Review: Proton's Game Changer, The Preve

Being as honest as I am, I do not fancy Proton a whole lot. For me, Proton has always been a small toddler that never knew it was growing old. Normal perceptions of growing up are that one would mature in thinking, size, strength and the sort. The same principle applies to a carmaker. The older Proton gets, we assume that it has gotten independent, stronger and with better cars but it is not so as we speak. Not this time, with the Preve.

Front bumper has a nice design but Y U NO depth? Like Scarlett Johansson in 2D mode.

Exterior!

Cars unveiled from Proton since the start has always been quite a disappointment for me except for the latest Saga. Now with the Preve, I didn’t expect much of a surprise. But little did I know, the moment this newborn moved stealthily to the stage(during its launch), my face beamed with a bright smile on its own. I knew for sure this new Preve is something. 

Whadjuthink? Naiiiis? 

 The whole car in all honesty looks light years away from its predecessor, the Persona. The thing is, it had me in a mixed bag of emotions to say the least. The car at first glance was top notch exterior wise but looking at it longer had me thinking twice. The back seemed to be an afterthought. The thin slab of metal just above the number plate seemed out of place and the whole car looked really tall and it is which in a way is a good and bad thing. The rear bumper was not the best I’ve seen from Proton and the welding on the car wasn’t done thoroughly.  

Neh, here la! That metal thing is seriously bothersome to my eye. Otherwise, can la.

 I can go on and on ranting lots more but I cannot deny the fact that the car looks fairly handsome with it still reminiscing bits off the Tuah concept. It looks way better than the Vios, City and Forte for me (might be because of it being a fresh face in the competing side) and might be able to compete with the new Elantra.

Look! Proton is starting to focus on attention to details. (The lines across the rear light clusters for those of you blind enough to miss that. *facepalm) UNBEREEVABERL!

This though, is what I call effort. Next time, you make those lights move according to the steering la, Proton. Heh! Asking too much, I know. Anyways, good job with this! *Clap clap

The light clusters are different standards on the rear and front. The rear ones are typical Proton products. The front light sources are what you'd say unexpected. To me, the front lights seemed to be the highlight of the car. Ever found a hideous looking woman or man with good looking eyes? No. Good looking eyes create good looking products. Yes, that's my philosophy and we are way off topic. Anyway, the front light clusters are a sight to behold in this 73k car, no kidding. They give the car a polished and premium look. Smart move by Proton.

I know, photo blur ma. My bad. Next time will try to take with more clarity la. No money for good cameras. You sponsor me? :)

Rear sensors only 2. Why not 4? Zzzz. Right? Right?

 The boot is spacious. Like really really spacious. I reckon 3 golfbags inside it and you'd still have space for yourself. In technical specs, 508 litres of bootiful space. Mind the pun, yo. Another thing, I wonder why Proton decided with 2 rear parking sensors instead of 4? Okay, fine. 3! Why only 2? I just don't get it. Do you? RM73 thousand, one more parking sensor too much for you ar, Proton? Also, plastics on the exterior is shit. I will elaborate on that further when I talk about the interior. 

This is example 1 for seriously-LOUSY-plastic!

Proton starting to go hi tech yo! No play play

Saga wing mirrors. Still, no complains.

Interior!


Interior wise, it was again typical Proton for me with cheap, hard plastics although the design transcends current models. The fittings aren’t tight and solid. The interior definitely is a step up from before but it doesn’t feel RM70+k. It feels cheap, for example the knobs and drawers in the car feel hollow and flimsy unlike other competitors with rubbery feel when opened. 

Good angle no? 

Plasticky gear knob. CVT gearbox + turbo engine = No fun. Note that little drawer in front of the gearbox? Feels shitily cheap. Yes, I know shitily is not a word for you. It is for me. Shut up.

Whadjuthinkboutthis? U laik?

What do you think after looking at the interior pictures? You fancy? I know I go on and on about plastics in the Preve but seriously, if Proton is serious about bringing this car abroad, the plastics in here have to go! Anyway, the interior feels tonnes of times better than any other Proton car I can remember except of course the Perdana which is not a fair comparison since Perdana is Mitsubishi anyway. They should have inserted softer plastics where necessary and hard plastics should have been of higher quality. I wouldn't mind forking out another 5 grand just for better plastics, seriously. Won't you? Continue reading after the jump.

Yes, yes I know. Civic ma. But still, there are 'paddle shifters'. *Cue to go wow!

Don't ask me. Looks like some murder device for me. Why turn off the airbag for the passenger? To kill them? I wonder.

You see, you see. The plastic on this armrest is inevitably cheap looking. Try touching it.

Design okay, hard plastic quality: thin.

Interior space is ample. Mind my friend who does not want to be known.  He is retarded. No, I'm kidding.  Notice the legs having such amount of space? You won't get that in a Vios. Haters gonna hate.

Power source to charge your phones or electronics what nots and a USB input plus audio input for your phones/MP3s.

While there are a lot to dislike about the interior, there are lots to like also like with the media system. I won't say it is very good but it is usable. The USB input is strategically placed for those who hear their songs through their phones. Also, there are ample amount of space both in the front, back and the boot. The seats come in those water repellent fabric. I don't mind it but I'd prefer it in leather. Mind me being style over substance. I also like the driving position. It doesn't make me feel too short or too tall. Since I'm roughly 175cm, I have a fair amount of headroom in the car. All in all, the car feels improved but I believe it could have been better. It is as I said before, a mixed emotion. 

Engine!

Here comes the best bit for us car geeks; the power source. The Preve comes with 2 engine options; the IAFM+ and the CFE. The IAFM+ is shit and we will not bother. The CFE on the other hand is something I will elaborate further. CFE is now dubbed the crème de la crème of Proton’s engine options. CFE means Charge Fuel Efficiency, and no I do not understand the relevance it has with the engine because the last time I tried this thing, it didn’t give me that efficiency in fuel it was talking about. But, what it offered instead was more power than before. 

Flat looking odometer. Colours are bright and vivid though but I'd still be glad if it had more shape.

With 138hp and 205Nm of torque, it is enough to overtake your peers in that Forte without worries. Thing is though, pairing the engine with the CVT means making acceleration less fun. It does not give you that oomph feeling when you push the car. I see you get what I mean. For those who balik kampung much, it is a good car to drive. It gives you the power when you need it and it offers a smooth drive too. Not much though for the thrill seekers. And yes, there is no CFE engine paired to a manual. I'd want that too. The engine as a whole is a good package. I am glad that Proton decided to offer more power now. I am happier to say that you can now flaunt to your friends who own the Japanese and Korean competitions that your car is more powerful than theirs. No more being the last of the pack when driving back to your hometown.

Cubbyholes here for your 500ml bottles. 

Conclusion!

As I was pointing it out more often that not, this car had me in a mixed bag of emotions. But having been in the car in and out, I have to say that it is a car I consider having despite having many flaws. I'd still choose this over its competition. It's like an Alfa now, flawed but desirable. I may point out the problems one by one and get all feisty about it but the bottom of it is that I would not mind forking RM73 000 for 138bhp. It's a bargain, I would say. This car is a massive step from Proton. I'm proud that it is finally moving forward. This car may not be good enough but it is for me, the pioneer of a better era for Proton. Finally, a Proton that we can want instead of need.


P/S: Yes yes, I will definitely update about the drive. No cars available for me to test, yet! Will get it done soon. Stay tuned!!