Proton Saga .281985.E2.80.931992.29 Proton Saga (first generation)

1987 proton saga 1.5 glx saloon (new zealand)

the concept of malaysian car conceived in 1979 mahathir mohamad, minister of trade , industry. mahathir actively encouraged development of heavy industries in malaysia part of long term vision self-sufficiency , progress.

the automotive industry in malaysia established in late 1960s. 6 automobile assembly plants set assemble cars complete knock-down (ckd) kits imported various car companies europe, america, japan , australia. however, inadequate economies of scale , local content regulations drove prices of new cars in malaysia on course of 1970s, if not locally assembled ckd models costing more produce equivalent cbu import.

by dawn of 1980s, malaysian government concluded direct involvement necessary reverse losses , spur future industrial growth. mahathir mohamad became fourth prime minister of malaysia in july 1981. national car project approved in 1982, objective of accelerating technology transfer, increasing , rationalising local content, , involving more malay entrepreneurs in largely ethnic chinese dominated malaysian automotive industry.

mahathir had invited mitsubishi motors participate in national car project. decision collaborate japanese car company part of mahathir s east policy . january 1983, mitsubishi had prepared 2 prototypes in japan, codenamed lm41 , lm44. on 7 may 1983, perusahaan otomobil nasional (proton) established. hicom held 70% stake in proton, while mitsubishi motors , mitsubishi corporation held 15% each.

the proton saga launched on 9 july 1985. based on 1983 mitsubishi lancer fiore platform, , powered 1.3-litre 4g13 orion ii engine. first known proton saga roll off production line in shah alam preserved @ muzium negara symbol of beginning of malaysian automotive industry. saga became national symbol of malaysia. mahathir drove prototype proton saga fitted 2.0-litre mitsubishi sirius 4g63 engine , jalur gemilang across penang bridge during opening ceremony on 14 september 1985.

initially, saga supplies low, 700 vehicles produced in time launch. cars sold quickly, , proton unable meet public demand. however, mid-1986, saga had captured 64% domestic market share in below 1600cc segment. proton first ventured export markets in 1986, bangladesh receiving proton saga on 26 december 1986, followed new zealand, brunei, malta , sri lanka in 1987. 10,000th saga produced in 1986.

proton attempted sell saga in united states 1986 of american automotive entrepreneur malcolm bricklin. mahathir had been impressed bricklin, advised work proton on orders former u.s. secretary of state, henry kissinger, had taught mahathir @ harvard university. after first sagas imported united states, bricklin revealed had not gained approval authorities. resulted in termination of investments between involved parties , proved major financial loss proton.

in january 1987, proton saga 1.5-litre saloon introduced. powered 1.5-litre 4g15 engine, remained largely unchanged exterior-wise 1985 saga. later in october 1987, hatchback variant called proton saga aeroback launched. shared same 1.5 l engine found in saloon variant, featured redesigned rear end unique proton. 1987 witnessed production of 50,000th saga.

the proton saga magma introduced in mid-1987, offering mild mechanical , cosmetic upgrades. magma suffix denotes updated engine, , magma-powered saga can differentiated original orion ii-powered models different front grille design , inclusion of bumper protector mouldings. additionally, first saga models automatic transmissions made available in 1987.

the proton saga made european debut on 11 march 1988 launch in ireland. both saloon , hatchback models made available @ cost of between £8,999 , £10,799. proton managed launch saga in ireland before united kingdom minimal changes , modifications necessary pass irish automotive , safety regulations. additionally, irish automotive market small @ around 50,000 units year @ period, opposed larger u.k. market @ 2 million units. proton launched saga in several small commonwealth countries while prepared large scale launch in u.k. on 100 dealers. in october 1988, proton saga made english debut @ 1988 british international motorshow, won 3 prestigious awards (two gold medals , 1 silver) quality coachwork , ergonomics. saga voted among top 10 best cars @ show. 1988 witnessed proton s entry jamaican market, along 100,000th saga produced.

1991 proton 1.5 se aeroback (united kingdom)

on 16 march 1989, proton officially launched saga saloon , hatchback duo in united kingdom. saloon models renamed proton 1.3 , proton 1.5 respectively according engine displacement in addition suffix such s.e. or g.l. denoted trim levels. u.k.-market models differed malaysian counterparts. u.k.-market models equipped original mitsubishi lancer fiore dashboard , rear reflector lamps pass u.k. safety regulations. britain received many limited edition models such proton puma, lynx, emerald, prism , se le mans, featured higher trim levels , unique equipment. proton advertised models slogan japanese technology, malaysian style in united kingdom. proton later set record fastest selling make of new car ever enter united kingdom , exceeding 12-month sales target within 6 months. prior launch, saga underwent strict homologation process allowed entry , sale in u.k. market. process included various quality, safety , emissions tests , on 400 modifications necessary, 1,000 mile-trial on british roads , weather conditions. saga went on sale in singapore in october 1989.

on 12 august 1990, proton saga megavalve launched in malaysia. megavalve nameplate represents third engine update after orion (1985–1987) , magma (1987–1990). megavalve engines feature 12-valves or 3 valves per cylinder, upgrade on older 8-valve engines. 4 additional valves made new megavalve engines between 11% , 15% more powerful previous magma plants. megavalve engine produced in both 1.3-litre , 1.5-litre configurations , both fitted carburettors. in addition updated engines, proton saga megavalve fitted new front grille, wrap-around bumper protector moulding , 2 new exterior colours, namely maroon , green, several minor changes on interior. 1.5s model received new full wheel covers, , proton reintroduced saga aeroback 1.5i model due popular demand. safety standards raised inclusion of rear seat belts , third brake light standard equipment. proton saga megavalve ranged rm28,000 rm36,000, or increment of rm2,000 on previous proton saga magma range.

a unique limousine version of proton saga produced. 25 percent longer regular saga saloon, , features built-in freezer, in-car entertainment system , television. 200,000th saga rolled off production line on 16 may 1990.

proton launched facelifted proton 12-valve in united kingdom on 10 january 1991. power output 1.3 l engine upped 77 bhp , 1.5 l offered 85 bhp. on 22 september 1991, proton saga won 2 gold awards @ british international motorshow second time. saga launched in malawi in december 1991. proton had managed export 40,151 units, of 33,291 united kingdom, 3,699, 1,160 , 847 singapore, ireland , new zealand respectively. 300,000th saga produced in 1991, , locally manufactured saga parts rose 69% after opening of engine , transmission factory in shah alam.