Hopefully this newly refreshed Proton for the people will still retain the good driving dynamics of its predecessor.
Sunday morning Genting runners might have seen something rather interesting this weekend, as the upcoming Proton Saga facelift was spotted just a few hours ago on the Karak Highway. And what’s more, it was moving at quite a clip in the fast lane, which at least suggests that this newly refreshed iteration would still be as sweet to drive as the current outgoing model.
Now this is particularly encouraging as, truth be told, the new Geely-based models have not exactly been the sweetest handling Protons ever released. So at least there’s hope yet that this facelifted Saga will retain one of its core USPs of the outgoing iteration, which it should always be added is based on a platform that had previously been developed with technical support from Lotus!
As for other aspects of this upcoming Proton, the particular test mule spotted here resembles several others seen over recent months and suggests that the exterior of this upcoming Saga is set for a comprehensive makeover. A completely new front bumper and larger grille are likely up front, with LED headlights potentially making their debut on this humble Proton for the very first time.
Around its rump, the test mule shows signs of a reprofiled boot lid and enlarged tail lamps that could stretch wider or adopt a sleeker LED signature for a more modern look. A redesigned rear bumper is also expected, likely to help give the back end a sharper and more cohesive appearance in line with the rest of the Proton family.
Also worth noting is that other spy shots have revealed that the Saga test mules now sport a camera on the windscreen, strongly suggesting the (long-overdue) inclusion of at least some active driver aids. This could mark the first time the Saga gets features like Forward Collision Warning and/or Autonomous Emergency Braking, which its main rival Perodua Bezza has technically incorporated for 5 years already.
With regards as to what is powering this upcoming Saga, it’s still unclear whether it will continue with the same 1.3-litre CamPro unit that has been under the hood since its rebirth back in 2008. Alternatively, there is speculation that the turbocharged three-cylinder engine found in other Geely-based Protons could make its way into the engine bay.
There is also some question as to whether this updated Saga will ride on the same (admittedly aged) underpinnings as the current model, or if it will adopt a newer platform sourced from its Chinese parent company. Given that the overall shape looks similar to the outgoing iteration however, the chances are higher that the former will be true over the latter.
In any case, more official information regarding this upcoming Saga should be trickling out rather soon. Proton has previously hinted at some major launches that are set to take place in the coming few months, and it really doesn’t get much more significant than this Proton for the people.
