The Proton Saga RED Show Car

 

A project to showcase what is possible. Let nobody say we can’t do wow designs in record time; less than a month to be exact. What is it all about you may ask? It challenges the very concept of the new Proton Saga, which is about practicality & affordability i.e the car for the people. Nope, the RED is anything but.

RED has more than one meaning. One is explained below. Another is about the striking exterior colour (9 paint layers right there). One other reason is to pay hommage to the hugely popular original red Saga. Do be informed that RED is not another division or department within Proton. The development & design of this car is the brainchild of Proton Design; the commercial name of Proton’s very own Styling Department.

RED is about being inventive and creative with a basic blueprint. A RM30,000 car can always be pimped but can it be done with style so as not be too bling-bling? The base new Saga’s visual language is done is such a way that it is easy to tastefully mod it inexpensively. The Saga RED proves this point.

Revolutionary.

The design concept is Sporty Executive therefore it shouldn’t simply evolve the current style. It should break convention and stir up emotions. Brash but restrained. Cool tidings.

Enhanced.

It does just that; enhances the visual emotions connected to the new Saga. Guaranteed to surprise even the most hardened detractor. It doesn’t shout to be avant-garde; different enough to have its own ‘Wow’ factor, similar enough with what we are used to so as not to be alien.

Design.

This is what RED is all about. An execution of beautiful design in a smart package. A sports executive hot saloon with looks to amaze and a proposition so appealing it will surely be copied to no end. Do pass us the credits ‘kay!

The change items for RED is very simple but effective. The mirror like exterior colour specially developed for this car is called Candy Red. It has almost no visible mica pigments and the red colour you see is actually due to the tinted super clear top coat. The silver like finishing is also special in that it is also used on the Porsche Cayenne. It’s called Galvano and is attractive because of its satin quality. The wheels are a monstrous 17″ Ultraleggera OZ super lightweight alloys with Continental rubber. To further enhance its stance, the car is lowered with a set of Proton R3 sport springs (also in red!). Other fine touches are the blacked out headlamps and the blood red rear combi lamps. The exterior is completed with an awesome bodykit designed in-house. The interior? Cool leather & alcantara seats give a luxury ambiance while the all-round soft feel paint job matts down the plastics to give it a leather-like feel. To contrast this matt look, we painted the instrument panel centre plus a bit of the door in Dark Galvano just to introduce a bit of a cool metal look. Don’t forget to have a look at the motorized single DIN head unit by Clarion. Features a 7″ touch screen, DVD/CD/MP3 player and is iPod ready… cool.

Who would have thought this was possible with a car so affordable? I’ll let you view the photos and pass your own judgement. One thing is for sure, I’m proud to be part of the team that created this car. My designers have done a brilliant job; the countless extra hours, late nights and lost weekends have all come to fruition and this is the result of our labour. Rohadi “Bachookk” AR and Norhelmey “Lobbo” Lobb SL, my sincere congratulations to you! I’m looking forward to the next show already! *wink2*

Adiey, Lobb and me just before sending the car to KLCC.

With Proton MD Dato’ Syed Zainal prior to the Road Show

*it’s worth noting that Mr. MD is so impressed with the car that he drove it around town the very night after the launch. To think, the show car wasn’t supposed to be extensively driveable in the first place!