Yo,

Well, happy 2nd Ramadhan to all Malaysians and to those in the UK, 3rd :) How was it for me? Boleh la. It wasn't really the hungry or thirsty part as I didn't feel those the whole day but there were 2 factors that I think made me have a throbbing headache the whole day. Even now actually, it's not really gone yet.

1. The heat and humidity: Wow, never felt this in 2 years! Sweating when I wasn't doing anything and felt the bahang. Makes me head spin!

2. Your royal fatness: Yeah, sad to say my exponential increase in (fat) mass has made my body kinda addicted to food (or so says my mom). That maybe plus the fact that this days I go hypoglycaemic if I don't eat on time so that's when the spins come :(

Other than that I shall persevere to make this a good one. Somemore I want to do the 6 Syawal later and I got some puasa nazar to do. Why nazar? Got story but not telling, hehe.

By the way, I just would like to say to Proton to please buck up and get all your replacement models out and fast. So far you only have the Satria Neo. Perodua will have their Kancil replacement out soon and from what I can see it's going to be a hit! What about the rest of the model line-up? They are way past the 5-year shelf life (try 10-plus!) that they should be on if you followed your former technological-partner Mitsubishi. I find that this company is already old enough to be producing their own stuff. Don't fall behind the Koreans!

A little comment on their current models (their names are as and when they first came out):

1. Saga - based on the old Lancer and replaced by the Wira.
2. Saga Iswara - a facelifted version of the Sage and also still you see the LMS versions on the road. Supposedly a replacement model should be out soon and maybe like the Honda City being based on the Honda Jazz, this will be based on the Savvy
3. Wira - based on the Lancer that the Evo I-III was based on and my dad had the 1.8 EXi version of this car which at the time was a fun drive. Had to sell it off because of the body rusting although it had numerous treatment. Supposedly replaced by the Gen.2 although some say that there is a proper replacement model coming out. Might be based on the Neo.
4. Satria - based on the Mitsubishi Colt with the GTi version of this car being the most popular of all. With the Lotus DNA first injected here, I can just imagine how good this must have been with the 1.8 engine inside its tight chassis. Replaced by the Satria Neo with R3 and GTi versions coming out...can't wait! I have 1 gripe though. Why name it Neo and not just Satria as-per-usual? Don't plan on replacing this when the time comes huh Proton? Then what will you name it then? Neo Neo??
5. Putra - a coupe form of the Wira 1.8. Hope theres a replacement which again will most probably based on the Neo.
6. Perdana - based on the Mitsubishi Eterna. When Proton was in talks with Volkswagen they supposedly wanted the replacement model to be based on the Passat. That did not materialise and now Proton are in talks with former partner Mitsibishi on making the new Perdana based on the 380 although engine sizes will be smaller (380 denotes 3.8 litre engine. Here, we will most probably get the 2.0 and 2.4 variants)
7. Tiara - based on the aged Citroen AX and replaced by the Savvy. I might get whacked after this as my friend proudly has one and there's quite a following here but I thought it was crazy for Proton to have taken this dated model in the first place. 3-nut hubs were also the main talking point when this car came out as it was deemed unsafe.
8. Juara - Proton's first MPV offering which for me is best forgotten. Ugly sums it up although Proton are trying to find some willing partners so that they can get into the MPV and SUV market. You better hurry up then, words out that the new Perodua Kembara will be based on the 2nd-generation Toyota RAV4 which Daihatsu is currently using as their current Terios.
9. Waja - actually, I think this model was kind of sesat. What did it replace? Will it be replaced? And they replaced the Renault and Mitsubishi engines with the Campro :(
10. Arena - Protons try into the pickup department by cleverly using the Lancer chassis. I don't really see the use of a pickup in the city although the logging community might disagree. Make it bigger and tougher next time Proton as to me this looks like a wannabee at best.
11. Gen.2 - some say a Wira Replacement Model (WRM) , some say a technological marking of the 2nd generation of Proton cars (hence the name Gen.2). For me it begs the questions of what was the Waja for then? WRM?? For the aeroback model maybe. This does not look like the proper sedan version. And the Campro engine, please la get the proper one out quickly. Acceleration is so poor it makes me cry to think that the superb body design moves like a snail! I must say I love the orange colour on this car. They got a special R3 MME edition out although a proper R3 version is expected out next year. Lots of potential, this car.
12. Savvy - Proton's proper foray into the supermini department. I must say that I like the looks of this car. More so than the Perodua Myvi. Don't ask me why, it's just is. I feel that there's a lot of potential in this car like the Gen.2. An R3 version expected out next year although you can install the R3 bodykits yourself.

There, my 2-cents on everything Proton. I do hope this company does well but their recent performance are not a good indicator of such. I feel this company is in transition which is why they are so. Out goes the old management and in with the new and hopefully also comes a better R&D department churning out better car designs and quality. I think models-wise they should concentrate on having 1 of each of the following and gradually phase out all of the old (I will compare this to what Honda offers):

1. Low-end sedan (Iswara Replacement Model or put the Gen.2 in this category - Honda Civic)
2. High-end/luxury sedan (Waja/Perdana Replacement - Honda Accord)
3. Sports coupe (Putra Replacement Model - Honda Integra, S2000 although this is actually a roadster)
4. Supermini (Savvy - Honda Jazz)
5. Hot hatchback (Satria Neo - Honda Civic Hatchback)
6. MPV/SUV and whatelse 4X4 based (I think they should build a proper one of each first then maybe, much later on after establishing their cars, diversify to different level types - Honda CR-V, HR-V, MDX)
7. Proper sportscar (maybe? :p - NSX, but is sadly out of production)

This will focus their production better in the long run while giving the public a clear choice on what's what. Now I feel they have all these models which run into each other's territories that the public do not know which car suits their needs better. We just now go for the cheaper or maybe newer alternative since the old models are still being produced. This definitely has to change. Malaysian don't want to look dated or have the same car as others. This is why a lot of us are willing to break our banks to buy other makes or are forced to buy the same thing (e.g. Myvi). Oh yeah, the centre exhaust? Me no-likey. Looks like an a**h*** is jutting out of the car. Choose a side and stick to it!

Well, I think I have written too much so for now, bye-bye! Might do my thoughts on Perodua soon, hehe.


Your friend,
DarkL|ghT