Proton unveils new Saga variant

In a move to expand the range of Saga models, PROTON Holdings Bhd today unveiled a new entry-level Saga variant, the Saga FLX SE, set to appeal to the younger generation of car buyers.

Priced from RM49,449 and powered by a 1.6 litre Campro Intake Air-Fuel Module (IAFM) engine, the Saga FLX SE aimed to provide car owners more performance and fuel economy.

"It reaffirmed the Saga as the people's car given its exceptional affordability and value for money attributes that include better fuel economy, greater performance, superior ride and handling characteristics," said group managing director Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir in a statement today.

PROTON said the combination of the 1.6-litre Campro IAFM engine with the continuously variable transmission (CVT) automatic transmission delivers better torque, four per cent better acceleration, and reduces fuel consumption by an additional four per cent compared with the current 1.6-litre Saga.

Priced RM2,900 above the current selling 1.6-litre automatic Saga FL, the Saga FLX SE features eight exterior and three interior changes.

The national car maker said since the Saga was launched in January 2008, there were now 274,469 units of Saga on the road with PROTON receiving some 331,768 bookings.

The Saga remains PROTON's best selling model to date with an average 6,500 units sold per month.

PROTON targets to sell some 78,752 units of the Saga in its current financial year ending March 31, 2012 whereby it expects the new Saga FLX SE to sell in the region of 500 units per month.

Available in two colour choices - Solid White and Fire Red - the Saga FLX SE comes with a three-year or 100,000km warranty, whichever comes first.

PROTON also said customers who ordered a Saga and were still waiting for delivery can opt to change their booking for a Saga FLX SE at the respective showroom where the original booking was made.

Car buyers can view the new model at all PROTON showrooms from tomorrow. -- Bernama