The Malaysian car manufacturer Proton , also known from the European market, has been struggling with financial problems in recent years. These result not only in the withdrawal from some former outlets, but also in the substantial obsolescence of the model program. Proton wants to start a new era with the small hatchback Iriz , which is a completely new car from the ground up and whose sales will start in the domestic market next week.
As a true representative of the new era, the Iriz will become a design inspiration for other new models of the Malaysian automaker. Some voices describe the lines of the hatchback as clean or sporty , personally we would rather describe them as somewhat purposeful. 3.92 meters long , 1.72 meters wide and 1.55 meters high, the Iriz will be a candidate for an affordable and spacious transporter to the city rather than a miss of small hatchbacks.
A wheelbase of 2.55 meters , or a luggage compartment with a basic volume of 215 or 270 liters, depending on the position of the backrests, should help the latter. In some higher versions, the center console will even be decorated with a multimedia system screen with Internet access or automatic air conditioning controls. However, one of the basic goals is to achieve five stars in the ASEAM NCAP crash tests. That's why the Iriz has six airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP, traction control or hill descent assistant. However, if we return to comfort equipment for a while, Proton will offer, for example, cruise control, rear parking sensors, keyless entry, leather upholstery or LED daytime running lights .
Under the hood will be a 13 -horsepower gasoline engine with a power of 95 hp and a torque of 120 Nm, or a 16 -horsepower gasoline engine with a power of 109 hp and a torque of 150 Nm. Both units can be paired with a five-speed manual transmission or an automatic with a continuously variable transmission , the start-stop system will be added to the offer later along with the diesel unit.
Sales will start in Malaysia next week at a base price of 42,438 Malaysian ringgit (approx. 278,000 crowns) for a pack of 13, or 58,268 ringgit (approx. 382,000 crowns) for a pack of 16. Next year, sales will start in Turkey, Thailand or the Philippines, imports to Europe are not yet planned, given that the engines only meet the Euro IV emission standard (however, modification to Euro VI is planned).
Source: Proton
