I want to share an idea of a concept car for Proton to pursue which will revolutionise the car industry. Here's the pitch to Proton....
"Proton to produce a total of 20 new models for the next 5 years!"
That's 4 new models every year for the next 5 years. Is that possible? Why not? The model names can be as follows:-
1. Proton X - Shark
2.. Proton X - Fire
3. Proton X - Ice
4. Proton X - Aqua
5. Proton X - Storm
6. Proton X - Puma
..............and so forth.............
How can this be possible? I say it can ! Want to join this think tank/blog? Leave your comments here or email to whosane87@gmail.com and tell me how YOU think it can be possible. Follow this blog to get more insight as to how I know it can be possible.
Whether they (Proton) like the idea or not, is a whole different story. But my plan is to form a group of 'Innovative' & 'Go-getter's who can contribute to this project & later present it to the big boys at Proton. Nay Sayers not welcomed. So many of them out there, another one won't help.
So what is the idea, you may ask? Surely it can't be the many model names I just listed at the top, right?
Well yes, there is more to the idea than just those names I 'cooked-up'. I will reveal bit by bit but more importantly, I want to see what YOU have to say as this will help me determine the right mix of brains to form this group that will ultimately formulate the Proton X Project Paper.
I recognise that 2 brains are better than just one, especially if that one brain is mine. So, I'm looking for more brains - to challenge the norm, to go beyond existing borders, to believe in the impossible or to use the quote that has been used so often I'm sick and tired of hearing it....here it goes...."think outside the box!" (sorry...).
So before I end this posting, let me leave you with this, my other hint/clue to this Proton X idea.
Bearing in mind that the Proton X is targeted to the usual Proton market segment (essentially those who can't afford Japanese & European cars) and is centered around the Savvy target market & platform. Do you think these buyers buy Proton because of the inside workings of the car (engine, handling, performance etc.) or the outside look of it? I'm betting that it's more Looks/Design than what's inside the hud? The Gen-2 gave my wife & I a lot of heartbreak but the decision to buy it was largely due to it's new curves against the decade old Wira design. What do you think?
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Dear Whosane,
ReplyDeleteI am fascinated with your enthusiastic idea and I am going with you. I believe there is a will there is a way to anything. What you said is true that we have to think out of the box. Very often logic kills our innovative thought. Sometime we have to ignore the logic part in order to be creative. That is why not many learned fellows created new things.
We all know that 4 models in 12 months is not logical because we are also thinking about the market size, consumers’ demand, capital outlay, investors acceptance, etc.; just because we know the risks, but we often over look the feasibility aspect of turning out the models.
In fact, if ones look into the global market size, Malaysia auto industry contributed only 1%. For those who think outside the Malaysian nutshell, there is a huge market potential. Do you think so?
I believe when Proton first formed, its objective was global, but due to some reasons, it has become domesticated. If Proton does not export its cars outside Malaysia, Malaysian will forever pay the high price for its substandard technology; currently it is not the question of knowhow, it is more to cost.
Quick new turnover model is one way to learn and enhance the automotive technology. It takes 18 years to turn out professionals or rocket scientist and Proton has already taken 25 years. Look at the first model, the SAGA and its latest to judge its achievement.
CWNChong
Proton X?? Interesting.. I’m in..
ReplyDeleteFirstly. Proton undoubtedly has the desire and 25 years in the business we assumed they have the experience, connections, tools and facilities. Personally I think Proton needs better input to start designing new product. The marketing people at Proton are in deep matrix sleep. They’re the one who should channel substantial data and input so the designers can develop better-suit products.
Now back to the Proton X. A good car needs a good chassis. It has to be sturdy, agile, simple, functional and most important, safe. Make it a four door with enough room for a family of 5 individuals and space for excess baggage with flat floor all around. No humps in the middle of the car please.
All the shocks should be independently hung and height adjusted, manually or for the premium model, automated. Compact as a sub-assembly, easily accessible to maintain or upgrade. Potent to handle Malaysian grade pot holes, road cavities and other road irregularities for silky ride. Off road?? Slow and steady I guess.
Now to the power plant. The CamPro is potent enough to handle the job but as I read through some of the findings by the overseas motor journalist, their comment is simple. The engine is gutless. Current data chalk 125 horses full prancing at 4 grand rpm. Really. Who live in that zone? Boy racer maybe. Laymen like most of Protons’ customers? I’m having a hard time finding the 3.5 grand in my Waja. So, new engine design should be in order. Make it a low RPM engine, idle at 500 rpm, peak 140 to 160 horses at 1200 rpm. That should give the car a different character... Maybe even last longer, and more fuel efficient.
I would love to see a rear-drive Proton. Make the design modular like a Harley Davidson. Separate the engine from its transmission system. The engine mount to the front of the car driving a gearbox mounted to the rear of the car. The engine consist of combustion units and clutches, maybe even a gear-driven DOHC camshaft with active actuation valves (no springs like the Ducatis’) and the gearbox has integrated limited slip differential – LSD. And more so, for the premium, employ shiftronic gear shift, with paddle shift. Employ these elements and Proton should raise the benchmark.
Another thing. The electronics technology should be use in limited functions and not being the major factor of breakdowns. Although current platform is stable enough, they do not have the durability to withstand years of err.. abuse. And the owner has.. wait.. the owner couldn’t do anything to them, even if they have the knowledge to do so, without the proper tools. Give the owner the liberty to make personal adjustments to fine suit their driving style. Or in another matter, to liberate their hard earn deposits to appreciate the joy of breaking their car on their own..
On a shorter note, I would like to see a four door Satria Neo. The car has that first impression factor. Proton should consider to stretch that car to fit additional doors. Don’t make other major dimensional changes. Let the boot dimensions stays the same. If necessary to upgrade the engine then please do so. Give it a 1.8 GTi engine previously use and surely Proton will gain, if not keep its current consumer.
I’m thinking more and more like a knuckle head.. So. Perhaps anyone could contribute their thoughts to the cabin section?
Cheers,
Atok Salla,
The Benign Martensitic Carbon.