Pour one out for the Proton Iriz, manufacturing of which has apparently ended this week with the final physique, #97576, having been churned out by the Tanjong Malim plant on September 9. That’s in accordance with the above picture that has surfaced on the Proton Iriz Membership Malaysia (PICM) Fb group, quashing any hope of the hatchback receiving a Saga-style makeover.
Whereas the nationwide carmaker has but to announce the information publicly (and the automotive remains to be listed on the official web site), it’s probably that gross sales will finish quietly, as was the case with the Exora MPV in 2023. Because of this Proton will quickly be with out a hatch in its lineup for the primary time because it launched the Mitsubishi Mirage-based Satria method again in 1994.
It’s a case of what may have been for the Iriz, which was launched with a lot fanfare virtually precisely 11 years in the past because the automotive that might take the Proton title abroad and save the corporate. You may hint the mannequin’s roots all the way in which again to 2010 with the Giugiaro-designed EMAS idea (to not be confused with the eMas 7 EV that took the title 14 years later) that made headlines on the Geneva Motor Present that 12 months.
Not a lot of Proton’s splashy interval truly got here to fruition – do not forget that it was additionally throughout this time that it introduced vary extender EVs to the UK and made the now-infamous announcement to launch 5 new Lotus fashions on the Paris present. However simply three years later, the world would catch a glimpse of what the EMAS was turning into with the first spyshots of what was then often known as the International Small Automotive (GSC).
Yours actually joined paultan.org in early 2014, simply as growth of the automotive was correctly gaining velocity, with photographs of disguised prototypes being despatched to our inbox seemingly each week. It was a really astonishing interval as we learnt an increasing number of in regards to the automotive because the months progressed, with whispers of “Myvi killer” suggesting that Proton was critical about attempting to beat Perodua at its personal recreation.
The Iriz ultimately made its debut on September 25 that 12 months (who may neglect the tagline “Betul2 Onz”?). Provided in 1.3 and 1.6 litre variations and retailing between RM42,438 to RM62,888, it was priced to deal with the Myvi head-on and specced to beat it – significantly the place security was involved. I even managed to change into one of many first folks to drive the automotive on the launch, describing it as a promising however flawed machine.
Sadly for Proton, Perodua minimize its legs from below it by launching the smaller and cheaper Axia simply ten days earlier than it, stealing its thunder. Solely one in every of these two automobiles ever obtained a second technology – take a guess as to which one.
In the long run, the Iriz by no means fairly managed to satisfy the frankly unrealistic expectations it was burdened with. That triggered a dramatic curbing of its future plans – it by no means did handle to get exported to the UK, Australia or Europe (though it did find yourself being become an R5 rally automotive within the UK, reaching modest success), and it additionally by no means obtained the driver help package deal it was examined with, whilst Perodua rolled out its personal Superior Security Help (ASA) expertise throughout its lineup.
Neither did the Iriz obtain the electrical model that it was designed for – and which resulted within the automotive’s tallboy design – nor the sportier turbocharged engine (paired with a six-speed handbook gearbox, no much less) that was teased; these Proton firsts ended up going to later Geely-developed merchandise. We nonetheless haven’t forgiven the corporate for denying us the pukka Iriz R3 of our goals.
To its credit score, Proton did give the Iriz a number of updates over time to deal with points with refinement and CVT efficiency. These included two vital facelifts in 2019 and 2021 because of Geely funding, the final one turning it right into a surprisingly enticing automotive and at last bringing the rugged-looking Energetic variant into manufacturing (albeit in considerably watered-down type).
The Iriz additionally sired a sedan model in 2016 within the form of the third-generation Persona. That automotive ended up changing into extra profitable, repeating the impact seen on the earlier mannequin versus the Gen.2 and indicating that Proton arguably ought to have led with the four-door model first. As but, there is no such thing as a information about whether or not manufacturing of the Persona would finish alongside the Iriz, though we suspect it is going to soldier on for a pair extra years at the very least.
I believe we’ve mentioned sufficient in regards to the Iriz, which will likely be fondly remembered (our personal Hafriz Shah will – he even purchased one!) regardless of not setting the gross sales charts on fireplace. Take a bow, you likeable not-so-International Small Automotive, and revel in your well-deserved retirement.
GALLERY: 2021 Proton Iriz Energetic in Malaysia
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