The Suzuki-based compact MPV slots below the Exora in Proton’s line-up. Company expects to sell 1,500 units a month

With the launch of the new Ertiga, Proton has delivered its promise to launch four cars within 2016 and ‘modernise’ its line-up of vehicles. It also signifies the first product resulting from Proton’s collaboration with Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan.

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The Ertiga comes with a 4-speed auto or 5-speed manual gearbox, in Executive and Executive Plus (previously we reported it is Executive+), although the latter does not come with the manual. Price is as follows:

1.4L Executive (MT) – RM58,800
1.4L Executive (AT) – RM61,800
1.4L Executive PLUS (AT) – RM64,800

The Ertiga is a certified EEV-status model that is claimed to give 5.7L/100km in the manual transmission car and 6.0L/100km for the automatic based on the combined NEDC cycle.

An interesting change from our previous reporting (which was made using information available and told at that time) is that the Ertiga is now positioned as a 6-seater. The reason is due to the second row seat not having seat belts at the centre. As for safety rating, Asean NCAP has awarded Proton’s latest compact MPV with 4-stars. Tellingly, the lack of an electronic stability system means that the full 5-star score is not possible.

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All variants come with 15 inch alloy wheels, halogen headlamps, front and rear fog lamps, chrome front grille, 2-DIN audio player, USB slot, and perhaps a huge selling point – the second row air-conditioner with blower control.

For safety, they all get 2 airbags, ABS & EBD, Isofix point and reverse sensor.

Proton expects to sell about 1500 units of this compact MPV per month.

You can read our impressions on the car based on a test drive did last week at Proton’s test track by clicking here.
“The Ertiga was designed to be a conservatively priced vehicle so there are no bells and whistles. It’s most valued quality is practicality – a 7-seater with second and third row seats that fold flat for serious cargo hauling duties when needed. Good thing that practicality sometimes mean more than how people first perceive it; take the rear air-cond blower. It’s a practical feature, but being a tropical country – with the vehicle itself capable of carrying seven – it easily jumps over the thin line where it becomes a necessity…”

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