Proton Launches Compact Car IRIZ – An Alternative to the Myvi
Tanjung Malim, 25 September 2014 – Proton Holdings Berhad has officially launched its answer to the Perodua Myvi today. The new Proton Compact Car is called the Proton Iriz, and it is a 5-door hatchback that is bigger in dimensions over that of the Myvi and is more powerful to boot.
The launch ceremony was held at the Proton Tanjung Malim Plant, with the unveiling done by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, our ex-Prime Minister and recently appointed Chairman of Proton. Also present was Dato’ Harith Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer and key management officers of Proton.
The Iriz, in part, is Proton’s entry into the Malaysian compact B-segment market which is currently dominated by the Perodua Myvi, a Daihatsu derivative. However, Proton is also serious about making an impact on the global market, which explains the high specifications and trim level offered in the various variants, plus the fact that a manual transmission, which is essential for European and other markets, is offered at time of launch.
The Iriz is available with a 1.3 litre engine and a 1.6 litre engine. Each of the engine variants will have three trim levels, making a total of six choices for the customer to pick from. Within these six variants, there are two options of transmissions, either a CVT (Constantly Variable Transmission) or a 5-speed manual transmission (5MT). On top of all this, there are seven colour options, so the customer is spoilt for choice. On-the-road prices (P. Malaysia) for the 1.3 litre variants start form RM42,438 for the Standard 1.3 litre variant all the way to RM49,888, while the 1.6 litre variants start with RM53,438, topping off with RM62,888 for the top of the range Premium CVT. East Malaysia retail prices are an additional RM2,000, whilst the tax-free ones like Langkawi and Labuan enjoy slightly lower prices of RM4,000 and RM3,000 respectively.
At the launch, Dato’ Harith said, “ Proton Iriz is built on a totally new platform that is developed by Malaysians for the Malaysian and global markets. This compact car symbolizes Proton’s commitment to customers by offering high standards of quality, safe and fun to drive, and built with comfort and convenience to the consumers.”
The Proton Iriz is Proton’s most comprehensively equipped car to date, with a host of safety features that include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a feature found mostly on more expensive cars, ABS, EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), traction control (TC), Brake Assist (BA), and Hill Hold Assist.
The Proton Iriz also has a newly developed engine featuring Variable Valve Timing, and for the first time in a long while, Proton has launched a car with two transmissions. Whilst the mature buyers will probably opt for the CVT, the younger ones would go for the manual transmission.
The steering system is now EPS (Electric Power Steering), which will contribute to fuel efficiency, while the Premium variants will have six airbags, anti-trap power window for the driver, keyless entry, alarm system, and LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), and a reverse camera. In addition, ISOFIX anchors are included in anticipation of entry into the global market.
The Proton Iriz’s body structure uses Hot Press Forming (HPF), a German technology that Proton owns, being only the 6th country in the world to have this technology. The Proton Iriz is awarded 5-star in the Asean NCAP safety rating.
Aesthetically, the Proton Iriz is pleasing to the eye, and the hatch construction with split and folding rear seats gives it additional versatility in space usage. Inside, the Iriz is well appointed, and the materials used are of good quality. The higher ranges even have the luxury of leather seats.
“ Proton has focussed on improving every aspect of the car, especially in safety and convenience. Proton Iriz comes with the highest safety standards Proton can offer, topped off with a 5-star Asean NCAP rating and we shall not rest on our laurels because this car is our benchmark for Proton’s future cars. We shall continue to improve and develop better performance cars that meet global safety regulations,” said Dato Harith, closing with, “This is the future we envisioned for all our products while we have also made the necessary improvements to our service. Both of these go hand in hand and represent the benchmark we set for the standards and quality that Proton aims to deliver to our customers.”
Whether the Proton Iriz will be able to grab some of the market share away from the Perodua Myvi still remains to be seen, but it will not be form want of trying. In terms of looks, the Proton Iriz is decent enough, with a refreshingly new silhouette, looking more European than some of the Europeans, and at the launch, we did not hear anything to the contrary.
In terms of dimensions, the Iriz measures 3,905mm in length versus the Myvi’s 3,690mm; it is also wider at 1,720mm (Myvi: 1,665mm), and is 5mm higher than the Myvi (1,550 for Iriz versus 1,545 for Myvi). The Iriz has a longer wheelbase of 2,555mm versus the Myvi at 2,440mm. The 1.3 litre Iriz is rated at 70kW (95 PS) at 5,750 rpm, and 120 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, while the Myvi 1.3 litre equivalent has lower power (67kW at 6,000 rpm and 117Nm torque at 4,400 rpm). Proton uses a 1.6 litre engine pulling 109PS at 5,750 rpm and 150 Nm of torque, which is also higher than the Myvi 1.5 litre engine which pulls 104PS at 6,000 rpm and 136 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. On paper, at least, the Proton wins hands down.
As an aside, I managed to speak to one of the design engineers who worked on the engine development, and he quietly told me that the new engine’s power curve has been re-defined, with the ‘meaty’ part brought down to a lower rev range to suit the driving habits of most Malaysians, so those who used to complain about the lack of torque at the lower and mid-range of the engine will be happy with the new Iriz engine.
In terms of price, the Proton Iriz compares well with the Myvi, but looking at the total package of each variant, the ‘bang per buck’ appears to favour the Iriz. Underlying all of that, the prospective buyer cannot ignore the value of the safety features that come with the Iriz.
We have yet to test drive the Proton Iriz – that will come soon enough – Stay Tuned.
