jzt
29-07-2006, 01:26 PM
Yes, I have heard about the new "Proton 380".
It is interesting that the Malaysians are looking towards Australia's 380 as the replacement for their Proton Perdana, which is currently the flagship of the Proton range. The Perdana is basically the HJ (1992 - 1995) Galant, mechanically unchanged but cosmetically tarted up - not very tastefully either - since its debut there in 1996.
Initially the Perdana was released with 2.0 4-cyl and 2.0 V6 (6A12) engines, but then became V6-only, a number of years ago. Auto only too, I believe, across the board. There was a bit (only a bit!) of talk about bringing the Perdana into Australia, but it never materialised. We got the Waja instead. But I do know of ONE Perdana that is being used as a training vehicle at the Mount Cotton Driving Centre in Brisbane. This venue is sponsored by Proton, so this lone Perdana is obviously an evaluation vehicle that was brought over but never road-registered.
Anyhow, any current Mitsubishi offering would be a vast improvement over the Perdana, and I think it's great that Proton are choosing MMAL as their first choice for the Perdana replacement.
A 3.8V6 would not go down well in that part of the world, because smaller-capacity/big-bodied cars seem to be the norm, like the BMW 728i and Benz S280. Certainly a large-body, smaller-engined car like the 380 with a 2.4 4-cyl would fit the bill perfectly ; isn't this just what MMAL are currently in the final stages of developing for the local market anyway?
Well if this Proton deal goes ahead, any of us who fly over to Malaysia might be pleasantly surprised by hitching a ride in a 380 taxi! As the Kuala Lumpur airport is about an hour away (or slightly more?) from the city, they've got special "airport taxis" (currently Perdanas and a few Benz E-Class E200), which no doubt will be replaced in due course by the 380!
Also, the last time I was there, I noticed that Malaysians like their accessories : Anything from body graphics to woodgrain kits, weathershields, chrome door handles/boot garnish/wing mirrors/grille garnish/cup holders/anti-slip mats (you get the picture)......and you can buy these just in department stores, especially for popular models, very cheaply and commonly available...no need to go to the dealership.
Will be good for Aussie 380 owners visiting there......Eg. might actually find a set of four weathershields! I'm peeved that I can't get a set for my 380......Mitsubishi Australia only has the front weathershields available!! However, the Taiwanese-market Mitsubishi Grunder (I know - STRANGE name) has the full set of weathershields available, and the door pressings are identical to the 380. But due to the obvious language barrier, I have not been able to source a set!
It is interesting that the Malaysians are looking towards Australia's 380 as the replacement for their Proton Perdana, which is currently the flagship of the Proton range. The Perdana is basically the HJ (1992 - 1995) Galant, mechanically unchanged but cosmetically tarted up - not very tastefully either - since its debut there in 1996.
Initially the Perdana was released with 2.0 4-cyl and 2.0 V6 (6A12) engines, but then became V6-only, a number of years ago. Auto only too, I believe, across the board. There was a bit (only a bit!) of talk about bringing the Perdana into Australia, but it never materialised. We got the Waja instead. But I do know of ONE Perdana that is being used as a training vehicle at the Mount Cotton Driving Centre in Brisbane. This venue is sponsored by Proton, so this lone Perdana is obviously an evaluation vehicle that was brought over but never road-registered.
Anyhow, any current Mitsubishi offering would be a vast improvement over the Perdana, and I think it's great that Proton are choosing MMAL as their first choice for the Perdana replacement.
A 3.8V6 would not go down well in that part of the world, because smaller-capacity/big-bodied cars seem to be the norm, like the BMW 728i and Benz S280. Certainly a large-body, smaller-engined car like the 380 with a 2.4 4-cyl would fit the bill perfectly ; isn't this just what MMAL are currently in the final stages of developing for the local market anyway?
Well if this Proton deal goes ahead, any of us who fly over to Malaysia might be pleasantly surprised by hitching a ride in a 380 taxi! As the Kuala Lumpur airport is about an hour away (or slightly more?) from the city, they've got special "airport taxis" (currently Perdanas and a few Benz E-Class E200), which no doubt will be replaced in due course by the 380!
Also, the last time I was there, I noticed that Malaysians like their accessories : Anything from body graphics to woodgrain kits, weathershields, chrome door handles/boot garnish/wing mirrors/grille garnish/cup holders/anti-slip mats (you get the picture)......and you can buy these just in department stores, especially for popular models, very cheaply and commonly available...no need to go to the dealership.
Will be good for Aussie 380 owners visiting there......Eg. might actually find a set of four weathershields! I'm peeved that I can't get a set for my 380......Mitsubishi Australia only has the front weathershields available!! However, the Taiwanese-market Mitsubishi Grunder (I know - STRANGE name) has the full set of weathershields available, and the door pressings are identical to the 380. But due to the obvious language barrier, I have not been able to source a set!