Proton Satria Neo Proving A Hit On Top Gear Australia
16 February 2009 · posted by Staff
Proton’s stylish, sure footed and economical Satria Neo hatch has become a TV star thanks to its role in SBS’ headline show Top Gear Australia.
The Proton Satria Neo is the car used in the show’s star in a bog standard car segment filmed on the show’s special test track at Camden Aerodrome which gives celebrities the challenge of setting a fast lap around the challenging track in a standard machine.
According to Proton Cars Australia’s General Manager Sales and Operations Billy Falconer the company jumped at the chance to be a part of the Top Gear Australia segment when the producers, Freehand were looking for a car earlier this year, Proton jumped at the chance.
“Top Gear Australia is a fun show that clearly needed a car with sure footed handling that would give the celebrities tackling the driving challenge a safe and predictable car when it was being driven at the limit and the Satria Neo fitted the bill perfectly,” said Billy Falconer.
“The feedback from the Top Gear Australia people has been absolutely fantastic and we are very pleased to be a part of the show”.
“The Satria Neo may not be as big a star as The Stig but it is being watched by many hundreds of thousands of people around Australia each week and is very valuable exposure for Proton,” he added.
“With handling engineered by Proton subsidiary Lotus the Satria Neo has proved to be an extremely strong performer on the Top Gear Australia track,” he added.
“Satria Neo is one of the best priced three door hatches on the market and is an attractive proposition for buyers seeking an economical and practical three door hatch with cutting edge styling and handling by Lotus,” he said.
Satria Neo is powered by the latest version of Proton’s own CamPro 1.6 litre twin-cam multivalve engine with a five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic transmission.
Satria Neo uses Macpherson strut front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension with stabiliser bars front and rear along with four wheel disc brakes and rack and pinion steering to ensure a total dynamic handling package.
Lotus styling is also noticeable in the interior of the Satria Neo with its sporty instrument binnacle, steering wheel and body hugging bucket seats.
The free revving 1.6litre engine delivers 82kW of power and 148 Nm of torque and uses the latest Step4 engine management profile which when coupled with a kerb weight of 1159kgs, provides strong performance, a flatter and more even torque curve and impressive fuel economy.
With a combined city/highway fuel consumption average of 7.2 litres/100km (manual) Satria Neo promises low running costs to match its strong value for money package.
The Satria Neo GX Manual is the price leader in the Satria range giving three door hatch buyer’s extreme value at $14,990 plus ORC.
Satria Neo GX includes air-conditioning, reverse sensors, ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD, SRS dual front airbags, seat belt pre-tensioners, power steering, power windows, power mirrors, central locking with integrated remote keyless entry, alarm and immobiliser all as standard equipment.
The up spec GXR variant includes the same standard equipment as GX plus 16” alloy wheels with Continental Conti Sport Contact low-profile tyres, rear spoiler, cruise control (Auto only), auto climate control air-conditioning and front fog lights as standard.
Satria Neo comes with Proton’s full three -year unlimited kilometre warranty with a seven-year anti-corrosion warranty along with three year’s 24 hour roadside assistance at no extra cost.