Proton SATRIA NEO GSX For Sale

LOGIN REGISTER NEWSLETTER Home NEWS REVIEWS PRODUCTS COMPARE CARS VIDEOS BUYING USED CARS NEW CARS MOTORSHOWS COMPETITIONS 6 ISSUES FOR £1 Search Car Reviews: You're in - Car Reviews: Car Group Tests Proton Satria Neo Proton Satria Neo 1.6 GSX With input from Lotus, Malaysian three-door aims to cause a stir Given the Lotus influence on ride and handling, we had high hopes for the Proton, but it proved a letdown. The steering lacks weight and feedback, and although the Satria turns in well, it understeers far too easily. March 2007 Build quality seems fairly solid, but this can’t compensate for the lacklustre plastics on the dash or the flimsy, low-rent air ventAlthough it hasn’t been on sale in the UK since 2004, the Satria is probably the best-known model Proton has ever made – its image was certainly helped by the 1.8-litre GTi variant. It’s fair to say, however, that the first-generation model hardly set pulses racing – and in terms of styling, the new Satria Neo is little different.It was penned at the Lotus design centre in Hethel, Norfolk, but there’s not much to get excited about – the Satria’s hatchback shape looks generic alongside its rivals here. Even the ageing Ka has fresher lines.At least the low stance, flared wheelarches and wide track create a sporty look, but apart from the projector-style lights, there’s nothing memorable about the Proton. True, the low roof gives it a sleek appearance, but unfortunately this also means headroom in the rear seats is severely limited. Legroom is equally tight, and considering it’s the longest car here, that’s a disappointment.The low roof is an issue up front, too, where the top of the windscreen is almost in line with your head. The Satria feels cramped compared to its rivals, and the driver’s seat doesn’t adjust low enough. Combine this with offset pedals, and the result is an uncomfortable driving position.Build quality seems fairly solid, but this can’t compensate for the lacklustre plastics on the dash or the flimsy, low-rent air vents. Blue-lit dials on the instrument cluster are an attempt to make things feel more upmarket, yet the heater controls are placed too low down. The cabin is an area in which Proton could really have made an impact, so it’s a shame it’s so dated and cheap. Things improve slightly with the 1.6-litre CamPro engine, which was also developed in collaboration with Lotus. It’s taken from the Gen2 hatch, and so is the five-speed gearbox, but the Satria has a shorter final drive ratio designed to give better low and medium-speed acceleration. It never feels particularly quick, though, and has to be worked hard to get meaningful performance, while the engine sounds coarse when revved hard. The boomy exhaust helps to provide a sporty edge – something that Proton is clearly aiming for – but on the motorway the drone can become irritating. Although it’s the most powerful car of this quartet, the Satria was a second slower than the Swift from 0-60mph, at 10.9 seconds. In-gear pace was leisurely, the Proton taking 16.7 seconds to complete the top gear 50-70mph test. A heavy kerbweight and poor gearbox are to blame.It’s comfortable, however – the ride is fairly refined, while the raked windscreen and smooth shape mean wind noise is minimal. The Satria is also stable at higher speeds, although the suspension does get unsettled by uneven roads. The Lotus badge on the tailgate promises much in terms of handling, but sadly the Proton doesn’t deliver. While body control is adequate enough, the vague steering and uncommunicative chassis mean it’s neither a rewarding nor enjoyable car to drive. The brakes are also short on feel, and the Satria took the longest distance to come to a halt from 60mph, at 42.1 metres.Value has always been a selling point for Proton, yet the 1.6 GSX model we tested is the most expensive car here. The Satria is generously equipped, with an MP3 connection, Bluetooth connectivity and rear parking sensors, but it only gets two airbags compared to the six in the Swift. It also has the poorest residuals. BACK TO TOP What Next COMPARE CAR LOANS COMPARE CAR INSURANCE For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift! Next > 0 Comment Be the first to comment on this article You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join. Email: Password: Sponsored Results More PROTON SATRIA NEO articles Car ReviewsNew Reviews: Proton Satria Neo Social Bookmarks Link to this article: For more details about purchasing this feature and/or images for editorial usage, please contact the Dennis Syndication team on pictures@dennis.co.uk Email a Friend Print this Full Car Reviews Photography - Advertisement - Sponsored Results Facts and Figures Open Table DETAILS Price:£9,595 Model tested:Proton Satria Neo 1.6 GSX PR Chart position:4th WHY? Based on a new platform with input from Lotus, the Satria Neo promises good handling. AT A GLANCE: The Satria Neo is disappointing. It’s too similar to the old model and already feels dated. It doesn’t even offer good value for money. SCORES Styling/image: Interior/quality: Engine/performance: Driving experience: Ownership costs: ECONOMY Considering our Satria only had 1,000 miles on the clock, we were impressed with its economy. It returned 38.4mpg, which isn’t far behind the claimed figure of 42.8mpg. RESIDUALS Proton is an unknown quantity for most used buyers, so resale values are poor. The Satria keeps 37.3 per cent of its list price, and after three years will be worth £3,579. SERVICING With the first three services coming to £438, the Proton is the cheapest car to maintain. Yet the 9,000-mile intervals are shorter than for either the Ford or the Hyundai. TAX Despite having the largest engine, the Satria isn’t as dirty as the Swift. However, it’s in the same 18 per cent tax bracket. Owners in the lower band face a bill of £380. Verdict Long boot (but slim), comfortable Cheap interior, expensive, - Advertisement - Company Website | Media Information | Contact Us | Privacy Notice | Subs Info | Voucher Codes | SitemapOur Other Websites: The First Post | Custom PC | Evo | IT Pro | IT Pro India | MacUser | Men's Fitness | Micro Mart | PC Pro | bit-tech | Know Your Mobile | Octane | Expert Reviews | Channel Pro | Know Your Cell | Know Your Mobile India | iGizmo | Digital SLR Photography | Den of Geek | The Week | Computer Shopper | Dennis Communications | Magazines | Mobile Phone Deals | Competitions | Health & Fitness | CarBuyer © 2010 Dennis Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.Licensed by Felden || Search the site About us Contact us New car deals Home News Road Tests Launches Features Gallery Insurance Used Cars New Cars ROAD TEST: Proton Satria Neo 1.6 GSX by David Finlay (7 June 2007) View technical info Engine 1597cc, four cylinders Power 110 bhp @ 6000 rpm Torque 148 lb ft @ 4000 rpm Transmission 5 speed manual Fuel/CO2 42.8mpg / 157g/km Acceleration 0-62mph: 11.5sec Top speed 118 mph Price From £9,790.00 approx Release date February 2007 Love this car? Request Brochure Test Drive Best Deals Well, I must say this came as quite a surprise. I have not been greatly impressed by what Proton has offered in recent years, and I wasn't looking forward to the arrival of the Satria Neo with much enthusiasm. But it has turned out to be a remarkable little car. Its looks are generic small hatchback. You can idle away a few minutes by looking round it and seeing what else it reminds you of (a bit of SEAT Ibiza, a hint of Toyota, a smattering of Rover), but it still looks pretty good. It also looks quite sporty - almost as if this were the competition version of a more humble model - and that impression is quickly confirmed once you start driving. The reason for this is displayed on a small badge on the tailgate. "Handling by Lotus," it says. Now, past experience suggests that this is not necessarily as good as it sounds. Proton owns Lotus, and has frequently called upon the small but legendary UK company to work its sorcery on the suspension of previous models. The results have not often been exciting. I've wondered in the past how long a Lotus-tweaked Proton has actually gone through the development process, and suspected that in some cases the answer can be counted in hours. That's definitely not the case here. For something costing around £10,000, the Satria Neo is a wonderful car to drive, with lots of grip, excellent turn-in, and splendid balance between the front and rear through corners. There were times when I found myself laughing out loud at the sheer fun of it all. This has been achieved without greatly compromising the ride. The suspension is reasonably soft for a sports hatchback (if a little firm for something that would be used only for urban driving), and any temptation to fit crashy low-profile tyres has been avoided. The overall effect is superb; of all the Protons I have driven, this is the one that most deserves its Lotus badge. The handling is so good that it obliterates most criticisms of the straightline performance - if you needed to get from A to B in a hurry, you could do so just as well in a Satria Neo as you could in something substantially more powerful. Still, it's worth mentioning that this is not an especially powerful car. In 1.6-litre form, as tested here, it has 111bhp, which isn't outstanding. It's also proportionally quite weak compared with the 94bhp offered by the alternative 1.3-litre engine. There isn't much difference in top speed between the 1.3 and 1.6 models, and the 1.6 is quicker by just 0.6 seconds from rest to 62mph. Oddly, though, the 1.6 performs much better in the official fuel economy test, with a combined figure of 42.8mpg compared with the 1.3's 39.8mpg. Even the 1.6 automatic is only barely behind the 1.3 at 38.2mpg. The interior is roomy enough in the front, but there's no way you could fit six-foot adults in all four seats. Speaking as a 6'3" adult, I found the headroom was limited, which meant I was looking through the top couple of inches of the windscreen. When I needed to use the sun visor, it blocked my view almost completely and forced me to bend my head down to that I could see where I was going. I wouldn't want to be heightist about this, though. I took two shorter friends on a 200-mile round trip and they both had enough room. The one in the back also mentioned that she was far more comfortable than she had expected to be when she first saw the car. We didn't take an enormous amount of luggage on that journey, but it was enough to stretch the 286-litre boot capacity to its utmost. If you need more space, and don't need to transport anyone other than yourself and one passenger, the luggage volume can be increased to 615 litres by folding down the rear seat. Any complaints? Well, I don't see the point of a seatbelt warning system which beeps disapprovingly at you when you turn on the ignition if the front passenger belt hasn't been fastened, even when there's nobody sitting there. And although the radio has an RDS facility, it's not very good at finding - or holding on to - stations when you're in hill country and the reception isn't 100%. Visibility is only moderately good. The worst thing about this is that the windscreen pillars are quite thick, and I found myself having to peer round the driver's side one in particular at junctions and on the entry to right-hand corners. The rear pillars are more obstructive still, though at least Proton - unlike several other manufacturers - has ensured that the rear side windows are a decent size and shape. However, none of this is enough to cancel out my enjoyment of the driving experience. This is the jewel in the crown, the thing that makes this car stand out from other budget hatchbacks. Largely for this reason, the Satria Neo is by far the best car Proton makes, and also the only Proton I have ever wanted to own. Proton Road Tests More Road Tests Request brochure All the choice and model options delivered straight to you. More info Request test drive Try this car before you buy - get a test drive from your local dealer! 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Warranty Free car buyer service Car depreciation insurance For The engine gives decent performance. Every model has alloy wheels, foglamps and Bluetooth phone connection, as well as climate control, while automatic models have cruise control. Against The engine isn't as quick as some competitors, and you have to work it hard. This makes it even noisier and will take its toll on the already mediocre fuel economy figures. What Car? says 1 out of 5 stars Ultimately, there is little choice: if you want a Satria Neo, this is the only model that makes any sense. However, before you buy, be aware that there are plenty of better alternatives. Reader review rating 3 advertisement Full review Compare Female verdict Key facts 0–60mph 11.5 secs Top speed 118 mph Average mpg 42.8 Tank range 424 miles See all running costs Features See all equipment Size See all measurements View the whole Proton Satria Neo Hatchback range Cheaper Hatchback 1.6 GSX 3dr £9,995 Hatchback 1.6 Sport 3dr £10,995 More expensive Hatchback 1.6 GSX 3dr £9,995 Hatchback 1.6 Sport 3dr £10,995 The Proton Satria Neo Hatchback full review Read in full Performance 3 out of 5 stars Reasonable, but not as quick as some rivals Ride & Handling 3 out of 5 stars Decent handling, but firm ride Refinement 1 out of 5 stars Lots of noise from all sources Buying & Owning 1 out of 5 stars Not cheap enough to buy or run Quality & Reliability 1 out of 5 stars Interior looks and feels cheap Safety & Security 2 out of 5 stars Short on safety kit Behind The Wheel 1 out of 5 stars Switchgear awkwardly placed Space & Practicality 1 out of 5 stars Too short on headroom Equipment 3 out of 5 stars All cars come well stocked Or view… Ford Fiesta Volkswagen Polo Buyer's notes Target Price team says: As a piece of engineering, the Satria Neo can't really cut it against its direct supermini rivals. If you're tempted by one, only sign on the dotted line after you have thoroughly tested the car's rivals.Ultimately, this is a purchase you justify solely on value for money, something Proton are renowned for. However, it doesn’t stop at the list price. There's a prominent section on the company's website detailing the latest special offers, and these have included things like free leather upholstery and discounts of as much as £2500 on certain models.To save you the bother of constantly logging on, you can also supply your email address via the website, which will allow the company to keep you up-to-date with all the latest offers. Reader test team says: Proton Satria Neo Hatchback 1.6 GSX 3dr When i first saw this car i loved the way it… Chris Carbutt 2 out of 5 stars Proton Satria Neo Hatchback 1.6 GSX 3dr I firmly believe this is the best handling small… Alex Adamson 4 out of 5 stars Post a reader review for your car View all reader reviews Satria Neo rivals Audi A1 Hatchback 4 out of 5 stars Read review Ford Fiesta Hatchback 4 out of 5 stars Read review Satria Neo used rivals Vauxhall Corsa Hatchback (06 - ) 5 out of 5 stars Read review Fiat Panda Hatchback (04 - ) 4 out of 5 stars Read review More on this car Finance quotes Related video Latest model news Send to a friend Today's most popular reviews Hyundai Santa Fe 4x4 Volkswagen Golf Hatchback Nissan Qashqai Crossover Honda CR-V 4x4 Land Rover Discovery 4x4 Other reviews in this category Volkswagen Polo Hatchback Audi A1 Hatchback Ford Fiesta Hatchback Nissan Juke Crossover Vauxhall Corsa Hatchback Ads by Google My What Car? 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