PROTON expands by exploring options within the automotive industry - Everything from the Proton Cafes at dealerships, R3 engine oil to R3 Branded merchandise

PROTON continues its current business expansion trajectory, the national automotive brand has started diversifying its operations and revenue stream by exploring different angles within the automotive ecosystem and more. This new push for other business sources comes with the creation of Proton Global Services (PGS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Proton Edar, which is now a key contributor to PROTON’s business network.

Proton officially announces the pricing of the X50 R3 20th Anniversary Edition Accessories Package - Limited to 200 packages at RM12,000 including fitting BUT only for the Jet Grey X50

PROTON has now confirmed the price for the limited to 200 packages only R3 20th Anniversary Edition accessories package for the Proton X50 at the X50 Carnival at the Proton Centre of Excellence today. This announcement basically took awhile. It comes following its unveiling at the MARii Autoshow 2023 in May of this year. I wonder why it took Proton some many months to get this into production. 

PROTON R3 Launches Engine Oil and New Merchandise Line

On 20 January 2022  PROTON’s motorsports arm, R3, launched a new range of lubricants and merchandise with the purpose of reconnecting with their fans and expand the reach of the brand. With the R3 brand is now parked under Proton Global Services (PGS), which is a fully owned subsidiary of Proton Edar,. These new products are a new direction for R3 where they hope to bring its heritage and products closer to the public.

Launch Photos: 2021 Proton Saga R3 Limited Edition

Like the previous limited Proton Saga sold last year, the new 2021 Proton Saga R3 Limited Edition is a tarted up Saga with sporty looking bits. These were made to celebrate PROTON’s successful motorsports division, R3. The R3 badge has always been reserved for the sportiest Proton models and PROTON believes that the Saga is worthy recipients of this moniker due to the fact that these cars actually performed well during the recent Merdeka Endurance Races. 

Launch Photos: 2021 Proton Iriz R3 Limited Edition

The youthful Proton Iriz R3 Limited Edition was made to celebrate PROTON’s successful motorsports division, R3. The R3 badge has always been reserved for the sportiest Proton models and PROTON thinks that the Iriz is worthy recipients of this moniker due to the fact that these cars actually performed well during the recent Merdeka Endurance Races. 

Proton Persona, Exora, Iriz and Saga Special Edition Models Launched

PROTON conducted another over the internet launch today where the Malaysian car manufacturer launched four Special Edition models at one go. The limited production models have been given the moniker Black Edition for the Persona and Exora models and the R3 Limited Edition for the Iriz and Saga. These new limited run variants were designed to broaden the appeal of each model while offering more choice to customers. Note the slightly more mature and discreet 'Black Edition' moniker for the more family oriented Persona and Exora and the return of the R3 branding for the more youthful Iriz and Saga (starter boy racer or ricer) models.

Motorsport: Team PROTON R3 Finishes 1st and 2nd at the Sepang 1000KM Race

Team Proton R3 (R3) has won the Sepang 1000km (S1K) race for a third consecutive time. The 2019 Proton Iriz driven by Mitchell Cheah and Fariqe Hairuman took the first place and the 2019 Proton Saga driven by Syafiq Ali and Admi Shahrul came second making it a memorable one-two finish. It was a challenging race as there was a safety car period and then some bad weather making the 1000km race of 181 laps cut short to around 9 hours worth of racing instead of much longer.

Motorsport: Team Proton R3 Announces Lady Racers Search and Also the Driver Mentorship programme for race teams competing in the MSF

Recently, the motorsport arm of Proton, Team Proton R3 (R3), announced a search for lady racers and mentorship programme for race teams competing in the Malaysia Speed Festival (MSF) series. The two programmes are held in partnership with MSF, who are the largest grassroots motorsports event in the country. Both programmes are aimed to develop motorsports at a grassroots level by leveraging on Proton's motorsport experience throughout the years.

Motorsport: Team PROTON R3 Does Extremely Well in the Production Series Races in Round 3 of the 2019 Malaysia Championship Series

Round 3 of the 2019 Malaysia Championship Series (MSC) saw Team PROTON R3 (R3) dominate M-production series races. Team R3 managed to procure a double victory which included a 1-2-3 finish in race two. The MSC Round 3 was held at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) over the weekend. 

Motorsport: Team PROTON R3 Wins Overall Champion Title At The Sepang 1000km Endurance Race

A Proton Suprima S run by Team PROTON R3 took the overall win at the recent Sepang 1000km (S1k) Endurance Race 2017. The car, driven by Admi Shahrul and James Veerapen came ahead of a lot of strong challengers and demonstrated that a well set up Malaysian car can come up triumphant against other well known sporting brands.

Guest post: Top 5 Pre-Loved Hot (and Warm) Hatchbacks under RM60,000

Today is a public holiday in Malaysia. It is therefore a day to chill and relax.  So we now have an article written by my friend and fellow petrolhead Firdaus Asri. You may remember him as the chap who wrote that eye watering article about his latest purchase (and spending), the Volkswagen Golf R Mk6. Now he gives us a list on his favourite fairly new and affordable used Hot (and warm) Hatchbacks that you can get in Malaysia. 

My Top 5 Pre-loved Hot (and Warm) Hatchbacks

I have always had a soft spot on hot hatches because I grew up in the one that kick-started the whole hot hatch genre thing, it was a 1976 VW Mk1 Golf. A short trip back to memory lane, I vividly remember that my parents bought it from my almost abnormal uncle and for years it was pretty much the only car that we had that sort of worked and worked well.

Spotted for Sale: Proton Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing - Own a 'Lotus' for RM65,000

"Like my new  Lotus?" asked Mr A

"What Lotus? Where?Where got Lotus? All I see is a Satria Neo lah." replied Mr B

Yup. This must have been the dialogue between the chap who bought that obscenely expensive Proton Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing for RM115,000 in 2010. Even if you brag about the fact that you can afford to spend your money on a RM115,000 Satria Neo would never impress your friends. They'll just think you did not take your meds for the day. This was at a time when the Satria Neo CPS cost somewhere in the region of RM60,000.

The original online ad for the RM115,000 Proton Satria

At Proton's Power of 1 Event - On the P3-21A, R3, the Satria GTI & Lots of Satria Neo R3 stuff!

Before I get started I have to say this. The Proton P321A, (shown here leaving the picture because this article isn't about it) is not based on any Mitsubishi, Honda, Volkswagen, Kia or whatever brand you can think of. It is Proton's own design based on an evolution of the Proton Persona/Gen2. I have decided to state this because someone used Google and typed “what car is p3-21a based on?”. This must be one of those individuals who thinks wants it to be a Mitsubishi so that they can put the Mitsubishi badge or one of those Ralliart stickers on the car if and when he or she buys the P321A. I believe this is the only reason why someone would conduct such a search. Trust me. I think I am quite in tune with the Malaysian motoring psyche.

Proton has gone bonkers: RM115K for a Satria Neo? (UPDATED)

Yes it has OHLINS for dampers and AP Racing for front brakes as well as Carbon Fiber for its bonnet. 125bhp to 145bhp. But RM115K? This is what you get when you spec Rolls Royce grade parts in a Perodua...or then again a Proton.


When they came out with the earlier Satria R3, I commented on zerotohundred.com that they spent so much money on the seats that it cost half of the extra amount of the price. I.e RM63K to RM78K and RM8K for the seats. The boys at R3 joined in the thread, and were miffed, a little. Now, they’ve basically binned the RECAROs for normal seats and threw in a lot of goodies. Looks like I was quite right in the end. Now, after a few years, they've come up with a street tabby cat that wears a diamond studded collar. Going by the cost of the parts in this new car that's exactly what it is. No doubt the parts are fab, but the price?