Proton Persona (BH)

Proton does not build many cars like the Proton Persona (BH): a 4-door saloon with 1.6 L VVT S4PH DOHC I4, built from 2016 to 2026 as electrification stopped being an experiment and the crossover took every market. Its designer of record is Azlan Othman.

The background

The third-generation Proton Persona (BH), codenamed P2-31A during development, is a subcompact (B-segment) saloon engineered by the Malaysian automobile manufacturer Proton. The BH series represents the third and latest generation in the Proton Persona lineage. It was unveiled on 23 August 2016 as the successor to the CM Persona. The BH Persona is based on an extended Proton Iriz platform and shares the latter's 1.6-litre VVT engine and basic structure, but its exterior design has been completely re-engineered to give it a distinct persona.

The interior of the BH Persona is largely unchanged over the Iriz, with the main exception of the new two-tier colour scheme. The BH Persona is one class smaller than the outgoing CM Persona, but it offers more headroom, comparable rear legroom and a significantly larger boot. The new BH is also more powerful, fuel efficient and sophisticated than the old CM. It is the latest model to carry Proton's newfound 'affordable safety' USP, and all BH Persona variants have been awarded the full five-star rating by ASEAN NCAP.

The engineering

Under the skin sits 1.6 L VVT S4PH DOHC I4. Kerb weight is 1175 –. The gearbox is a 5-speed manual (2016–2021) / CVT. The layout matters: the engine drives the front wheels, the packaging choice that gives a small car a big cabin. The wheelbase is 2555 mm. These are manufacturer figures carried by Wikipedia and Wikidata, not road-test measurements.

Where it sits

Where it sits in Proton's history is not in doubt: the Proton Persona (CM) came before it; the Proton S70 (indirect) followed it; it was built at Proton City, Perak ( ), Malaysia. On a showroom list of its day it stood against the Chevrolet Bolt, the Ford Escort, the Chevrolet Camaro. Its Proton stablemates include the Proton Perdana and the Proton Arena.