New Satria draws near

PROTON Cars Australia (PCA) is gearing up for the launch of the new three-door Satria later this year.

PCA managing director John Startari said the cars had been homologated for Australia and final specifications had been signed off with a scheduled production start for Australian cars set for October.

Mr Startari would not talk about engines or equipment levels for the car but said the Savvy has set a benchmark for Proton’s future.

With Satria, Proton wants "to be known as a high-spec affordable brand", he said.

Malaysian reports have suggested the Satria will have a choice of either 1.3-litre or 1.6-litre four-cylinder engines, Lotus-tuned suspension and a high degree of standard equipment.

A turbocharged GTi version is also in the wings, and should emerge in 2007.