Proton Persona

Proton does not build many cars like the Proton Persona: a 2-door coupé / 3-door hatchback / 4-door saloon / 5-door hatchback, built from 1993 to 2026 when airbags, anti-lock brakes and Japanese build quality became the world standard.

How it came about

The Proton Persona is a series of compact and subcompact cars produced by Malaysian automobile manufacturer Proton from 1993 to 2026. The first generation Proton Persona (C90) refers to the export name given to the Proton Wira. The first use of the 'Proton Persona' nameplate dates back to November 1993 in the British market. The original Persona was later joined by the 3-door Persona Compact, and 2-door Persona Coupé. The second generation Proton Persona (CM) was launched in August 2007. The CM series is the first Proton model to use the 'Persona' nameplate in its home market. It is based on an extended Proton GEN•2 platform, and was sold as a saloon complement to the GEN•2 hatchback.

The CM Persona replaced the Proton Wira saloon in Malaysia and the C90 Persona in its export markets. The third generation Proton Persona (BH) was unveiled in August 2016. It is based on an extended Proton Iriz platform, and is sold as a saloon complement to the Iriz hatchback. It directly replaced the nine-year-old CM Persona in its home market. On 23 April 2019, Proton launched a facelifted version of the Persona alongside the Iriz. Proton claimed that both cars had over 300 parts changed and improved. As of 18 February 2021, a black edition of the Persona was launched virtually on Facebook. Production is scheduled to be discontinued in 2026.

Under the skin

The record carries the shape — a 2-door coupé / 3-door hatchback / 4-door saloon / 5-door hatchback. The engine, output and weight have not yet reached the open record, and MotorJury does not guess at them.

Family and rivals

Where it sits in Proton's history is not in doubt: 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 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the Subaru Impreza, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Its Proton stablemates include the Proton Perdana and the Proton Arena.