Proton makes a savvy statement

Published on April 28, 2008

Good looks and decent ride quality challenge the Savvy's cheap price tag

Vijo Varghese

The Nation

Until the recent Bangkok Motor Show, the cheapest car you could buy in Thailand was the Proton Savvy. It was a blessing for many and a cheap, yet usable toy for many others.

But the Savvy was just one among the many more that are set to come. Already in the market is the Naza Forza which costs Bt349,000. If we are lucky, by the end of next year we will see eco-cars that will cost less than Bt400,000 hit the road.

Still, you have to hand it to Proton to be the first one in the Thai market to actually launch a car priced below Bt350,000.

While looks are a subjective matter, the Savvy does grab your attention. The bonnet designed like a clamshell, the bumped-up shoulder line when moving from the first window to the second, the cute looking rear and the wheels - everything looks perfect on the Savvy.

On the inside, however, the Savvy is not so glamorous. Cheap plastics do not feel reliable but aesthetic appeal is still high. The yellow instrument cluster, the black and silver gear lever and the simple centre console seem to be inspired by Lotus, the British sports-car firm which Proton owns.

The top-of-the-line version costs Bt469,000 and comes fitted with powered windows on the front doors, 15-inch alloy wheels and rear parking sensors. The cheapest version with manual gears costs Bt399,000.

The Savvy is proof that a cheap car does not necessarily mean lethargic handling. In fact, the Savvy's suspension setup is so good that auto-makers planning an eco-car must give it a look.

The 1.1-litre engine, bought from Renault, performs efficiently. The unit revs freely and coupled with a 5-speed automated manual gearbox, it will get you to insane speeds of 170kph.

The Savvy is very much an ideal city car. It does all the right things (except for little rattling sounds made by plastics) that you expect from an everyday car. It has luggage space, good drivability and most importantly, good fuel economy. Driven at 120kph, the Savvy delivered 15-16km to the litre during our tests.

Which brings us to reliability and service. Proton says their engines are E10-capable and come with the usual three-year or 100,000km warranty and there is also nationwide coverage. The question then is, will you take a Bt469,000 chance?