Proton Waja: Proton’s first own-design saloon

The Proton Waja is a saloon that Proton launched in May 2000, introduced by Malaysia’s fourth prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad. It was presented as the first indigenously designed Malaysian car, although its chassis was a modified Mitsubishi Carisma and Volvo S40 platform. In Britain it was sold as the Proton Impian.

Proton Waja at a glance

Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Proton Waja.

History of the Proton Waja

The Waja was launched on 8 May 2000 together with Proton’s new corporate logo. The name means steel, and in Britain the car was called the Impian, another Malay word, meaning dream. Proton presented it as the first indigenously designed Malaysian car, but the chassis was later revealed as a modified adaptation of the Mitsubishi Carisma and Volvo S40 platform, and early cars used Mitsubishi and Renault engines because Proton’s own CamPro was not ready. The first batches had no airbags or ABS and came only with fabric seats. Over 292,556 Wajas were sold between 2000 and 2012; cars with the 1.6-litre Mitsubishi 4G18 engine accounted for most of them, followed by the 1.6 CamPro and the 1.8-litre Renault F4P.

Versions

The Waja 1.6X of 6 October 2001 was automatic only and added semi-automatic air conditioning, ABS with brake assist and EBD, a semi-wood steering wheel, wood-grain trim, full leather seats, a Clarion stereo with a six-disc changer, a rear armrest with cup holders and a driver’s airbag. In 2002 the 1.8X arrived with the Renault F4P engine from the Laguna, a passenger airbag and larger front discs. A limited-edition 20th Anniversary model of 2005, also called P20Y, used the Mitsubishi engine and had leather seats with an embossed logo and a chrome U-shaped grille surround. At the end of 2005 came the Chancellor, with a longer wheelbase and a 2.0-litre Mitsubishi 6A12 V6 similar to the Perdana V6’s, used by ASEAN representatives before its 2006 launch.

Updates

In January 2006 the CamPro S4PH engine arrived, along with leather seats, a beige and brown interior, a new instrument cluster, redesigned air vents and a double-DIN CD player with MP3 support. June 2006 brought a honeycomb lower grille, new headlamps and the thermometer-style tail lights. In August 2006 the R3 division built the Waja MME Edition alongside a Gen-2 MME Edition to mark its endurance race win, 200 units of each in Deep Burgundy with a body kit, sports exhaust, 16-inch wheels and upgraded brakes. The Waja was facelifted in 2007 with new lights, bonnet, bumper and grille, and in 2008 received the 125 PS CamPro CPS engine with ABS and an airbag as standard in Malaysia. Proton also raced the Waja in the British Touring Car Championship from 2002.

Design and features

• Own-design claim: Proton’s first car presented as indigenously designed.
• Mixed engines: Mitsubishi, Renault and finally Proton CamPro units.
• Luxury trims: the 1.6X and 1.8X added leather, ABS and better audio.
• Long-wheelbase Chancellor: a V6 version for official use.

Proton Waja versions

• Waja 1.6 (2000): the launch car with the Mitsubishi 4G18 engine.
• Waja 1.6X (2001): automatic with luxury equipment.
• Waja 1.8X (2002): Renault F4P engine and a passenger airbag.
• Waja 20th Anniversary (2005): limited edition with leather and chrome trim.
• Waja Chancellor (2005): long wheelbase and a 2.0-litre V6.
• Waja MME Edition (2006): 200 cars from the R3 division.

The Waja was replaced in the range by the Proton Persona and sat below the Proton Perdana. More models are in the Proton collection.

Video: 2001 Proton Waja 1.6 Start-Up and Full Vehicle Tour

Video on YouTube.

Sources

• Proton Waja, English Wikipedia: history, versions, updates, motorsport