Proton Saga

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Proton Saga

Manufacturer Proton
Production 1985present
Class
Compact
Subcompact
Body style(s)
4-door saloon
5-door hatchback
Layout FF layout
The Proton Saga is a subcompact car, formerly a compact car manufactured by produced by
Malaysian auto manufacturer Proton since September 1985. The name "Saga" was chosen from
the winner of the contest which was held to choose the first car's name, Ismail Jaafar,
[1]
a retired
military soldier. This name was derived from "saga" (Abrus precatorius), which is a type of soft,
fragile, oily, highly combustible but productive seed commonly found in Malaysia, and
incidentally, the Proton Saga 1.3 litre engine "is as strong as the saga seed".
The Saga and its variants contribute to most of Proton's sales and revenues since its introduction.
For nearly 22 years, the first-generation Saga is the longest surviving Proton model to date,
ahead of its mid size car, the Proton Perdana. The original Saga model was originally based on
the 1983 Mitsubishi Lancer Fiore to avoid R&D costs, and retained it throughout its production
lifespan. In 2008, a long overdue successor designed in-house by Proton was launched to conceal
the aging platform. In August of that year, the 3 millionth car produced by Proton was a second
generation Proton Saga.
Contents
[hide]
1 First generation (19852008)
o 1.1 Saga (19851991)
o 1.2 Saga Iswara (19922008)
o 1.3 Saga (20032008)
2 Second generation (2008present)
o 2.1 Specifications
o 2.2 Engine and performance
o 2.3 Cabin and interior
o 2.4 Awards
3 References
4 External links
[edit] First generation (19852008)
First generation

Manufacturer Proton
Also called Proton MPI (Multi-Point Injected) (United
Kingdom)
Production 19852008
Assembly Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
Class Compact
Body style(s) 4-door saloon
5-door hatchback
Layout FF layout
Platform Mitsubishi Fiore
Engine(s) 1.3 L 4G13 I4
1.5 L 4G15 I4
Transmission(s) 5-speed manual
3-speed automatic
Curb weight 940 kg (2,072 lb)
Related 1983 third generation Mitsubishi Lancer
[edit] Saga (19851991)
The Proton Saga was launched in September 1985 by Malaysia's then Prime Minister, Mahathir
Bin Mohamed. Before the production of Proton Saga, a contest was held to choose the name of
the first national car, and the name Saga was chosen from the winner of the contest, Ismail
Jaafar,
[1]
a retired military soldier. When asked why he chose this particular name, he replied as
"saga" (Abrus precatorius) is a type of soft, fragile but productive seed commonly found in
Malaysia, and joked that the Proton Saga 1.3 litre engine "is as strong as the saga seed".
The first known Proton Saga to roll off the production line was presented to the Malaysian
National Museum as a symbol of the beginning of the Malaysian automotive industry. Tun Dr.
Mahathir also drove a prototype Proton Saga fitted with a 4G63 2.0L engine and a Jalur
Gemilang across the Penang Bridge and to Penang Airport during the opening ceremony of the
bridge on 14 September 1985.
Early Saga models were powered by SOHC 8-valve 4-cylinder petrol engines sourced from
Mitsubishi, available in both 1.3- and 1.5-litre displacements. Both engines were available with a
5-speed manual transmission, but a 3-speed Mitsubishi Tri-matic automatic was available with
the 1.5-liter engine in 1987.
The Saga was originally offered as a 4-door saloon, followed by the addition of a hatchback
variant, introduced in 1988 as the Proton Knight and was later known as Saga Aeroback. The
Proton Knight was designed for the European market as the hatchback was more popular in
United Kingdom.
In 1989, Proton sold the Saga in the United Kingdom with the slogan Recyled Japanese
Technology + Hot Malaysian Style = Proton. Since then, United Kingdom contributes most of
Proton's export sales. The Saga name was not used and it was simply known as the Proton 1.3 or
1.5. The UK models reverted to the dashboard used in the Mitsubishi Lancer, complete with
HVAC controls not found in the domestic model.
In 1990, the line-up was revised with the introduction of 12-valve Megavalve engines, which
increased power ratings to 75 bhp (56 kW) (from the original 70.5 bhp (53 kW) in the former 8-
valve (Magma) version
[2]
) for the 1.3-litre engine, and 90 bhp (67 kW) for the 1.5-litre engine.
On domestic models, the Saga also gained the "Megavalve" moniker. Minor exterior
modifications included a new grill and wraparound black trim pieces. In addition, rear seat belts
and a third brake light were fitted as standard.
A manual, saloon variant of the first facelift
Saga.
An automatic, Aeroback variant of the first facelift
Saga.
[edit] Saga Iswara (19922008)


The saloon variant of the Proton Saga Iswara.
In 1992, the Saga was given a facelift and its name expanded as Proton Saga Iswara (also
known in short as Proton Iswara), after a species of butterfly in Sarawak. Modifications
included slimmer headlights, plastic bumpers, side mouldings, coloured door handles, grooved
taillight clusters and rear number plate repositioned to the bumper. In addition, new colors for
automatic transmission models were introduced as well. This particular model is used as taxis in
Malaysia and some are converted to NGV. Due to the modification, boot space was reduced by
half to accommodate the NGV tank and there are only a few petrol stations by Malaysian oil-
giant Petronas in the Klang Valley that sell natural gas, although there are plans underway to
increase the number of stations selling it at various locations around Kuala Lumpur.
Models exported to Singapore and the United Kingdom were available with multi-point fuel
injection and catalytic converters to meet Euro I emissions standards. This model was known as
the Proton MPi in the United Kingdom. The introduction of the Proton Persona in 1993 replaced
the corresponding models in the Saga range in the United Kingdom and this continued until the
entire range was replaced in 1996.
In 2001, to regain sales and be competitive with Perodua, Proton introduced a special edition of
Saga Iswara Sport based on the Aeroback version which included a new bodykit, metallic rear
wing, jewel-effect headlights and Altezza lights, among other changes. It was only available in
silver, with a manual transmission and a 1.3-litre engine. The original Saga Iswara Aeroback was
still available in a 1.5-litre engine.
While the Iswara Aeroback underwent further modifications in the domestic market to become
the Saga LMST in 2003, the saloon variant remained on sale unchanged.

Since the 1990s, the saloon variant of
the Proton Saga Iswara dominated as
the preferable car model for taxicabs
in Malaysia, as seen with these
examples in Kuala Lumpur.

The Proton Saga Iswara
Aeroback would later serve
as the basis of the re-released
Proton Sagas in the 2000s.

The Saga Iswara Sport
(introduced 2001), which
shares a similar trim design
as the Iswara Aeroback.
[edit] Saga (20032008)


The 2007 Proton Saga was the second iteration of the re-released Saga.


The first edition of the Saga LMST (introduced 2003).
As a loose successor to the Saga Iswara Sport, Proton gave the Iswara a new facelift and
renamed it back to Saga (or know as Saga LMST by local car community) in 2003. The interior
has an entirely new dashboard, door panels and an instrument panel with a digital display
consisting of an odometer, a fuel gauge and a temperature gauge, a very big improvement from
the circa 1980 Japanese designs. Meanwhile, the exterior received new headlights and taillights
and colour-coded bumpers and wing mirrors. However, the car still looked like it was designed
using a ruler and pen. Proton retuned the 1.3-litre carburettor engine, and fitted a new exhaust
system and extractors, increasing its power rating to 83 bhp (62 kW). This was very proud
accomplishment for Proton, considering they were effectively relying on early 1980s technology
to achieve such power. To put this into perspective, the much more expensive and smaller sized
Toyota Vitz 1.3, with all its modern Japanese technology, design and electronics put out around
the same power and torque as the Malaysian tuned 1980s technology. It is only available with the
5-speed manual transmission.
On March 5, 2007, Proton launched the 50th Merdeka Anniversary Promotion in Malaysia,
where they announced new price for the Proton Saga which were sold at RM26,999. Advertising
campaigns for the Saga Aeroback used a notable rendition of Justin Timberlake's hit single
SexyBack, with the lyrics changed to "AeroBack". The promotion was made as a support to
Malaysia's 50th Merdeka Day and also to thank Proton's customers for their support since Proton
Saga was first launched,
[3]
receiving several minor cosmetic changes. The move was also an
attempt by Proton to steal potential sales from Perodua's then-forthcoming budget supermini, the
Viva. That year, the Proton Saga became the second best selling car behind Perodua MyVi and
the best selling saloon car in Malaysia, with over 15,000 orders. This version is quite notably the
fastest and the lightest version of the Saga series Proton has ever produced. However, many
public complaints have been filed to this version including interior quality problems such as
broken power window switches and uncontrollable flow of the air-conditioning system due to
Proton's carelessness in skipping strict quality test to ship the car quickly from overwhelming
demand during promotion time.
[edit] Second generation (2008present)
Second generation

Parent company Proton
Also called Proton Base Line Model (BLM), S16
(Australia)
Production January 2008
[4]
-present
Class Subcompact
Body style(s) 4-door saloon
Platform Proton Savvy (stretched)
Engine(s) 1.3 L Campro I4
1.6 L Campro I4
Transmission(s) Aichi Kikai 5-speed manual, Mitsubishi 4-speed
automatic
Wheelbase 2,465 mm (97.0 in)
Length 4,257 mm (167.6 in)
Width 1,680 mm (66.1 in)
Height 1,502 mm (59.1 in)
Curb weight 1,060 kg (2,337 lb)-1,085 kg (2,392 lb)
Fuel capacity 40 L (11 US gal; 9 imp gal)
Related Proton Savvy Chery QQ6
On January 18, 2008, Proton unveiled the successor to the 2007 Saga, which was planned to be
phased out in June 2008. Retaining the Saga name, the new car is an indigenous design, designed
to outperform and outengineer the old Saga compact sedan and aeroback in every way. It's
bodywork is essentially based on a stretched Proton Savvy. The new model is an in-house design
developed in collaboration with Korea's LG CNS and Lotus Engineering. This model enables the
Malaysian company play to its strength in the home market i.e. the three-box sedan. The Proton
Saga is not planned for U.S. launch but will be sold throughout Southeast Asia, in China, India
and Australia.
As of February 2008, approximately 23,000 customer bookings had been made for the car since
its launch and the corresponding waiting time for delivery during that same period stretched up
to 5 months.
On July 16, 2009, an electrical version of the Proton Saga was demonstrated at the University
Sains Malaysia, Penang.
[edit] Specifications
The Saga comes in 3 different specifications with the choice of manual or auto transmissions
starting from the base specced N model to the fully kitted M model. Aichi Kikai supplies the 5-
speed manual while Mitsubishi makes the 4-speed automatic. The basic N model retails from
RM31,500 to the RM39,800 high specced M model. The new Saga would be the cheapest Proton
once the RM26,999 original is retired. Proton dubs the new Saga as "The People's Car".
[edit] Engine and performance
The new Saga is powered by the same 1.3-litre Campro engine (which was co-designed with
Lotus) that is fitted to entry-level Gen-2s. Besides the 1.3L engine option, the 1.6-liter version is
also available as an exclusive engine option for taxi operators. Like other Proton models
powered by Proton's own Campro engines, the 1.3-liter engine is rated at 94 hp (70 kW; 95 PS)
at 6,000 rpm and 120 N m (89 lb ft) at 4,000 rpm, while the 1.6-liter version (not including the
Campro CPS engine which is not being used in the Saga) produces 114 hp (85 kW; 116 PS) at
6,500 rpm and 148 N m (109 lb ft) at 4,000 rpm. Both engines feature the new Integrated Air-
Fuel Module (IAFM) which varies the airflow into the engine to improve efficiency,
smoothening out the problematic dip in the torque curve in the lower and middle rev ranges. Its
output matches that of a 1.3-litre in the Satria Neo. Power delivery characteristics in both cars are
remarkably different. The torque could be felt after 2,500 rpm as surging sensation through
driver's body, all the way to climax at 4,000 rpm, where it drops off rapidly. The acceleration to
highway speeds is good. The 5-speed manual from Aichi Kikai is geared towards the ultimate
refinement at cruising speeds, but it does offer a good spread of torque everywhere, not to
mention good overtaking power anywhere from 80-120 km/h. Suspension setup consists of
MacPherson struts and a stabilizer bar up front with a torsion beam in the rear. Its Lotus designed
torsion beam suspension enables it to turn in sharply, hold its stance sideways through corners,
understeering to a sizeable extent. Fuel economy is even better, ranging from approximately
6 L/100 km (47 mpg
-imp
; 39 mpg
-US
) for the manual transmission to 6.2 L/100 km (46 mpg
-imp
;
38 mpg
-US
) .
[5]
for the auto and can rival a Toyota Prius when traveling at 80 km/h (50 mph) in
fifth. Top speed is around 170 km/h (106 mph) As the Saga is designed as a city car, the air
conditioning system has been made even more powerful and efficient, even at engine idling
speeds. The ignition system has also been updated with coil-on-plugs instead of the traditional
ignition cable system, eliminating power loss.
[edit] Cabin and interior
The new Saga, like its predecessor, is expected to be standard among Malaysian taxicab
operators. The car is not designed to accommodate a compressed natural gas tank. A Malaysian
Orange Taxi Company, Innovasi Timur Sdn Bhd installed a superior NGV System with a
modified NGV Cylinder Bracket, giving larger boot space for luggage. There is ample room for
5 Malaysian adults of average height and bigger than the old Saga. Top-of-the-line versions
(currently the M-Line) are fitted with a set of 14-inch rims and 185/65 R14 tyres for added
traction, providing the car with strong braking force and better road holding. Only one airbag for
the driver is also fitted to the M-line models. There is no traction control, ABS, LSD or
Electronic Stability Control available, despite Proton's numerous attempts at designing or
licensing such technologies from other carmakers (Citation required).
[edit] Awards
Since the official launch of the second generation Proton Saga in January 2008, the car has won
3 major automobile awards. Autocar Asean, the Malaysian edition of the longest running car
magazine in history has awarded the new Saga "Winner of the Small Sedan/ Hatchback
Category" for 2008. Shortly after that, the car was voted as the "Best People's Car" at the Asian
Auto - VCA Auto Industry Award 2008.
[6]
In November the same year, the new Saga won yet
another major Malaysian automobile accolade when it was declared the "Winner of the Entry
Level Car Category" under the New Straits Times/ Maybank Car of the Year Awards for 2008.