PROTON INSPIRA

History

    Proton, a Malaysian automaker, introduced the four-door Proton Inspira in November 2010 as their first compact saloon. As a result of a partnership between Mitsubishi Motors and Proton, it was only offered in Malaysia as a rebadged ninth-generation Mitsubishi Lancer. The Proton Inspira, which replaced the Proton Waja, complements the locally produced Proton Prevé in the Malaysian market. The word "Inspira," which signifies inspiration in English, is derived from the Malay word Inspirasi.

    An agreement between Proton and Mitsubishi Motors for the transfer of technology was renewed. This arrangement was crucial to Proton's founding in the middle of the 1980s. As a fair form of technology sharing, Mitsubishi would receive the Exora to rebrand in Japan under them.

    After dealers started taking reservations for the Inspira, 1,100 orders were placed within the first 10 days. The Mitsubishi is imported as a CBU from Japan, whereas the Inspira is locally produced and costs substantially less than the Lancer in Malaysia. In addition to significantly cheaper import taxes, Proton is entitled to financial incentives from the government because it invested in locally manufacturing the model, which enables it to lower pricing.

    Proton has drawn criticism from some groups, though, for resuming the practise of rebadging vehicles. When the Proton Waja was introduced in 2000, Proton had gotten away from this practise. After then, Proton continued to create 6 additional models on its own. According to reports, Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir, the managing director of Proton Group, claimed that developing a new car from scratch would cost Proton up to RM700 million (USD230 million), but that doing so through a partnership with Mitsubishi Motors would only cost half as much. This makes it possible to promote the Proton Inspira for less money.

 

    Mitsubishi granted Proton permission to rebadge the Lancer provided that no essential characteristics were altered. The majority of the Inspira's parts are thus interchangeable with those of the Lancer, including the powertrain, which is imported in completely completed form from Mitsubishi Motors Japan. While Proton also sought to improve the Inspira's build quality, the Inspira did come with modified suspension to enhance driving dynamics and handling. Mitsubishi management praised the improvements made to the vehicle after inspecting the Inspira in Shah Alam.

 

Time Line 

    The Proton Inspira made its premiere on November 10, 2010, in two variants: the 1.8E (Executive, manual or CVT gearbox) and 2.0P (Premium, CVT only), both available in a choice of four colours: Plum Red, Solid White, Genetic Silver, and Tranquility Black. Dual SRS airbags, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, front pre-tensioner seatbelts, ABS with EBD, an immobiliser, an alarm system, a central locking system, ISOFIX child seat anchors, solar and security tinted glass, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, a trunk lid remote release, front fog lights, a welcome light system, a driver's side anti-trap/auto up/down power window, a height-adjustable driver.

    Cruise control, column-mounted shift paddles, dark brown wood trim (as opposed to matte silver trim on the 1.8E), automatic climate control, automatic headlamps, automatic rain sensors, body kits, a trunk lip spoiler, Nappa leather upholstery on the seats and door trims, a leather-wrapped gear knob, and a GPS navigation system were added with the 2.0P. The Proton Inspira R3 restricted edition of the Proton Inspira was introduced in November 2011. With modifications like the inclusion of R3 body kits, an R3 trunk lip spoiler, and R3 18" alloy wheels, it was based on the 1.8E model of the basic Inspira. But this model was only offered with a manual transmission.

    The Proton Inspira R3 restricted edition of the Proton Inspira was introduced in November 2011. With modifications like the inclusion of R3 body kits, an R3 trunk lip spoiler, and R3 18" alloy wheels, it was based on the 1.8E model of the basic Inspira. But this model was only offered with a manual transmission.

    The Proton Inspira 2.0 Executive was introduced in June 2012 to replace the 1.8E CVT and was offered in 4 colours: Elegant Brown, Tranquility Black, Genetic Silver, and Solid White. Newly designed alloy wheels measuring 16" are on it. The 2.0 Executive version differs from the 2.0 Premium variant in that it has fabric upholstery on the seats and door trimmings as well as matte silver trim as opposed to the 2.0P's dark brown wood trim. In addition, this model was devoid of the rear spoiler, body modifications, and windscreen wipers that could automatically regulate their pace. The Proton Inspira 2.0 Premium was revised in July 2012 with 17" alloy wheels and a new head unit with a touch screen interface. One new colour was introduced for the Inspira with the release of the revised 2.0P version: Virginia Grey (2.0P only). In January 2014, the Proton Inspira Super Premium was launched with only one color available: Solid White. Moving on from the 2.0P, it adds on 18" R3 alloy wheels, R3 sport springs, R3 “Blood Stripe Stickers" and R3 body kits consisting of a front splitter, side skirts, a rear apron and a boot spoiler. The R3 add-ons were rather similar to those offered in the limited edition Proton Inspira R3. Like the 2.0P, it was only available in one transmission option: CVT. 

    Proton Inspira models produced between September 2010 and May 2011 were subject to a recall in February 2015 due to issues with the drive belt pulley (V-ribbed belt). The Proton Inspira's manufacturing was formally stopped in April 2015. The Proton Inspira was once more subject to a recall in May 2016, this time over a problem with a faulty right turn indicator switch for cars manufactured between 2010 and 2014.