Daihatsu Begins Sales of the New Compact Car ALZA in Malaysia

OSAKA, JAPAN – November 24, 2009: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. (Daihatsu) announced today that it has, together with Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) its Malaysian automobile production and sales joint venture company located in Selangor, Malaysia, begun sales of a new compact car, the ALZA. An event to mark the launch of the ALZA was held in Kuala Lumpur in the evening of November 23.

The ALZA, based on the compact passenger vehicle Boon Luminas in Japan, was developed under an R&D project led by Perodua to meet the diversifying needs and higher demand for compact cars in the Malaysian market, targeting the MPV and 3-box segments that are not fully covered by the Myvi and Viva alone. The monthly sales target is 3,500 units and the manufacturer's suggested retail prices range between RM56,000 and RM64,000 (approximately 1.45 to 1.66 million yen).

Origin of the ALZA name

The "ALZA" vehicle name is based on the Spanish word "alzar," which means to raise, boost, or lift, thus designating a vehicle that "enhances your lifestyle."

Perodua is Malaysia's second national auto manufacturer and has expanded its product lineup, with a focus on compact cars. With the cooperation of the Malaysian government, Perodua has worked to raise its cost competitiveness and enhance quality, as well as that of its suppliers, and has expanded its business also through production of the Avanza under contract from Toyota and exported the Myvi to Indonesia.

The highest specification level of the Perodua Alza is actually a model called the Perodua Alza Advanced Version, which is basically based on the Alza 1.5 Automatic Premium and Manual Premium but with a few additional specifications. You can book this now but delivery will only start in March 2010.

You basically get a new bodykit which consists of front, rear and side skirts and a different rear spoiler. On the inside, you get leather seat covers for all the seats, but the leather treatment does not continue onto the door trim. Also provided is a 5 inch touchscreen LCD which has a Windows CE-based GPS navigation system with a SiRF Atlas IV chipset and 500MHz CPU. The LCD also displays a feed from a 150 degree lense reverse camera.

Finally, there is tinted film for all the glass in the Alza which Perodua claims is GPS and SmartTAG friendly. Perodua states the specifications as following: 95% IR rejection, 99% UV rejection, 70% light for the front windscreen and about over 50% light for the rest of the glass. This tint has a 5 year warranty against peeling, oxidisation, cracking, discoloration and fading. I assume that as an OEM option this tint is also JPJ-approved.

The Alza Advanced Version manual goes for RM66,490 for solid and RM66,990 for metallic, while the Alza Advanced Version automatic goes for RM69,490 for solid and RM69,990 for metallic. The S. Metallic option is missing because the Alza Advanced Version only comes in three colours – Ivory White, Ebony Black and Classy Purple, while the only special metallic colour is Pearl White.

I reckon you could probably get a good Garmin nuvi for under RM1,000 and add on a very good set of tint for about RM2,000 to RM3,000 or so maximum. If you don’t want the leather seat covers and bodykit you’re better off adding your own tint and GPS. Not sure about the cost of the reverse camera though.

Look after the jump for more pix of the Alza Advanced Version.

Click here to read the rest of Perodua Alza Advanced Version – extra equipment

HOT: Proton MPV 100% fully uncovered!

Fully undisguised shots of the Proton MPV – both exterior and interior – have found their way onto the internet, and they reveal to us plenty of details on the eagerly anticipated 7-seater MPV by Proton!

What we can see is one shot of the Proton MPV in white, another in an unidentified brown-like colour (may be something else altogether because of colour balance), and 3 shots of the interior. Here are what can be observed:

• A complete revamp of the Proton steering wheel design that is curiously reminiscent of the one Honda is currently using. There is steering wheel audio controls and also a phone button which could indicate some variants of the MPV are equipped with a Bluetooth hands-free system.
• Instrument panel features a two-meter design, with RPM on the left and an even-numbered speedometer on the right which tops out at 180km/h. The design of the meters are predominantly red with white text. They look like an evolution of the one in the GEN2 CPS facelift, but with modifications that somehow make them end up looking like the one found in the Isuzu D-Max, except the D-Max design is blue.
• A small storage and a card holder (Touch N Go?) located below the driver’s side aircond vent
• A door-open indicator in the middle of the two meters

• A redline of 7,000rpm for the RPM meter
• Two digital displays below each meter. The left one shows a digital fuel meter and digital temp meter as well as various other multi-info readings. I’m not sure what the right one shows.

• The gear lever is dash-mounted much like the Honda CR-V.
• Dashboard itself doesn’t seem to have any texture to it but it’s likely that this is a pre-production version, so the production version should have some texture in-line with all the recent Proton model launches.
• Center dash area design from top to bottom – clock, two aircond vents, 2-DIN CD player, various buttons including hazard light, manual air conditioning knobs, recirculation and air cond button.

• 5-spoke alloy wheels
• Bee-sting antenna at the front just after the windscreen.
• Signal indicator on side mirrors
• Reflector headlamps
• Foglamps on the front bumper
• In the photo of the white MPV you can see the rear hatch swings upwards, instead of the other method which is sideways like a fridge

The MPV looks really gorgeous from the outside especially the white one, with strong design cues from the Mitsubishi Grandis. The interior looks alright, except the air cond vents look really cheap. They’re better off reusing the ones from the Saga. There also seems to be an odd-looking spacing between the two center vents, like there was supposed to be a hazard light button there but somehow went missing.

PROTON TECHNOLOGY WEEK FULL OF EXCITEMENT AT SHAH ALAM PROTON FACTORY

2nd August 2008, Shah Alam - KDI Team makes a visit to the Proton Technology Week - The Journey Through Technology that full of excitement. We arrived on 3PM at Shah Alam Proton Factory (Kilang Proton Shah Alam) near the Proton Main Showroom and Office. Four of us tried to get the best and exclusive information about Proton and its technologies just for KDI readers.

The first attraction on the visits is about the stage show and competition. There are a lot of competition that you can join and get a chance to win great prizes such as Sony Playstation and Ipod Nano. Editor Azameel tried his luck to win that sony PSP but he is not lucky enough =p.

On that stage is the 3 millionth car produced by proton that is the new saga. Wow! Its already 3 million car produced by proton!

Beside that, there is a section where some proton car’s famous club such as v-sixers and satria club view their modified cars.

There are so many exciting cars and event during the exhibition. Below is the hot lists of articles that we will write about the proton technology week for you :

The Reality - Proton MPV & MSX Concept - Visit here!

waja rally
campro cps engine - Gen2 CPS
Proton Formula 3 with Campro Engine - Visit here!
Modified Satria Neo Desire & Symphony Bodykit - Visit Here!
Modified RED New Saga
Proton Satria Gemilang V6 2.0 - Visit here!

Proton Stingray - Classic Motorbike prototype - visit here!

Lotus Europa S - visit here!

Lotus 340 R -Visit Here!
Lotus Elise
Modified Gen2 & Perdana
Proton Waja Drifting - Visit here!

Savvy Fun Ride Promotion - Colourfull Savvy - Visit Here!

Proton V6 Prototype & Campro Turbo Engine

You will have a chance to take a look at how they produce the new saga in the Saga Production Line Factory from building chasis, doors, equipment installation and the dyno test. you will appreciate and proud to be Malaysian if you see how Proton could be National car maker with its technology and applications.

Beside that, you can take a peep of the new Proton MPV in a big box. We already seen the model and its interior inside the box but they didnt allow anybody to take a photo. There is a chasis of the new proton MPV that seems to be same with what already leaked in the TV3’s buletin utama. Near the Proton MPV is the Proton MPV concept car that they called Proton MSX. This car is the greatest design of MPV from proton and it is showed in clay model shape.

In the Research and Development (R&D) Building, you will see how they make a clay model by machine, the material used, Proton MPV, Concept car, Proton Engine Prototype and Satria+Arena mixed shape car while outside of it, you can take a look at the car crash test results for proton cars at about 35 km/hr and beside it is the test track.

Anybody will have a chance to be in the proton waja drift car and feel the excitement on drifting inside it. Beside that, you can experience go-kart neer the R&D building.

For those who have not visits the technology week in the first day (2 august 2008), you can go there tomorrow (3 August 2008) for full day exhibition. For those who dont have the chance to go there, you can view our special and exclusive post and articles about the proton technology week.

proton motorbike prototype using car’s rim

The satria neo + chancellor chasis = Satria gemilang

Proton Satria

The Proton Satria was a hatchback produced by Proton. Production started in 1995 for the first generation and ended in 2005. The new Satria Replacement Model (SRM), known as Proton Satria Neo was launched on 16 June 2006. The name Satria which means knight inSanskrit was chosen for Proton's 3-door hatchback to reflect the sportiness of the car.

Satria (1995-2005)

First generation

Also called	Proton Compact Proton Persona Compact Proton 300 series
Production	1995–2006
Engine(s)	1.3 L 4G13 I4 1.5 L 4G15 I4 1.6 L 4G92 I4 1.8 L 4G93 I4
Wheelbase	2,440 mm (96.1 in)
Length	3,995 mm (157.3 in)
Width	1,710 mm (67.3 in)
Height	1,365 mm (53.7 in)
Curb weight	1,005 kg (2,216 lb)
Related	Mitsubishi Mirage

The first generation Satria was based a 3-door hatchback on the 1991 Mitsubishi Mirage (Colt outside the Japanese market). Changes were limited to front-end styling and interior from the bigger Wira. Powerplant options included the 4G13p 1.3-litre 12-valve, 4G15p 1.5-litre 12-valve and 4G92p 1.6-litre 16-valve SOHC engine. The 1.5 and 1.6-litre 16v versions were also available with optional 3-speed and 4-speed automatic transmissions respectively.

Trim levels were LSi, GLi, GLSi and SEi. The base-specification LSi had the 1.3-litre 12-valve engine only: GLi versions got the 1.5-litre 12-valve engine in addition to the 1.3-litre: whilst GLSi and SEi versions got the 1.6 16v engine as well as the 1.5 12v.

A later facelift version featured a different tail-end to the original Mirage. These were launched in 1996 in Malaysia and later in other countries, and new XLi, S XLi and GTi trim levels were available. New 1.3 12v, 1.5 12v and 1.6 16v petrol engines were available.

[edit]Satria GTi

Lotus Engineered Proton Satria GTi.

The Satria Sports GTi was launched with a 141 bhp (105 kW) 1.8-litre Mitsubishi-sourced 4G93p engine, originally found in the Mitsubishi Lancer GTI.

This model was later evolved by Lotus Engineering, the Satria GTi's engine and handling was later tuned and revised, delivering 130 bhp (97 kW) at the wheels. It has a Top speed 220kmph / 136 mph.

During the involvement of Lotus,a new body kit was also adopted for the GTi for better aerodynamics. In the UK this limited edition vehicle wears a Lotus Engineering badge below the Proton Satria GTi badge. Proton claims that the Satria GTi was their fastest car it has ever produced to date.

Satria R3

Main article: Proton Satria R3

The Proton Satria R3 is a limited edition Satria sold in Malaysia. The term R3 stands for Race, Rally, Research. R3 is a redefined version of Satria Gti by Proton's Racing development team and also Lotus. It houses the same 1800 cc Mitsubishi 4G93p engine but has undergone some minor adjustments by Lotus handling. Bodyshell has been improved with double stitch welded monocoque chassis with front and rear strut tower brace bars. Top speed 220km/h done and tested thanks to Saritha and Naveen.

Satria Neo (2006-present)

Second generation (Satria Neo)

Also called	Proton Neo (Thailand)
Production	2006–present
Engine(s)	1.3 L Campro S4PE I4 1.6 L Campro S4PH I4
Wheelbase	2,440 mm (96.1 in)
Length	3,905 mm (153.7 in)
Width	1,710 mm (67.3 in)
Height	1,420 mm (55.9 in)
Curb weight	1,146 kg (2,526 lb) (1.3 L Manual) 1,184 kg (2,610 lb) (1.6 L Auto)
Related	Proton Gen-2

The 2008 model of Proton Satria R3 on display at the 2008 Melbourne Motorshow.

The Satria Neo was introduced in June 2006 as a replacement for the first generation Satria. Based on a new platform developed in-house by Proton (with some parts borrowed from the bigger Gen-2 and Waja), the car is currently only available in a three-door hatchback guise. The car was developed at a cost of RM500 million and four years, and was expected by Proton to generate a monthly sales volume of 2,000 to 2,500 units. The car was also intended to target those who are "youthful and sporty". The Satria Neo was launched by Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The entry-level Satria Neo, the 1.3 L-line, is powered by a 1.3 litre, inline-4 twin-camCampro engine, producing 94 bhp (70 kW) at 6000 rpm and 120 N m of torque at 4000 rpm. The 1.6 M-line and top-of-the-range H-line models have 1.6 litre versions of the same engine, with an output of 110 hp (82 kW) at 6000 rpm and 148 N m of torque at 4000 rpm. Both the M-line and H-line models have active system antennae which actively search for signals in areas with poor reception. All cars have the option of either 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic gearboxes supplied by Mitsubishi that are carried over from the previous Satria, with the H-line benefitting from safety features such as twin airbags, ABS with EBD and seatbelt pre-tensioners. All versions of the car come with an integrated Blaupunkt CD player.

Criticisms of the car include the lack of headroom and legroom for rear passengers (even compared to the previous generation Satria), and lacklustre performance in comparison with the Satria GTi. The infamous torque dip of Proton's Campro engine is also present.^[1]

A Satria Neo is used as the Star in a Bog Standard Car in Top Gear Australia.

MEM Proton Satria Neo Super 2000 Rally Car

Mellors Elliot Motorsport has prepared an FIA Super 2000 compliant Proton Satria Neo based on the road car's chassis. It is powered by same engine as found in the Proton Waja 1.8.^[2]Proton and Norwegian driver Petter Solberg are rumoured to enter the World Rally Championship in 2010 with a Super 2000+ version of the Satria Neo.

Proton Satria Neo CPS

During February 2009, Proton launched a CPS version of Satria Neo, replacing the top-end H-Line version of the Satria Neo. It comes with an aggressively styled body kit and spoiler that pays homage to the Satria GTi. It is powered by a 1.6 litre Campro CPS engine with 125 bhp and 150 Nm of torque which reportedly does not suffer from the torque dip of older Campro engines; however, the timing of the cam profile switching mechanism is slightly modified for aggressive driving - the CPS mechanism in the Satria Neo CPS changes from low cam to high cam at 4,400 rpm rather than at 3,800 rpm as in the other CPS-equipped models such as the Proton Waja and Proton Gen-2, as well as the Proton Exora.

Proton Putra

The Proton Putra was a coupé automobile produced by Malaysian automobile company Proton. Production of the Putra started in 1995 for the first model and ended in 2000, but was briefly relaunched in limited numbers in 2004–05 available just in Malaysia. The reasoning for the relaunch is to clear of the remaining stocks available at Proton Plant.

Design

Body and chassis

[show]Body

[show]Chassis

Based on Mitsubishi's Mirage Asti, the Putra is a two-door coupé with front end styling similar to that of both the Proton Wira and the first generation Proton Satria. The rear however features a more original design with only the taillights bearing similarities to those of the first generation Satria.

[edit]Interior

The Putra's interior standard equipment included Recaro N-Joy seats, leather Momo Daytona 4 steering and leather Momo gearknob. But during the relaunching units of Putras in Malaysia, interior Recaros, Momo steering and gearknob was not included as standards instead it was refitted with normal seats and steerings but comes with black interior.

Engine

[show]Engine

[show]Performance

The Putra's power is derived from a Mitsubishi 4G93P DOHC engine, which features a total of 4 cylinders, each with 4 valves and an MPi fuel system.

Export market

In the United Kingdom and Australia, the Putra was sold as the Proton Coupe or Proton M21 but sales were not strong as it was considered very bland looking and dull to drive compared to more adventurous competitors like the Ford Puma and Vauxhall Tigra.

As a mod car

The Putra is a favorite amongst Malaysian car enthusiasts due to its limited number. Some have modified the front of Putra with "halfcuts". The chasis model for Proton Putra is M21. It can transplant any engine with the nature of 4G9x series or 4G6x series.

Proton Putra

Manufacturer	Proton
Also called	Proton Coupe M21
Production	1995–2000
Class	Compact
Body style(s)	2-door coupé
Layout	FF layout
Engine(s)	1.8 L 4G93 I4
Wheelbase	2,440 mm (96.1 in)
Length	4,225 mm (166.3 in)
Width	1,690 mm (66.5 in)
Height	1,365 mm (53.7 in)
Curb weight	1,007 kg (2,220 lb)