Proton Satria Neo 2008

Production 2006 - present
Engine: 1.3 L Campro S4PE I4 - 1.6 L Campro S4PH I4
Wheelbase: 2,440 mm (96.1 in)
Length: 3,905 mm (153.7 in)
Width: 1,710 mm (67.3 in)
Height: 1,420 mm (55.9 in)
Curb weight: 1,146 kg (2,526 lb) (1.3 L Manual) - 1,184 kg (2,610 lb) (1.6 L Auto)

The Satria Neo was introduced in June 2006 as a replacement for the first generation Satria. Based on a new platform developed in-house by Proton (with some parts borrowed from the bigger Gen-2 and Waja), the car is currently only available in a three-door hatchback guise. The car was developed at a cost of RM500 million and four years, and was expected by Proton to generate a monthly sales volume of 2,000 to 2,500 units. The car was also intended to target those who are "youthful and sporty". The Satria Neo was launched by former Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi

The entry-level Satria Neo, the 1.3 L-line, is powered by a 1.3 litre, inline-4 twin-cam Campro engine, producing 94 bhp (70 kW) at 6000 rpm and 120 N m of torque at 4000 rpm. The 1.6 M-line and top-of-the-range H-line models have 1.6 litre versions of the same engine, with an output of 110 hp (82 kW) at 6000 rpm and 148 N m of torque at 4000 rpm. Both the M-line and H-line models have active system antennae which actively search for signals in areas with poor reception. All cars have the option of either 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic gearboxes supplied by Mitsubishi that are carried over from the previous Satria, with the H-line benefitting from safety features such as twin airbags, ABS with EBD and seatbelt pre-tensioners. All versions of the car come with an integrated Blaupunkt CD player.

Criticisms of the car include the lack of headroom and legroom for rear passengers (even compared to the previous generation Satria), and lacklustre performance in comparison with the Satria GTi. The infamous torque dip of Proton's Campro engine is also present.

A Satria Neo is used as the Star in a Bog Standard Car in Top Gear Australia.

When the design team at Proton first conceived the Proton Satria Neo, the aim was to create an elegant and sophisticated 3-door hatchback that retained the strong elements that made the original Satria so popular and successful. From the original brief developed with Lotus, the initial concepts, renderings, clay models and external surfaces were developed at the Lotus Design Centre based at Hethel in Norfolk. Following this, the feasibility design for BIW, trim, chassis, electrical and vehicle development planning was also completed in the UK. The detailed design through to production build was completed by Lotus Engineering working alongside Proton engineers at the new state-of-the-art Tanjung Malim Plant at Proton City in Malaysia.

Simon Wood, Engineering Director at Group Lotus Plc said: "I am proud of the Satria Neo, it embodies those aspects held as important by Lotus; striking design, dynamic performance and driver enjoyment."

Thanks to the expertise and experience of both sets of engineers, the resulting car exceeds its original brief. It is bold, stylish and desirable, with a sculpted front hood, stylish front grille, detailed front and rear bumpers, sporty „tiger-eye' projector headlamps and its sweeping silhouette all adding to a graceful, feline impression.