Proton Satria Neo R3 launched: RM61k-RM64k

fauuzi · Post time 2-12-2012 08:01 AM

Proton has introduced the Satria Neo R3, officially unveiling the hatch at the Proton Centre of Excellence earlier today. The car is essentially a Neo CPS 1.6 given the dress-up bits from the [color=#9900 !important]R3 Satria Neo from last year.

The RM80k R3 Satria Neo flaunted a good number of dress-up and go quicker items (read our report on it[color=#9900 !important]here), and at the heart of it all was the increase in power output on the 1.6 Campro CPS unit through Stage 2 performance upgrades, to 145 hp at 7,000 rpm and 168 Nm at 5,000 rpm.

There’s no change in the power output of the Satria Neo R3, which is the first R3 model to be built on a production line (incidentally, the hatch is now assembled in Shah Alam); the CPS unit delivers the stock 125 hp at 6,500 rpm and 150 Nm at 4,500 rpm. The suspension has also been left untouched.

What it does get is a R3 Design front splitter and rear spoiler, with titanium-coloured side protector mouldings. It also wears R3 Design six-spoke 16-inch alloys, finished in a gunmetal shade, wrapped with 195/50 profile Continental MC5 rubbers. All-round R3 badging completes the exterior work.

Inside, the edition gets R3 leather upholstery for the seats, as well as R3 floor mats and a double-DIN multimedia player with navigation. No red-themed contrast accents here – the interior is pretty much stock, aside from the upholstery. Safety kit is made up of dual airbags and ABS with EBD.

Unlike the R3 Satria Neo, which came only in a Fire Red exterior shade with a black painted roof, the Satria Neo R3 is available in three colours, these being Tranquility Black, Fire Red and GTi Silver.

The Satria Neo R3 Executive Line MT manual rolls in at RM61,250, with the Executive Line AT version going for RM64,250. Optional R3 upgrades performance upgrades abound, and at promotional prices until the end of the year – there’s a R3 Satria Neo ECU upgrade and full exhaust system (RM2,841), R3 belt and aluminium pulley (RM315) as well as a R3 lowering spring set (RM541).

Styling items include shoulder line and grille stripe decals (RM140), as seen on the launch examples. For bookings and registrations made by December 31, 2012, the signature R3 side stripe and front grille decal will be included free.

There was also a particular Satria Neo R3 example finished in yellow, replete with S2000 side decals to mimic the rally car. As I was told, the colour isn’t on the palette, so you can’t get one yet, but the company is mulling over including it in the shade lineup.