Proton Satria 2007 review
Proton is jumping on the popular light-car segment in Australia by reintroducing the Satria after a two-year absence. The Satria (which means warrior), joins Proton’s other small cars, the Saavy and Gen-2. While the new model may not exactly be up to Braveheart «warrior» standard, it is up to the benchmark of other cars in its class.
The Satria Neo, as it's now known, is available in two trims, the GX starting at $18,990 and the GXR priced at $20,990. It's more expensive than the Toyota Yaris and Hyundai Getz, but Proton pushes the Satria further up the ladder against the Volkswagen Polo and Ford Fiesta.
The three-door hatchback is powered by a revised and revised 1.6-liter CamPro four-cylinder engine with 82 kW at 6000 rpm and 148 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm. Don't expect an exciting ride, but for a car under $20,000, that's not bad either. It is only the third vehicle to be developed entirely by the Malaysian brand, with input from its own engineering and design team, as well as the expertise of connected brand Lotus.
The Satria Neo is attractive. It incorporates its own design mixed with some familiar elements from other small cars. Proton claims a European influence in the styling.
Both models have similar looks, but for an extra $2000 for the GXR, you feel a little underage. You want something that advertises your superior status other than a rear spoiler. The only other physical difference is the alloy wheels, although even those don't differ much in design.
The exhaust, on the other hand, is really outstanding, with a single chrome tailpipe placed right in the middle of the back of the Satria.
Inside, it feels a bit small, especially in the rear seats. It has one of the tiniest gloveboxes, so you can forget about storing accessories (although I think a pair of gloves will fit in there). Further storage is a stretch, only cup holders in the middle and no real place to store wallets or mobile phones.
The center console layout is simple but seems to work. Proton claims to adhere to the minimalist Lotus concept in the interior. Air conditioning is simple and in the GX model struggles on a typical Australian summer day.
The trunk continues the theme of minimal storage, and the relatively low roof means there's less interior space. So no, this is not a great car for a tall person.
In terms of handling and comfort, the Satria is impressive for a small car. Much of this has to do with its Lotus DNA. There is a small badge on the back advertising this.
The new Proton boasts an all-new, more robust platform and is an evolution of the previous best-selling Satria GTi, a high performance model.
On the road, the Satria Neo holds the road well and corners reliably at higher speeds.
The five-speed manual transmission is smooth with a high gear ratio.
Both specs are also available with a four-speed automatic transmission for an extra $1000, which has been improved with smoother shifting and more even power distribution.
Considering the type of car, its performance is certainly reasonable. But you notice that it just lacks that extra life that makes the trip really enjoyable. The car peaks at 6000 rpm, which takes time, especially on small inclines.
Road noise is audible, especially on entry-level GX models with low-quality tires. The Continental SportContact-2 tires on the GXR are slightly better.
Satria is also using new materials to reduce cabin noise.
The list of equipment is impressive: ABS and electronic brake force distribution, dual front airbags, air conditioning, power windows, power steering, rear sensors and a CD player are all standard.
The GXR adds a rear spoiler, front integrated fog lamps, and 16-inch alloy wheels, as well as vehicle-only cruise control.
Claimed fuel consumption is 7.2 liters per 100 km with a manual transmission and 7.6 liters with an automatic transmission, although our test on winding roads combined with quiet city driving showed consumption of 8.6 liters per 100 km and 8.2 liters with the transmission . return route, combined trip around the city. That extra power might not be far off, as a new GTi model could be coming in the near future. Proton predicts 600 sales this year.
While the Satria Neo made a decent first impression, albeit a little pricey, only time will tell if this Malaysian soldier has the stamina and tenacity of a true warrior.
