PROTON Holdings Bhd unveiled the Proton Inspira, it’s new mid-sized four-door sedan, enhancing the upper C-segment of PROTON’s model line-up.
Unveiling the Proton Inspira was the Minister of International Trade and Industry, Dato ‘ Sri Mustapa bin Mohamed who was accompanied by PROTON Adviser Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed. Also present at the ceremony was PROTON Holdings Berhad Chairman Dato’ Sri Mohd. Nadzmi Mohd. Salleh and Group Managing Director Dato’ Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.
The Proton Inspira is the result of an OEM collaboration between PROTON and Mitsubishi Motor Corporation of Japan. Changes made by PROTON include cosmetic as well as Ride & Handling enhancements.
“We are very encouraged by the customers’ response since our soft launch on 14th October 2010. As of yesterday, we have an overwhelming response of 1,800 bookings nationwide,“ said Dato’ Syed Zainal Abidin.
“One of our product strategy is to introduce non-core models through strategic collaborations which provides a more efficient, timely, and cost effective product to the market. The Proton Inspira is an excellent example of this strategic collaboration,” explains Dato’ Sri Mohd. Nadzmi.
“PROTON will continue to focus on our own design and production of our own cars. We are in fact working on several new models. Customers can expect a new facelift model rolling out from our plant by end of this year and more next year and a new model in 2012 – all done by PROTON in total,” he assured.
We asked Tengku Djan, head of PROTON motorsports arm R3, of any plans to provide performance and hop-up parts and models: “At the moment we’re not permitted to make any changes that have not been presented to and approved by Mitsubishi, and neither can we race the car unfortunately. It still looks too much like the Lancer Evolution X and they are very protective of that.”
The all-new Proton Inspira is available in 1.8-litre CVT and manual transmission as well as in 2-liter CVT transmission.
