Malaysia - Not-for-India Proton P2-30A global small car continues testing

The Proton P2-30A, the Malaysian carmaker's upcoming global product, has been testing extensively. The small car is touted to succeed the Saavy and a pair of test mules have been spotted testing once again, this time by Paultan.org's reader Jaggat, near Kuala Lampur International Airport.

Both the prototypes are heavily camouflaged but one of them partially reveals the blue exterior color which appears to be the Atlantic Blue shade available on the Proton Suprima S. Our in-house design expert, Shoeb's rendering of the P2-30A gives a good idea on how the finished product would look like.

Media reports indicate that the P2-30A could be named the Proton Iriz. The company said that it cost around RM300 million (almost INR 570 crores) to develop the new small car making it more expensive than initially anticipated. Proton has asked the government to reimburse a part of the R&D expenses.

The Proton Iriz would be revealed sometime later this year and will go on sale in several international markets in Asia and Europe. Competition for the global hatchback would come from the VW Up!, Hyundai i10, Honda Brio and the likes.

Proton has no plans yet to explore the hatchback-friendly Indian market and hence it is highly unlikely for the P2-30A to come to India.

Competitors: Hyundai i10, VW Up!, Honda Brio

[Spy images from Paultan.org]