Proton Gen-2

Proton Gen-2

Manufacturer	Proton
Also called	EuropeStar RCR
Production	2004–present
Predecessor	Proton Wira (hatchback)
Class	Compact
Body style(s)	5-door hatchback
Layout	FF layout
Engine(s)	1.3 L Campro S4PE I4 1.6 L Campro S4PH I4
Wheelbase	2600 mm (102.4 in)
Length	4310 mm (169.7 in)
Width	1725 mm (67.9 in)
Height	1435 mm (56.5 in)
Curb weight	1190 kg (2624 lb)
Related	Proton Persona

The Proton Gen-2 is an automobile manufactured by Malaysian carmaker Proton, and was launched in the third quarter of 2004. The Gen-2 uses a platform which is mostly Malaysian-developed. Loosely based on a mid-90s Mitsubishi chassis, the platform has been extensively developed by Proton and their partner Lotus. The Gen-2 was initially codenamed the Proton Wira Replacement Model, hinting that the car was to replace the Proton Wira. The name Gen-2 is an abbreviation of 'Generation 2', to symbolized the 2nd generation of the very successful Wira as the 1st Generation.

The Gen-2's platform is also used by the Proton Satria Neo (with a shortened wheelbase) and the Proton Persona (with an extended rear hang to form a more sedan-like body).

Current generation (2004-present)

Performance

Proton owns Lotus Cars which was involved in the development of the car. The Gen-2 is the first Proton model to use the new Proton/Lotus developed Campro engine. The Gen-2 has a competitive 0-100 timing of 10.5 seconds for the 1.6 manual, which makes it a highly spirited drive. Even though the S4PH 1.6L engine, the first capacity fitted to the Gen-2, is contemporary in maximum power output, it suffers from poor mid-range torque.

This is due to its torque dip in the crucial 2,000 to 3,000 rpm operating range, where the torque actually decreases slightly before picking up back to its peak torque at 4,000 rpm. This torque characteristic can clearly be seen in manufacturer published engine performance curves and is widely attributed to the missing Camshaft Profiling System (CPS) technical feature that the engine was named after, but which was dropped from production allegedly for cost reasons. The original (non-CPS) Gen-2's ECU's Engine and Automatic Transmission mapping has been modified many times since the car's launch to improve perceived driving characteristics, but the upgrades do not improve what they expected. This undesirable torque dip was eventually corrected by Proton in 2008 with the introduction of the "new" Campro engine, designated Campro CPS, which finally can deliver camshaft profiling (variable valve timing) as part of the engine specification.^[1]

Competing cars

In Malaysia, the car goes head-to-head against the likes of the locally-assembled Hyundai Accent (Verna) and Kia Rio (Pride), but undercut these by about 20 percent. Against the ASEAN-made Honda City and Toyota Vios, the discount is even greater, at about 30 percent. Proton's price advantage in Malaysia can be attributed to a discriminatory tax structure that an ASEAN trade agreement was supposed to disallow by 2005. However, the Malaysian government preferred interpretation of the this deadline was 3 years later, by loose application of a 3 year exemption it once negotiated. However, even the 2008 deadline has been ignored as of this writing (April 2009).

Changes and facelifts

In 2005, a lower-spec version of Proton Gen-2 powered by 1.3L Campro engine was made available in Malaysia with automatic transmission option only at RM46,000.00. The 1.3 version is famous of its underpowered characteristics due to the car's heavy body weight and is made worse with the torque-dip genes of the Campro.

In December 2007, a new facelifted Proton Gen-2 was unveiled in Thailand in conjunction with the carmaker's entry into the Thai market. It also marks the first production Proton with the Campro CPS engine installed in the engine bay. The CPS variant is a High Line model only, producing 127 horsepower (95 kW) compared to a normal Campro's 110.

On the 3rd of March 2008, the facelifted 2008 Proton Gen-2 was launched in Malaysia. Two variants are available. The medium line variant is powered by the Campro IAFM engine, while the high line version uses the more powerful Campro CPS engine. Exterior changes include a new front bumper and rear spoiler, while the interior gets a new dashboard incorporating a glovebox, new door panels, and leather seats for the high line version.

Rebadges

The Proton GEN-2 was one of two models (the other being the Proton Savvy) that MG Rover was looking to rebadge when it entered talks with Proton's parent company in the mid 2000s. Both Auto Express and Autocar published shots of the car with a digitally recreated Rover grill. With MG Rover's decline at the time and its eventual purchase by the Nanjing Automobile Corporation, such plans have presumably been cancelled.

In July 2007, Proton signed an agreement with Youngman Automobile Group Ltd Co, in which Youngman will import 30,000 complete built up units (CBU) of Gen-2s and resell them under their own EuropeStar brand (known as the EuropeStar RCR), with plans to eventually develop a new range of made-in-China cars using engineering services provided through Proton's Lotus.^[5] Proton had previously done business in China (specifically, Guangdong^{[citation needed]}) but withdrew due to poor sales.^[5]

Pre-launch Controversy

Shortly prior to its launch on February 2004, a well-publicized leak of the Gen.2's undisguised photos taken in the factory were leaked into the internet. The source of the leak was an anonymous user of Autoworld.com.my, who posted the said pictures in the website's photo album section. The incident prompted Proton to lodge a police report, which saw Autoworld's then-editor Chips Yap called in to provide information for investigation.