A recent update about the Proton Saga has revealed that it will be launchedin Pakistan soon and that the Pakistani market will get the limited edition‘R3’ variant of the vehicle as well.
This variant had been released in the Malaysian market as a ‘limitededition’ vehicle that featured the same black-and-yellow exterior andinterior. The special edition models had been developed as a tribute toProton’s R3 motorsports division, with ‘R3’ standing for ‘Race, Rally,Research’.
The tribute was designed to celebrate Proton’s victory in the latest Sepang1000 km endurance race in which cars 82 and 83 had bagged the top twospots. Additionally, the Proton has won six of the last eight circuitraces. The numbers 82 and 83 are also mentioned on the sides of the limitededition R3 Saga variants.——————————
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Let’s take a look at the features and specifications of the Saga R3 that isbeing offered in Malaysia to determine how this model will differ from therest of the Saga variants.Design
The R3 edition Proton Saga is pretty much the same vehicle on the outside,except for subtle changes to the body. Upfront is an attractive bumperextension that features a sleek yellow stripe. There is another yellowstripe right below the front grille, and a yellow ‘R3’ decal on the frontwindshield that makes the front of the car pop.
A sporty yellow-and-grey pinstripe sticker runs along the side of thevehicle and the extended side skirts, and the yellow side mirrors and mattegrey alloy rims all lend a sporty look to the side of the car.
The back has a sporty diffuser with a yellow stripe, a yellow decal on thetop of the rear windshield, a decklid spoiler on the trunk lid, and limitededition R3 badging at the back to serve as a reminder that this variant ofthe Proton Saga is more unique and valuable.Interior
The interior also features the black-and-yellow theme of the Proton R3variant. Overall, the black interior is surrounded with yellow accents likeyellow piping around the floor mats, yellow stitching and R3 logos on theseats, yellow stitching on the steering wheel, and a few yellow trim piecesin various other spots in addition to the R3 limited edition badge on thedashboard.——————————
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In terms of features, the car is similar to the premium A/T variant as ithas all the basic tech and safety features that are available in any goodcompact family sedan.Performance
When the words ‘rally’ and ‘race’ are associated with a car, one expects itto have some sort of performance pedigree. However, as the ‘TRD Sportivo’in the Malaysian market and as the ‘X’ trim in Pakistan, the R3 is just anappearance package. It is offered with the same 1.3-liter naturallyaspirated 4-cylinder engine and a 4-speed torque converter automatictransmission that the Premium A/T model has.
This is not to say that it is a bad powerplant, as Proton had won theSepang race with this very car and engine but with a manual transmission.Given that it is yet to be launched in Pakistan, Proton may surprise thelocal enthusiasts with some radical features that will increase the car’sdesirability.Price
As a limited-run variant, the R3 is priced above the normal variants of theProton Saga. In Malaysia, the Proton Saga Premium A/T variant costs 39,900Ringgit, which is just over Rs. 1.5 million.
However, it commands a premium of 3000 Ringgit on the standard MSRP of thePremium A/T variant of the Proton Saga, meaning that the R3 variant ofProton in Pakistan may cost quite a bit more than the Premium A/T variantof the vehicle.
Given that Proton emphasizes keeping the price of the vehicle affordable,it is unlikely that the car will cost more than Rs. 2.2 million. Interestedenthusiasts will just have to wait for details until its launch.
