anniversary Edition Saga was launched in PROTON's first ever virtual launch over social media with the Saga Anniversary Edition marking the 4,150,035th car to roll off the line. Nice trivia figures here too. The limited run of only 1,100 unit Proton Saga Anniversary Edition is priced at RM39,300 (after zero sales tax until the end of 2020), the same as the current Saga with extras.



According to PROTON Chairman, Dato’ Sri Syed Faisal Albar, the Proton Saga is the car that put Malaysia, and therefore our economy on wheels and, it is still doing so. Many of us grew up with the car and its various generations and variants throughout the years. It shaped the Malaysian automotive scene and like it or not, it is the car that many of us grew up with. 

In 1985, I was in secondary school and saw my first Proton Saga - aka the Mitsubishi Lancer locally produced with a new grille, bumpers and different equipment levels and trim inside, was parked outside a government staff quarters in the town of Taiping. It actually belonged to a hospital staff where my father, worked at too. As it was parked outside the house, and was actually surrounded by people who wanted a look at Malaysia's first car, I too joined the crowd to have a look.

I do remember it fondly and had a few rides in one of those early models too as a close family friend bought one - a 1.5liter Mitsubishi 4 cylinder Orion engined S variant in metallic green. It was quite a decent car for the money and took me to tuition and back too. Later on, my family got the multivalve 1.5I (for Istimewa or Special) Megavalve version in hatchback form in the mid 1990s. It did serve my family well and we did have some memories, good and bad (in terms of family history not the car itself), with that car. 


Anyway, back to the newest Saga launched....  With the launch of this Anniversary Saga, this was unveiled as part of the 35 year celebrations. The Saga Anniversary Edition commemorates and celebrates the first Proton Saga delivered in 1985. Limited to 1,100 units only, it is available exclusively in black with yellow highlights on both the exterior and interior of the car. I have to say that lucky it isn't the boot, bonnet and roof that was painted yellow and the rest black, that would make it like some of the Malaysian taxix from the 1980s. 

Of course, being 2020, this does not apply. Only if you are older than the original Proton Saga, like me that is. This is just me feeling a little more nostalgia about my childhood and my younger days. Do reminisce about it occasionally. 


Also unveiled during the launch was the 35th Anniversary Accessories package which includes Front Skirting, Side Skirtings, Door Visors, Hood Insulator, Trunk Lid Cover and Boot Tray priced at RM2,035. The good news for current and other Proton Saga customers who want this kit is that it is available for purchase separately and compatible with the 2019 Saga model, 

The anniversary package offers significant cost savings of RM315 as Protonsays that purchasing the parts individually totals RM2,350. This is quite some savings for the limited edition Saga. It is an option for those looking for a different looking Saga. And there are savings added to it too. 

On the same note, I personally think that buying a new Saga is a sensible choice for those who want an affordable runabout. It should be cheap to maintain and it is comfortable inside. Being a Proton, it also adds some driving pleasure too. We have a video on the 2019 facelifted Proton Saga which this edition is based on. Have a look at it down below.


“The Saga Anniversary Edition is a special gift for a special occasion to all Malaysians. It is our way of saying thank you for supporting the Saga for the past 35 years. Plus, you can order it today by visiting our showrooms or booking it online” said PROTON CEO Dr. Li Chunrong.

Proton Also Announces that the N95 cabin filters will be available for all Proton cars.
A further anniversary gift to mark the occasion was the announcement that Proton’s N95 Cabin Filter, previously only available on the Proton X70 will be made available for Saga, Persona, Iriz and Exora models registered after 9 July 2020. 


Current owners will have the option to purchase the N95 Cabin Filter for RM59, excluding labour charges. For a limited period until 9 October 2020 there will be a 15% discount on the price of the filter.

Combined with the current tax holiday, Malaysian motorists can celebrate 35 years of the Proton Saga Driving Malaysians with an Intelligent Proposition that has been made more iconic.

PROTON Deputy CEO Dato’ Radzaif Mohamed chipped in saying that, “The past 35 years have been a testament to Proton’s dedication towards producing products the ‘rakyat’ desire. For the decades to come, we are focused on delivering products, services and experiences of even higher quality.”








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