Proton Wira

The Proton Wira was a car manufactured by Malaysian carmaker Proton as known as Proton 416 or 400 series in various European Market, released as a four-door saloon and four-door hatchback in 1993. It is based on the Mitsubishi Lancer platform. Proton made minor changes to the taillights, bumpers, and dashboard. 5 trim levels was available. The 1.6 and 1.8 litre model(4G92/4G93) were equipped with rear disc brakes, front and rear armrests, electric mirrors, folding rear seats, electric windows on all doors, and a high quality interior.
Proton redesigned the saloon to make a 5-door hatchback variant during the mid-1990s, basing the car on the saloon Wira and sporting similar taillights.
The entry-level 1.3 and 1.5 models lack some of the features of the 1.6 and 1.8 models to cut down costs and thus lower the list price. These models used 4G13 and 4G15 engines. The early models used carburetors, in 1998 Proton replaced them with EFi injection. However, in 2001 Proton replaced the Mitsubishi EFi module with Siemens VDO module that is claimed to cause slight power loss.
In 2000, the interior trim of all Wira models changed to grey. Same with the seats material had been changed to new softer batik-like designs.
The Wira was to be replaced by two similar in-house designed Proton cars: The Proton Gen-2 (launched in 2004 to replace the "Aeroback" hatchback variant) and the Proton Persona (launched in 2007 to replace the saloon variant). The Proton Waja, a saloon compact, was also launched in 2001 as an earlier successor to the Wira saloon, but currently caters slightly towards more upmarket demand, below the Proton Perdana.
Wira is a Malay word that translates into English as "Hero".

Manufacturer	Proton
Also called	Proton 400 series Proton 416
Production	1993 – 2007
Class	Compact
Body style	4-door saloon 5-door hatchback (or liftback saloon)
Engine	1.3 L C96 4G13 Carburator & EFi I4 1.5 L C97 4G15 Carburator & EFi I4 1.6 L C98 4G92 SOHC EFi I4 1.8 L C99 4G93 SOHC 4G93 DOHC EFi I4 2.0 L 4D68 diesel I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic (4G9 Series) 3-speed automatic(4G1 Series)
Wheelbase	2,600 mm (102.4 in)
Length	4,270 mm (168.1 in)
Width	1,680 mm (66.1 in)
Height	1,385 mm (54.5 in)
Curb weight	980 kg (2,160.5 lb) - 1,011 kg (2,228.9 lb)

History

The Wira was introduced in 1993 as a 4-door saloon and was based on the shared 1992 CB2A–CB4A-CD9A platform with Mitsubishi Lancer, but the styling was slightly modified to distinguish it from the Lancer. Modifications include headlights from the 1992 Mitsubishi Colt, taillights from the 1987 Mitsubishi Galant hatchback, bumpers from the Mitsubishi Mirage and a different dashboard. The frontal design continues the styling first shown in the Proton Iswara with a fluted bonnet that tapers towards the Proton badge on the grill. In 1994, a 5-door hatchback version (initially badged as the Wira Aeroback, in a similar fashion as the 5-door Saga hatchback) was introduced.
A minor facelift for all new Wira variants was introduced in 1995 with a new grille and slimmer tail lights with clear indicators. Other minor changes were made on the interior, grille design and bumpers during the late-1990s and mid-2000s. While having undergone three minor reiterations, the general design of the Wira has, for more than a decade, remained mostly the same.
In 2004, Proton introduce the Wira Special Edition or known as WiSE, and planned to manufacture an estimated 100,000 units but failed to meet sales target.
The WiSE models were released in different periods of the Wira's lifecycle as the Aeroback variant, with sportier accessories such as full bodykits, redesigned interiors and an option for an aluminium spoiler. Later that year, all the Wira and Satria variants included the same front bumper as the WiSE.
Several Proton models released following the Wira's debut sported frontal stylings that were derivatives of the Wira's. Among them, the original Satria 3-door hatchback, the Putra 2-door "sports"coupé, and the Arena coupe utility.
In an attempt to find a suitable successor to the Wira, the Gen-2, a hatchback codenamed the Wira Replacement Model, was designed and developed in-house by Proton, and was launched in 2004. In August 2007, the Persona, a new sedan model directly based on the Gen-2, was introduced. Its introduction is seen as a legitimate replacement for the Proton Wira range.

Specifications

In its first series, a 1.3-litre 12-valve engine was available on basic-specification Proton Wiras. The Mitsubishi 4G15 1.5-litre 12-valve engine used in the Iswara and its predecessor the Saga was carried over unchanged. The Mitsubishi 4G92 113 PS (83 kW; 111 hp) 1.6L 16-valve SOHC engine with multi-point fuel injection was introduced together with an optional 4-speed automatic transmission (and power windows for all 4 doors), a first in Proton's history. The multi-point injection versions were badged as MPi, although this was only used on the engine, and never on the trim levels (unlike 1.5 MPi GLS in the previous car, the Saga, the trim levels were simply 1.5 GLS etc.).
In 1995, the Mitsubishi 4G13 1.3-litre 12-valve engine also used in the Saga was introduced for the Wira. This was followed in 1996 by the 133 bhp (99 kW) 1.8L 16-valve DOHC engine with multi-point fuel injection, making Wira a first Proton car to be powered by a DOHC engine. At the same time, a 2.0-litre diesel-powered variant (badged as the 2.0D, or the SDi in some markets) was also offered but was later phased out in later years due to lack of interest from consumers. The diesel-powered Wira is to date the only diesel vehicle produced by Proton. From 1999, all engine options for the Wira in Malaysian market were fuel-injected and carbureted models were phased out.
In 2001 the Wira received suspension tuning from Lotus.

Safety features

Like most other Proton cars of its time, the Proton Wira did not offer any safety features other than the standard three-point safety belts with pretensioners and laminated windshield. Export models however saw a much better build quality with safety features such as a driver-side airbag, door intrusion bars and ABS, which were also available as options in the later Malaysian models.

Exports

In 1994, exports to the United Kingdom began where it was marketed as the Proton Persona (not to be confused with the latest 2007 sedan model by Proton). As with the Saga, all export models used multi-point fuel injection to comply with the Euro I emissions standards. The UK market also had a turbo diesel engine in the range, called TDi. In 2001, the Wira name was finally used in the United Kingdom, replacing the Persona name. The Wira was subsequently replaced by the Proton Impian (known in Malaysia as the Waja) in 2002.
In 2005, Zagross Khodro began assembly of Wira complete knock down units for the Iranian market as part of a deal with Proton.

Gallery

Side profile of Proton Wira	Proton Wira saloon
A Proton Wira 5-door hatchback Special Edition model with standard body kit and larger 16 inch rims	Facelifted rear end for models after 1995

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Last updated on 25 June 2013 at 05:14.