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Message: <blockquote data-quote="JINEIL2EN" data-source="post: 316965" data-attributes="member: 4882">hahahhahaha :lol: APOJ car..ehehehhee :lol: CAMERON McGAVIN finds the new Proton Gen 2 is not up to scratch.Proton Gen 2 M-LineFor: Attractive price, refreshingly styled, good ride and handling, big boot.Against: Awful quality, gutless and noisy engine, average refinement, unsupportive seats, dubious space and comfort for taller drivers, limited cabin storage.Score: 1 star (out of 5)It's hard to believe but Proton has been around now for about a decade in Australia. Despite packing in a longer innings than other Johnny-come-lately brands, however, the Malaysian manufacturer is still struggling to make its presence felt on the sales charts.And to be honest, things have gone backwards. In the 1990s Proton carved out a worthy foothold with its unremarkable but honest range of Mitsubishi-derived models. But the company's first in-house effort, the Waja, upset the apple cart.Misguidedly pitched (and priced) as a premium small car - Malaysia's answer to BMW was the pitch - it was too ordinary to justify such fanfare. Buyers gave it a wide berth, forcing Proton to reassess its strategy.The company's latest in-house job, the Gen 2, runs much closer to the time-honoured formula championed by other developing brands. Size-wise it's a small car but is priced towards the light-car end of the market. Kia's Cerato, Hyundai's Elantra and Japanese cheapies such as Nissan's Pulsar and Toyota's Corolla are obvious rivals. The Gen 2's 1.6-litre four-cylinder, though, is smaller and less powerful than the class norm.Three Gen 2s are on offer, each as blandly titled as the other. The range kicks off at $17,990 for the base L-line, and with air-conditioning, twin airbags, remote central locking, trip computer, power windows, power mirrors and a CD player, it is respectably well equipped. The $19,500 M-line tested here adds anti-lock brakes, alloy wheels and, on auto versions, cruise control. The H-line brings climate control to the air-con, side airbags, parking sensors and a rear spoiler for $20,990.So the Gen 2 meets on-paper expectations and looks attractive enough, too.The real test, however, will be how it performs off the showroom floor - but going by our test car, the signs aren't good.Quality these days is generally of such an acceptable standard that it's judged more on the richness of materials and tight assembly than noticeable flaws. But our Gen 2's list of sore points would test anyone who had shelled out 20 grand. The front passenger's exterior door handle was stiff and required a good yank to operate, cabin trim was misaligned in places - particularly where the centre console meets the dash down near the floor - and scrappily finished, and the material on the driver's seat was sagged and pitted. An annoying intermittent squeak from the clutch pedal and various buzzes and rattles rammed home the unpleasant feel.Even if you ignore the Gen 2 cabin's flimsy feel and fittings and average storage (the ledges under the dash are handy, though), it has some significant practical shortcomings. The front seats are flat, unsupportive and uncomfortable, the driving position is awkward and space is limited for tall drivers, particularly with regard to leg room and steering-wheel adjustment.It's a pity because the circular style throughout is refreshingly different (though the two-tone brown combo won't please everyone) and the room in the back seat and boot are competitive in the market segment.Not so the 82 kW 1.6-litre "Campro" engine, which despite preferring premium unleaded lacks power at low revs and needs to be extended for urgent performance - but the annoying noise and harshness above 3500 rpm discourages such use. The standard five-speed manual shift isn't slick or quick but its stout feel is pleasing enough.The Proton's performance so far is all the more disappointing in light of the impressive Lotus-tuned road manners. The Gen 2 steers faithfully into corners, rolls moderately and grips well enough, although it's so-so in the wet.The Gen 2 is not without its merits, but in the cold, hard light of day it is too poorly executed to use any of its strengths. And in a market full of thoroughly professional and capable alternatives, there's no way we can recommend it with a clear conscience.Nuts 'n' boltsProton Gen 2 M-LineHow much? $19,500 (man) or $21,500 (auto), plus options and on-road costs.Insurance: Premium $798(RACV wholly owned, driver 40-plus, rating one, medium-risk suburb, $450 excess).Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km.Engine: 1.6-litre, double overhead cam, 16-valve four. 82 kW at 6000 rpm and 148 Nm at 4000 rpm.Transmission: Five-speed manual or four-speed automatic, front-wheel-drive.Steering: Rack and pinion, 2.5 turns lock to lock. Turning circle 10.2 m.Brakes: Ventilated discs (f); discs ®, ABS.Suspension: Independent by MacPherson struts, coil springs and stabiliser bar (f); Independent by multi-links, coil springs and stabiliser bar ®.Wheels/Tyres: Alloy, 15 x 6.5-inch. Tyres 195/55. Space-saver spare.How big?Length 4310 mmWidth 1725 mmHeight 1435 mmWheelbase 2600 mm.How heavy? 1185 kg.How thirsty? 7.1 L/100 km, premium unleaded.Fuel tank: 50 litres.Equipment: Airbags - yes, two (twin front); traction control - no; air-conditioning - yes; cruise control - no; trip computer - yes; power windows - yes; sound system - radio, CD player; security - immobiliser; cup holders - yes, one.CompetitorsHyundai Elantra3 starsKia Cerato3 starsNissan Pulsar ST3 starsToyota Corolla Ascent3 stars</blockquote>

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