The Proton Satria was a hatchback produced by Proton. Production started in 1995 for the first generation and ended in 2005. The new Satria Replacement Model (SRM), known as Proton Satria Neo was launched on 16 June 2006. The name Satria which means knight in Sanskrit was chosen for Proton's 3-door hatchback to reflect the sportiness of the car.
Satria (1995-2005)
The first generation Satria was a 3-door hatchback based on the 1991 Mitsubishi Mirage (Colt outside the Japanese market).
Changes were limited to front-end styling and interior from the bigger Wira. Powerplant options included the:
The 1.5 and 1.6-litre 16v versions were also available with optional 3-speed and 4-speed automatic transmissions respectively.
Trim levels were LSi, GLi, GLSi and SEi. The base-specification LSi had the 1.3-litre 12-valve engine only: GLi versions got the 1.5-litre 12-valve engine in addition to the 1.3-litre: whilst GLSi and SEi versions got the 1.6 16v engine as well as the 1.5 12v.
A later facelift version featured a different tail-end to the original Mirage. These were launched in 1996 in Malaysia and later in other countries, and new XLi, S XLi and GTi trim levels were available. New 1.3 12v, 1.5 12v and 1.6 16v petrol engines were available.
Satria GTi
The Satria Sports GTi was launched with a 138 bhp (103 kW) 1.8-litre Mitsubishi-sourced 4G93p engine, originally found in the Mitsubishi Lancer GSR but minus the turbo and upped the compression to compensate for the power loss.
This model was later evolved by Lotus Engineering, the Satria GTi's engine and handling was later tuned and revised, delivering 141 brake horsepower (105 kW) at the wheels. It has a top speed of 204 km/h.
During the involvement of Lotus,a new body kit was also adopted for the GTi for better aerodynamics. In the UK this limited edition vehicle wears a Lotus Engineering badge below the Proton Satria GTi badge. Proton claims that the Satria GTi was their fastest car it has ever produced to date.
The MMC (Mitsubishi Motor Company) version was produced from the the start of the GTi creation which was 1999 until mid 2002. The VDO(Siemens) version, which has been said to have a little less power and minor problems like cold start issues have been in production from mid 2002 until 2005 when Proton ceased production.
Satria Neo(2006-present)
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 Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
The entry-level Satria Neo
- 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
- 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.
MEM Proton Satria Neo Super 2000 Rally Car
Proton Satria Neo CPS
During February 2009, Proton launched a CPS version of Satria Neo, replacing the top-end H-Line version of the Satria Neo. It comes with an aggressively styled body kit and spoiler that pays homage to the Satria GTi. It is powered by a 1.6 litre CamPro CPS engine with 125 bhp and 150 Nm of torque which reportedly does not suffer from the torque dip of older Campro engines; however, the timing of the cam profile switching mechanism is slightly modified for aggressive driving – the CPS mechanism in the Satria Neo CPS changes from low cam to high cam at 4,400 rpm rather than at 3,800 rpm as in the other CPS-equipped models such as the Proton Waja and Proton Gen-2, as well as the Proton ExoraSatria Neo R3 Lotus Racing
Proton had somehow appalled the crowd with the launch of its limited 25 unit-only Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing on 30th March, 2010.
Sold at RM115k, this special version of Neo features some improvements over its twin, Satria Neo CPS. The look is nothing much different to that Satria Neo R3, but the equipments that it gets are rather exclusive!
The engine is of course R3-tuned with R3 Engine Management System, R3 Camshafts with adjustable alloy cams and R3 tuned exhaust system. R3 Division also used R3 Carbon Fibre Air Intake with K&N Air Filter System. The gear ratios are also revised to match with the engine upgrade. This kind of tuning has spalshed out approximately 13.8 percent more power than a normally aspirated CamPro CPS. The engine now produces 145 bhp, with an improved torque of 168 Nm. Top speed notched reached 205km/h figure and a century run is achieved in 9.2 seconds.
Apart from those improvements it gets for the engine, the chassis and handling are also improved with the use of Ohlins Adjustable coilovers. The rims are 16-inch Advanti set, wrapped with Bridgestone Adrenalin rubber. This special model is fitted with all 'special' goods and the brakes get the special touch too. This brake set is a four-pot from AP Racing consisting of AP Racing calipers and pads.
Interior wise—the dash remains the same but it is now painted in greenish accent to match Lotus' green Trademark. Few enhancements are put in place such as start button (only for starting), and dark green nappa leather. Other enhacements are alloy pedal set and alloy gear knob.
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