Proton Inspira

The Proton Inspira is a four-door compact saloon produced by Malaysian automobile manufacturer Proton which launched on 10 November 2010. It is sold exclusively in Malaysia as a rebadged ninth generation and current Mitsubishi Lancer as the result of a collaboration between Mitsubishi Motors and Proton. It shares the same DaimlerChrysler/Mitsubishi Motors GS platform with the Mitsubishi Lancer . The Inspira succeeded the Proton Waja, and complements the indigenously-designed Proton Preve in the Malaysian market.

In addition to its bigger engine, your money gets you a mild body kit all round, slightly better trim materials inside, leather seats, auto climate control, cruise control, auto headlights, auto wipers, and paddle shifters. There is also a portable GPS unit bundled into the package, but since it was not in our test car, we are unable to give you a proper assessment of its usefulness, although we can assure you that decent GPS devices from the aftermarket can be yours for a few hundred bucks these days.

Unlike the Lancer, however, Proton also caters for buyers with smaller engine needs by offering two 1.8-litre variants, both of which we tested last year. Topping the range is the 2.0-litre Premium model, which we are reviewing here, and one of these can be yours for RM92,015 with insurance and metallic paint in Peninsula Malaysia.

Proton Inspira

4B10 Specifications
Engine type Inline 4 cylinder DOHC 16v, MIVEC
Displacement 1.8 L (1798 cc)
Bore 86 mm
Stroke 77.4 mm
Compression ratio 10.5:1
Fuel system ECI multiple
Peak power 105 kW (143 PS) at 6000 rpm
Peak torque 177 Nm (130 ftlbf) at 4250 rpm

4B11 Specifications
Engine type Inline 4 cylinder DOHC 16v, MIVEC
Displacement 2.0 L (1998 cc)
Bore 86 mm
Stroke 86 mm
Compression ratio 10:1
Fuel system ECI multiple
Peak power 108-114 kW (147-155 PS) at 6000 rpm
Peak torque 198 Nm (146 ftlbf) at 4250 rpm

Proton Inspira

The 2011 Proton Inspira is the best Proton model to date, as any Proton owners can tell you after a quick test drive. The Mitsubishi Lancer-based Inspira, the creation of a technical agreement between Proton and Mitsubishi, offers the kind of interior refinement and quality that would have taken Proton many years to be able to mass produce.

Bring into consideration the Inspira’s good looks, well-judged ride-and-handling, ergonomical, spacious interior, and, lastly, the value-for-money proposition, and Malaysians are looking at a desirable Proton, one that we would highly recommend to anyone shopping for a C-segment, mid-size car.

Four colours are available for the Inspira, and these are Plum Red, Solid White, Genetic Silver and Tranquility Black. In terms of specifications and equipment levels, the Inspira gets a fair bit of kit, though the 2.0 Premium version does naturally get more in the way of added gear.

Nonetheless, all three variants come with dual SRS airbags, leather steering wheel, front pre-tensioner seatbelts, ABS with EBD, immobiliser and alarm system, central door locking, Isofix point, reverse sensor, solar and security tinted film and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

Proton’s inputs on the Inspira were restricted to visual differentiation and suspension tweaking, with no changes to the powertrain, though that has not stopped Proton from claiming that they have added “value” to the Lancer base in the 17 months taken to create the Inspira.

It may be difficult to ascertain if the Inspira has a higher-quality interior than the Lancer, as Proton claims, and no easier to determine if the visual updates to the grille, bumpers and alloy wheels will appeal to a wider audience. But Proton’s tweaking of the suspension, conducted in-house by a 15-personnel team, has indeed given the Inspira a noticeable edge over the Lancer in terms of ride-and-handling.

Other items on the features list across the board are trunk lid remote release, front fog lamps, welcome home light system, driver’s side anti-trap/auto up-down power window, height adjustable driver’s seat and a MP3/Bluetooth-enabled CD player audio system with Arkamys 3D DSP.

As befits its Premium suffix, the Inspira 2.0 gets a number of differentiation points and features compared to the two 1.8 Executive models, and these are:

• Cruise control (with steering wheel-mounted switches)
• Column-mounted paddle shift controls
• Automatic climate control
• Auto headlamp and rain sensors.
• Body kit and rear spoiler.
• Leather seats and door trim finishing (the 1.8 versions are in fabric)
• A GPS navigation system.

Peninsular Malaysia Prices

• Proton Inspira 1.8 M/T – RM78,999
• Proton Inspira 1.8 CVT – RM84,999
• Proton Inspira 2.0 CVT – RM91,999

East Malaysia Prices

• Proton Inspira 1.8 M/T – RM80,999
• Proton Inspira 1.8 CVT – RM86,999
• Proton Inspira 2.0 CVT – RM93,999

Langkawi Prices

• Proton Inspira 1.8 M/T – RM71,999
• Proton Inspira 1.8 CVT – RM75,999
• Proton Inspira 2.0 CVT – RM82,999