Motoring 101: Could Proton Do Better With CPS?

The Proton Waja CPS represents a significant model in the Malaysian automotive landscape, known for its Campro CPS 1.6 engine that brought enhanced performance and efficiency to the Waja lineup. Launched as part of a series of updates to the Proton Waja over its production life, the CPS variant stood out with its improved power output and smoother driving experience. Image source: Wikipedia/User: Two hundred percent

Introduction

While Proton may not be everyone’s preferred automotive brand, its significant impact on the nation’s vehicle industry cannot be overlooked. Proton’s prominence is often cited as a contributing factor to the elevated costs associated with imported vehicles. Given that Proton’s operations are intertwined with governmental support, and by extension, the taxpayers’ contributions, it is prudent for citizens to stay informed about the company’s advancements and undertakings.

Understanding Proton’s trajectory helps us make informed decisions as consumers and appreciate the broader economic dynamics at play within the automotive sector. Keeping track of Proton’s progress allows for a better grasp of its influence on market trends and consumer choices, which is essential given its substantial role in shaping the country’s motoring landscape.

Current Proton Line-Up

After a very long time, I ventured into a Proton dealership last week to have a look at the new Proton Saga and incidentally managed to have a closer look at the (first generation) Proton Persona as well. The first impression of both cars is good, especially on Proton Persona which looks like the car for me to move to next.

When I got my first Proton car (which is the same car I am driving now) four years ago, it came with so many “accessories” but with the same engine specifications – nothing to shout about other than a big relief of not having to buy “Ah Beng” sport rims and body-kit. I was glad that the QA work on my particular car was not so disappointing (although it took me several visits to Proton Edar to fix some minor things).

Proton since then has been a “pain in the neck” distributor – coming up with “quick fix” models (the worst is the dirt cheap Proton Saga models) until the introduction of Gen2. Finally, there was a good-looking model to watch out for except for the Campro engine which was back then still new and unproven.

With mounting losses and no new models to show, Proton was in turmoil until they came out with Proton Persona (Proton Neo did nothing much to move the profits, besides the 2-door hatchback was not appealing to people with bigger families). The Persona was “nothing to shout about the model” (basically an “extension” of Gen2) but still, it was better than the existing lineups (the dirt cheap Saga was going even cheaper). Thankfully the newer Proton Saga managed to bury the old Saga models for good.

Details of CPS

CPS was something that has been in the interest of local car fans for some time now. Spy shots of the Proton Waja and Proton Gen2 with CPS have been displayed in several motoring forums and websites. But when it is finally launched, there is a feeling that Proton could have done better on the cosmetics of the Proton Waja to complement the CPS-powered line-up.

The Proton CPS engine, a variant of the CamPro engine series developed by Proton in collaboration with Lotus, represents a significant advancement in automotive engineering. The acronym ‘CPS’ stands for Cam Profile Switching, which is a system that allows variable valve timing to optimize engine performance at different speeds.

This technology, combined with a variable length intake manifold (VIM), enhances the engine’s power output and improves the torque curve compared to the original CamPro engine. The CPS engine specifically addresses the need for higher power and better torque over a wider range of engine speeds, thereby improving the driving experience in terms of responsiveness and efficiency.

Introduced in the late 2000s, the CPS engine was a response to the growing demand for engines that could deliver more power without compromising fuel efficiency. It features a 1.6-liter displacement and a DOHC 16-valve configuration, capable of producing 125 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 150 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. These figures marked an improvement over the standard CamPro engine’s 110 horsepower and 148 Nm of torque. The CPS engine’s design reflects Proton’s commitment to innovation and its ability to produce engines that meet contemporary emission standards while delivering commendable power output.

The CPS technology not only boosts power but also ensures a smoother and more linear delivery of torque, which is particularly beneficial during acceleration. This engine has been used in various Proton models, enhancing the brand’s reputation for producing reliable and technologically advanced vehicles.

Lights Design

For start, they could have taken a cue from their Proton Waja MME version to do something refreshing for the CPS model. They could have started with the rear lights – it looks “ok” during the night but in the sunlight, the “thermometer” like design is hardly eye-catching. Gen2 and Neo have a better design than this. They could have introduced LED-type day running lights – something that Perodua Myvi already has done so successfully.

New Paint Job

A newer paint job could have been the next distinction – when I got my Iswara, the paint job was the plus point. It had a mixture of blue and silver and to this day, it enchants many after a good car wash and passionate polish job. A new blue or silver tone could have made a further difference to the aging Waja line-up.

What’s next? Perhaps a new rim design or dashboard color – then again, I am sure this comes at a cost but if there is not high and the changes are attractive enough, there should be a market for these models.

Note: Proton may just be “testing the water” waiting for a grand launch or even scrapping the idea of having a CPS-powered Waja and launching a CPS-powered Persona instead. We won’t know until the plans are made public. But assuming nothing much is changing, perhaps Proton should start looking for a better way to launch the CPS-powered Waja.