Proton's new baby news..

Proton's new baby seems to be quite a technological achievement too for the
company. According to one of my spies, this is the first Proton model which
will use Super High Tensile Steel, supplied by Posco, Korea. Even Perodua
has not used it yet, and Perodua's MPV (due end of next year) will not use
it either.

This new material is lighter and stronger than high tensile steel. This is
good because currently the MPV it seems will be using a 1.6L Campro engine.

Proton has been shopping around for new engines, and we heard they even
went to Nissan to check out what they can get.

But so far, the 1.6l Campro engine is confirmed for the time being. Of
course if the 1.6L Campro turbo engine Proton is working on in UK comes out
good, we might see that engine in the MPV.

Another highlight will be the plastic fenders, similar to the ones used by
Nissan in the X-Trail (the model still sold here). Again, this will help to
save weight.

Local blogs have published pictures of the MPV's clay model. My source says
that the MPV looks better than that, but having similarities with the
Toyota Wish is possible as the chief designer drives one, and is very
active in the local Wish club.

Nobody knows how the interior looks like yet, but when Proton first did
their studies on MPV (back when they just launched the Waja), one of the
benchmark vehicles used was the Opel Zafira/Chevrolet Nabira.

The Zafira/Nabira is a good MPV, and the Flex-7 seating is still one of the
best around.

MPV needs good seats, and the seats will have to move around much (folding,
sliding, etc). To date, none of Proton cars have seats that impress me
(except the Recaro, which is not much either) and I hope the vendors will
be able to make good quality seating system for the MPV.

Amazingly, many Malaysians are holding back their MPV purchase to wait for
the Proton's MPV. This can be a double edge sword to Proton. Impress them
and Proton will confirm many loyal buyers, but dissapoint them and Proton
will stand to lose a big chunk of the growing MPV's market.