Proton Persona (CM)

Proton Persona (CM) Second generation
Overview
Manufacturer	Proton
Production	Mid 2007–Mid 2016
Assembly	Malaysia: Proton City (PTMSB) China: Jinhua, Zhejiang (Youngman)
Designer	Damian Chia[1] Azlan Othman
Body and chassis
Class	Compact car (C)
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Related	Proton GEN•2 Youngman Europestar L3
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L CamPro S4PH DOHC I4 1.6 L CamPro IAFM DOHC I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,600 mm (102.4 in)
Length	4,477 mm (176.3 in)
Width	1,725 mm (67.9 in)
Height	1,438 mm (56.6 in)
Kerb weight	1,170–1,190 kg (2,580–2,620 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Proton Persona (C90) Proton Wira saloon
Successor	Proton Prevé (spiritual) Proton Persona (BH) (de facto)

The Proton Persona (CM) is a C-segment saloon produced by Malaysian automobile manufacturer Proton. The CM series represents the second generation in the Proton Persona lineage, and the first Proton model to use the 'Persona' nameplate in its home market. It was unveiled on 15 August 2007 as the successor to the Proton Wira in Malaysia, and the C90 Persona in its export markets.

The CM Persona is based on an extended Proton GEN•2 platform, and was sold as a saloon complement to the GEN•2 hatchback. The CM Persona was succeeded by the C-segment Proton Prevé in 2012. However, Proton continued to produce the Persona as a low-cost alternative to the more sophisticated Prevé. The CM Persona was later decisively succeed by the B-segment BH Persona in August 2016.

The CM series was also sold as the Proton GEN•2 Persona in some export markets, and it is one of two Proton models that were rebadged and manufactured by the Youngman company in China. Over 250,000 CM Personas were sold over the course of nine years.

History

Post-launch

2007–2010 Proton Persona

Exterior

The Proton Persona (CM) was unveiled on 15 August 2007 as the decisive successor to Proton's ageing Wira saloon range.^[2] The CM Persona was largely based on the then three-year-old Proton GEN•2 hatchback platform, albeit modified to fit saloon specifications. The entire section aft of the B-pillar was re-engineered, amounting to a 167mm length extension over the GEN•2.^[2] The extended rear overhang incorporates a larger 430-litre boot, while the boot lid itself was redesigned and features space-saving twin gas strut hinges.^[3] Rear headroom in the Persona was also increased by 43mm over the GEN•2 courtesy of a redesigned rear roof design.^[2]

Interior

The interior was redesigned to incorporate a glovebox at the dashboard, an accessory that was not available in the GEN•2.^[2] The obtrusive analog clock present in the GEN•2's dashboard has also been replaced by a digital one that now resides in the digital display on the instrument panel. In addition, the door trims and panels were modified to feature more ergonomic window switches and door handles, and the pseudo-racing seats were replaced by more conventional and comfortable units. Fit and finish has noticeably improved and Proton made significant improvements to both ride and handling attributes with emphasis on comfort and refinement.^[2]

A revised version of the GEN•2 launched on March 3, 2008 also incorporates the interior trims of the Persona.

Powertrains

The 1.6-litre CamPro S4PH engine in the CM Persona is the same 82 kW (110 hp) unit used in other Proton models, but with an improved cast aluminium oil pan design that reduces potential damage risks.^[2] A transmission control unit re-calibration on models with automatic transmissions reduces the hunting of gears and improves gear changes in an attempt to mask the dip in the torque curve in the lower and middle rev ranges.^[2] In the following year, the Persona came equipped with a new variable-geometry intake manifold module (Campro IAFM engine) which improves low-end torque and high-rev breathing.

The new Proton Persona addressed many of the GEN•2's flaws, but the GEN•2 remained in production and received a major facelift several months after the launch of the Persona.

Proton Persona SE

Proton Persona SE

Proton launched a special edition of the CM Persona on 26 August 2008. It was pitched as a premium version of the existing Proton Persona with exclusive kit and luxury equipment. Only two colours were available; Blue Haze and Brilliant Red respectively, and the car retailed for RM59,800.^[4]

Proton Persona Elegance

Proton Persona Elegance

The CM Persona given a facelift under the name Proton Persona Elegance on 18 March 2010. It featured a revised front grille, headlamps, front and rear bumper, bodykit, and LED tail lamps. The Campro IAFM engine's power output remains unchanged, but was upgraded with a completely new 32 bit ECU from Continental's VDO division.^[5] Five trim lines were available; Base-Line (Manual or Automatic), Medium-Line (Manual or Automatic) and High-line (Automatic) along with five colours; Brilliant Read, Genetic Sliver, Tranquility Black, Bronze Garnet and Chiffon Green respectively. A sixth colour, Solid White, joined the range in May 2011.^[6]

Proton Persona SV

Proton Persona SV test drive car.

Proton launched the Persona SV (in which ‘SV’ is an acronym for ‘Super Value’) at the Proton Bola! Bola! Bola! Mega Test Drive Carnival on 30 November 2013.^[7] The launch comes six months after the introduction of the well-received Proton Saga SV. Like the Saga SV, some trim and equipment were removed in an effort to lower its pricing, but Proton did not compromise on safety as the Persona SV is equipped with dual front airbags, front seat belt pre-tensioners and all-round disc brakes with ABS and EBD. Such safety equipment is comparable to its main competitors, the Toyota Vios, Honda City and Nissan Almera. The Persona SV is offered as a larger and more powerful alternative to the Saga SV and is priced between RM44,938 and RM48,388. In comparison, the Saga SV retails between RM33,438 and RM36,888 respectively.^[8]

Proton has sold 265,882 units of the CM Persona as of 31 August 2015, since its original début on 15 August 2007.^[9]

Export market

The Proton Persona REEV during the RAC Future Car Challenge 2011, U.K..

On 10 March 2008, Proton Cars UK announced the new addition of the Proton Persona sedan to the British market, which is known as the Proton GEN•2 Persona,^[10] while the Personas sold in other countries (such as Singapore and Australia) retain the name Persona. Besides the United Kingdom, Proton also uses the GEN•2 Persona name for the Indonesian market,^[11] and had also been launched in Saudi Arabia on November 22, 2008 and in Egypt on November 24; the GEN•2 model was also jointly launched in Egypt.^[12][13]

While officially marketed in the UK, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders sales figures for 2008 revealed only 4 units of the GEN•2 Persona were sold in that year, ranking the car as one of the least sold car models in the country in 2008.^[14]

Proton participated in the RAC Future Car Challenge on 6 November 2011 with plug-in electric versions of the Persona, Saga and Exora, in which the company claimed 2 awards despite their shortcomings.^[15]

Reception

Awards

• 2011 Best Practices Award – Value-for-Money Car of the Year (1.31 and Above) Malaysia Excellence Awards – Frost & Sullivan
• 2008 Asian Auto – Bosch Fuel Efficiency Awards – 1st place Family Car category (reported average fuel consumption of 6.8 L/100 km (42 mpg-imp; 35 mpg-US).[12] )
• 2008 Frost & Sullivan Best Model of the Year.

Proton GEN•2/Persona (CM) sales & production between 2004 and Q2 2016[16][17]
Country	Model	Total	Q2 2016	Q1 2016	2015	2014	2013	2012	2011	2010	2009	2008	2007	2006	2005	2004
Malaysia	GEN•2								664	1,632	2,055	4,143	10,719	18,925	32,927	20,066
	Persona		946	1,044	11,143	N/A			46,415	44,391	42,988	42,310	18,333
Australia	GEN•2					49	64	188	328	190	186	308	506	609	878	174
	Persona					67	92	241	173	250	351	339
United Kingdom	Both							N/A			503	844	997	1,177	1,256	246
Thailand	GEN•2					1	0	37	98	195	271	584
	Persona						26	994	1,588	1,326	978	409
Turkey	Both				500	707	715	682	N/A	856	748	862	552
Egypt	GEN•2				390	753	593	496	290	N/A
	Persona				376	539	456	431	142	1,418	N/A
Iran	GEN•2								2	2,375	1,400	925
United Arab Emirates	Both						14	260	346
Saudi Arabia	GEN•2						16
	Persona					5	119
South Africa	GEN•2						37	55	60
	Persona				2	30	61	77	48
Indonesia	GEN•2						18	248	382	451
	Persona					2	22
New Zealand	GEN•2										8	0	1
	Persona										9
Total global sales	GEN•2	N/A
	Persona	N/A
Total produced	GEN•2		0	102	511	245	1,489	1,148	981	4,248	3,051	N/A
	Persona			1,615	6,609	23,352	17,032	28,831	47,370	49,884	44,071	N/A
Notes: Q1 2016 applies for the months of January, February & March 2016 respectively. Q2 2016 applies for the months of April, May & June 2016 respectively. Total applies for units sold in the specified country between sales inception and June 2016 respectively. Total global sales applies for combined units sold in all active markets. Total produced applies for all units produced between January 2009 and June 2016 respectively.

References

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