Perodua Alza Advanced

The new Perodua Alza Advanced has just been launched. Perodua Alza has
received over 22,000 since it's launch a few months ago. Sales has
exceeded that of Proton Exora.
Proton Exora is also a successful MPV from Proton. Proton has been
revamping its brand and Exora is one of the models which receives a
good feedback. Other than that, Persona and the Saga also did very
well in their respective car segments.
The Perodua Alza Advanced comes with leather seats, reverse camera, in-
built GPS navigation system located in front of the driver, tinted
film and spoilers. It is priced around RM67K for the manual
transmission and RM70K for the auto. (Source: New Sunday Times - CARS,
BIKES, TRUCKS pullout, Page 12, March 28 2010)
With these advanced features, it will further boost the Perodua Alza
sales. I also expect that for families or people who want a larger
space, they would prefer the Proton Exora.
Proton Exora is having the Campro CPS engine and the Alza is getting
the same engine as Toyota Avanza. Whichever that anyone chooses, it
will be a good choice.
Both the Exora and Alza will face tough competition. Alza may have a
slight advantage over Exora because of people's perception on Perodua
cars. In general, people are more confident of the quality of Perodua
cars. At the same time, Proton has improved it's quality and
reputation with Exora, Persona and Saga models. I can see more Proton
cars on the road again. I am also driving a Persona.
Please feel free to comment on this. Thanks.
Cheers,
Rogerkoo

My Proton Persona

Hi,


I recently bought a Proton Persona H-Line last month. Collected the car on 11th February 2010. Mileage now is 2087 km in total. Before the Proton Persona Elegance was launched, I didn't know this facelift model is coming out this year. We were not informed about it until we saw it in the news few weeks ago. To me, my Proton Persona is good. Sometimes we can't catch it.


Specifications of Proton Persona H-Line:


Engine Capcacity: 1597cc
 
Engine Type: CAMPRO IAFM 1.6
 
Power: 82kW @ 6000rpm or 112 bhp
 
Radio: Blaupunkt 2-din Radio with 10 preset stations and a single CD player


Seating: 5


Safety Features: ABS, EBD, Front Driver and Passenger SRS Airbags


Security: Immobilizer


Transmission: 4 Speed Automatic


Extra Features:

• Power Auto Windows
• Electronically Controlled Side Mirrors
• Multi Information Display (Clock, Odometer, Tripmeter, Average Fuel Consumption, Distance to finish before refuelling and Engine Running Time)
• Steering Wheel with radio controls
• Remote Trunk Lid Opening
• Front Fog Lamps
• Proton Emergency First Aid Kit
• Lockatoo GPS (External)
• Proton Car Tools
• Vanity Mirror
• Cup holders

This car is definitely a good buy. With 82kW, the car moves forward when the accelearator is softly pressed. Engine is very smooth and with the Lotus handling, it provies a very good driving experience. It handles corners well too. The height of the car is also higher which provides a better rear view of the traffic. However, during reversing, you may not see the back clearly without the help of the reverse sensor. So far, the reverse sensor has provided me with quite accurate reverse distance. It beeps at the right time. I get used to it already. Been driving the car for nearly a month now. Overtaking is also easy as well. The engine repsonds with just a small tap on the accelerator.


Braking is also good. You'll need to press more though to stop completely. Other cars have differnt braking systems. Some with a gentle tap on the brake, it will stop quite fast, but for Proton Persona, it provides a gradual braking. Therefore, the brake need to be pressed more. It also brakes smoothly. However, it does have the braking sounds that automatic transmissions have for local cars. Hehe. Intially, when braking harder, I can hear a low screeching noise when pressed completely. After my first car service @ 1000km, there is no more sound unless I break in short distances (jam and carpark). But still it does not happen frequently now. I should brake further away and stop the car gradually. 


The auto transmission has a smooth gear change. It is the smoothest compared with other Proton models with the exception of maybe the Proton Perdana. I almost can't feel the usual jerk when shifting from P to R. The orange dashboard lights at night has a very cool effect and does not strain the eyes.


Aircond is functioning well and exceeds expectations. It is very cold. Probably the car is still new. Without low fan speed, the aircond can fills the entire car well. Mid temperature is around 25 degrees. I normally put it between 21 to 25 degrees.


Generally, the Blaupunkt 2 din radio provides me with a reasonable sound quality with CD. Radio controls can be adjusted at the steering wheel. The only thing missing now is the USB / MP3 support for the radio. This is provided in the new Persona Elegance.


It has now a fuel consumption of 7.6l per 100km. At my last refuel, I pumped RM64 after travelling a total distance of 331.1 km. Last week, I was caught in the jam at East West Link for about 1  1/2 hours. Usually, the jam is 30 minutes to 1 hour on the way to work. With that in mind, a fuel efficiency of 9.31 km/l is considered alright. Please let me know if you agree or disagree with this. The week before, the fuel effiency was 9.95km/l. I think if the traffic is good, the fuel efficiency can be improved with around 11km/l. Honda City is better than this with around 12.5km/l to 14km/l. From the NST Cars, Bikes and Trucks pullout, Toyota Vios has the best fuel efficiency in this class.


The exterior of the car and the interior of the car are nice. The interior sits 5 people comfortably withouht any issues. Leg space may not be the best but it's ample after hearing the feedback from some of my family and colleagues. Honda City, Vios and the Sentra may have a larger space there. The cushion is also comfortable and soft. The quality of the interior has improved. It is not hard compared to the ones in the Proton Wira Aeroback that my mother drives. Exterior is the same as the Gen2 except that this is a sedan instead of a hatchback. The way to differentiate the Gen2 with the Persona is the the silver decorative piece in the rear on the Persona.


It doesn't come with a seat belt indicator. My colleague told me about it and I verified it myself. Anyway, I have no problems wearing my seatbelt. It is what I normally do after I before I reverse or drive the car.


It has a very big boot too. Over 421 litres.


Here are some photos of my car (Car number has been taken out to protect privacy) :

The New Proton Persona H-Line (Full Spec). Comes with a 1.6L Campro IAFM engine generating 82KW of power, 2 front air bags, GPS, ABS, EBD, electronically controlled side mirrors and power steering among others. Big and spacious boot too.

Proton Persona was voted the 2008 Best Model of the Year by Frost and Sullivan

Right side view of the car

Front grille and teardrop lamps. Once again, the number plate also comes with the 2008 Best Model of the Year by Frost and Sullivan caption at the bottom.

The dashboard. It will be illuminated with orange colour (same as the colour that you see P and the multi function display) at night when I turn on the lights

Front of the car. Steering wheel comes with radio controls. Can adjust the volume (louder, softer, mute) and go to the next / previous tracks when playing CDs while driving

Closer view of the middle of the front of the car.

The automatic gear (P,R,N,D,3,2,L) and the fan and aircond controls

 Back seats

Side door controls

The Lockatoo A903 GPS given by Proton for H-Line and Special Edition models. Brand is Lockatoo. Powered by TM. Accurate but voice output is not so great.

The Lockatoo GPS also comes with this casing to carry around or leave at home when the GPS is not in used (to prevent theft).

For those who know me, please don't hesitate to contact me to share the photo album

So far I have no problems with the car with the exception of the brake sounds earlier but it has now been resolved. May ask them to check again @ my 5000km service. I can control the car well now. I would recommend to buy a Proton Persona Elegance now. The H-Line in the Persona Elegance variant is now RM59,999 (similar to the Proton Persona SE specifications) which comes with leather seats, cruise controls and body kit as standard. Proton has change the lineup of its Persona models a few weeks ago. I am satisfied with this car. The cost of this car is a few thousand less than the Persona Elegance H-Line.

Rating: 8/10

Cheers,


Rogerkoo

New Post Coming Soon

Hi All,


A new post would be coming soon. A review on the Proton Persona 1.6 H-Line that I bought recently. It has been two months since the last update on 1st January 2010. Been busy.


Cheers,


Teng Joon