Proton Preve To Be Turbo-Only After 2016 Persona Launch

Proton will be discontinuing lower-powered variants of the Preve following the new Persona’s launch later this month, a company source revealed during a behind-closed-doors preview session of the upcoming model at the company’s Shah Alam plant today.

This rationalization stops a long-running Proton habit of having multiple models overlap one segment, a habit particularly prevalent at one time when the company had the previous-generation Persona, Preve, and Inspira – all similarly-sized family sedans – being sold side-by-side with each other.

The future Proton line-up will be far more clearly demarcated. As far as sedans are concerned, there will be the entry-level Saga offering only a 1.3-litre engine, the new Persona powered by a naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre engine, and the Preve further up with a turbocharged 1.6-litre powerplant.

Currently, the Preve is offered with a choice of two 1.6-litre engines. The naturally-aspirated Campro IAFM version puts out 107hp and 150Nm, whilst the more powerful turbocharged engine has access to 138hp and 205Nm.

The soon-to-be-discontinued IAFM model can be had with either a 5-speed manual or continuously variable transmission; the turbocharged CFE variant is CVT-only, although Proton has been long-rumoured to have a 6-speed manual package in the works for this engine.