Proton releases performance Satria Neo

SUBANG JAYA, Feb 8 – Proton announced today that a second batch of its 1.6-litre R3 Satria Neo performance model is now available for booking.

Only a “limited number” of the national carmaker’s upgraded two-door hatchback will be launched at the end of the month.

The first run of R3 Satria Neos was the Lotus Racing edition that was limited to 25 units in conjunction with the company’s 25th anniversary last March.

“The R3 Satria Neo is an extension of PROTON’s involvement and experience in motorsports,” said PRoton Holdings Berhad group managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir in a press statement.

He added that the R3 Neo was the start of a selection of models that will be cater to a niche market of enthusiasts who want vehicles built for performance.

The R3 Satria Neo will share a similar engine to the R3 Satria Neo Lotus Racing which is a standard 1.6-litre Campro engine that has been tuned to produce 145 horsepower which will be transmitted to 16-inch lightweight alloy wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza RE001R 205/45 soft compound tyres.

Other upgrades include R3 performance springs that lower the car by 10mm to reduce body roll and high performance brake pads capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 500 degree Celcius.

The car is only available as a 5-speed manual in Fire Red with a black roof and priced at RM79,797.

It is available for booking at all Proton Edar showrooms in Peninsular Malaysia with a fee of RM2,000 and early birds will be invited to the launch to meet Proton Motorsports drivers Tengku Djan Ley and Faidzil Alang.

Proton was the second biggest brand in Malaysia last year with 170,000 vehicles produced, amounting to 26 per cent of market share.