Friday, February 18, 2011

Proton Exora at Brighton-to-London Rally

New Step of Exora

Proton's Exora Extended Range EV won an award in the best range extended electric vehicles category during the inaugural Brighton to London future car rally on Saturday, giving a boost to the company's effort in the production of eco-friendly cars.
In the event, organised by the Royal Automobile Club for eco- friendly cars, 64 cars including Proton's Saga Electric and Exora Extended Range EV took part to demonstrate the use of the lowest amount of energy possible.
The rally started from Madeira Drive on the East Sussex' seafront and arrived in central London at 8am, with the Exora arriving at 12.10pm London time.
Proton's managing director, Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Tahir, who was at the finishing line in Waterloo Place to meet the arrival of the Exora and the Saga, was jubilant with the award as it demonstrated that Proton could compete with other car companies.
"This win is really unexpected but it proves that the technology that we have now can compete with others. It is indeed a moment to be proud of," he said after the award was announced in Regent Street which was closed to traffic for the carnival-like occasion, heightened with the presence of vintage cars preparing for their annual London to Brighton rally.
good platform to not only introduce Proton's technology but the Proton brand in the UK.
"What is important for us now is to ensure that the Exora hybrid can be mass produced. This win has given us that motivation, " he added.
He said Proton and the Malaysian government are discussing the production of hybrid and electric cars and he hoped that this would be the trend to reduce CO2 and fuel consumption.
Exora's driver, software engineer Steve Riches who received the award, said the drive was very smooth and comfortable while co- driver, Rozadatul Intan Safrina Che Rus, a component and commissioning engineer with the green technology department, said all the hard work and working as a team with Frazer Nash and other departments had paid off.
"This is an opportunity for Proton to go even further," she said.
Driver of the Saga, Norman Siddique, an engineer with Frazer Nash who designed the battery management's system for the vehice said they had a lot of advantage over other cars participating in the event.
"We arrived here in good time with a lot of energy to spare," he said after the race.
The event ended with a display of all participating cars alongside vintage cars which were taking part in the London to Brighton rally yesterday.

The Beauty of Exora

What do you think of this Exora ?




Proton Exora Turbo

Proton Exora Prestige Prototype
Proton Exora Prestige Prototype
For those who are planning to buy Proton Exora, you are advised to wait for another 5 to 6 months as by that time Proton should have launch their turbocharged Proton Exora.
Eventhough, no confirmation has been made by Proton so far on the Exora Turbo but based on the press statement recently, the Managing Director has confirmed that Proton will introduce 2-3 new Proton model. And my gut say one of it could be Proton Exora Turbo, the first turbopowered national car.
The plan on turbocharged campro engine was made since 2007 where Proton send their engineer to Lotus to work on the campro turbo. We believe after 3 years, they have completed their work and Dr Mahathir is one very few Malaysian who has tested this Exora in UK during his visit to UK.
One of the reason that why Proton produced turbo charged engine for Exora is nothing secret as they need more powerful engine for Exora. With that size of MPV, 1.6 campro is just not enough. And for Proton to develop new 2.0 litre engine will cost a lot of money and time. Therefore, one of the best option they have is to turbocharge their current Campro engine which will give them a power equivalent to what 2.0 engine can deliver.  In this case, I think Proton are looking at 160-180hp from this turbocharged engine.
For record Proton has showcase their Proton Exora Turbo Prestige Prototype in July 2009. The photo below is the prototype model with front mount intercooler.
Proton Exora Prestige Turbo Prototype
Proton Exora Prestige Turbo Prototype
In term of price definitely this turbocharged unit will cost consumer extra money. Anyway, just wait for further announcement from Proton on this much awaited model.