Proton Waja
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The Proton Waja is a
saloon car A sedan (American English) or saloon (British English) is a automobile, passenger car in a three-box styling, three-box configuration with separate compartments for an engine, passengers, and cargo. The first recorded use of ''sedan'' in refer ...
manufactured by
Malaysia Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. Featuring the Tanjung Piai, southernmost point of continental Eurasia, it is a federation, federal constitutional monarchy consisting of States and federal territories of Malaysia, 13 states and thre ...
n automotive company,
Proton A proton is a stable subatomic particle, symbol , Hydron (chemistry), H+, or 1H+ with a positive electric charge of +1 ''e'' (elementary charge). Its mass is slightly less than the mass of a neutron and approximately times the mass of an e ...
, it was launched in May 2000 by fourth Prime Minister
Mahathir Mohamad Mahathir bin Mohamad (; ; born 10 July 1925) is a Malaysian politician, author and doctor who was respectively the fourth and seventh Prime Minister of Malaysia, prime minister of Malaysia from 1981 to 2003 and from 2018 to 2020. He was the ...
. The name ''Waja'', which means ''(strong as) steel'' in Malay has both physical and abstract connotations. In the United Kingdom, it was sold as the Proton Impian, in which ''Impian'' was another derivative of the Malay language, meaning ''dream''. The Proton Waja was heralded as the first indigenously-designed Malaysian car upon its debut. However, it was later revealed that the Waja's chassis is a modified adaptation of the Mitsubishi Carisma / Volvo S40 platform. Furthermore, early Waja models were powered by Mitsubishi and Renault engines, as the development of Proton's own
Campro engine The Proton CamPro engine is the first flagship automotive engine developed together with Lotus Cars, Lotus by the Malaysian automobile manufacturer, Proton (automobile), Proton. The name ''CamPro'' is short for ''Cam Profiling''. This engine powe ...
did not complete in time for the Waja's launch frame. Over 292,556 Proton Wajas were sold between 2000 and 2012. Waja variants powered by the 1.6 litre Mitsubishi 4G18 engine made up for the bulk of total sales, followed by the 1.6 litre Proton CamPro S4PH / CPS and lastly, the 1.8 litre Renault F4P.


History

The Proton Waja was launched on 8 May 2000, together with the introduction of Proton's new corporate logo. Early batches of the Waja had no airbags, ABS, and came with fabric seats only. On Saturday, 6 October 2001, the Proton Waja 1.6X was launched. It was only available with an automatic transmission and was equipped with more luxurious items like a semi automatic air conditioning system, ABS with Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), auto flip mirror, a semi wood steering wheel, wood grain interior, full leather seats and door trim. The audio system was upgraded to a Clarion PX1676AA, with a built in CD player and six disc CD changer. Proton made minor changes to the seats by adding rear armrest with cup holder (which the standard Waja lacked), rear seats adjustable head rest and lumbar support for driver seats. Safety features were also added such as a driver's airbag and ABS. In 2002, Proton launched the Proton Waja 1.8X. It was powered by the Renault F4P engine, which was also found in the
Renault Laguna The Renault Laguna is a large family car that was manufactured and marketed by Renault for 21 years in three body styles: hatchback, coupé, and estate. The first generation Laguna was launched in 1994, the second generation was introduced in 20 ...
. Its equipment was mostly shared with the Proton Waja 1.6X. However changes included a passenger airbag and larger front discs brakes. In conjunction with the 20th anniversary since the launch of the Proton Saga in 1985, a limited edition Waja called the Proton Waja 20th Anniversary was launched sometime in 2005. Also known as P20Y or Proton's 20 year, this limited edition was powered by the Mitsubishi 4G18 engine and featured leather seats with 20th anniversary logo embossed. The front grill got a U-shaped chrome surround and wheels identical to that later used with CPS powered Waja's. At the end of 2005, Proton additionally introduced another variant of the Waja, known as ''Proton Chancellor''. It was used by representatives of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, commonly abbreviated as ASEAN, is a regional grouping of 10 Sovereign state, states in Southeast Asia "that aims to promote economic and security cooperation among its ten members." Together, its ...
(ASEAN) during the meeting of ASEAN leaders in the KLCC, shortly before its launch in 2006. The Chancellor had a longer wheelbase and a 2.0 litre Mitsubishi 6A12
V6 engine A V6 engine is a six- cylinder piston engine where the cylinders and cylinder blocks share a common crankshaft and are arranged in a V configuration. The first V6 engines were designed and produced independently by Marmon Motor Car Company, ...
, similar to that used in Proton Perdana V6. The car was only available with a four speed automatic transmission. In January 2006, the Proton Waja was updated. The major change was the Campro S4PH engine. Other changes included leather seats, a beige and brown interior color, a new meter cluster, redesigned air-condition vents and a new double-DIN CD player with MP3 support. These models also have a new rims which it has been stop using on the facelift version and used back in the CPS models. Models with Campro engine were more expensive though sold alongside the Mitsubishi 4G18 equipped Waja initially. In June 2006, the Proton Waja exterior was updated with a new honeycomb lower grille, new headlamps, new rear taillights nicknamed thermometer taillights, the Waja lettering moving to above the number plate and new alloy wheels. Proton's motorsports division, Race Rally Research (R3) launched the commemorative special edition duo of the Proton Waja MME Edition and Proton GEN.2 MME Edition in August 2006. They were built to celebrate Protons R3 Amprex team emerging victorious as Overall champions and Class O champions completing 279 laps in a specially-built Lotus Exige 300RR. Only 200 units of each car available, and each car will have a serial number and name plate due to its limited edition run. MME stood for Merdeka Millenium Endurance edition. Details changes includes: #Available only in Deep Burgundy Colour and Manual Transmission #R3 five piece Zerokit Bodykit (Wau Bumper Design) #R3 Dark Titanium Xenon HID Headlamps #R3 Cat-Back Performance Exhaust System for the Campro engine with a stylish oval tip #R3 Performance Spark Plug Cables #R3 Zerokit seven spoke wheels 16 inch size with emblem #R3 Performance Slotted Rear Brake Discs #R3 Performance Spring Kit #R3 Aluminium Front strut bar #R3 Red Alloy CamPro engine cover #R3 Red MME gearknob #R3 Floor mats #R3 12 MME Sticker on each side fender #Headunit with Bluetooth and iPod support with iPod Nano 1GB with R3 ensign. In 2007, the Proton Waja was facelifted with new headlamp, new fog lamp, new hood and garnish, new bumper, new grill and new front turn signal lamp. Two variants were available: 1.6M/T and 1.6A/T with five color options: Twilight Blue, Iridescent White, Burgundy, Metal Grey and Brilliant Red. In 2008, the Waja received the CamPro CPS engine. The exterior was given minor changes, such as a new grille and new tail lights and the rims from the original Campro version Waja. The 2008 Waja CPS also includes both ABS and
airbag An airbag is a vehicle occupant-restraint system using a bag designed to inflate in milliseconds during a collision and then deflate afterwards. It consists of an airbag cushion, a flexible fabric bag, an inflation module, and an impact sensor. ...
as standard for the Malaysian market, which were previously optional equipment. Throughout the 11 year production, many enhancements, revision to equipment and running changes took place.


British Touring Car Championship

The
British Touring Car Championship The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), officially known as the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship for sponsorship reasons, is a touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom, currently organised and administered by ...
(BTCC) is a
touring car racing Touring car racing is a motorsport road racing competition that uses race-prepared touring cars. It has both similarities to and significant differences from stock car racing, which is popular in the United States. While the cars do not move a ...
series held each year in the
United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
. Proton formerly participated in the BTCC between 2002 and 2004 under the official team name, Petronas Syntium Proton (Team PSP). The team in the
2002 The effects of the September 11 attacks of the previous year had a significant impact on the affairs of 2002. The war on terror was a major political focus. Without settled international law, several nations engaged in anti-terror operation ...
and
2003 2003 was designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Fresh water, Freshwater. In 2003, a Multi-National Force – Iraq, United States-led coalition 2003 invasion of Iraq, invaded Iraq, starting the Iraq War. Demographic ...
BTCC seasons was headed by Scottish and English drivers David Leslie and
Phil Bennett Philip Bennett (24 October 1948 – 12 June 2022) was a Welsh rugby union player who played as a fly-half for Llanelli RFC and the Wales national rugby union team, Wales national team. He began his career in 1966, and a year later he had taken ...
respectively in two heavily modified BTC-T Proton Impian
touring cars Touring car racing is a motorsport road racing competition that uses race-prepared touring cars. It has both similarities to and significant differences from stock car racing, which is popular in the United States. While the cars do not move a ...
. Both drivers were succeeded by
South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...
n Shaun Watson-Smith and
Malaysia Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. Featuring the Tanjung Piai, southernmost point of continental Eurasia, it is a federation, federal constitutional monarchy consisting of States and federal territories of Malaysia, 13 states and thre ...
n
Fariqe Hairuman Fariqe Hairuman (born 10 March 1983) is a Malaysian race car driver. BTCC Fariqe is possibly best known as a driver for Team Petronas Syntium Proton (Team PSP) in the British Touring Car Championship in 2004. ATCC He is also known for having ...
in the 2004 season. Team PSP proved largely unsuccessful in the BTCC, with just two wins out of a grand total of 95 races, and finally withdrew altogether after the conclusion of the season of 2004.


Export


Australia

The Waja made its international debut in Australia in November 2000 during the 2000 Sydney Motor Show. There, it was called simply as the Proton GX and was announced to be on sale in the second quarter of 2001 with a 1.8-litre engine. The Waja finally went on sale a year in Australia as the Waja powered by the Mitsubishi 4G18 engine. Two variants were offered: 1.6 and 1.6X with the latter being more equipped than the former variant. Critics praised its handling characteristics and standard equipment list, but lamented its underpowered engine and build quality. Sales projections were for 1000-1500 per year, but just 441 Wajas were sold in Australia in total.


United Kingdom

The Proton Waja was sold in the
United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
where it was rebadged as the ''Impian'', did not begin until April 2001, and it has continued virtually unchanged until sales ceased in 2008. The Impian was only available with RHD, while LHD models were available elsewhere in Europe. The Proton Impian was offered with two variants mostly throughout its time in the United Kingdom: GLS and GLX. Both offering manual and automatic transmissions and the GLX being the more premium variant of the two. Bi-fuel Proton Impians were bought extensively by Humberside Police from 2002 to 2010. These police Impians were delivered with engines converted to run both
liquefied petroleum gas Liquefied petroleum gas, also referred to as liquid petroleum gas (LPG or LP gas), is a fuel gas which contains a flammable mixture of hydrocarbon gases, specifically propane, Butane, ''n''-butane and isobutane. It can also contain some ...
and
petrol Gasoline (North American English) or petrol ( Commonwealth English) is a petrochemical product characterized as a transparent, yellowish, and flammable liquid normally used as a fuel for spark-ignited internal combustion engines. When formul ...
, as part a cost-saving scheme by Humberside to convert the majority of its fleet to LPG power. Humberside Police had previously purchased 120
Proton Persona The Proton Persona is a series of compact car, compact and subcompact car, subcompact cars produced by Malaysian automobile manufacturer Proton Holdings, Proton. The first generation Proton Persona (C90) refers to the export name given to the ...
s between 1997 and 2002, which were also converted to bi-fuel powered engines. Sales were not strong, as it was behind the best of the competition at its launch and virtually all of its competitors were all replaced since. Its decent ride and handling, generous equipment levels, competitive asking price and comprehensive aftersales package were perhaps the only things that kept it going with British buyers.


Indonesia

The Proton Waja was launched in Indonesia in July 2007 at the 15th
Indonesia International Motor Show The Indonesia International Motor Show (formerly Gaikindo Auto Expo) is an annual automotive exhibition in Jakarta, Indonesia. It is organized by Dyandra Promosindo, a subsidiary of Kompas Gramedia. Since 2009, the exhibition is held at Jakarta ...
by PT Proton Edar Indonesia. Only available with one variant with either manual or automatic transmissions with the Campro S4PH engine.


Iran

5,000+ Proton Waja (Impian) were exported to Iran to be used as taxis.


Pakistan

The Proton Waja was exported to Pakistan as the Proton Impian where it launched in September 2006 and was available in one variant with either a manual or an automatic transmission.


Safety

* -
Euro NCAP The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) is a European voluntary car safety performance assessment programme (i.e. a New Car Assessment Program) based in Leuven, Belgium. Formed in 1996, the first results were released in February ...
- The Proton Waja / Impian was the first and thus far only Proton car to be officially crash tested by the
Euro NCAP The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) is a European voluntary car safety performance assessment programme (i.e. a New Car Assessment Program) based in Leuven, Belgium. Formed in 1996, the first results were released in February ...
in 2002. It scored a three star rating for adult occupant safety, but only one star for pedestrian safety. The tested configuration included four SRS airbags (dual front and dual side), a configuration which was limited to a handful of developed markets such as the
United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
and
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
.
Malaysia Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. Featuring the Tanjung Piai, southernmost point of continental Eurasia, it is a federation, federal constitutional monarchy consisting of States and federal territories of Malaysia, 13 states and thre ...
n market Proton Wajas never received side airbags. Proton claimed the Impian was the first of a new generation of cars that were designed to Euro NCAP standards, but after the Impian's disappointing performance, Proton promised to improve on future designs. Ten years later, that promise was fulfilled when the
Proton Prevé The Proton Prevé is a four-door Compact car, compact Sedan (automobile), saloon developed by Malaysian automobile manufacturer PROTON Holdings, Proton. It was launched on 16 April 2012 and is based on Proton's next-generation P2 platform. The Pre ...
was awarded the full five stars by Australia's ANCAP, an organization whose methods closely align with that of the Euro NCAP. '' Top Gear'' aired a segment which featured a damaged Proton Waja alongside a damaged
Toyota Avensis The is a mid-size/ large family car built in Derbyshire, United Kingdom by the Japanese automaker Toyota from October 1997 to August 2018. It was the direct successor to the European Carina E and was available as a four-door saloon, five-door ...
, to showcase the difference between a three star and a five star Euro NCAP car after a head-on collision with a deformable steel concrete wall.


Problems

Early models had their centre air con vents fail to blow cold air to the front passenger due to a design flaw. Redesigned air con vents in later models solved the problem. Its fuel pump, power windows and exterior door handles proved to be problematic in the early models. Subsequent models, with the redesigned "thermometer" styled taillights were prone to water leaking into their housing and into the rear boot. It was soon discovered that heat from the brake lights melted the inner plastic housing. The Proton Waja was also subjected to two recalls. The first recall affected only the manual transmission variants, where the bolts used for the manual transmission were incorrectly tightened. The subsequent recall in 2005, involved approximately 3000 units due to defective alloy wheels.


Specifications


Sales


References

{{Proton vehicles Waja Cars introduced in 2000 2010s cars Front-wheel-drive vehicles ANCAP small family cars Euro NCAP small family cars