Budget Malaysian car brand Proton is extending its range in the UK with a baby brother for the Focus rival Gen-2. The Proton Savvy is already on sale in Malaysia and is due to hit the UK this autumn, aimed directly at the Fiat Panda, Kia Picanto and the new Chevrolet Matiz, with prices expected to start at under £6000.
Power comes from a 1149cc 16-valve engine producing 74bhp and 77lb ft of torque and mated to a five-speed manual transmission. It takes the Savvy from rest to 62mph in 12.6sec and on to a 106mph maximum. Healthy figures for a city car, but its makers are making bold claims for the Savvy, Proton CEO Tengku Tan Sri Mahaleel Tengku Ariff referring to it as ‘my first Lotus’ and ‘the car that’ll give you a taste of what it’s like to drive one of the world’s best handling vehicles’.
We got our hands on a Malaysian brochure (pictured) which certainly shows that Proton is going for a younger audience with the new model.
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