NEW SATRIA SPEARHEADS PROTON’S SALES DRIVE To say the just-launched Proton Satria Neo is the best looking car ever to come out of the Malaysian stable might hardly be viewed as a compliment. But for a company founded on redundant Mitsubishi models that were cooled off rather than warmed over it’s a sign of great progress. And there could be even better news to come. The company, which owns Lotus in the UK, is receiving overtures from Volkswagen, the volume car maker now controlled by Porsche. What better hope for the future of Proton than models with both Lotus and Porsche DNA and constructed to the high standards of the VW Group. If you doubt the potential of the brand if or when all this falls into place then you have only to look at what VW has achieved with Skoda and SEAT to be convinced. Both these brands have been pulled up by the bootstraps so they are no longer viewed as poverty models but as great value and, in the case of SEAT, full of Latin sporting vigour. Of course, VW doesn’t need another budget brand in Europe but what the acquisition of Proton presents is the opportunity to make even greater inroads into the Far Eastern market from a manufacturing base there. VW has been active in China for years so knows what this particular market sector demands and must reckon on Proton being able to fill it. Last year, Proton sales climbed by 63.5 per cent in the UK, but still only managed to reach the paltry total of 2,701. This year, it’s showing a one per cent growth by the end of April but maybe this new Satria will help boost its fortunes. It needs to, as few family market brands can afford to go on shifting in total what some major dealer groups manage on their own for other brands, especially when Proton has a UK target of 4,000 units this year. Mind you, its marketing effort is not helped when some bright spark comes up with the idea of fitting number plates to its publicity shots with the Proton UK initials on them. This then comes up with PUK - the word puke minus the final “E”. I brings to mind the fate of Lancia which sold the Dedra as its last model here. Fancy having a car with “dead” in its phonetic name! In contrast to a dead Lancia, Proton says its new model, its name Satria means “hero” in Malaysian, is all about energy, style, and excitement. I read that the current average age of Proton owners is 70. The company is obviously keen to lower that if only because a lot of its customer base is on the verge of giving up driving. The Satria could be the car to do it, in the same way as the MG ZR lifted Rover from the doldrums, albeit only temporarily. The latest Satria looks similar to the MG, although far fresher, and the Lotus badge on its rump will appeal to young bloods. The same can be said of its crisp styling. Everyone who saw and drove the £9,595 1.6 GSX test car liked it and no doubt the deep gold metallic colour, called Liquid Orange, helped. And the Lotus contribution is more than just a badge. This car likes to be driven hard and although there is a firmness to the ride it is not unpleasant. It was Lotus who brought us the 130 bhp GTI version of the previous Satria and this 111 bhp model makes a suitable alternative. If you have an eye on running costs, you’ll also be pleased to know that the 1.6 has a combined consumption of 42.8 mpg compared with 39.79 for the 1.3 litre car. It also pumps out less CO2. Insurance is only Group 7, too, which will also be a boost for young drivers. Can Proton do it? With this car, maybe it can. Maurice Hardy Annette's View Proton is not a name that springs to mind as a must-have purchase when it comes to cars. When the brand first launched here it saw sales rise to many times what they are today, if my memory serves me correctly. It will be a long climb back, maybe even an impossible target to achieve, but full marks to the Malaysians for trying. And no-one who samples the Satria Neo GSX could possibly accuse Proton of being half-hearted in its efforts. I quite liked the car and appreciated the hard work that had gone into its creation. The interior is a very pleasant place to be, with heavily hooded instruments immediately in front of the driver, where they are easy to see. I also liked the way the heating controls were stacked on the centre console – again highly visible as well as eminently practical. Front space is generous but rear space is not, so travelling in the rear of this three door hatch is a bit of a short straw job for adults. Children, though, will find it acceptable and few parents trying to get the weekly shop home will find much to complain about when they open the boot – apart from having to open it from inside the car as there is no exterior release. Car: Proton Satria Neo 1.6 GSX Does it fit your ego?... 0-62 mph: 11.5 secs Top speed: 118 mph Bhp: 111 @ 6000 rpm Torque: 109 lb ft @ 4000 rpm ...and your wallet?... Price: £9,595 Urban: 27.9 mpg Extra urban: 61.4 mpg Combined: 42.8 mpg CO2 emissions: 157 g/km Insurance Group: 7 Best bits: crisp styling; good handling; it’s different.