SUBANG JAYA, 15 December 2011 – PROTON Holdings Berhad today announced the availability of two new variants of Malaysia’s first MPV, the Exora which features an all-new 1.6-litre Campro Charge Fuel Efficiency (CFE) engine with performance comparable to that of a 2-litre engine.
The CFE engine is available in the new Exora Bold Premium and the top-of-the-line Exora Prime model that comes equipped with a CVT transmission.
“The combination of the Campro CFE engine and CVT transmission not only gives the Exora Bold Premium and Exora Prime greater efficiency and fuel economy,” said PROTON Holdings Berhad Group Managing Director Dato’ Sri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.
He added that CFE uses the force induction technology which provides maximum power at lower RPM. “Boosted with the more efficient 1.6L engine, customers will experience powerful performance which is comparable to a 2.0L engine, with much lower fuel consumption. The additional power kicks in to provide more pulling power when accelerating or overtaking. In short, it’s what you can aptly describe as a “pay-as-you-go” engine, which gives you more “vroom” for every litre of petrol used.”
The benefits of the CVT transmission include the intelligence of selecting the best ratio that would suit a particular driving condition thus allowing the Exora to become extremely fuel efficient, and what is known as “steepless” smooth acceleration due to its discreet gear changing for best comfort.
The Exora Bold is also being offered in executive trim powered by a 1.6-litre Campro CPS engine available in both manual and automatic transmissions. PROTON is also offering a 1.6 standard trim which is powered by the same engine and a manual transmission.
The exclusive, six-seater Exora Prime features a number of enhancements. The exterior upgrades include an all-new front and rear bumper design; electric folding door mirrors; rear disc brakes; blacked-out headlamps; smoked rear combi lights; 16” inch gold-finished alloys; a rear garnish finishing; and available in a newly-introduced colour which is Absolute Brown.
An all-new leather interior is complemented by the walnut centre panel finishing, gear panel bezel, air-conditioning vent outlets and metallic beige door switch covers and inner door handles. The Exora Prime is also equipped with a second row Captain Seat, head rest monitors and an audio system incorporating navigation and a reverse camera.
The Exora Bold Premium meanwhile, also sports electric folding door mirrors, rear disc brakes, 16” inch alloys, and a new front and rear bumper design. The interior however, benefits from a sportier treatment in the form of a dual-tone combination leather seats with liquid silver appointments to its gear panel bezel, door switch cover, air-conditioning vent outlets and inner door handles. The vehicle is also equipped with a reverse camera and rear view mirror with LCD.
“The Exora Bold Premium and Exora Prime offer consumers exclusive and elegant styling combined with Lotus Ride and Handling for excellent grip, stability, response and safety, all, at an affordable price and the best value for money for a vehicle in its class, in line with our brand promise of ‘Committed to be Better’,” said Dato’ Sri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin.
Since it was first launched in April 2009, a total of 65,049 units of the Exora have already been registered with PROTON receiving some 82,854 bookings. The Exora has a monthly sales average of 1,800 units and with the introduction of Exora Bold Premium and Exora Prime, the company is optimistic of securing a monthly sales volume of 2,000 units.
With buyers opting for the Exora because of its interior spaciousness, exterior styling, features and reasonable pricing, it has also won numerous awards which include being named Midi MPV of the year at the NST/Maybank Car of the Year Awards in 2009; Best Local Assembled MPV at the Asian Auto-VCA Awards in 2009; and Small/Mid-size MPV of the year at the Autocar Asean Car of the Year Awards in 2009. The Exora also received the Frost & Sullivan 2010 Malaysia Excellence Awards for Best Automotive Debut Model of the Year in 2010.
The popularity of Exora is also evident in other Proton markets. Last year, the Exora was the only MPV named as one of the top ten cars in Thailand by a renowned English newspaper in Bangkok. And more recently this year, the Exora Star won two separate awards in Indonesia; the “Best Budget MPV 2011” at the Indonesian Automotive Awards and MobilMotor magazine’s ICOTY (Indonesian Car of the Year) Best Small MPV 2011.
The Exora Bold Premium and Exora Prime models will only be available for registration by the second week of January 2012.
In the meantime, customers are invited to test drive the Exora Bold Premium with CVT transmission at the nearest PROTON showroom. In conjunction with the launch of the new variants, PROTON is also organising a Proton 4 U Day from 16-18 December at all Proton sales outlets nationwide. Door gifts are being offered to those who test drive the Exora. The Exora Prime however, will not be available for test drive and can only be viewed at these selected outlets: Crystal Showroom, Juru Branch, Plentong Branch and Mutiara Damansara.
Variant Tentative OTR
1.6 Standard MT RM 59,998
Bold 1.6 Executive MT RM 70,998
Bold 1.6 Executive AT RM 74,998
Bold 1.6 Premium CVT RM 79,998
Prime 1.6 Premium RM 88,998
