Butthurt? Good Move? Proton Inspira?

So from the title… You guessed it… It is about the Proton Waja upcoming replacement model…

Butthurt, may refer to those proud Mitsubishi Lancer variant owners…

As the Waja replacement model will be using exactly what the Lancer is, except with some necessary tweaks like badge changes, and a new front bumper to further differentiate it.

It is called Proton Inspira by the way according to sources, and it comes with 3 variants currently, with 2 engine options.

It is known that both are from Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA), means engine co-developed between alliances of Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Chrysler. The 2.0 litre version pretty obviously to be 4B11 which the current Lancer is using, while the engine for 1.8 litre will be 4B10, with tentative power output is known.

1.8 Litre (143PS/177Nm)

5 Speed MT – RM79,999
CVT – RM86,999

2.0 Litre (155PS/199Nm)

CVT with Paddle Shift – RM93,999

 

Soft launch expected on 15 October 2010, with the official name will be up and booking starts the same on the day itself, with booking fees being RM1000. The official launch will be during 10 November 2010. Early bird bookings will also receive special 2 years free service and maintenance.

The first batch of the delivery will have all imported parts, as Proton will need time to locally source the parts to bring down the costs (ahem, will they even with local parts?), and a lot more customization to future batch such as the missing “teh-tarik hook” that Malaysian so like even on the driver side.

However no more 18 inches alloy like the Lancer GT, which would actually be a good move since the Lancer GT actually felt sluggish on initial pick up with the CVT on 18 inches alloy. Proton actually fitted in 16 inches alloy wrapped with Continental CC5 tyre.

And oh… Before the end, not to forget the re-designed suspension, Lotus Ride and Handling that make it far better than stock Lancer, although some sources from Paultan indicates otherwise, but I am pretty sure it is due to the 18 inches and the Advans from Yokohama that helped the Lancer to feel superior.

Well… The 5MT options appears to be nice though, sadly not the 2 Litre version.