Is this a Proton Saga R3 prototype? From first impressions it’s got a very familiar front bumper (like the Satria Neo R3 2010) and the R3 Advanti rims from the new Satria Neo R3 2011. Looking pretty fierce don’t you think?

Submitted by Kamarul Zainuddin. Got tips? Send them to us at info[at]r3gister.org.

Late last year, Proton Motorsports or R3, showcased a saliva-inducing 180bhp turbocharged Satria Neo R3 shocker at KLIMS 2010. Never to be ones to rest on their laurels, they unveiled a supercharged prototype, outputting a yummilicious 180bhp and 200Nm torque, last month. Exterior-wise, the car houses a bodykit similar to last year’s Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing edition, with a black paint finish, red highlights and gold trimmings. The interior features the contrasty red and black combination, synonymous with previous generation R3 vehicles.

The supercharger is sourced from Australia, from a company called Sprintex. Early in the year Proton design house Proreka signed a MOU with ATG to establish a JV Sprintex supercharger manufacturing facility in Malaysia and to market and distribute ATG’s Sprintex® supercharger product range in the ASEAN region and Japan. The establishment of JV with Proreka would reduce ATG’s supercharger costs by approximately 50%.

Will we see supercharged Protons in the near future? We certainly hope so!

More from Paultan.org and Fastmotoring.com

Sneak Peak: The Future of Lotus Customisation

Is it always wise to customise? Lotus seems to think so, although doing it right’s the key. Coming March at the Geneva Motor Show, Lotus is set to reveal the multi-award winning Lotus Evora as you’ve never seen it before.

Contrary to what some media is saying, this is NOT an Evora facelift. Instead, it’s a taste of the future of Lotus product customisation. What’s to come from Lotus looks mighty interesting.

Lotus will be at Geneva Motor Show – Where: The Lotus stand, Hall 1, Stand 1031 @ 2.15pm, Tuesday 1st March 2011.

Pop by to Lotus for more news.

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The all-new 2011 R3 Satria Neo. No official pics as yet but a couple shown here are based on the R3 Satria Neo Concept test-driven by T. Yamano in Japan. More pics and video after the jump.

Pic source: Hadzwan Hamzah

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JxV0dten30

2011 R3 Satria Neo: It’s Official!

The much-anticipated 2011 R3 Satria Neo was officially launched by PROTON yesterday. True to the speculated specs, the R3 Satria Neo is powered by the same 145bhp (@ 7,000rpm) / 168Nm @ 5,000rpm torque Stage 2 CAMPRO powerplant that powers the R3 Satria Neo Lotus Racing.

Sporting re-profiled camshafts with tuned ECU fuel mapping for enhanced performance, it also features a custom carbon fibre air intake system, a high flow 4-2-1 performance exhaust system as well as lightweight adjustable aluminium camshaft pulleys. The tuned CAMPRO lump is mated to a close-ratio 5-speed gearbox which we assume is donated from a 1.3 Satria Neo. Weighing in at a scant 1,200kg, performance figures should be in the low 9s range for 0-100km/h sprint with a top speed of 205km/h. In addition to that, the R3 Satria Neo is fitted with high performance 500-degree rated brake pads for optimum braking power.

The new R3 hot hatch comes only in Fire Red metallic finish with a black painted roof,  together with a full CPS bodykit and redesigned rear spoiler. It’s also fitted with R3 16” inch gunmetal lightweight alloys wrapped in sticky soft-compound Bridgestone Potenza RE001R 205/45 series profile tyres.

R3, as you know, pride themselves not just for their styling and engine performance capabilities, but also for their well-respected prowess in the ride and handling department. The R3 Satria Neo is fitted with tuned R3 performance springs paired with standard absorbers, that drop the car 10mm lower to reduce body roll. R3 also did their magic by calibrating alignment, toe and camber settings to increase grip and steering precision.

To complement its fiery exterior,  R3 has fitted limited edition front bucket seats wrapped in Nappa leather with micro fiber finish and carbon effect PVC, detailed in red stitching. The racy interior continues with matte red dashboard trims, gear console and handbrake handle, two-tone door trims and R3 floor carpets.

Like the R3 Satria Neo Lotus Racing, the car features an engine start button. Aluminium foot pedals and gear knob completes the driver-centric interior. All cars come with solar and security protection. For those who insist on listening to the stereo instead of the throaty intake or growling exhaust will be happy to know that a 2-DIN audio head unit with 3D GPS navigation is included as standard. Active and passive safety features include dual front airbags, and anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD).

The R3 Satria Neo is priced at RM79,797 (MT Metallic) and is available for immediate booking at all PROTON Edar showrooms in Peninsular Malaysia. Booking fee is RM2,000 and lucky early birds will be invited to the launch event and get photographed with star drivers, R3 Head and champion drifter – Tengku Djan Ley and chassis engineer and race driver Faidzil Alang.

Features at a glance

Performance:

• Power: 145bhp @ 7,000rpm
• Torque: 168Nm @ 5,000rpm
• Weight: 1200kg

Engine

• Carbon Fiber Intake System
• Reprofiled Cams
• Recalibrated ECU
• High Flow 4-2-1 Extractor
• Tuned exhaust system
• Lightweight Adjustable Aluminium pulleys

Chassis

• 16″ Lightweight R3 Gunmetal Wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza RE001R in 205/45 rubber
• 500-degree Celcius rated brake pads
• R3 Springs with tuned suspension settings

Exterior

• Fire Red metallic paint with black roof
• Full CPS Bodykit
• New R3 Front splitter
• New R3 Rear wing

Interior

• R3 Limited Edition seats in Nappa Leather
• 2-Tone black interior detailed in red stitching
• Matt-red dashboard trims
• R3 floor mats
• Engine start button
• Aluminium foot pedals and gear knob
• Solar and security protection
• 2-DIN audio head unit with 3D GPS navigation

So what are you waiting for? Book la! Call 1-300-880-888 or log on to www.r3.proton.com

Artist Impression of the Satria Neo R3 RS-spec

Proton Satria Neo R3 RS To Come in 2011

Following up on the preview of the drool-worthy Satria Neo R3 Concept previewed at KLIMS 2010 yesterday, a spokesperson from R3 revealed that a RS-spec Satria Neo R3 will be launched some time next year. R3 is expected to only build 70 units of these babies.

Powered by the same 1.6-litre CamPro CPS from the Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing which outputs 145hp (108kW) @7,000rpm and 168Nm @ 5,000rpm, the upcoming SNR3 RS will feature many of the performance bits currently seen on the SNR3 Lotus Racing edition. Gone, however, will be the OHLINS suspension and 4-pot AP Racing brakes, instead replaced by R3 lowering spring set over stock dampers and 400-degree semi-race brake pads up front.

The many enhancements like the R3 engine management system, R3 camshafts with adjustable pulleys, R3 Titanium headers, R3-tuned exhaust system and R3 carbon fibre intake box is expected to remain intact. Exterior-wise, the SNR3 RS will be painted metallic red with a black roof top. The aggressive wide body styling with aerodynamic FRP bumpers both front and rear will be complemented by a R3 carbon fibre bonnet. Also expect lightweight 16″ Advanti rims wrapped in sticky Bridgestone rubber.

No specs were revealed regarding the interior, but we anticipate Nappa leather with faux carbon fibre bits and semi-bucket Recaro seats.

It’s going to be mighty exciting for R3 in 2011 so stay tuned!

PROTON Satria NEO R3 Concept car @ KLIMS 2010

PROTON showcased a menacing, track-focused Satria Neo R3 Concept at KLIMS 2010 today, setting a new benchmark in performance within PROTON’s product line up. Powered by a R3-developed turbocharged CAMPRO CPS which outputs 200hp and 250Nm of torque, this is the fastest Neo by PROTON to date and purposely built as a Time Attack weapon. The  signature R3-red is gone, replaced with new yellow-striped livery. Enough goodies to satisfy hardcore nuts and R3 fans alike!

Some specs at a glance:

• AP Racing brakes and Ohlins suspension system provides the ultimate driving experience
• Racing aerodynamics enhanced by R3-designed bodykit with a front splitter for optimal down force
• Lightweight carbon fibre bonnet and FRP fenders to reduce overall weight
• Recaro shell seats provides ultimate driver support during spirited driving
• SPARCO steering wheel R323 for added control
• Integrated, colour-coded half cage gives added protection to driver.

Detailed Vehicle Specifications

BODY

• PROTON SATRIA NEO
• 2 door compact
• R3 bolt-on CDS 4-point half roll-cage

DIMENSIONS

• Overall length – 4473mm
• Width – 1821mm
• Wheelbase – 2600mm
• Track front – 1488mm
• Track rear – 1488mm

ENGINE

• 16V 1597cc CAMPRO 4-cylinder in line DOHC
• R3 forged pistons 11:1 comp ratio
• R3 steel conrod
• R3 performance camshafts
• R3 reworked cylinder head
• R3 4-2 exhaust system stage 3
• R3 carbon airbox
• R3 management computer
• 170PS/200hp & 200Nm @ wheel

TRANSMISSION

• R3-spec close ratio gearbox

INTERIOR

• R3-designed interior wrapped with Alcantara and Nappa leather
• SPARCO steering wheel R323, 330mm with R3 60mm spacer
• R3 4-point half roll-cage, colour-coded yellow

SUSPENSION

Front

• McPherson strut with stabiliser bar
• R3-tuned Ohlins coilovers

Rear

• Multi link with stabiliser bar
• R3-tuned Ohlins coil over

WHEELS AND TYRES

• R3-designed 15” wheels M7510 Wheel Assy 15 x 7 ET 37
• Bridgestone Potenza RE55S semi slick tyre 190/50 R15

BRAKES

• AP Racing 4-pot brake system
• AP Racing floating disc 295mm
• AP Racing performance brake pads

Picture Gallery

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Visit the Proton Motorsports blog site at , like the Official Proton Satria Neo Super 2000 page or follow Proton Motorsports on Twitter.

The Lotus Elise. The much-loved, super lightweight, no-frills track weapon. Every petrolhead’s weekend track escape. It’s the car that clearly defines Sir Colin Chapman’s Lotus DNA. Power through lightweight. Sad to say that the new direction of Lotus, as seen at the Paris Motor Show, will be a heftier one.

The new Elise, to be launched in 2015, will put on more than several kilos, weighing in at 1,100 big ones. Powered by a two-litre turbocharged four-pot making 320bhp, it will be mated to a six speed manual or optional paddle-shift auto transmission. Expect it to hit 0-100km/h in a scant 4.3 seconds.

The Elise will no doubt be a hit-and-run with some. Gone will be the bubbly side profile. Replaced with a Lambo-ish front and modern, sleek silhouette. No longer the no-frills little Lotus that we know and love. A touch more luxury and accessible. Let’s just hope, moving forward, that it doesn’t lose the trademark ride, handling prowess and driver engagement.

What do you think of the new Elise? Would you trade lightweight for that extra touch of luxury?

Image sourced from Lotus Cars

Ah, the Esprit. Turbo-charged V8, rear-mid engined, rear-wheel drive, two-door sports car. A true classic, the Esprit was produced between 1972 to 2004. I had the opportunity to sit in a S4 way back in 2003 when I was in the UK. Sweet temperamental thing.

Image sourced from Wikipedia

Fast forward to 2010. Lotus revealed that they are reviving the Esprit with an all-new look, set to be released in 2013. With obvious design cues from the classic, Lotus dumps the turbocharged four cyclinder of old, for a far meatier supercharged 5.0-liter V8. With 620-bhp on tap, the Esprit will hit 0-100km/h in 3.5 seconds, and break the 330km/h top speed barrier. Like the Eterne and Elan, The Esprit will also come with an optional KERS.

What do you think of Lotus’ revival of the Esprit? Does the modern re-take of it do the classic Esprit justice? Tell us!

Image sourced from Lotus Cars

A hybrid concept that goes head-on with the Porsche Panamera? You bet. The Eterne is a four-door sedan with an optional hybrid powertrain, powered by a 620-bhp 5.0-liter V8 lump from Toyota (who else???). The hybrid drivetrain uses a KERS energy recuperation system (just like F1), and will be available in both rear- and all-wheel drive. As far as performance specs go, how’s 0-60km/h in 4 seconds flat and a top speed of 310km/h sound? The Eterne is expected to be available in 2015 and will cost a lot of money, obviously.

What do you think of the Eterne?