The Wira Replacement Model

Some spy pictures of the latest "Wira Replacement Model" can be seen here, courtesy of Autotrade.


My thoughts:

From the outside, it seems like a very very impressive job has been done by the proton designers. If you look at the front grille, it seems it is supposed ot resemble a "wau"-like figure, and yeap, i can see where people get that from. Although i can see that there are some resemblances with the Mazda 6 and the Beemer 5 series. The behind is also quite impressive. Overall the exterior gets a thumbs up from me.

The interior on the other hand sucks big time. El-cheapo plastic parts everywhere. The door handle and the circular thing on the side of the door looks very very plasticky and very very cheap. Steering wheel has been recycled from the Waja. The whole top half of the cockpit also looks mightily plasticky, like the one on the Waja, which isn't really my taste. However the pictures might be deceiving so i'll reserve my judgement til i get to see it in person.

Overall, it does look promising. Supposedly, the model will be launched sometime early next year and these pictures have made my anticipation level quite high. However, the huge question marks that still remain unanswered are:

1) Reliability of the new CAMPRO engine. It is rumoured that this model will be powered by the in house Proton developed CAMPRO engine. Judging by Proton's infamous QC history, driving around in a "Proton designed engine" doesn't really exude the same amount of confidence as say, a Toyota VVTI or a Honda VTEC / iDSL or even a good ol' reliable Mitsubishi engine. So, the jury is still out on that one, which brings us to the main issue of..

2) Quality Control. Just how many units of these will suffer from the infamous Proton "Power Window" feature. I drive a Proton, and my power windows have failed me twice already, and once was while it was friggin raining and just after i paid the toll!!! Imagine driving around in the goddamn monsoon weather with your windows fully opened! Basically, if they can assure us that there wont be any similar issues, that would be a MAJOR plus.

3) Those el-cheapo plastics!! Get rid of those el-cheapo plastics!!

4) Durability. Can they make it more durable than the Waja. I dont drive one, but a LOT of Wajas that i have been in, after a year, you hear a whole load of itsy bitsy noises that just get on your nerves while driving!

I mean, thats not such a bad list isn't it. I just want the car to be reliable, durable, not having any el-cheapo interior plastics, and for goodness sakes Proton, give your QC department a big kick up their arse! For your own sake! You guys desperately need to buck up to brace yourselves for AFTA!

Anyway, hope you enjoy these spy pics. I wonder if the fella in some of those pictures are gonna get screwed by the Proton management bvy letting people leak these pictures. But, somehow, i have a feeling that these pictures have been purposely leaked by Proton themselves to gauge the response of the public before it's release. Just a cheap way to market it pre-launch and build up the anticipation again. It definite has built up mine again!

Laters.