Satria Neo slashed
BY MARTON PETTENDY | 1st Sep 2008
The Satria Neo’s previous opening price of $16,990 was the same as that of the five-door Gen.2 hatch and four-door Persona sedan but, at under $15,000, the Satria is now just $1000 more expensive than Proton’s smallest model and fellow light-car entrant, the Savvy 1.2 ($13,990).
The price repositioning, which sees the GX four-speed auto reduced by $1000 to $16,990 and the top-spec GXR five-speed manual price reduced by $1000 to $17,990, comes in conjunction with Proton’s Apple iPhone test drive promotion.
For the month of September, anyone who test drives any new Proton model goes into a draw to win one of five 8GB versions of the latest personal communications device.
“Satria Neo was the only model in the Proton range that was not ranked amongst the most competitively priced vehicles in its category and we knew it was due for a price revision,” said Proton Cars Australia’s general manager of sales and operations Billy Falconer.
“Currently the Persona and Gen.2 manuals are the best priced vehicles in the small passenger car category, the Savvy is the best priced in the light passenger car category and the Jumbuck is the best priced in the ute and cab chassis category, all based on manufacturer's recommended retail prices.
“Satria Neo is now one of the best priced three-door hatches on the market and will be an attractive proposition for buyers seeking an economical and practical three-door hatch with cutting-edge styling and handling by Lotus," he said.
The two-variant Satria Neo, powered by the same 82kW/148Nm 1.6-litre Campro four as the Gen.2 and Persona, continues to comprise, as standard, twin front airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners, air-conditioning, rear parking sensors, an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), power steering/windows/mirrors, remote central locking and an alarm.
The GXR flagship adds 16-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler, cruise control (auto only), climate-control air-conditioning and front foglights. Proton’s three-year/unlimited km warranty with three years roadside assist also applies.
To the end of July this year Satria sales are 46 per cent down, with just 81 buyers.