Before I go for any test drive, I will make sure I have studied thoroughly all information available for the vehicle.
Though we should be objective before looking at the vehicle, but for sure there will be some fixed thoughts prior to the visit.
I have to say, when I found that the test drive is only available for 1.8CVT, I was rather disappointed. Interior aside, I really wish to be able to test the 2.0CVT performance as quoted by many testers whereby “as good as Lancer”.
Anyway, running 1.8CVT is smooth considering the short distance during test drive as there was a long queue waiting.
Though 1.8 Manual pushes to 100KM/H in shorter time than other variants, the experience of driving a 1.8CVT is smooth. Switching the gear to Semi-Auto during uphill & Downhill does not show any choking from the engine.
The vehicle runs smooth throughout the journey although I rather to run the tests on highway where there’s not much traffic for the engine to perform what it is capable of. Steering maneuver is comfortable and U-turning made easier with the small turning radius.
However, when I try to push the Inspira to 100KM/H, the sales advisor stopped me from doing that; which triggers my suspicion. I recall the comment from Motor Trader that says “the gearbox tends to have odd sound when we keep pushing the vehicle in high revs”; I keep asking myself, is that the reason? This proves largely when the Sales Advisor purposely turned off the air-conditioner when we stopped at the traffic light and commented that the car is very quiet. I remembered my impulse reply was that “of course the engine is quiet considering the car is new”. To some extend I was unhappy as a result of him stopping me from testing the engine capability in speeding.
Switching places of the speedometer makes no difference as Proton users have always been using that kind of appearance. First glance the cockpit shows no different from the Lancer until you feel it with you very fingers. Plastic is still the main material as for interior for cost reduction strategy. As for seats, 1.8CVT seemed to be overpriced as they still provide normal fabric seats with some other features not installed. Leather is only available for 2.0CVT variant. By comparing merely fabric & leather, of course leather gives more comfortable seating.
There is ample legroom for the rear passenger. Foldable 60:40 of the rear seats is useful for bigger luggage as the trunk space is 400litre which is smaller than other Proton products. Chrome package & additional skirting plus front grille for 2.0CVT is much more beautiful than the other variants. Other additional features do make the 2.0CVT worth more in pricing than the 1.8CVT.
When we raised our queries to the sales advisor of the reason that 2.0CVT is not displayed or not available for testing (FYI, 2.0CVT only displayed at Branch), sales advisors from the dealer & branch gave the equal respond; “if you are satisfied with the 1.8CVT, then there will be no problem with the 2.0CVT”.
In my opinion, as a potential buyer, we do feel that there is a need to really look into the vehicle before buying it. Quoting the OTR price at approximately RM 92,000 without allowing us to test drive or view the unit up-close is considered as a business strategy. Without being able to drive the vehicle, I doubt how many buyers will buy the 2.0 variant.
Moreover, the sales advisor explained further that the first 1000 Units of The Inspira are the result of CBU from Japan which bigger portion will be in 1.8CVT as the bookings for 2.0CVT is low (Why’s that?). For those who placed their orders after 14th Nov 2010 will have to wait for the CKD version (assembly in Malaysia) in about 1-2 months.
The sales advisor even mention to me that we could change the default Continental 16” tire to 18” and claimed that there will be no problem. I am baffled. Will Proton acknowledge the 18” tire under warranty? If so, why bother to re-tune the engine with the Lotus Ride & Handling which they claimed the outcome is better than Lancer? Retuning also reduces the maximum torque & output of the 4B11. Is that wise for the Sales Advisor to give such comments?
For all buyers’ information, Extended Warranty Program (EWP) is no longer available, at least for Inspira. Proton only guarantees up to a 3 year warranty. Don’t worry and keep calm because we can still enroll into the EWP by adding a 0.15%-0.25% to our HP interest rate as mentioned by Sales Advisor. With that, you can enjoy a warranty period of up to 5years or 175,000KM whichever earlier.
Compared to the initial launching of Inspira on the mid October, interest rate has gone down to boost purchase to match Proton’s targeted sales of 1500 units per month. The rate goes down to 3.3% for 5 years tenor and as high as 3.75% for 9 years tenor. Personally I believe that a 0.25% additional for EWP is reasonable as Perodua also offering the same add-on in the interest rate for their EWP program.
Also, as what we heard from Proton, they will reduce the reliance of imported parts of Inspira to a lower percentage in the late 2011. This is good news for those future buyers whom may opt for a lower-priced Inspira. Nevertheless, this statement conflicts with the comments from Branch Sales Advisor where they informed that the parts will be imported from Japan. Nothing was mention about the local parts. For this dilemma, I leave it for your own judgment.
Please pay a visit to the Proton Showroom for a better view of the Inspira and have a copy of their nicely printed brochure. As brochure represents the effort of the manufacturer, by looking at the quality of the information & printouts, it is confirmed that Proton will be continuing the Proton-Mitsubishi partnership for at least the next 10 years. Personally I think the brochure is interesting and worth keeping, it is the best brochure Proton ever created.
Kindly take note, there are two version of the brochure. A summarized version having about 4pages and a detailed one with 20 pages complete information.
Thank you for viewing this review and Good Luck! ~
*Pictures from http://www.inspiraclub.com
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