PROTON to launch its new sedan in two months time - Expect it to be the new Persona if it's based on the Geely Emgrand

At the presentation of Malaysia cultural handicraft to national athletes for them to present to the Asian Games Museum in Hangzou, China during the upcoming 19th Asian Games, the CEO of Proton, Dr Li Chunrong, had announced that the company will be launching a new sedan within the next couple of months as well as  announcing that their Electric Vehicle will also be launched soon after that. Fingers crossed it happens as scheduled!

The news is indeed quite a juicy bit for those who want a Proton but want a sedan rather than a SUV. As for the EV, that folks, is the upcoming smart #1, which should be launched a few weeks after that and that has been blogged about here.

The upcoming sedan should be based on the 4th generation Geely Emgrand. This B segment sedan is a  front wheel drive 115hp 142Nm 1.5liter 4 cylinder petrol engine with a CVT gearbox. Being a B segment car, it targets the Toyota Vios, Honda City and also the smaller A segment Perodua Bezza sedan. This car is currently being sold in the Phillipines and also the U.A.E aside from China. The car is larger and heavier than the Vios and City, so what we heard is that many of those in the automotive media has said that this normally aspirated Emgrand with its smallish engine isn't suitable for Malaysia and they may bring in use the 1.5 turbo engine that we see in the Proton X50 here.

On that note, I believe that both engines may be used like the 1.5TGDI and 1.8TGDI in the X70 for different target segments. We may see two variants - one 1.5 normally aspirated one with two equipment levels and another with the 1.5turbo for those that can afford extras. Why so? Because I think Proton would still need to cater to those that are willing to pay a certain price for a Proton car and not more. You throw in a turbocharged engine, and it's going to cost more and how would it replace the Proton Persona, the current Proton B segment sedan. 

With that, it must come in at the price of the current Persona or thereabouts, which now starts at RM47,800. Of course, this is before you put in any of the active safety features, LCD insrument cluster and infotainment system that the Emgrand has. As such, I think the Emgrand may cost in the RM50,000-60,000 starting price with these new tech equipment. Well, compared to a RM99,000 Vios G spec, it would be quite alright if the Proton based Emgrand kept the 115hp engine and kept the price competitive (or actually undercut the competitors).

Don't take my word for this as this is speculation. The only thing that has been announced is that the new model will be out in two months time, and we know that if it's a sedan, it is based on the Emgrand which Geely already exports to certain markets. Malaysia will be the first variant to be right hand drive.

Let's just wait and see folks. The car will be packed with equipment from what I predict, especially the range topping variant. So, also expect Proton to discontinue sales of the Persona, as I don't think it would make business sense if you have two B segment cars competing for the same sales aside from competing with others too.