The Proton Iriz is a B-segment supermini that Proton built from 2014 to 2025. It was unveiled on 25 September 2014 at Proton City by Mahathir Mohamad, then Malaysia’s prime minister, and its platform later served the Persona saloon. The name comes from the iris of the eye.
Proton Iriz at a glance
| Maker | Proton, Malaysia |
|---|---|
| Class | B-segment supermini, five-door hatchback |
| Production | 2014–2025 |
| Unveiled | 25 September 2014, Proton City |
| Platform | also used by the Persona (BH) |
| Engines | 1.3- and 1.6-litre VVT petrol |
| Transmissions | manual or automatic |
| Steering | electric power steering |
| Variants at launch | Standard, Executive, Premium |
| Colours at launch | seven |
| Facelift | 23 April 2019 |
| Development cost | RM560 million over four years |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Proton Iriz.
History of the Proton Iriz
Plans for a replacement for the Savvy began with the Proton EMAS concept cars at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, designed by Italdesign Giugiaro and related to the Lotus Ethos. Proton and Lotus wanted to develop the global small car together, the Proton versions aimed at budget buyers and the Lotus ones at the hot hatch market, but the joint venture never went further. Proton also considered a tie-up with Mitsubishi Motors in 2011 for the small car.
The name and the P2-30A
Proton named the car through a public contest, Nama Siapa Hebat? (‘Whose Name Is Greatest?’), which ran from 25 June to 25 July 2013 and asked Malaysians for a Malay name of no more than six letters. On 22 August 2014 chief technical officer Abdul Rashid Musa briefed the press on the car, codenamed P2-30A. It would have 1.3- and 1.6-litre engines with variable valve timing, claimed 10% better fuel economy than the CamPro, electric power steering and a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes, and Proton said it could cover the roughly 800 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam to Johor Bahru on one tank. The car was to carry six airbags, ten electronic systems and Proton’s Reinforced Safety Structure with hot press forming, and Proton promised a five-star ANCAP rating. Three variants were planned, Standard, Executive and Premium, in seven colours. Proton also said the car was not a direct replacement for the much smaller Savvy but a larger B-segment hatchback. Development took four years and cost between RM560 million.
Launch and updates
The launch, originally expected in the first half of 2014, was delayed to 25 September so the car could complete a 100,000 km test cycle. The Iriz was the first all-new model developed under Proton’s new owner, DRB-HICOM. It reached Mauritius in October 2016 and Indonesia in February 2017. A 2017 update brought improvements from the Persona and a 1.6 Executive variant, with the manual gearbox kept only on the base Standard model. In February 2019 Proton released images of a facelift and on 28 February revealed more details; the facelifted Iriz was launched on 23 April 2019 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The 1.6 Executive CVT returned, the manual stayed on the 1.3 Standard, and automatic headlights became standard. Production continued until 2025.
Design and features
- VVT engines: 1.3- and 1.6-litre units, claimed 10% more economical than the CamPro.
- Safety push: six airbags, ten electronic systems and a hot-pressed body structure.
- Electric power steering: easier steering and lower fuel use.
- Three trim lines: Standard, Executive and Premium.
Proton Iriz versions
- Iriz Standard: base trim, later the only one with a manual gearbox.
- Iriz Executive: mid-range trim; a 1.6 Executive returned with the 2019 facelift.
- Iriz Premium: top launch trim.
- 2017 update: revised car with Persona-derived improvements.
- 2019 facelift: new automatic headlights and a 1.6 CVT option.
The Iriz platform was extended for the Proton Persona saloon, and the hatchback was pitched a class above the Proton Savvy. More models are in the Proton collection.
Sources
- Proton Iriz, English Wikipedia: development, launch, engines, updates
