Proton · 2012–2018

Proton Prevé

The Proton Prevé is a four-door compact saloon developed by Malaysian automobile manufacturer Proton. It was launched on 16 April 2012 and is based on Proton's next-generation P2 platform. The Prevé is the saloon complement to its sister car, the Proton Suprima S hatchback, and is also the successor of Proton Inspira. The Prevé is claimed to be Proton's first global car, evident in the name Prevé itself, which means to prove or proof.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Proton Persona

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

History

Proton started out in 1983 as a manufacturer of badge-engineered Mitsubishi vehicles. Proton cars managed to sell in great numbers because they benefited from the superior engineering and reliability of the Mitsubishi cars they were based on, among other reasons. However, with the dawn of the 21st century, Proton moved forward with the introduction of indigenously designed models such as the Proton Waja and Proton GEN•2. Unfortunately, these next-generation Protons were universally criticised for being poorly engineered vehicles. Consequently, Proton's Malaysian market share declined significantly in the early 2000s, hitting a seven-year low in 2007. In response, development of the Proton Prevé (code named P3-21A) was initiated in 2009 under the leadership of the then Managing Director of Proton, Syed Zainal Abidin. Former BMW Vice President of Quality Management R&D, Dr. Wolfgang Karl Epple was also appointed that same year as Proton's Director of Quality. He was later promoted to Senior Director Group Operations, where he contributed to the development of the P3-21A project. The Proton Tuah, a concept car designed by Italdesign Giugiaro was exhibited at the 2010 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS). It previewed the various design elements and features in the upcoming Proton P3-21A. Development of the P3-21A was completed a year later and production took place at Proton's Tanjung Malim plant. The company claimed 94% of the car's parts were locally sourced in an effort to reduce capital outflow. The official name Proton Prevé was only revealed days before its launch. The Proton Prevé was finally unveiled on 16 April 2012 at Seri Kembangan by the sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak. It launched with a choice of six colours and three trim variants, the

Design

Proton sought to create a new signature façade with the Prevé. The result is Proton Wings, a unified design element that fuses the headlights, Proton emblem and air-intake grille, giving it a distinctive look of a bird ascending. The Prevé is the first Malaysian-made car to be factory-fitted with LED position lamps. The exterior of the car was styled to sport a reduced drag coefficient in an effort to enhance fuel efficiency. Proton collaborated with Italy-based Italdesign Giugiaro S.p.A. for the styling and likeness of the Prevé. Italdesign is also responsible for the styling of the 2010 Proton Tuah concept car. Additionally, Azlan Othman, Proton's Head of Styling was dispatched to Turin under the collaboration with Italdesign which lasted almost a year. Proton's then Senior Director Operations, Dr. Wolfgang Karl Epple revealed that the Prevé was developed by an international consortium consisting of experts from Malaysia, Italy, France, Germany and South Korea. Additionally, several components of the car are also sourced from Japan, South Korea, Australia and Europe. "If you put global ingredients in the components, people, processes, styling and packaging, you get something which is global", Epple commented. Nonetheless, Proton later claimed that 94% of the Prevé's components are locally sourced in an effort to reduce capital outflow. The Prevé is also one of the larger cars in the C-segment traditionally popularised by Japanese and Korean offerings in the Malaysian market.

Safety

/ - ANCAP - The Prevé became the first Proton car, and to an extent, the first Malaysian car to be awarded the full 5-Star safety rating by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) of Australia and New Zealand. It also received a 5-Star rating from the Malaysian Vehicle Assessment Programme (MyVAP) of the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS). Prior to the launch of the Prevé and Suprima S, Proton cars suffered from a poor safety reputation. The Proton Jumbuck infamously scored one star out of a potential five in its ANCAP test in 2009. Proton responded by raising safety standards significantly during the development of the Prevé. The Reinforced Safety Structure (RESS) frame was developed specifically for the new car. Proton employs the use of hot press forming (HPF), a process which was pioneered in Germany, during the frame's manufacturing process. Twelve incorporated HPF components help in the reinforcement of the passenger compartment for improved occupant safety. The end result is an increased tensile strength and torsional body rigidity of 19,000 Nm/degree. The usage of HPF in the Prevé's manufacturing process also helps in weight-saving, which translates into improved fuel efficiency, handling and performance. Proton is the only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in South East Asia to use Hot Press Forming in their manufacturing processes. The Proton Prevé has been developed to house a maximum of six SRS airbags, an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TCS) and electronic stability control (ESC). However, the Prevé was only offered with a maximum of four airbags upon its April 2012 Malaysian debut. The maximum of six airbags were only offered upon the Pre

Powertrains

The Proton Prevé is sold with a choice of two petrol engines: the CamPro IAFM+ and CamPro CFE. IAFM+ is an acronym for Intake Air Fuel Module Plus, whereas CFE stands for Charged Fuel Efficiency. Both engines are indigenously designed by Proton and Lotus. The 1.6L CamPro IAFM+ I4 normally aspirated engine is capable of 107 horsepower (80 kW) at 5,750 rpm and 150 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. It can be mated to a five-speed Getrag manual transmission or a Punch Powertrain VT2 CVT. This CamPro IAFM+ is also used in the Proton Saga FLX SE. The superior 1.6L CamPro CFE I4 engine incorporates a low-pressure intercooled turbocharger that delivers 138 horsepower (103 kW) at 5,000 rpm and 205 Nm of torque between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm. This engine is limited to a Punch Powertrain VT3 CVT, also known as ProTronic, Proton's version of a manumatic transmission. Proton claims the turbocharged 1.6-litre CamPro CFE is equivalent to a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine. The CamPro CFE consumes 6.6 litres of fuel per 100 km, while running at 90 km/h and was designed to conform to Euro V emission standards. Proton is currently developing an all-new 3.1cc with 600hp 770Nm- turbocharged engine for the Prevé and Suprima S duo. A six-speed manual transmission option is also in development.

Reception

=== Malaysia === The Prevé has received generally favourable reviews from critics in its domestic market. Malaysian automotive journalist Danny Tan from paultan.org commended the Prevé's looks, practicality, ergonomics and NVH attributes. The ride comfort and handling characteristics were exceptionally praised, in which Tan claimed was "unrivaled in the Asian C-segment sedan class". However, the CamPro IAFM+ variants of the Prevé were not as well received in comparison with the turbocharged CamPro CFE model. The lack of power and torque from the IAFM+ engine was held responsible for poor acceleration and overall performance, but nonetheless competent in normal driving conditions. Tan also criticised some design flaws on the interior, such as the poorly designed head unit and instrument panel. Live Life Drive gave the Prevé 4 out of 5 stars, praising the ride and handling, refinement and roominess of the Prevé, while pointing out several flaws which included the CVT powertrains, interior fit & finish, and the troubled Proton brand image. Autoworld.com.my shared similar impressions on the Prevé, where the authors declared it as Proton's best product to date, owing much to its ride and handling attributes, standard equipment and value for money appeal. The CVT powertrains and build quality were pointed out as its major let downs. Popular Malay-language automobile news portal funtasticko.net echoed generally positive sentiments, in which the reviewers concluded that the Prevé symbolised the beginning of a 'new Proton' intent on shedding its negative brand image, on the domestic and global stages alike. Australia. The Proton Prevé has garnered mixed reviews from critics in Australia. Daniel DeGasperi from CarAdvice gave the Prevé GX 2 out 5 stars. The five-year warranty, fre

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Specifications

name: Proton Prevé
Manufacturer: Proton
Predecessor: Proton Inspira, Proton Persona (CM) (spiritual)
Successor: Proton S70
Class: Compact car (C)
Body style: 4-door saloon
Production: February 2012 – December 2018
Assembly: Malaysia: Proton City (PTMSB), Bangladesh: Chittagong (PHPAL)
Engine: 1.6 L CamPro IAFM+ DOHC I4, 1.6 L CamPro CFE DOHC I4 Turbo, 1.6 L CamPro CFE DOHC I4 Turbo (Gasoline/LPG; Prevé LPG)
Transmission: 5-speed manual, CVT, CVT manumatic
Platform: Proton P2
Layout: Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Wheelbase: 2650 mm
Length: 4543 mm
Width: 1786 mm
Height: 1524 mm
Kerb weight: 1305-1340 kg
Related: Proton Suprima S
Designer: Italdesign Giugiaro S.p.A., Azlan Othman
sp: uk