Proton reveals first all-Malaysian model

MALAYSIAN car-maker Proton has unveiled the first model to have been designed and engineered entirely in-house.

The new medium-size Proton GX has taken 1.7 million man hours over four years to produce, but obviously few of those were dedicated to finding a name for the car.

Unveiled in front of more than 4000 people by Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahatir Mohamad, the GX is the first Proton not based on an old Mitsubishi model.

Proton will begin selling the GX in Malaysia in September and it will come to Australia in early December, powered by 1.6 and 1.8-litre petrol engines.

It will be priced in the low $20,000 bracket, making it a natural rival to the Daewoo Nubira and Hyundai Lantra.

But Proton claims the GX's ride, handling and chassis dynamics will be a match for more expensive Japanese and even European C-class sedans.

Developed at a cost of almost $500 million, the GX has a distinctive Alfa Romeo-like nose that incorporates the company's new corporate badge.

The logo, which was launched with the car, features a dark blue, green and gold shield with a stylised tiger symbol.

Proton subsidiary Lotus was again called in to develop the suspension, body, structural integrity and to reduce NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) levels while delivering a high level of ride, handling and comfort.

"Proton, together with Lotus input, has been able to design a body structure which is twice as strong as the current Persona in terms of structural integrity and rigidity, meeting the projected 2003 European crash test standard," said Proton Cars Australia managing director Anuar Rozhan.

"This car will enable Proton to broaden its product range and appeal to a much wider spectrum of car buyers throughout the world and particularly in Australia.

"One of the major design objectives of the new GX was to address the increasing demand for a safer car which not only offers the highest levels of primary safety, but the highest levels of secondary safety as well." Twin airbags will be fitted as standard equipment when the car goes on sale in Australia.