In Cars, Local Car Launches, Local News, Malaysian Makes, Proton / By Matthew H Tong / 23 April 2019 9:31 pm / 75 comments

The 2019 Proton Persona facelift has just been launched here at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, nearly two months after Proton released the first set of official photos. As before, four variants are on offer, starting with the Standard MT (RM42,600), Standard CVT (RM44,600), Executive CVT (RM49,600), and Premium CVT (RM54,600). Mind you, prices are lower by RM5,000 compared to the 2016 launch, so there’s that.

According to Proton, there’s approximately 303 changes done to the Persona, so let’s dive straight into it. The exterior revisions are pretty significant – it now features a new sweeping chrome trim up front that spans across the entire width of the car. Proton calls this the “Ethereal Bow” design, which wraps under the grille. Of course, the new grille also features the familiar “Infinite Weave” pattern we first saw on the X70 SUV.

The headlights are carried over from before, but only the Executive and Premium models get LED daytime running lights (in place of the fog lamps). Follow-me-home lights are also available on the two, however the latter is the only one to get auto headlamps. Further down, the lower grille appears slimmer, with larger air intakes. A slim gloss black strip ties it all nicely together.

At the rear, it gets a revised bumper with a slim chrome strip, plus a new rear bootlid garnish with the Proton script. This, plus the shark fin antenna, are standard across all models. A new set of nicer-looking silver 15-inch (same size as before) multi-spoke alloy wheels (Premium gets a two-tone finish) complete the look – the new design also fills up the arches better. Features such as electric door mirrors with auto fold, as well as remote boot release are unique to the Executive and Premium only.

The existing selection of six colours have all been dropped. Instead, only five colours will be offered – Jet Grey, Snow White, Ruby Red, Rosewood Maroon and Armour Silver, and all colours are from Geely’s colour palette, except Ruby Red which is a Proton hue.

Inside, the Persona black and beige colour scheme is retained. There’s a new part-leather upholstery, auto up/down for driver’s side window (previously only auto down; Executive and Premium only), and like the Iriz facelift, the Persona has a new instrument cluster with cleaner dials and a large colour multi-info display (Executive and Premium only).

For kit, Standard and Executive models get urethane steering wheel (Executive is still urethane, but comes with multifunction controls), although items like LCD multi-info display, double-DIN audio head unit with Bluetooth connectivity, two front speakers, and fabric upholstery are for Standard models only. On the plus side, all models get three USB ports – one for data transfer, and two at the rear section of the centre console for charging mobile devices.

As for the Executive model, it gets the new seven-inch touchscreen head unit with Bluetooth and smartphone pairing functions, as well as four speakers. The top Premium model is the only one to get the same “Hi Proton” voice control function as the X70 (minus a few commands for some of the vehicle features), as well as internet connectivity via a built-in eSIM, which Proton says is a first for the segment.

Additional features that are bundled with the advanced head unit include online music streaming and online navigation. Of course, this comes with a five-year data package (1GB monthly), as per the X70.

Elsewhere, the Executive and Premium both share keyless entry with push-start, and part leather part fabric seats (with 60:40 split fold; the Standard models don’t have split folding feature). Also, the Premium is the only model to get the new frameless rear view mirror and new X70 gearknob (complete with a leather boot).

Under the bonnet, the same 1.6 litre VVT four-cylinder petrol engine is unchanged from before. It produces 107 hp at 5,750 rpm and 150 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, paired to either a five-speed manual gearbox or a CVT. Proton says that the CVT has been recalibrated to reduce fuel consumption by three to four percent, and changes have also been made to achieve improved braking performance and refinement.

Lastly, safety. The bones are unchanged, so all models get a five-star ASEAN NCAP crash safety rating. Dual SRS airbags are standard (only the Premium gets six airbags), as are rear seat Isofix with top tether anchorage, ABS with EBD, ESC, Brake Assist, Traction Control System, Hill Hold Assist, and dual front and rear parking sensors. The Executive and Premium add on reverse camera with dynamic lines.





The above applies to both the Persona and Iriz facelift models

To recap, prices start from RM42,600 to RM54,600 (OTR sans insurance), and included in the price is a five-year 150,000 km mileage warranty. Also, Proton is offering a service package (free labour for three service visits), two-year free road tax for the first 1,000 customers, as well as low financing rate of 2.93% per annum for both the Persona and Iriz.

That’s not all – Proton is also throwing in an insurance package which includes coverage for all drivers at no extra cost, flood relief allowance of up to RM1,000, Key Care Cover (up to RM1,000), agreed value coverage (up to 12 years), as well as insurance for policy holder (up to RM15,000).

You may read our first impressions review of the updated Proton Persona here. Also, we’ve prepared a spec-by-spec list of all four variants, plus a video review of the Persona Premium CVT, below.

Proton Persona 1.6 Standard MT – RM42,600

Gets as standard:

Mechanicals

1.6 litre VVT four-cylinder engine

1,597 cc naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol

107 hp at 5,750 rpm, 150 Nm at 4,000 rpm

Five-speed manual gearbox

ECO Drive Assist light

MacPherson strut front suspension, torsion beam rear

Ventilated front disc brakes, rear drums

Exterior

Reflector halogen headlights

15-inch alloy wheels

Shark fin antenna

Bootlid spoiler

Proton lettering on the bootlid

Unpainted side mirrors and door handles

Body-coloured B-pillars

Interior

Manual air-conditioning

Fabric upholstery

Height adjustable driver’s seat

Urethane steering wheel

LCD multi-info display

Double-DIN radio/CD player with Bluetooth and USB connectivity

Two speakers

Two rear USB ports – 1.5 A and 2.1 A outputs

510-litre boot with 14-inch space saver spare tyre

Safety

Dual airbags

ABS with EBD and brake assist

Stability control

Rear ISOFIX child seat anchors

Electronic Stability Control

Traction Control System

Hill Hold Assist

Front and rear parking sensors

Proton Persona 1.6 Standard CVT – RM44,600

Adds on:

Mechanicals

Punch CVT

Proton Persona 1.6 Executive CVT – RM49,600

Adds on:

Exterior

LED daytime running lights

Keyless entry

Interior

Push-button start

Part-leather upholstery

Urethane multifunction steering wheel

Colour multi-info display

Auto down/up driver’s side window

Seven-inch infotainment touchscreen

Four speakers

Reverse camera with dynamic guide lines

Proton Persona 1.6 Premium CVT – RM54,600

Adds on:

Exterior

Automatic headlights

Blacked-out B-pillars

Two-tone 15-inch multi-spoke alloy

Interior

Leather-wrapped steering wheel with multifunction controls

Leather-wrapped gearknob with boot

Frameless rear-view mirror

4G internet with five-year data package (1GB monthly)

‘Hi Proton’ voice command, online navigation, online music streaming

Safety

Six airbags (front, side, curtain)

Browse full specification and equipment of all Proton Persona variants on CarBase.my.

GALLERY: 2019 Proton Persona 1.6 Premium