Gen 2 Auto Road Test
Proton Gen2 Auto Tested.
The Gen 2 Automatic made a quiet entry into the Malaysian market; Proton just started selling it alongside the manual model, at RM55, 888.00 (price on the road). AW got hold of one and we are giving it a long-term test. After having it for one month, we are thoroughly happy with it. Considering the price versus what comes along with the package, the Gen 2 Automatic is still one of the best value packages available in the market at the moment. Our lady test member opts for the automatic every time she needs to go out.
 |
| The Proton Gen 2 has a shape that appeals to the younger set. |
I have always preferred a manual transmission to an automatic, mainly because of the ‘power loss’ that one has to suffer as a result of transmission slip through the torque converter. Nowadays, with the atrocious traffic conditions around Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur, it becomes more and more practical to take the automatic when going into town. There is less stress all round, and one is likely to remain relative cool, even in the worst of situations. We have driven the Gen 2 Auto on highways, through the city jams, and also on country roads.
 |
| The powerful 1.6 engine is happy at high revolutions |
From the exterior, you cannot tell the difference between the manual and automatic models; even in the interior, the main visible difference would be the different gearshift levers. Under the hood, if you are mechanically savvy, you might note that the transaxle is slightly different, and is a little bigger than the manual gearbox.
 |
| The cockpit is user friendly, but seats are a little hard. |
Already we see some improvements; the power socket cover is of a better design, and looks like it is more durable than the one that was on the manual at the time of launch. The engine mapping either has improved, or is more suitable for the automatic transmission, because the power delivery is smoother, and there isn’t that engine-speed ‘overrun’ between gear changes.
 |
| The power socket has an improved design. I would have preferred window controls on the doors. |
In the city, automatic gear changes are smooth, and the gear ratios are acceptable for stop-and-go driving. The 4-speed automatic gearbox is a straight bolt on from out of a box that originated in Japan, and is a well-proven and hardy unit. The gear ratios are as well spread out as a 4-speed can be, to give the best combination between good acceleration and fuel economy. There are some in our test team who felt a 5-speed would be better, but that would affect the pricing of the car. Anyway, 5-speed boxes are currently available only on the more expensive makes, usually in the 2.0 litre and above cars. Anyway, the automatic gearbox on the Gen2 is in no way inferior to any of the cars in its class. In the manual, we did say that the engine does feel a little sluggish at low engine speeds between 2000 and 3000 rpm, making it necessary to row up and down the gears frequently, but with the auto, the gearbox takes over and does that for us.
In the city and suburbs, exuberant driving is still possible, as the engine is quite responsive, as long as you are not the type of person who is apprehensive when the engine tone gets more urgent. To overcome the apparent lack of oomph, you just floor the throttle, and the kick-down will do the rest. Stability and sure-footedness make the Gen2 predictable and easy to handle.
On the highways, the Gen2 Auto remains a fine car to drive. The road behaviour is similar to the manual version, and is somewhere towards the stiffer side of comfortable, which results in a firm, yet comfortable, ride. The heavier gearbox makes the front suspension seem a mite softer than it is in the manual. The seats could be a little softer to complement this. I think that seats with a feel and texture similar to those found in the Wira or Waja would be greatly appreciated.
Lane change characteristics are good, and there is no pitching and yawing, even at high speeds. The firm suspension and excellent road behaviour keeps the Gen2 Auto very stable at high speeds. One feels very secure, and crosswinds don’t seem to have any effect. We had to get back from JB to KL in a hurry during one of our test runs, and we did a little over two and a half hours from the time we climbed onto the highway at JB, and arrived at the Damansara exit to Petaling Jaya. To put it into proper perspective, it was an evening drive, and traffic was moderate that day. We maintained the rpm at approximately 5,000 rpm in top gear, and the other drivers on the road generally moved over to the left courteously more often than not. At any engine speed above 3000 rpm, the Gen2 Auto is perfectly happy.
On the ‘B’ roads in the countryside, the Gen2 auto is just as enjoyable. It takes all corners with ease. Being front wheel drive, the Gen2 is easy to handle. Understeer is inherent, but, it comes on gradually, and understeer is easy to control by simply lifting off on the throttle. The Gen2 gave a good account of itself at all times. The 4-wheel independent suspension, which by the way is almost identical to that in the Waja and Wira, works superbly, and I dare say that the Gen2 can out handle almost any car in its class, including some cars that cost more than double, but have beam-type suspension.
Fuel consumption? Depending on the way you drive, it varies from 10 litres per 100 kilometres to 13 litres per 100 kilometres. Compared to the manual model, fuel consumption is about 15 to 20 percent more. Understandably, this is due to the fact that transmission slip occurs naturally as speed in each gear builds up. The latest gearboxes in more powerful (and more expensive) cars are being introduced with ‘lock-up’ clutches in every gear, but it will be a long time before they filter down to low-end cars.
Finally, we believe that at RM55, 888.00 (price on the road without insurance), the Gen2 Automatic makes an excellent package in terms of value for money. For this price, there you get a 5-seater, 4-door sedan, a 1.6 litre, 4-valve per cylinder engine. Can you think of another vehicle like this?
