Proton Iriz 2019 baru sahaja dipratontonkan kepada pihak media Malaysia semalam di Proton Centre of Excellence (COE) semalam dah secara terus-terang, generasi terkini Proton Iriz memang nampak menarik. Model kali ini telah dikemaskini dan ditambahbaik dengan lebih 300 perubahan (367) yang akan menarik perhatian ramai rakyat Malaysia dengan reka bentuk dan kelengakapan baharu. (more…)
Yup, voice commands in an introductory model, your eyes didn’t deceive you in that title. The Iriz is also the very first existing Proton model to be upgraded under the new partnership with Geely, and the Persona will follow suit soon. Targeted for a March 2019 launch, here’s the official media unveiling of the Iriz FL…
Very prominent changes to the Iriz styling are the use of the “Ethereal Bow” and “Infinite Weave” in the front facade; these design elements made their maiden appearance in the X70 of course, but this design was integrated into the Iriz by Proton’s Head of Design, Azlan Othman (below).
During his presentation to the media, Azlan explained the Iriz was penned to portray intelligence with a sporty look, hence the model slogan of Intelligence That Excites. He also mentioned the use of styling elements to create a visual link with other Proton models. Starting from the front, there are new slim headlights integrated with a prominent grille garnish. The shape of the chrome bar is inspired by the “Ethereal Bow” design while the radiator grille features the “Infinite Weave” pattern, topped by a trademark Proton logo. There is also a bold new front bumper that features a new lower radiator grille as well as sleek LED daytime running lamps (DRL) that add a sophisticated touch to the overall design.
At the rear, the PROTON name is now spelled out on the tailgate garnish in place of the logo previously used. Visually, it now looks wider, an impression reinforced by the new rear bumper with vertical garnish inserts and a new bumper stripe. Finishing touches consist of an Iriz nameplate in a distinctive new typeface, a shark fin antenna and new rotor blade design alloy wheels.
The 2019 Iriz is the first B-segment hatchback in Malaysia to feature an intelligent head unit that uses an embedded eSIM card and offers apps for music streaming, navigation and voice recognition. Access to the apps and other functions is via a 7-inch touchscreen featuring a full colour display and 16GB of internal memory. Similar to the system used on the Proton X70, the Iriz also has Wi-Fi connectivity so it can be used as a mobile hotspot or connect to Wi-Fi services that are within range. You can see more of this being demo’d in the video below…
Full mirroring capabilities with Android smart phones is also offered. “Following the introduction of the Proton X70, the 2019 Proton Iriz will be the second Proton model to receive an intelligent head unit offering functions such as voice command, navigation and music streaming. It will also use the same Hi Proton! catchphrase to access the system. You can therefore say that because of the Proton X70, the Proton Iriz was inspired to be intelligent,” said Dr Li Chunrong, Chief Executive Officer of PROTON.
Flash promotion to be held in run-up to official launch
PROTON will be holding a ‘flash promotion’ for the 2019 Iriz where interested buyers can make an online booking for only RM9.99. By doing so, PROTON will also reward them with free road tax for a period of two years as a sign of gratitude for booking the Iriz prior to its launch. The promotion starts at 10am on 1 March 2019 and ends at 11.59pm on 11 March 2019. Have a look at the Iriz on Proton’s test track below!
“By holding a flash promotion, we want to make the 2019 Iriz accessible to more potential buyers. Aside from the low commitment fee, we are also offering convenience as bookings can be placed online. This is however a limited time offer so we would encourage interested parties to book their units as soon as possible,” added Dr Li Chunrong.
The Company will also be holding customer previews at several of its Proton Edar outlets to give members of the public a chance to see the 2019 Iriz up close before its official launch. The first location will be at the Proton Edar 4S centre in Chan Sow Lin, where the preview will be held from 2 – 3 March.
Here are the variants to choose from:
Our final video showcases the Iriz’s handling capabilities, stay tuned to Piston.my for the official launch and price announcement coming soon!
The first official photos of the facelifted Proton Iriz, PROTON’s award winning B-segment hatchback, have been released. Set to be launched later this year, the Iriz is the first model in the Company’s current range to be given a facelift since the collaboration with Geely was announced. The new exterior lines are designed to portray connectivity with a sporty look as well as to build visual links with other models by using design elements that are common between them.
The front of the Iriz features new slim headlights that are integrated with a prominent grille garnish, which in turn has a shape inspired by the “Ethereal Bow” that made its debut on the Proton X70. The radiator grille meanwhile features the “Infinite Weave” pattern sculpted into its design and is topped by a trademark Proton logo. The bold new front bumper features a new lower radiator grille shape as well as sleek LED daytime running lights (DRL) adding a sophisticated touch to the overall design.
At the rear, the Proton Iriz gets the new corporate identity feature of the PROTON name being spelled out on the tailgate garnish in place of the logo previously used. The visual impact is it now looks wider, an impression reinforced by the new rear bumper. Vertical garnish inserts framing a new bumper stripe are the bumper’s most prominent features, lending the rear of the Iriz a more stable and sporty stance whilst adding character.
Just like at the front, the new rear bumper integrates seamlessly with the overall proportions and the finishing touch is provided by an Iriz nameplate in a distinctive new typeface. A final flourish of sporty style is provided by a shark fin antenna and new rotor blade design alloy wheels.
The connected car…
The face lifted Proton Iriz is equipped with a colour touch screen, developed by PROTON and ECARX and offering connectivity options as well as voice command functions. This will be the first time a B-segment hatchback from a national car maker is offered with such features, reinforcing its sporty yet intelligent image. More information on the infotainment system and the mechanical specification of the Proton Iriz will be released closer to the launch date.
It was only last month when we were invited to compete in the third round of 2018 Proton 1-Tank Adventure challenge in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The goal is to cover the planned route whilst driving as economically as one can and we (together with our co-driver from Autobuzz.my, Adrian Chia) triumphed in the media category for the Proton Saga category. (more…)
While it gears-up for the impending launch of its first-ever SUV, Proton decided to take a breather from the feverish planning and invite the media to find out for themselves just how fuel-efficient Proton cars are. Sep Irran the Editor of MotoMalaya.net files this report…
The GIST…
There are a lot of factors when it comes to buying the perfect car. From performance, design, specifications, and many more, the majority of the public will look into one very important aspect; fuel economy. For Proton, they’re currently organising a very special event just to show how fuel-efficient their cars really are when driving in the real world.
Dubbed the 2018 Proton 1-Tank Adventure, a series of fuel economy drives are held within a span of two days. Five rounds are currently on-going and we were fortunate enough to be invited for the recently-concluded third leg in East Malaysia. Starting from Kota Kinabalu all the way up to Kundasang and back, the challenge covers around 420km with a variety of road conditions.
From single lane mountain roads and twisties up to 2,000metres above sea level, our two-day trip on the 24 to 25 July 2018 was presented with a variety of challenging driving scenarios from unpaved roads, steep hill climbs, potential landslides, and unpredictable traffic congestions. Our goal was to cover all of this with only one tank of fuel.
There were 16 teams who took part in the third round of the 2018 Proton 1-Tank Adventure and I was teamed up with Adrian Chia from Autobuzz and we set out for one of the most memorable journeys of our lives. As part of the motoring media family here in Malaysia, we have no issues driving fast and furious but our biggest challenge is driving economically. We have no doubt that it can be done but we tried our very best to see how good the Proton Saga really is when it comes to fuel economy.
Three different Proton models took parts in the 2018 Proton 1-Tank Adventure which are the Saga, Iriz, and Persona. We took off from the Proton showroom in Inanam and made our way to five different checkpoints which were spread out within 260km.
We filled up our fuel tanks to the brim at the nearby Petronas before having the fuel cap sealed off by the event organisers before setting off to some iconic places like the Tuaran Clock Tower, Serinsim Sub-Station Kinabalu Park, Sabah Tea plantation, and finally, the Nabalu Kundasang Lodge which sits at around 1,800metres above sea level.
Both Adrian and I took turns in driving as economically as we can and with the Proton Saga 1.3 CVT, it was quite easy to do so thanks to its Eco Drive Assist indicator sitting neatly in the meter panel. We knew that the average fuel consumption for the Saga sits between 5.6 litres to 6.17 litres for every 100km but since it’s a challenge, we try to achieve the best number possible.
Upon stopping at our hotel in Kundasang, we noticed that our Proton Saga only used around half of the fuel based on the fuel indicator. With a fuel tank capacity of 40 litres, we calculated that we managed to reach around 7.69 litres/100km which was reasonable considering all twisting roads and hill climbs getting up to Kundasang.
The night continued with dinner and a very interesting talk on Proton’s latest safety specifications built into their latest models which are a combination of Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Traction Control (TC), and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC). We had a chance to test what these are all about in Day 2 of our drive back to Kota Kinabalu.
The next morning, we took off with half a tank of fuel left and were told to take the route filled with multiple check points (cows, lorries, heavy traffic, landslides, and unpaved roads included!) at the very beautiful Kuala Abai Beach and Likas Stadium. This is where we took part in the Dynamic Driving Activity where we tested the handling of both the Proton Persona and Iriz on a series of tests involving slaloms, emergency braking, braking avoidance, and lane changes.
Embedded with the DNA of Lotus, we experienced first-hand on how beautiful these Protons handled in tricky driving conditions. This is where we could understand more on the cars’ safety features and dynamic handling available in reasonably-priced vehicles, which were surprisingly excellent.
For our final stop, we headed back to the Petronas petrol station located in Inanam where we first filled up in Day 1 to determined how much fuel each of us have used in the past couple of days. All 16 cars made it back after 420km of driving up, down, and all around Kota Kinabalu with some space fuel left in the tank.
Back at the Proton showroom, the winners were announced and RM24,000 worth of prizes were given out the most economical drivers of Round 3 of the 2018 Proton 1-Tank Adventure. The winners clocked in some very impressive numbers which can be seen, below:
Best fuel consumption results:
With these outstanding figures, the Saga theoretically can travel up to 736km, 694km for the Iriz, and 686km for the Persona! With that being said, we did cover a series of challenging routes up and down Kundasang and around Mount Kinabalu.
Fortunately for us, we will be joining the final round of the 2018 Proton 1-Tank Adventure in August where finalists of each leg will make their one-tank journey from Johor Bahru, Johor all the way up to Seberang Perai, Penang! Will we be able to make it? Stay tuned to Piston.my for more exciting updates!
Apabila kita memilih sebuah kereta yang ingin dimiliki, terdapat pelbagai faktor yang memainkan peranan dalam pemilihannya. Dari prestasi, reka bentuk, spesifikasi dan yang lain-lain lagi, ada satu faktor penting yang akan menjadi penentu bagi kebanyakan pengguna; kecekapan bahanapi. Menyedari betapa pentingnya aspek ini, Proton telah menganjurkan satu acara istimewa bagi memperagakan kepada dunia betapa cekap bahanapinya model keluaran mereka dalam pemanduan dunia sebenar. (more…)
The PROTON 1-Tank Adventure for the Central Region ended successfully on 18 July 2018 with a total of 36 participants in 18 cars covering a total distance of 640km on just one tank of fuel. Participants including media, celebrities, key opinion leaders, and public drove either a PROTON Saga 1.3 CVT, Persona 1.6 CVT or Iriz 1.3 CVT from PROTON Centre of Excellence in Shah Alam to Ipoh and back to Setia Gemilang Auto, Shah Alam on just one tank of fuel without any specific driving restrictions.
The Journey across 640km
The journey began on a highway where participants drove at a speed between 80km/h to 100km/h before driving 60km/h to 80km/h on alternative roads with traffic, road works, lorries and road conditions that were similar to daily driving conditions.
Participants went on a free and easy drive via Kuala Selangor, Teluk Intan, Bukit Gantang R&R, Weil Hotel, Kellie’s Castle before arriving at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) for their Dynamic Driving Experience. They even enjoyed famous local cuisine such as Mee Udang Galah, Mee Rebus Mastan Ghani, Nasi Vanggey and durians along the way.
In order to capture real time fuel consumption, participants are encouraged to drive freely with the air-conditioning, without removing any safety items (i.e. the spare tyre).
Central Region End with Successful Results
As a result, all cars achieved 640km in just 1 tank and the results were verified by scrutineers from the Malaysia Speed Festival (MSF). The best achievements were from the Public category led by Saga 1.3 CVT at 3.57L/100km (average fuel consumption for Saga Group is 4.5L/100km), followed by Persona 1.6 CVT at 4.00L/100km (average fuel consumption for Persona Group is 5.09L/100km), and Iriz 1.3 CVT at 4.75L/100km (average fuel consumption for Iriz Group is 5.55L/100km).
The last activity before the finishing line was the Dynamic Driving Experience where participants got first-hand experience of the exhilarating ride and handling of PROTON vehicles as well as 5-Star ASEAN NCAP active safety features in the Persona and Iriz, such as the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control (TC) and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
The 3 cars featured in the event were:
Saga: Safe, Stable, Spacious
Proton Saga is spacious and it comes with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control (TC) system, giving it an outstanding driving experience (compared to its competitors in the same category, the driving performance ensures great driving experience, stability at high speed cornering; leading to better safety) and value for money with low maintenance cost which is an important consideration for the consumers.
Persona：Power, Practicality, Proven Safety
Persona has internationally recognized ASEAN NCAP 5 star ratings with its outstanding safety which includes Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control (TC), 6 airbags and body structure made with HPF technology. It offers spacious interior with a 510L boot space, and practicality with keyless entry and reverse camera. Competitively priced in its category, the Persona is equipped with 1.6VVT engine that ensuress powerful performance for great driving experience.
Iriz: Reinforced Safety, Responsive Driving, Refined Design
Iriz presents a tough and sturdy characteristic with its body structure made with HPF as well as other advanced technology equipment including Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Hill-hold Assist that is standard across all variants. In terms of performance, Iriz is equipped with 1.3L and 1.6L VVT engine, which has proven outstanding drivability through the Sepang 1000km race. Additionally, Iriz offers design that cater to youths with its distinctive two-tone colour body kit and black roof design that catches people’s attention. For interior, the steering, upholstery and carpet mat with fine tailoring technology and striking colour combination accentuate its sportiness. Now, it is equipped with a new meter display and multi-touch infotainment display system as well as glossy finish for its gear and dashboard that uplift the fine design in the interior.
Registration has closed for the next round at the Southern region, but recruitment for the Northern region round is still open. For details, terms and conditions, please visit PROTON official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ProtonCarsOfficial
Can you believe it? We’re already in the third month of 2018, almost into the second quarter, and thus far, our first national carmaker has been keeping rather quiet insofar as launches are concerned, so what are they up to? Well, this for starters…
Apart from that, believe it or not, there’s really not much going to happen car-launch wise until the ‘big event’ in the fourth quarter of this year, when Proton unveils its new SUV based on the Geely Boyue. Sources have speculated that buyers will have all the space, performance and kit of a Honda CR-V, but at a HR-V price. That’s pretty good I’d say. Here’s a look at the Boyue in action (dialogue in Chinese):
But February 2018 apparently was a busy month for Proton as the company concentrated on activities aimed at having a successful year ahead. Initiatives for Sales, Marketing and Quality Improvement were put in place, while testing for its first above-mentioned SUV developed together with Geely continue. Here’s some of the local media testing it in China last year (dialogue in Bahasa Malaysia):
These initiatives will carry on in March and beyond, with specific models and areas targeted for improvement, namely:
Global Horizon…
On the international scene the Chairman of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, Li Shufu, announced he had acquired a 9.69% stake in German company Daimler thus making him the single largest shareholder of Mercedes-Benz and Daimler trucks. PROTON could gain from it via its partnership with Geely who currently owns 49.9% of the total shares of Proton.
The ongoing quality journey…
Ever since the tie-up with Geely was announced, PROTON has undergone a quality improvement programme with its partner by using an assessment system that is based on Volvo’s global scoring criteria. In December 2017, an audit was performed by Geely and showed a remarkable threefold improvement, which is testament to the effectiveness of the ongoing work between the two companies.
Further improvements are gradually being introduced and with the next audit scheduled to take place in March 2018, PROTON is confident of achieving a further improvement of its audit score. These improvements are vital as preparations get underway for the launch of PROTON’s first SUV, currently scheduled for the end of 2018.
Iriz in focus…
Despite the advent of the new MyVi and the runaway success story it has become, for February 2018, PROTON achieved sales that were equivalent to a 9.6% share of the overall Malaysian automotive market. The majority of sales was accounted for by the Saga, Persona, Exora and in particular Iriz, which “continues to attract strong interest due to their design, technology and value for money proposition” (source: Proton). Here’s our video take on the Iriz Premium 1.6:
In March 2018, PROTON’s ‘My Style, My Drive’ campaign hits sales galleries nationwide and for this month, it focuses on the Proton Iriz. Customers are invited to rediscover the award-winning compact hatchback by taking a comprehensive test drive to appreciate the new features that were introduced in the updated model in 2017. You can read our full review with videos on it here.
At the same time, PROTON staff will also engage customers to offer advice on how to best use the various smart features of the car while select showrooms are equipped with a safety corner to demonstrate the safety aspects of PROTON’s 5-star ASEAN NCAP rated hatchback. Here’s my final say on the car…
This roadshow is still on-going so head over to your nearest Proton showroom to check it out.
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It’s been a few years now since this ‘all-new’ car from our first national carmaker Proton hit the streets, and during that time, it’s received very good response from those seeking a fuss-free compact daily commuter, until now…
It’s no big secret that the new Perodua MyVi is pretty much killing everything in the compact segment, with around 50,000 (yes, fifty thousand) bookings since it was launched mere months ago, and hardest hit would of course be the cars in this segment. The Iriz falls squarely in this segment.
In an effort to boost the appeal of the Iriz, Proton introduced this ‘premium’ variant, which boasts a lot of upgraded kit from the Persona, into this this Iriz 1.6 Premium. This aforementioned kit is normally found in cars from a higher segment. Here’s my first impression upon collecting the car…
ERRATUM: The Iriz 1.6 Premium doesn’t have an “Eco Driving Mode” as I mentioned in the video, it just tells you when you’re driving economically via a green-leaf that lights up in the instrument cluster, my bad, sorry! – CW.
Priced at RM56,950.37 on the road, the Iriz 1.6 Premuim has keyless entry, push start/stop button, MirrorLink for Android phones, reverse camera with proximity alert, multi-function steering, on-board computer, electronic stability control, ABS & EBD, hill-hold assist and 6-airbags.
Its 1,597cc 4-cyl, VVT engine pumps out 107bhp and 150Nm, which is decent for a compact car, and power goes to the front wheels via a CVT….and therein lies the Achilles-heel of this car… there’s no other way to put this, it’s a horrible gearbox, by Punch Powertrain.
I’ve never been a huge fan of CVTs that’s no secret, and driving the Iriz 1.6 Premium has only strengthened my loathing of them. It feels gutless and whiny, not to mention noisy too. It reminds me of the Subaru XV actually, which has a lovely spirited engine, totally let down by a gearbox from hell. And like I mentioned in that XV article (linked above), it feels like the engine was made for one car and the gearbox for another.
I actually spoke to someone in Proton about this, asking if there was a 5-speed manual variant available, but unfortunately there isn’t (anymore – there used to be). The thing is though, the Iriz 1.6 Premium doesn’t even have paddle-shifts to help with adding a bit of fun to the drive, or just for the times you need a bit more instantaneous grunt.
The only way is to floor the accelerator pedal, and while the engine is willing, the lethargic gearbox will protest, loudly. That CVT whine really needs to be looked at pronto, and a quick fix would be to add a bit more sound-deadening material in the transmission area, as well as the fire-wall.
Apart from that though, everything else about the Iriz 1.6 Premium is really quite good. It has excellent NVH properties, and an abundance of active and safety features, as well as top-notch ride and handling. Speaking of that aforementioned R&H, Proton really got it right with this car.
I love the way it ‘feels’, whether its just normal driving, or the spirited kind, the Iriz’s ride and handling offers excellent feedback, especially from the steering, as well as an amazingly sure-footed ride. Maybe it has to do with the four wheels being so close to all the corners, but this car tackles twisty roads very well.
Its suspension has also obviously been tuned for our less-than-perfect roads, seeing as how the Iriz is able to soak-up bumps and undulations easily. Interior wise, this Premium model comes with semi-leather seats with actual red stitching, and an unintended ‘Martini Racing’ coloured seat pattern on the fabric part that looks very cool.
As I’ve been saying, this car would be almost perfect if it had a better gearbox, and despite the lack of demand for manual gearboxes (according to Proton) I can only imagine how good it would be with one of those instead. All in all, it’s a good effort from our first national carmaker, and while there’s still room for improvement, this Iriz 1.6 Premium is a definite worthy alternative to anything in this class. – Chris Wee.
Proton Iriz 1.6 Premium Photo Gallery…
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