Proton finally confirmed on the complete launching of Inspira which will on the 11th Nov 2010 (Thursday).
Multiple forums were created for Inspira as the public is really curious how this rebatch version of the current Mitsubishi Lancer GT (X Version) will be.
I have been to the GT test drive recently and had a chance to feel the smoothness of the 4B11 engine as well as the pride from the GT’s exterior design and interior Nappa leather seats. Hate to compare but the Nappa leather in GT feels way more comfortable than newly launched Altis 2.0.
Anyway, we will talk about the comparison of Lancer with Altis on later thread. Now, back to comparison of Inspira & Lancer.
Quote from Motor Trader “Proton is not hiding the fact that Inspira = Lancer”. Basically the driving experience of both 1.8CVT & 2.0CVT gives a new era for Proton made cars. They also commented that though Inspira is assembled locally, but based on the test drive, the quality of the car may actually as good as the Japan CBU.
In spite of all that, I’m just curious what are the reasons for Proton not to launch the car fully and demand the public to proceed for bookings with RM 1000.00 down payments.
Here are some of my non-professional comparisons:
OTR Price:
Mitsubishi Lancer GT (CBU) : RM 123,980.00
Proton Inspira 2.0 (CKD) : RM 94,450.00
Proton Inspira 1.8 (CKD) : RM 87,450.00
Based on the official price provided by Proton, 2.0 Inspira costs RM 30,000 less compare to a normal OTR price for GT.
Engine Performance:
Mitsubishi Lancer GT (CBU) : 4B11 (6-step Sports Mode)
Proton Inspira (CKD) : 4B11 (6-step Sports Mode)
Based on the review, the Inspira is using the same engine though this may have to confirm until official launching with detail specification.
Speaking of identical performance, we do hope that Inspira will generate a maximum torque of 114kw/6000rpm & output of 199n-M/4250rpm. Anything lesser than that will confirm that the engine is different and perhaps only up to 4B10 with 5 speed CVT.
Motor Trader did comment that gear box for Inspira may sound odd if we push the car continuously in high revs.
Handling & Safety Features:
Paddle Shifters, Cruise Control, ABS, EBD, BA, Dual SRS Air Bag & Keyless Entry
Inspira announced that they are having all the features. Even so, rumors saying that the paddle shifters for Inspira will be made out of plastic instead of magnesium. If that is true, it will be a tragic day for all Inspira buyers. Cruise control is not available in GT but found in Lancer-EX.
Moreover, Proton got approval from Mitsubishi to tune up the car with Lotus engineering plus lowering the tire level back to 16” comparing 18” on Mitsubishi. This, according to Proton, has made the Inspira having superior handling than GT.
Other features like ABS, EBD, BA, Dual SRS Air Bag and Keyless Entry are normal safety features in current market hence nothing much to compare.
Since there will not be much difference on the length & dimensions, I suppose the minimum turning radius will be 5.0m for both.
Exterior:
Inspira is not adopting the current front skirting as current GT. Rear part is the same by looking at the leaked photo of Inspira. To some consumer, without the front design, the “Terrific Appearance” of GT is totally lost. But I supposed most users will surely spend some fortune to modify it up to EVO X version in no time after purchase.
Cockpit:
3-spoke leather with audio control, power steering, leather wrapped gearshift knob, back-lit meters with speedometer, tachometer & rheostat and multi information display.
Basically Inspira & GT will have the similar features except for the cruise control which is only available for Inspira.
Interior:
Mitsubishi Lancer (CBU) : Nappa Leather
Proton Inspira (CKD) : Normal Leather/Fabric
I doubt Proton will put in Nappa leather for Inspira. Cost is a factor obviously. The most we can expect will be the quality of leather found in Persona Elegance which is not bad, but will lose the competitiveness against GT.
Body Structure:
Mitsubishi Lancer (CBU) : RISE
Proton Inspira (CKD) : 5 Star Body Rating
After long years being called “Protin”, we do hope that the 5-Star body rating of the Inspira will be as good as the GT RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) standard.
Other Areas:
Proton intended to cut the Japan parts by at least 60% by the end of 2011.
According to source, the 1st batch of Inspira will have no big difference as GT but not those produced after that. Though the vehicle parts will be more than enough but as a consumer we do need further convincing of the local assemblymen.
Most welcome problems for local cars will be the Power Window Switch and Orchestra Performance in the car while passing through rough roads.
Proton is offering 2 years free service or 50,000km for labor & parts especially for those early birds who made their bookings from 15/10/2010 till 15/11/2010.
Anyway, Mitsubishi is offering the same with no time limit. As usual, there will be a catch. How much is the normal maintenance cost for Mitsubishi or Proton? As an owner obviously we do not want to end up paying high maintenance costs after the FREE period.
Trunk storage for Lancer GT is 400 liter. In terms of Proton, even Saga is having 413 liter storage capacity, so we may expect some modification in the rear part of Inspira which suits Proton’s philosophy of Family Car.
Proton is giving away the tinted film for Inspira which is not available for GT. Retail price for 4M Tinted is about RM 2400.00
Fuel capacity for 2.0 GT is running on 59 liter. Should the capacity be the same for 1.8 Inspira? We are still waiting for the fuel consumption report. GT is compatible with RON95, same goes to Inspira?
GT is having 5 years warranty or 100,000km whichever earlier. With the EWP scheme for Proton, Inspira should get the same warranty period. If I have not remember wrongly, during the initial costing of Inspira, the HP interest rate is different for those subscribing EWP and those who do not. Of course the rate for having EWP is higher. Anyway, this clause is not found in the price list, but that doesn’t mean that Proton has taken away the condition. This must be confirmed upon official launch of the vehicle.
Interest Rate:
Hire Purchase Interest rate for Proton is relatively high comparing Mitsubishi & other brands. The rate shoots up to 4.00% for 9 years tenor whereas other offers a rate to as low as 2.68%.
Proton informed that due to the low financed amount of their vehicles, they have no choice of offering lower interest rate. On that, I leave it to all the potential buyers out there.
Comments:
The name “Inspira” named as Proton intend to inspire all Malaysian. Of course, the inspiration we get may vary due to different expectation.
To all GT owners or more accurately, Lancer owners, they are not happy with the production of Inspira simply because the second value of their car dropped significantly. Plus, with the growing numbers of the Lancer-Look-Alike on the road, the premium of owning the CBU Lancer will lose immediately (nearly identical exterior design).
For others, Inspira will give an option while considering Slyphy, Civic & Altis as this version of Proton Car is showing a competitive quality at affordable price. Whether or not the Inspira will other models a hit will be another area the market is observing. After all, rebatching of cars is not a new thing. Thus, instead of giving critics, why don’t we let the market to decide the true value of Inspira?
In my opinion, Mitsubishi is getting more than we expect. They are giving away chasis for Lancer but in return, platform for Persona & Exora. We all know that these are the current best sellers for Proton. Mitsubishi can just change the existing Campro engine and utilized the platform to create a new version of passenger car. Also, with the recent launching of Lancer Sportback & ASX, I am anticipating Lancer Version XI in near future or perhaps mid 2011.
Please don’t forget about the possibility of Dual VVT-I engine which will be introduced to the current version of Vios & Camry. Also, Civic is hitting the road with a new design soon. All these, may happen in the last quarter of 2011.
No matter how the market turns out to be, buyer will always be the ultimate beneficiary. If you’re not looking for a car urgently, observe how the market transforms then only come to a conclusion of which car to choose. Save more money to buy better car rather than throw in 10% deposit now to get lower interest rate.
No one will know how the interest rate will be. Waiting doesn’t mean that the rate must goes up. Look into more non-monetary value areas such as the features of the car. Business is all about strategies. The moment they are throwing discounts and etc may imply two things; One, they may ceased the production of the model, or; Two, there will be a newer or facelift version of the model which they intend to focus more upon official launching.
Since buying a car is a large capital investment other than a property, please don’t rush into it. Of course if all you have is money and buying a car is simply a flick of finger to you, kindly spare me some cash…haha~
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