SPIED: ’19 PROTON Saga In Showrooms Ahead Of Launch

It seems that PROTON’s all ready to reveal its newest baby, a heavily-updated version of the current-generation Saga that’ll go a long way in righting a few wrongs. The PROTON Saga is a favourite among the MalaysianMotoring team (both videographers own one, albeit different generations) and with the newest model, PROTON aims to address bugbears that have bothered current-gen Saga owners for a while.

These spyshots, courtesy of our friends at Funtasticko reveal much about the new model. For starters, the exterior has been given a light going-over in the same vein as the updated PROTON Iriz & Persona, with a new colour palette (this one is called Rosewood Maroon and we like it), updated bumpers front and rear (with the fronts now gaining LED daytime running lights for the Premium variant), and new alloys (14″ for entry-level variants and 15″ for the Premium).

Inside the changes are pretty major though, with a floating central touchscreen infotainment system, with the full ‘Hi PROTON!’ GKUI system in the Premium, and the usual non-touchscreen system for the lower tiers. There’s also an updated instrument cluster ahead of the driver that now features a more modern speedometer & tachometer, as well as a dot-matrix driver’s information display nestled between the dials. Looks rather snazzy, doesn’t it?

While there’s been no official confirmation from PROTON, we’re made to understand that under the skin, the ’19 PROTON Saga will continue to use the same 1.3-litre VVT engine as the outgoing car with no major changes to the engine, but the Punch-sourced CVT-automatic gearbox has been swapped out with a 4-speed auto unit from Hyundai. This should improve NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) levels in the car dramatically, as well as address the Saga’s current issues of lacklustre transmission response, particularly in town and when driving spiritedly.

It may also hamper fuel consumption over long-distance drives, but that remains to be seen.

PROTON has yet to release official pricing for the ’19 PROTON Saga, but with the launch slated for later today, the wait shouldn’t be all too long now.