Mk2 Satria

PROTONS bestseller was completely redesigned from the ground-up in its second-generation Satria Neo guise, with Lotus looking after the dynamics while the Malaysians concentrated on getting the three-door hatchback design and presentation right.

Released in Australia in early 2007 in base GX and sporty GXR versions, the Satria Neo gained the patchy Gen.2 five-door hatchbacks 1.6-litre CamPro four-cylinder powerplant, generating 82kW of power at 6000rpm and 148Nm of torque at 4000rpm.

Driving the front wheels is a five-speed manual gearbox, or an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission.

Equipment levels are healthy, and include anti-lock brakes, four-wheel disc brakes, air-conditioning, dual airbags, rear parking sensors and electric mirrors and windows.

A successor to the cult Satria GTI, which ran in its old model shape until early 2006, will be unveiled in 2008.