The Proton Inspira is a four-door compact saloon produced by Malaysian automobile manufacturer Proton which launched on 10 November 2010. It is sold exclusively in Malaysia as a rebadged ninth generation and current Mitsubishi Lancer as the result of a collaboration between Mitsubishi Motors and Proton. It shares the same DaimlerChrysler/Mitsubishi Motors GS platform with the Mitsubishi Lancer . The Inspira succeeded the Proton Waja, and complements the indigenously-designedProton Prevé in the Malaysian market.
Inspira is the Spanish word for Inspire
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Proton renewed a technological transfer agreement with Mitsubishi Motors, an agreement that in the mid-1980s was fundamental to Proton’s origins. Mitsubishi would get the Exora for rebadge in Japan under them as fair technology sharing.
With the coming of Inspira, many were delighted that they could buy a Japanese model at a cheaper price. To prove this, 1,100 orders were received within the first 10 days after dealers began accepting bookings for the Inspira. Price-wise, the Inspira costs significantly less than the Lancer in Malaysia because it is made locally, whereas the Mitsubishi is imported as a CBU from Japan. Not only are import duties lower, but the investment Proton made to produce the model locally entitles it to financial incentives that allow it to bring down retail prices. Such incentives are offered to any company that makes its vehicles in Malaysia, but Proton gets a big chunk because it has the biggest investments, including R&D.
However, Proton has been criticised because taking advantage of their relationship with Mitsubishi Motors. This is because Proton has added Lotus handling and auto-cruise to the Proton Inspira that makes it more value for money. The Inspira has a Mitsubishi powertrain with a 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre MIVEC engines paired with CVTs. The Malaysian-market Lancer is only offered in 2.0-litre model mated with CVT, making it heads on with Inspira 2.0. However, based on data in both Mitsubishi Malaysia and Proton, Inspira engine gets 110 kW power (contrary to 114 kW on Lancer’s), as well as 197Nm torque (slightly less than Lancer’s 199Nm), both in the same engine rpm of 6,000 and 4,250 respectively. Furthermore, Inspira gets 16 inch alloy wheels mated with 205/60 tyres while Lancer received larger and wider 18 inch wheels on 215/45 tyres.
Proton group managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir has reportedly said that it would cost Proton as much as RM700mil (USD230mil) to develop a new car from the ground up but only half the amount via its collaboration with Mitsubishi Motors. This enables the Proton Inspira to be marketed at a cheaper price.[1
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