Proton Inspira

The Proton Inspira is a four-door compact saloon produced by Malaysian automobile manufacturer Proton which was launched in 2010. It is sold exclusively in Malaysia as a rebadged tenth-generation Mitsubishi Lancer as the result of a collaboration between Mitsubishi Motors and Proton. The Inspira succeeded the Proton Waja, and complements the indigenously-designed Proton Prevé in the Malaysian market.

History

File:2012 Proton Inspira 2.0 Premium 4-door sedan (19711327441).jpg

Proton Inspira 2.0P.

File:Inspira engine.jpg

The Mitsubishi-made engine of the Inspira.

Proton renewed a technological transfer agreement with Mitsubishi Motors, an agreement that in the mid-1980s was fundamental to Proton’s origins. Mitsubishi would get the Exora for rebadge in Japan under them as fair technology sharing.

1,100 orders were received within the first 10 days after dealers began accepting bookings for the Inspira. Price-wise, the Inspira costs significantly less than the Lancer in Malaysia because it is assembled locally, whereas the Mitsubishi is imported as a CBU from Japan. Not only are import duties much lower, but the investment Proton made to produce the model locally entitles it to financial incentives from the government that allows it to bring down prices.

However, certain parties have criticised Proton for returning to the practice of rebadging cars. A practice Proton had moved away from, with the release of the Proton Waja in the year 2000. Proton continued to independently develop 6 more models after that.

Proton group managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir has reportedly said that it would cost Proton as much as RM700mil (USD230mil) to develop a new car from the ground up but only half the amount via its collaboration with Mitsubishi Motors. This enables the Proton Inspira to be marketed at a cheaper price.

Mitsubishi allowed Proton to rebadge the Lancer under conditions that there were no changes to any key features. The Inspira thus shares most of its components, including the powertrain which is imported in fully assembled form from Mitsubishi Motors Japan, with the Lancer. The Inspira did, however, feature tweaked suspension in order to improve the driving dynamics and handling, whilst Proton also worked to improve the build quality of the Inspira. The improvements to the car drew praise from Mitsubishi management after they inspected the Inspira in Shah Alam.

Specifications

As of 2012, Proton Inspira is offered in 2 powertrain configurations.

Powertrain and performance
	2.0 CVT Automatic	1.8 Manual
Engine	2.0L MIVEC 4B11, 4 Cylinder, DOHC 16V	1.8L MIVEC 4B10, 4 Cylinder, DOHC 16V
Transmission	6-speed INVECS-III CVT automatic	5-speed manual
Maximum Speed (km/h)	198 km/h (123 mph)	202 km/h (126 mph)
Acceleration 0–100 km/h (sec)	10.5 seconds	10 seconds
Maximum Power	148 hp (110 kW) / 6000 rpm	138 hp (103 kW) / 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque	197 N⋅m (145 lb⋅ft) / 4250 rpm	177 N⋅m (131 lb⋅ft) / 4250 rpm

References

• "Gambaran awal Waja Replacement aka Lancer Rebadge!!". funtasticko design. December 2008. Retrieved 16 March 2009.
• Tan, Paul. "Proton P3-90A based on Mitsubishi Lancer preview drive". Paultan.org. Retrieved 2011-01-27.
• "PROTON ENTERS INTO PRODUCT COLLABORATION WITH MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION, JAPAN.". Bursa Malaysia. December 12, 2008. Retrieved 16 March 2009.
• Tan, Paul (2010-11-20). "Proton Inspira launched – full details and photos". Paultan.org. Retrieved 2011-01-27.
• "Sales target for car manufacturers". The Star. 8 February 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
• Tan, Paul. "Proton P3-90A based on Mitsubishi Lancer preview drive". Paultan.org. Retrieved 2011-01-27.

Official Websites

• Proton Inspira