My Tots on the Proton's Inspira

Well, as always, Proton is never capable in designing something sleek. Even if some miraculous designs did came from the Proton's drawing board, it sure doesn't applease me. Seems like Proton is trying to re-do its previous success during the Wira era(early 90's). They are coming up with a 'new' model called the Inspira.

Oh...the naming.....its so lame. Inspira, Exora, Perdana, Satria, Waja, Persona, Saga.....besides Savvy and Gen2....all ends with an 'A'. Even the Proton's Alphard aka Juara is not spared. Seems like the marketing department is quite shallow in their vocabulary. Who knows maybe someday they will come up with names like Dracula or WonderBra, since their marketing really like their cars' name to end with an 'A'.

Last quarter of 2010, Proton is lauching a so-called 'new' model, Inspira. A clone of the latest Mitsubishi Lancer. Upon hearing Mitshubishi's name, I was like " Wow, the new car from Proton can be interesting". Then settling back to Earth, I did a check on the pricing comparing to the Mitsubishi Lancer.

Inspira 1.8 is going at a price of close to 80K. The 2.0 version , not more then 95K as stated in Paultan's blog. The Original Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 going at around 124K.

Of course, comparision will be made between the Inspira 2.0 and the Lancer 2.0. The price difference is almost 30K. Attactive huh? Well, in my own opinion, no.....my points as follows.

Before the 300% tax the Government imposed on foreign cars, in this scenario, Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0, the final OTR price is 124K. But if you imagine without the tax, the Mitsubishi Lancer costs only close to 31K..!!!! I have no idea how much the car actually costs in Japan, but if the actual selling costs is between 31K-50K.....Proton is really sucking the consumers dry for a same 2.0 model. Maybe there are some differences in some parts used for the Proton's version, hence the price difference. But for a starting price of 80K for a local branded car, I believe I can have a lot of choices for other imported cars.

All I can say is good luck to Proton and the buyers. Until the real test drive review is out. There's really no way to say how good this car can be in terms of build quality since it will be badged under Proton's emblem.