Proton Shows Off Innovation and Technology

Proton Shows Off Innovation and Technology

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In a departure from past practice of leaving promotional activities to its distributors, Proton itself took a large area at the motorshow to showcase its products and its core values of Innovation, Technological Capability and Quality.

Though a small exhibit, the Proton engine – codenamed S-ENG – during the past year of its development at Lotus UK as well as Proton’s R&D division at Shah Alam, attracted a lot of attention. The company has now revealed that it will be named the “Campro” engine and confirmed that it will be in production in 2002.

The engine, initially with a 1.6 litre 4-cylinder configuration, is claimed to offer world-class power, torque and fuel economy with low emissions. It incorporates many advanced technologies such as a sinter-forged fracture-split conrod for precision and superior finish; cam-profile switching; variable valve timing; and cylinder de-activation.

Besides the various production Proton sedans and hatchbacks, there was also a Satria Convertible which was last seen at the Frankfurt Motorshow in 1997. Back then, Proton said it was developed to test consumer reaction in Germany to see if it would be viable to make and sell. But the economic recession saw the project shelved as more important matters needed attention (and funding) and nothing more was heard of it.

It still looks good three years later, and a look at the interior shows that a lot of work went into creating a luxurious cockpit area. Not many details were available about the car and it remains to be seen if Proton will actually produce it for sale in the near future.

Proton’s Lotus Asia-Pacific division also got to showcase its cars and drew lots of enthusiasts. There were Elises in various forms but it was the Lotus 340R which got the most attention. This is a limited production model which takes the Elise concept to the extreme and only two units are said to be in Malaysia.

Weighing just over 500 kgs, thanks to its lightweight structure and composite bodywork, the 340R has an outstanding power-to-weight ratio of 340 hp per ton… and just from using a 1.8-litre 125 kW (170 bhp) K-series engine. Its concept combines the advanced thinking behind the single-seat racing cars which Lotus has been developing for F1 racing with the purity of a superbike.

Also on display was the basis of the Elise and a number of other sportscars which Lotus makes and will make in future – the exceptionally stiff and light chassis of extruded and bonded aluminium which also forms the load-bearing structure for the car. This chassis will also serve as the basis for Proton’s Malaysia Sports Car (MSC) which is expected to be introduced in 2003. By sharing components from Proton’s other production models but using advanced structural technology, the MSC is to be an affordable sportscar that will offer superior driving dynamics.

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