Proton · 2010–2015

Proton Inspira

The Proton Inspira is a four-door compact saloon produced by Malaysian automobile manufacturer Proton, which was first launched in November 2010. It was sold exclusively in Malaysia as a rebadged ninth-generation Mitsubishi Lancer as the result of a collaboration between Mitsubishi Motors and Proton. The Inspira succeeded the Proton Waja, and complements the indigenously designed Proton Prevé in the Malaysian market. The name "Inspira" comes from the Malay word Inspirasi, which means Inspiration in English.

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Predecessor: Proton Waja

All Proton Inspira data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

History

=== Overview === Proton renewed a technological transfer agreement with Mitsubishi Motors, an agreement that in the mid-1980s was fundamental to Proton's origins. Mitsubishi would get the Exora for rebadge in Japan under them as fair technology sharing. 1,100 orders were received within the first 10 days after dealers began accepting bookings for the Inspira. Price-wise, the Inspira costs significantly less than the Lancer in Malaysia because it is assembled locally, whereas the Mitsubishi is imported as a CBU from Japan. Not only are import duties much lower, but the investment Proton made to produce the model locally entitles it to financial incentives from the government that allows it to bring down prices. However, certain parties have criticised Proton for returning to the practice of rebadging cars. A practice Proton had moved away from, with the release of the Proton Waja in the year 2000. Proton continued to independently develop 6 more models after that. Proton group managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir has reportedly said that it would cost Proton as much as RM700 million (US$230 million) to develop a new car from the ground up but only half the amount via its collaboration with Mitsubishi Motors. This enables the Proton Inspira to be marketed at a cheaper price. Mitsubishi allowed Proton to rebadge the Lancer under conditions that there were no changes to any key features. The Inspira thus shares most of its components, including the powertrain which is imported in fully assembled form from Mitsubishi Motors Japan, with the Lancer. The Inspira did, however, feature tweaked suspension in order to improve the driving dynamics and handling, whilst Proton also worked to improve the build quality of the Inspira. The improvements to the car

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