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Review (Pandu Uji / Test Drive) Proton Preve (Prevé) P3-21A – Model Proton Terbaru

April 21st, 2012 No comments

Sedan terbaik Proton setakat ini

Oleh AHMAD SYUKRAN ZAINUDDIN

 

MENGAMBIL masa selama tiga tahun untuk disiapkan, produk yang menjadi kebanggaan terbaharu pengeluar kereta tempatan, Proton Holding Berhad (Proton) selamat dilancarkan secara rasmi oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak pada malam Isnin lalu.

Dipanggil Prevé (pray-vay) yang membawa maksud untuk membuktikan, sedan segmen C itu disifatkan sebagai model global buat Proton meneroka pasaran luar negara. Maka, tidak hairanlah jika penilaian terhadap model itu lebih kritikal daripada biasa.

Prevé pada awalnya dikenali sebagai P3-21A. Kemunculannya sudah lama ditunggu-tungagu. Rasa tahu orang kian memuncak apabila ada sahaja ‘gambar-gambar curi’ disiarkan di laman-laman web pemotoran terkenal tempatan.

Sekarang, terimalah hasil kerja keras 60 orang jurutera Proton. Apa yang pasti, Prevé dilihat lebih matang dan memiliki banyak fungsi berbanding model-model terdahulu Proton.

Sekali fikir, Prevé menggunakan formula hampir sama dengan pengeluar kereta Korea Selatan, Hyundai dan Kia. Maksud saya, sumbatkan sebanyak mungkin ciri yang boleh dan tawarkan pada harga lebih murah berbanding pesaing sekelasnya. Secara tidak langsung, pembeli akan menilai kereta ini sebagai berbaloi untuk dimiliki.

Prevé tidak menggantikan mana-mana model Proton. Sebaliknya, ia diposisikan antara model Persona dan Inspira. Banyak betul sedan Proton. Tidak mengapa, setiap model ada peminatnya tersendiri.

Memandangkan Prevé ialah model global, maka pembinaannya perlulah memenuhi standard dunia. Itulah cabaran paling besar yang terpaksa ditempuh Proton. Standard itu pastinya meliputi aspek keselamatan, teknologi, keselesaan, rekaan, kualiti binaan dan sebagainya.

RUANG kokpit mengaplikasikan tona hitam dengan kemasan kayu dan calitan perak.

 

Jentera itu dibina berasaskan kepada kerangka Exora. Bezanya hanyalah penggunaan suspensi roda belakang jenis multi-link yang pastinya lebih sesuai untuk sebuah sedan. Sedia maklum bahawa kereta Proton memang boleh diharap jika bercakap tentang kualiti pemanduan dan pengendaliannya.

5 Bintang MyVAP

Ciri keselamatan adalah antara ciri yang paling diberi perhatian oleh Proton untuk Prevé. Banyak betul sistem keselamatan yang ada padanya. Sebagai contoh, kerangka yang diperkukuh diberi nama RESS (Reinforced Safety Structure) , dua beg udara, sistem brek ABS, EBD, malah BA (brake Assist), kawalan cengkaman (traction control) Electronic Stability Control (ESC) dan ISOFIX untuk varian Premium. Jangan lupa juga bahawa Prevé mendapat penarafan lima bintang daripada Malaysian Vehicle Assessment Programme (MyVAP).

Sudah boleh dilihat secara dekat di bilik-bilik pameran Proton seluruh negara, sedan itu ditawarkan dalam tiga varian menerusi dua pilihan enjin dan tiga jenis transmisi. Varian tertinggi ialah model Premium yang dipasang dengan enjin 1.6 liter CFE, iaitu enjin sama pada model Exora Bold.

Cuma, ia telah ditala semula bagi memberikan kuasa yang lebih linear dan sesuai dengan karekter sebuah sedan.

Enjin dengan sistem ‘soft turbo’ itu menawarkan kuasa seperti enjin bersesaran 2.0 liter. Lebih tepat lagi, ia mampu mencecah kuasa 138hp dan tork puncak 205Nm.

Lebih menarik, enjin itu dipadankan dengan transmisi Protronic CVT tujuh kelajuan. Transmisi VT3 itu turut diberikan paddle shifter untuk membenarkan pemandu menukar gear secara manual.

Kalau hendak melihat dari segi prestasi, padanan tersebut membolehkan Prevé mencapai kelajuan maksimum 190 kilometer sejam (km/j). Sementara tempoh sedan itu untuk sampai ke kelajuan 100km/j dari kedudukan statik adalah 9.6 saat. Menyentuh aspek penggunaan bahan api pula, Proton mendakwa varian Prevé berenjin CFE ialah 6.6 liter bagi setiap 100km.

PINTU but belakang kini boleh dibuka dengan memicit butang pada kunci kenderaan.

 

Mahu memikat seramai mungkin pembeli berpotensi, Proton turut menawarkan varian 1.6 Executive CVT (VT2 enam kelajuan) dan 1.6 Executive bertransmisi manual lima kelajuan. Enjin yang digunakan pula ialah Campro IAFM, sama seperti yang ada pada model Saga 1.6.

Meninjau ke ruang kabin, Prevé menggunakan warna hitam sebagai temanya. Papan pemuka, stereng, fabrik tempat duduk dan panel sisi diberi warna hitam, di sebalik kemasan kayu dan calitan warna perak pada konsol tengahnya.

Bagi mereka yang memilih varian dengan enjin CFE, anda pasti berpuas hati dengan semua ciri yang ada pada kokpit Prevé.

Senarainya bolehlah dimulakan dengan butang Start/Stop, pemain cakera padat bersama sambungan Bluetooh, USB dan iPod, selain lampu hadapan, penggilap cermin dan pendingin hawa yang dikawal secara automatik. Tidak terkecuali, unit navigasi dengan skrin sentuh.

Prevé ditawarkan pada harga bermula RM RM59,540 hingga RM72,990 seunit bergantung kepada varian. Anda boleh memilih salah satu daripada enam warna yang ditawarkan iaitu hitam, putih, biru, merah, perak dan coklat.

Proton boleh dianggap berada di landasan yang betul untuk dipandang lebih serius sebagai pengeluar kenderaan berpengaruh. Sekurang-kurangnya di rantau ini. Namun, masih banyak ruang yang perlu diperbaiki.

Cabaran utama Proton pastinya untuk menghilangkan saki-baki rasa skeptikal pengguna terhadap kereta keluarannya. Paling tidak pun, membuatkan kelompok yang gemar mengutuk dan menghentam apa jua yang keluar daripada kilang Proton terdiam serta menutup mulut mereka.

UNTUK menghidupkan enjin, anda hanya perlu menekan butang penghidup.

 

Perkara itu jugalah yang saya anggap masih belum berjaya direalisasikan sepenuhnya oleh Proton. Sebabnya, kalau benar Proton sudah mampu menghapuskan persepsi negatif terhadap produknya, tidaklah seorang rakan bertanya kepada saya: “Ada Internet di dalam kereta? Kalau rosak macam mana?”

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Pandu Uji Proton Exora Bold CFE 1.6

April 21st, 2012 No comments

Rasa-rasanya, tiada satu pun produk Proton Holdings Berhad (Proton) yang tidak pernah mendapat perhatian meluas. Selaku pemegang status pengeluar kereta nasional, Proton sentiasa mendapat penilaian kritikal daripada pengguna Malaysia.

Pasti semua masih ingat ketika Proton mengeluarkan kenderaan serba guna (MPV) pertamanya pada tahun 2009. Pada masa itu, ramai ‘pakar’ automotif yang tampil beri pandangan. Dalam blog, di kedai kopi, malah di dalam bilik pameran Proton, macam-macam komen diberikan tentang MPV tersebut.

Kutukan paling keras pastinya terhadap kemampuan enjin Campro CPS 1.6 liter itu. Tidak dapat dinafikan bahawa enjin itu memang kurang berkuasa. Kalau hendak berlumba dengan kereta lain di lampu isyarat, baik lupakan sahaja. Tetapi, kalau sudah meluncur di atas lebuh raya, kuasanya boleh tahan juga sebenarnya.

Masalahnya, ada juga MPV lain yang kurang kuasa dan guna plastik murah untuk bahagian dalamannya, tetapi tidak pula kita kecoh lebih-lebih.

 

Pertengahan Disember 2011, Proton memperkenalkan dua varian terbaharu Exora. Dikenali sebagai Exora Bold Premium dan Exora Prime, ada banyak perkara yang membuatkan saya menyatakan inilah MPV terbaik untuk takat harga di bawah RM100,000.

Kedua-dua Exora itu bukan sekadar varian tambahan saja-saja dengan sedikit pembaharuan. Sebaliknya, ia menjadi model pertama Proton yang menerima unit enjin Campro turbo atau CFE (Charge Fuel Efficiency). Enjin turbo itu sememangnya sudah lama ditunggu-tunggu. Semua orang mahu tahu sejauh mana berkuasanya enjin turbo buatan Proton.

Sebelum anda menjadi teruja tidak tentu pasal, harus saya ingatkan bahawa Campro CFE ialah unit enjin dengan sistem soft turbo. Maksudnya, turbo bertekanan rendah. Turbo sebegini biasanya menggunakan unit pendesak turbo yang kecil. Kuasa kuda yang dihasilkannya juga rendah. Namun, apa yang penting,ialah teknologi itu digunakan untuk mencapai tork lebih tinggi.

Harus tahu juga bahawa enjin CFE bukannya unit enjin CPS yang ditambah dengan turbo. Sebaliknya, 70 peratus komponen yang membentuk CFE adalah baharu. Hasilnya, enjin itu mampu menjana kuasa sehingga 138hp @ 5,000rpm dan tork puncak 205nm pada putaran enjin serendah 2,000rpm – 4,000rpm.

“Menerusi enjin 1.6 liter CFE yang lebih cekap, pelanggan akan rasa lebih prestasi seperti enjin bersesaran 2.0 liter tetapi pengguhaan bahan api menjimatkan. Varian ini menawarkan gayaan yang eksklusif dan elegan, disertakan bersama kualiti pengendalian Lotus. Malah, ia dipakejkan pada harga yang berpatutan jika dibandingkan dengan kenderaan sekelas dengannya,” kata Pengarah Urusan Kumpulan PROTON Holdings Berhad, Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.

Selepas memandu uji Proton Exora ke Tanjung Jara, Dungun Terengganu, boleh disimpulkan bahawa matlamat itu dapat dijayakan dengan baik. Hantaran kuasa yang ditawarkan oleh Campro CFE terasa lebih cepat dan tidak membuatkan enjin mengaum secara berlebihan.

Kalau enjin Campro CPS boleh membuatkan sesetengah orang sakit jiwa dengan low end torque yang dihasilkannya, Campro CFE seakan-akan sudah menyelesaikan masalah itu dengan agak cemerlang.

Campro CFE digandingkan bersama kotak gear CVT. Transmisi CVT itu bukannya yang sama dengan kotak gear CVT pada model Saga FLX. Tetapi ia merupakan kotak gear CVT baru yang dikenali sebagai CVT3 yang khas buat model Exora Bold Premium dan Prime.

Jadi, seperti biasa ia menawarkan pertukaran gear yang lancar dan tanpa senggukan. Tetapi kalau kelancaran itu tidak memuaskan hati anda, jangan lupa tekan butang SAT (Stepped-Automatic Transmission) yang ada pada perumah tuil gear. SAT berfungsi memberikan sedikit rasa gear ditukar untuk pemanduan lebih sporty.

Kualiti kawalan Exora boleh dianggap bagus. Dengan tubuh yang besar, tinggi dan tayar bersaiz 16 inci, ia masih berupaya tidak membuatkan pemandu serta penumpang berasa kecut perut ketika mengambil selekoh dengan laju.

Berada di tempat duduk pemandu, saya berpuas hati dengan rasa stereng dan tombol gear yang dibalut kulit. Konsol tengah yang menempatkan unit audio dan butang kawalan pendingin hawa itu juga tidak nampak murah. Untuk kelihatan lebih mewah, panel sisi dan tempat duduknya juga dibalut kulit.

Jika anda duduk di tempat duduk belakang, tidak perlu bimbang tentang keselesaan. Selain boleh mengawal sendiri butang pendingin hawa, penumpang juga tidak kebosanan dengan adanya skrin LCD dan pemain multimedia yang boleh memainkan filem daripada kad SD, USB atau DVD.

Sebagai seorang yang kurang gemar memandu kenderaan besar seperti MPV, saya sangat menghargai kewujudan kamera mengundur pada Exora. Sebaik sahaja gear undur dimasukkan, paparan berwarna lengkap dengan garisan sudut berwarna hijau dan oren akan terpapar di cermin pandang belakang.

Garisan sudut itu sememangnya banyak membantu pemandu untuk memarkir Exora dengan lebih mudah dan tepat.

Melihat dari luarannya, varian terbaharu Exora itu memang lebih menarik. Di samping perumah lampu hadapan dan belakang yang digelapkan, MPV itu turut menerima bampar hadapan dengan rekaan baharu. Di sekeliling tubuhnya juga dipasang dengan skirting. Jadi, MPV itu tidaklah nampak pakcik-pakcik sangat.

Kalau dahulu anda memberi alasan Exora CPS tidak laju, kurang kuasa, tidak ada TV dan macam-macam lagi sehinggakan tidak jadi membelinya, sekarang semua itu sudah ada. Jadi, mahu apa lagi?

-Syuk-

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Review Proton Exora Bold

April 20th, 2012 No comments

Turbocharged Proton Exora Bold CFE – driving & design impression

The updated Proton Exora MPV has been announced to the public on last Friday, 16th December 2011. The home-grown MPV is very much-awaited, as countless spyshots of the so-called “Exora Turbo” were spied around the Klang Valley and it is, no beat behind the bush here, a known fact that the CPS-powered Exora main Achilles point is, well, its CPS engine. MPV of this size, in any part of the world, is rarely been powered by a small capacity engine. For comparison, Proton Exora is longer than Honda Stream and Toyota Wish. Those Japs stalwart were powered by a minimum 1.8llump. I am going to start my Proton Exora Bold Premium review with a conclusion. It is worth to note that the Exora is barely 2.5 years old. The significant aesthetic updates and the entirely new drivetrain it received signify Proton intent to improve its product based on increasing customer expectation.

Conclusion/Verdict
There isn’t a need to scroll down the article to find out how the Exora Bold has been summed up. In a nutshell, in a sense, the updated Exora is what  people (carrier) love the most. It is spacious for 5 adults, plus 2 more can be seated in the 3rd row without major complaints. The storage space is abundance. Practicality is second to none at this price. Driving it is a breeze. It feels very car like, with none of van-like kind of blind spot and cumbersome dynamics. However, it now comes with fangs. No more sluggish mid-range engine speed. It can be easily hustled to merge with faster traffic seamlessly. In a phrase, Proton Exora Bold Premium is now a complete MPV. Period. Check out the driving impression down the articles.
At RM79,998, it is very hard to find a rival worth mentioning. The packaged of spacious interior, full supply of aircond in the cabin, good handling, well-suppressed NVH and a very well-equipped cabin amenities makes the Exora Bold punched well above its price. With the new, more powerful heart, Proton has makes the other competitors (Perodua Alza, Toyota Avanza and Innova, Nissan Grand Livina) appear half-bake. Other than the brand, there’s no single aspect of these competitors where the new Exora can’t matched.
Exterior Design
This is not the first time the Exora styling was updated. The first one was in July 2010, just 15 months after the lunch where the Exora was given a tweak in its styling. Skirting was added on all model, bar the Base, to enhance the look, reducing the ungainly appearance from certain angle. The light grey of the cabin too has make way for more traditional Tempest Grey based on public feedback on their launch model.
For 2012, the Exora has been given a full styling makeover. The front end has been spiced up with the new front bumper, featuring a very prominent vertically placed air intakes on each outer edge, flanking the slight-smiley lower radiator grille. The headlamps, while continue to be housed in the same casing, has been given a smoked treatment. The previously floating aerofoil upper radiator grille has been ditched, and making an appearance is  the new signature grille for Proton, a formal-looking unit with hard-edge surrounding panel and a chrome garnish mounted close to the leading edge to the hood. The same grille outline was spied in the leaked P3-21A photo, so this is what we can expect in the future after all.
While some manufacturer (local rivaling brand included) sometimes goes crazy with creating “air-intake” with blanked, non-see through, plugged-off panel, the air intakes in the Proton cars has always been functional. Check-out the meshed grille in Proton Satria Neo rear bumper if you don’t believe me. In the Exora Bold, the vents fed the radiator behind it. Both sides are not blanked off.
The rear end of the current Exora is a hit and missed affair. While it is tastefully done with nice placing of garnish and squared-off, low loading height bumper, the tail light detailing marred the experience. While there is a need to insist on the presence of LED in there, there’s simply too many different arrangement in there, the chrome is loud too. For the Bold range, Proton simply smoked the whole thing, muted the entire “overdone touch” in one go. Great.
While the rear bumper is retained, it has been wrapped with lower skirting fitted with contrasting valance, similar in concept in Inspira, and has been visible in P3-21A spied car too. The squared-off front bumper fascia and rear bumper valence are complemented by the side skirting, and in the case of Premium version of Exora Bold, a new design 16″ alloy wheel too.
All in all, the facelifted Exora is less ungainly looking than its forebear. The new front bumper design has actually removed the visual mass associated with the old Exora front styling with its angular bumper edge. The new radiator grille also make it presence felt, making the front end appears more elegant, with slight sporting intention projected by those great looking bumper and smoked headlamp. The rear end meanwhile appears lithe, and less visual mass at the lower section. The tail lamp is no longer distracting as the smoked effect has makes it more seamlessly integrated with the whole rear end design. Commendable effort here is indeed praiseworthy.
More details after the jump including Interior Design, Drivetrain and Driving Experience.
Interior Design
The Exora Bold Premium is the highest line in the 7 seater Exora model ( the top line is the 6 seater Prime, but that’s another story), and it gets a whole bucket of bell and whistle Proton currently has in its parts bin. For the Bold line-up, the tempest grey interior color scheme is retained. While the Executive version of the Exora Bold make do with Liquid Silver finished centre console (and fabric seat which I’ve yet to see), the Premium version gets the cubic motif instead, with silvered aircond vent, as well as fully leather-upholstered seats and door trims. While I am yet to see the lower-priced Exora Bold, the Premium range feels very premium indeed with its two-toned leather. The steering wheel is wrapped in similar material too.
The rest of the interior is what we know and love unchanged from Exora since 2009. The driving position is car-like, unlike my current driving, a sub-MPV which now feels van-like in comparison. The thick spoked steering wheel falls natural to the hand, with perforated leather offering gripper central region.
Front seat with the leather upholstery for Premium version

However, I can’t help from feeling that a sliding second row of seat would fare much better. This is because, it would be great to have a certain degree of control in determining the legroom length of both rear row of seat. While the second row is more than spacious, the same can’t be said about the last row. I know Proton traded it off with one-touch folding mechanism for second row, but the absence of the sliding mechanism is felt nevertheless.

2nd and 3rd rows are similarly trimmed

 

Liquid Silver aircond vent and Cubic motif center console for Premium

 

Gear knob operating the CVT gearbox

 

White illuminated meter binnacle
The meter binnacle of the Exora Bold is now white illuminated instead of red like current Exora. It is stylish and simplistic. Note that the speedometer is now read to 240 km/h. The level of detailing that goes into the designing of door trim is great to be seen. The leathered section is split into two-tone, where when combined with painted door inside handle and power window switch panel, give a nice contrast that break the monotone mood.
Close-up on the leather trimmed front door trim
The boot space is comparable to other MPV of this size. The remaining length available with last row of seat deployed is further supplemented by under-floor storage compartment, which is covered by solid panel. This is commendable effort by Proton when rival Perodua Alza and Nissan Grand Livina also have the same concept, but their cover panel is no better than padded cardboard.
Engine and drivetrain
The Exora Bold Premium is powered by the newly introduced CFE engine. The light-pressure turbocharger is one of the innovation added to the new engine derived from the Campro family. Many people mistaken CFE as a Campro turbo, while it is much more than just simply that.
The project started a while back under Project Pheonix tag. It aimed to develop a high-torque engine suitable for MPV application. Truth to the current trend in engine downsizing, the CFE was aimed to have a 1.8l to 2.0l level of performance without incurring the high fuel consumption penalty of higher engine capacity. However, Proton started off with the base 1.6l anyway. Adding a turbocharger is not simply a bolted on job. Due to the higher combustion pressure derived from larger volume of air fed in, the loading on the cranktrain and engine structure are increased. The conrod, crankshaft, strength of cylinder block+head+bedplate as well heavier duty for coolant and lubricant flow are all need to be re-look and re-sized accordingly.
Proton has long been criticized for sticking to 4 speed automatic transmission, while the rest of the world (except maybe the low-end Toyota) has moved on the 6 speed tranny. While the chase to the number of forward ratio could be endless, it is better to be one up on the rival. No? There’s no higher number of gear than what CVT can offer. CVT basically offer infinite number of gearing due to its nature of operation. In this case, Punch gearbox was chosen, and it a global brand name as far as CVT is concern.
The Exora Bold packed 138bhp@5000 rpm and 205Nm@2000-4000 rpm of power and torque respectively. The CFE is slightly smaller in cubic centimeters compared to CPS engine, 1,561cc against 1,597cc. While the lower price Exora Bold soldiers on with CPS + 4AT drivetrain, the turbocharged Premium version can reached 100km/h in less pedestrian 13.3 seconds (against 15.7 second of CPS + 4AT combo) and reached 185 km/h of top speed ( up from 165 km/h of aforementioned drivetrain combo).  Fuel consumption suffers a little with quoted 7.8 l/100km compared to 7.4l/100km of the CPS engine.
Driving Experience
I have the chance to test drive the Exora for a short few kilometers, but the route has an uphill U-turn, downhill sweep, straight highway and high-speed sweeping.
You may have read my review on the Saga FLX SE 1.6 CVT, which I deemed a bit crude in its control panel feel. No such problem for the Exora though, it feels thoroughly up to date. The driving position is very, very car like. The view outside the car is great too, covering over A-pillar, shoulder line and D-pillar views. It does not feel like a high-seating too much, and judging the car edge is never been easier.
The thick steering spoke feels natural to my palm. The gearknob can be grabbed nicely, the motion along the gate is smooth and does not feel sticky.
Upon first few throttle application, the car feels slightly heavy and does not jolts ahead easily. However, by familiarizing with the pedal modulation, the car can be moved quite quickly off the line. I intentionally switched off the audio and slow down the aircond to hear the car more.
The noise suppresion is good. However, the CFE and CVT combo is not the quietest drivetrain combo. While not really intruding, the sound of the engine and gearbox can be quite vocal under heavy acceleration.  However, under normal driving circumstances, the engine and gearbox are suitably muted and refined. The CVT gearbox is smooth, subjectively smoother than the one I sampled with Saga FLX SE. Perhaps the tuning is the different here.
I tested flooring the gas to the carpet, and the Exora Bold gained speed rapidly. While the CPS Exora can feel sluggish, the CFE-powered is much more powerful. You can feel the presence of the 205Nm of torque right at 2000+ rpm. I took a tight U-turn under the flyover, accelerate quick after that and later, joining the 3-lane highway from the slip road and confidence enough to join the traffic on the fast lane. High speed composure is a given for this car. Steering feel is nicely weighted at that speed too. Perhaps a blast through the back road of Kuala Kubu Bharu would be great, but that’s not the whole point of this car. Anyway, the steering does inspire confidence. It feels direct-acting to the front wheel. Combined with superior view outwards the car, the Exora can be placed round the corner with confident.
Verdict

Proton worked hard these days. To give its car a major facelift within two and a half years complete with the engine is not an easy job. Gone are the days they were cruising with the same model for years and years. The Exora is now a truly up to date MPV. The silky new drivetrain has added a new dimension to the Malaysian-made MPV making it thoroughly a best buy at the moment. Forget the foreign made with superior brand priced up to RM 150k, this is the MPV you’ll ever need!

Summary of specs
Dimensions:
Length: 4,592mm
Width: 1,809mm
Height: 1,691mm
Wheelbase:2,730mm
Capacity: 7 seater

Engine:
Type: 1,561cc inline-4 turbocharged gasoline
Compression ratio: 10.5
Max power:138bhp@5000rpm
Max torque:205Nm@2000-4000rpm
Fuel tank:60 litres
Spesific fuel consumption: 7.8 l/100km

Performance:
0-100 km/h: 13.3 seconds
Top speed: 185 km/h

Chassis:
Suspension (F/R) : McPherson Struts/Torsion Beam
Brake (F/R) : Vented Disc/Disc
Tyre: 205/55 R16

 

 

Proton has unveiled their much awaited Exora BOLD and PRIME today. The updated Proton Exora can now be have in 5 versions. The Standard model is essentially the base-line model, which is devoid of the updated styling package (except that it still gets the smoked head and tail lamps) and is manual-geared only. Next-up in the line is the Exora Bold range, which kicks from Executive (5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic). The Exora Bold is the real facelifted model, as it gets the updated styling package consists of new front bumper and full skirting including rear valence. These three models soldiers on with the proven Campro CPS engine as per current Exora. The range starts to get interesting with the Proton Exora Bold Premium, which is powered by the new CFE engine, and drive its new-found power through the now-customary CVT gearbox. The range is topped by Exora Prime, which is a luxuriously-trimmed 6 seater version.

As for the price, the manual Standard model now costs RM59,998, Bold Executive MT at RM70,998, Bold Executive 4AT at RM74,998, Bold Premium (CFE + CVT) at RM79,998 and finally the Prime at RM88,998. For direct comparison with the current Exora, the Standard model is only RM1,000 dearer. Meanwhile the Bold Executive MT is  RM5,450 more than current M-Line manual, while Bold Executive 4AT is RM4,450 dearer than the M-Line AT it succeeds. It is unfair to draw a comparison between Exora Bold Premium as it gets a host of improvement consisting of new soft-turbo engine, CVT, 4 wheel disc brakes and electrically folding side mirror.
Proton Exora BOLD Premium front end – a complete fascia makeover

The enhanced styling for Bold model onward deserved special mention here. The new front bumper has successfully removed the visual bulk that has long defecting the frontal appearance of the current model. The boxy bumper lines has been punched by the vertical air intakes on the outer edge of the front bumper. The lower radiator grille adopt a wide horizontal opening, which virtually widened the car look. The new grille is more formal looking than the current one, and blends really well with the new front fascia. This new grille is set to be a signature grille for current crops of Proton cars, starting from P3-21A. Smoked headlamp completes the frontal makeover.The Prime model gets a chrome housing for its fog light.

Proton Exora Prime features additional touch of class over the BOLD model

Since the launch of current Exora, I have always felt that the rear light is overdone. In an effort to signify the presence of LED lighting, and in the midst of creating the so-called character in the constraint of space, the designer was probably fighting among his own ideas and ended up implementing all his ideas! Fortunately, all those tacky detailing has been blurred by the dark smoked effect. The bumper is c/o item, but has been given a new lease of live by the fitment of lower garnish which,due to the contrasting black color, has removed the visual mass from the rear. It appears lighter to the eye.Kudos to Proton for really transforming the look of their MPV in this styling exercise!

Identical rear end for BOLD and Prime. Rear combi drastically better than the overdone item on current Exora
The biggest news that public has eagerly waited all this while is the much lauded turbocharged engine. Dubbed CFE, stands for Charged Fuel Efficiency, the new powertrain started its life some years back as Project Pheonix. The major objective of this project was to create an engine for high-torque application, while at the same time have to be fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. The engine is not merely a turbo-charged Campro, as adding a turbocharger results in higher combustion pressure in the cylinder, thus necessity a total revision to the cranktrain systems, coolant and lubricant circuit, as well as stronger cylinder head, block and bedplate. Even the stroke is 2mm shorter at 86mm, resulting in 36cc less in capacity at 1,561cc while maintaining a high (for turbo engine) compression ratio of 10.0. The engine is rated for Euro 4 and 5 too. The results is 138bhp@5000rpm and 205Nm is available between 2000-4000rpm. As can be seen below, there a fat chunk of maximum torque available between the afore-mentioned engine speed, and this range is precisely what the driving rpm is for most drivers. So one can imagine the CFE-equipped Exora can be more move around more swiftly at around town driving.

The new heart gives the Exora Bold Premium the extra pace to accelerate to 100 km/h in 13.3 seconds, much faster than the CPS 4AT Exora which sprint (or crawl?) to the similar speed in pedestrian-like 15.7 seconds. Top speed for this turbo version is 185 km/h, compared to 165 km/h for the auto-geared CPS. Fuel consumption however has suffered a little bit, at a constant 90 km/h, the claimed figure for CFE CVT is 7.8 l/100km compared to 7.4l/100km achieved for non-turbo engine. Complementing the added performance, the Premium version is equipped with rear disc brake. The Premium version rides on larger 205/55 R16 as opposed to 195/65 R15.

Proton Exora Bold Premium interior. More brightwork than current model

There are some variation in the interior trim among the 5 model on offer. There’s not much to talk about regarding the Standard Line, which soldiers on its black door inside handle and platingrau color in its centre console. The Bold like gets a liquid silver door inside handle, while the Executive model centre console is finished in same liquid silver replacing the platingrau scheme found on Standard model. The seats are finished in refreshed fabric scheme too. As for entertainment systems, the Executive version is now equipped with the DVD player which was only found on Hi-Line previously. The Premium version of Exora Bold gets all the bells and whistles in the form of leather upholstery for the seat and door trim, electric folding side mirror, rear camera projected in rear view mirror, cubic motif on centre console, auto-cruise, leather wrapped steering and liquid silver finishing on aircond vent surround. The Premium version meanwhile gets individual captain seat for the second row seat, whole occupants can enjoy the DVD integrated in front seat headrest. The liquid silver centre console finishing on the Premium has been replaced with simulated walnut in the Prime, together with different leather finishing on the seats and door trims. All model, bar the Standard, are equipped with ABS and EBD. The Standard model gets driver airbag, while other model are dual-SRS equipped. Read more after the jump.

Proton Exora Prime IP, note different seat and door trim color scheme. Dash gets walnut trim
Touch-screen navi, captain-seat 2nd row with headrest-mounted DVD screen

For a recap, the Exora is 4,592mm long, 1,809mm wide and 1,691mm tall. The spacious cabin is contained within 2,730mm wheelbase. The MPV is suspended by McPherson struts suspension up front, while the rear tracking is taken care by simplistic torsion beam setup. The new Exora is available in 5 color namely Cocoa Grey, Elegant Brown, Plum Red, Genetic Silver and Solid White.

The Proton Exora represent a good value for money with its sizable cabin space and the high level of standard equipment. At this price, the natural rivals are Nissan Grand Livina 1.6 which starts at RM86,800, the ladder-frame new Toyota Avanza 1.5S will cost RM79,590 and if you insist, Cherry Eastar can be yours for RM77,000. Those are dead meat, as the stiffest rival is the much smaller Perodua Alza which has consistently outsold Exora right from its birthday. Hopefully, this will change soon with this introduction of an improved Exora. There are also credible unregistered Japanese MPV king in Malaysia, the used-import Wish, which for 2006 unreg model, low-spec X model now hovering around RM100,000. However, despite the credible Japanese technology, it is an ageing model as the new generation has come out.

The improved range of Proton Exora can now be seen at nationwide Proton dealership. Proton will also run Proton 4U day from 16-18 December where there’s a gift awaiting those who test drive the new Exora. So you know what you should do if you like what you are seeing here, head to you nearest Proton dealership. Those in Klang Valley can refer Glenmarie sales agent at http://proton-sales.blogspot.com/ for more information of this new model.
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