New Proton Persona equipped with eco-drive mode indicator

Proton Holdings Bhd has unveiled the second-generation of Proton Persona, the carmaker's first model equipped with an Eco-drive mode indicator.

Its chairman, Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar Syed Ali Rethza Albar said the specifications, features and more aggressive look were intended to attract young executives.

He said the Eco-drive assist delivered fuel savings of up to 5.6 liters per 100 kilometres when the indicator mode lighted up.

Powered by a 1.6L VVT engine, the new Persona emphasises the characteristics of active and passive safety features which earned five-star ratings from the New Car Assessment Programme for Southeast Asia (ASEAN NCAP).

"The cars on sale are similar to that of the test-driven model in terms of fuel consumption and safety features. In fact, the tests were conducted on normal roads," he told reporters after the launch of the all-new Persona by International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed here today.

The new Persona comes in three variants -- standard with manual or automatic transmission; executive; and premium -- and six colour choices (graphite grey, carnelian brown, fire red, sterling silver, cotton white, midnight black).

On-the-road price for the standard model with manual transmission ranges from RM43,570 to RM46,800 (Peninsular Malaysia) and RM48,350 and RM48,800 (Sabah and Sarawak).

For the automatic transmission model, the on-the-road price is from RM46,350 to RM49,800 for Peninsular Malaysia and from RM51,350 to RM51,800 (Sabah and Sarawak).

The on-the-road price for the executive model is from RM52,000 to RM55,800 (Peninsular Malaysia) and from RM57,350 to RM57,800 (Sabah and Sarawak), while the premium model fetches from RM55,680 to RM59,800 (Peninsular Malaysia) and RM61,350 to RM61,800 (Sabah and Sarawak).

Meanwhile, Proton chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Kenali said with the official launch of the new-look Persona, the company is targeting sales of between 3,000 and 4,000 units a month.

The target is achievable as the new model has undergone many detailed improvement evolutions, including noise vibration and harshness reduction, making it more fun to drive in its class, he added.

Proton Persona is now open for booking and test drive throughout the country.

In conjunction with the Merdeka Month, customers can get three years free servicing, including parts and labour costs, for bookings made until Sept 30.