Proton Satria Neo CPS Reviewed

Since its launched in 1995, Proton's Satria has come along way starting from the first generation 14 years ago with the looks that almost identical to the bigger Wira which originally was a design of an Mitsubishi Mirage.

In Februari this year, Proton unveiled a new version of Satria's second (Neo) generation which has sportier looks and performance that translated to a name called the Satria Neo CPS. The new version fitted with a Campro CPS (Cam Profile Switching) which packs more power and offers better responsive for drivers' desiring performance. The CPS is essentially a Campro engine with a few updates and a variable valve lift system called CPS as well as a variable intake manifold (VIM) system. These additions help push up power to 125 bhp at 6,500rpm and 150Nm of torque at 4,500rpm, figures which are up from the standard Campro’s 110hp and 148Nm. The Satria has a top speed of 190 kmh.

Unfortunately, the CPS is actually very dissapointing indeed. The numbers are hardly remarkable but at least match rivals like the Suzuki Swift Sport on paper. Nevertheless, that on paper promise doesn't materialise when you get behind the wheel. Acceleration is very flat below the point where CPS kicks in. While the 0 to 100 kmh takes 10.5 second looks promising, you need to rev the engine to the limiter to achieve it. In other words, the early generation of VTEC Honda Civic is just better than the "modern" Satria CPS. Proton's five speeder is neither swift nor has the require short ratios.

More difficult to change is the overall build quality of the car and the flawed interior. While Proton has improved the way it builds cars by leaps and bounds over the past few years, there still roughed edges and and the panel fit isn't as good as it should be and the doors are shockingly poor as they lack hinge-stops to hold them open.

It also doesn't get any better on the inside as the Satria has almost all what it takes to be a poorly designed interior. Low rent materials, poor ergonomics and the worst problem of all that you have to get used to to this "sporty" car, a seat that that is mounted too high (high mounted seat simply doesn't sporty at all) . Nevertheless, the satria at least has a built-in dash mounted Blaupunkt CD Radio player can also handle MP3 music, which is perfect for entertaining the driver and passengers played through a 4 speaker stereo system.

Finally, here comes the best parts of the car, Lotus fettled suspension and steering. The helm is direct and accurate while the suspension soaks up bumps while keeping the body flat when cornering .

Put aside for all the critics above, this new Satria Neo CPS run the latest engine in the Proton line-up, the 1.6 litre Campro CPS. This engine utilizes two ingenious technologies, CPS (Cam Profile Switching) and VIM (Variable Intake Manifold technology), to give higher power outputs and rapid response, whilst maintaining a fuel efficient delivery. These two technologies give the best of both worlds by combining the characteristics of two different engines in one compact package. The usual reduction in torque caused by high-lift cams is offset by the long intake runner, whilst the short runner works by helping the engine generate more power at higher speeds. This power increase doesn’t come at the expense of the environment as this new engine meets the latest European emission regulations.