Proton GEN-2, 2008

Having acquired a majority share in Group Lotus Plc in 1996 and a full share in 2003, Proton have combined the sporting heritage of Lotus with its own strengths to create the Proton GEN-2 - a car that offers far more than the average family car.

Carefully integrating the values of Proton, Lotus has helped to produce an exciting car designed for both performance and functionality, as designers and engineers deliberately chose to stray from the traditional approach of building a single car for the mass market. This integration has also become more physically visible in the Proton GEN-2 by way of the car's more modern, masculine and sporty character in terms of exterior and interior styling as well as in performance.

While Lotus presence in the older range of vehicles like the Proton Satria GTi was limited to its superior ride and handling performance, its contributions have become more visible in the Proton GEN-2 and in current Proton cars, particularly the Satria Neo. The Lotus influence is evident in the GEN-2, from underlining new and higher standards related to performance and occupant safety to sculpturing the overall look and feel of the car from both the interior and exterior.

Designed as a five-door hatchback, the Proton GEN-2 was the first of the new line of Proton cars and the first national car to be fitted with a Malaysian designed, blue-printed and commercially built engine, developed in close collaboration with Lotus.

Proton introduced the latest addition to the GEN-2 line-up in March 2008, with the launch of the Proton GEN-2 Persona saloon into the UK. The GEN-2 saloon combines the excellent performance, ride and handling of the GEN-2 hatchback, but with the added sophistication and functionality that comes with owning a 4-door family car.

Proton Impian, 2006

From the initial design sketches, through prototyping and development to production of the Proton Impian, first passenger car to be created entirely in Malaysia, Proton engineers have set out to reward owners with a driving experience in the highly competitive D sector that is second to none.

That they have succeeded is due in no small measure to a unique combination of engineering excellence and design flair. Proton's pragmatic approach to worldwide market requirements blends the best of Malaysian creativity with European engineering precision and Japanese manufacturing skills.

To create a safe and soothing environment for driver and passengers, Proton engineers have been supported by a Malaysian-based project team established by EDAG, the German body engineering specialists, while the Proton Impian's ride comfort and pin sharp handling reflect the silky skills of Lotus suspension tuning experts previously paraded in Proton's acclaimed Satria GTi.

The result is a car with clean, crisp styling that provides occupants with impressive safety standards and drivers with full control, no matter what the conditions. The reinforced body structure is among the strongest in its class, giving greater torsional rigidity for less body roll, better road-holding and a solid, European feel to the driving experience.

Setting even higher quality standards, the Proton Impian is manufactured using the latest modular construction techniques in a new factory alongside Proton's main plant at Shah Alam near Kuala Lumpur. Modular integration allows each module to be stronger and more rigid, at the same time reducing weight.

All Proton's first home-grown product demonstrates a maturity and level of competence not previously expected of the youngest Pacific rim manufacturer to make its mark in a global market place. With the opening of a £62 million Research and Development Centre at Shah Alam two years ago, Proton has the capability to design vehicles in-house from concept to production, using the latest CATIA design and simulation work stations together with a rapid prototyping facility to halve component design time and dramatically reduce costs.

A state of the art emissions laboratory at the centre is fully approved by the UK's Road Transport Department Vehicle Certification Authority, while sophisticated suspension compliance and measurement rigs coupled with training from Lotus specialists has given Proton engineers the ability to achieve world-class ride and handling standards.

Malaysia's primary national car manufacturer has come a long way since the first Mitsubishi-based car rolled off the production line in 1985 and the Proton Impian personifies a new ambition to produce products that are technically advanced, great value and satisfying to drive.

The Proton Impian range will be later expanded with higher derivative variants, while a whole new generation of powerful yet highly efficient engines unveiled recently by Lotus is being readied for use in 2003.

A range of derivative models is currently under development at the R & D Centre, and Proton is also planning the launch of a mid-engined 2+2 sports car based on the Lotus M250 chassis in two years time.