Proton’s current local offerings consist of two SUV offerings namely; the X50 and X70. Now the firm seeks to introduce the Saga sedan priced under R200 000 to tackle the entry-level market!
“We are excited to offer the Proton Saga to our customers and look forward to continuing to provide them with the best possible service and support” — Trevor Morey, Head of Sales and Marketing in South Africa
The Proton Saga has seen significant success in other markets, while in Malaysia — the brand’s country of origin — the Proton Saga has been highlighted as the top-selling car for nearly four decades. The firm states that the car evolves with you and the sum of three decades worth of evolution and change has resulted in a stylish sedan affording potential owners modern-day amenities rarely found in other vehicles at this price point.
The Proton Saga range consists of five distinct subspecies namely (and in ascending order); the 1,3L Standard MT, 1,3L Standard Lite AT, 1,3L Standard AT, 1,3L Premium AT and finally the 1,3L Premium S AT. The Saga is powered by a 1,3-litre inline four-cylinder engine which is standard across the model range. The petite four-cylinder is capable of producing an output of 70 kW at 5750 r/min and 120 N.m at 4000 r/min. The Saga’s power plant is mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic depending on the trim level.
The exterior of the Saga remains relatively the same throughout the model range except for the wheels and daytime running LED lights exclusive to the Premium derivatives. The interior for the majority of the range features fabric seats and urethane steering wheels, while the Malaysian markets range topper features semi-Leatherette seats with a dollop of fabric and a leatherette steering wheel. The Saga features a 7-inch touchscreen monitor in the range-topping 1,3L Premium S AT model, but the rest of the family receives “standard audio”.
The Proton Saga is now available in South Africa and bears with it an asking price of R199 999! Cars will be available in Proton dealerships across South Africa in the coming days.
Also read: 20 Proton dealerships ready for business this week in South Africa
