Model Update

What’s Australia’s lowest priced new car? With the arrival of the Proton S16 sedan, you can now buy yourself a smart looking set of wheels for under 12k.

Practical and comfortable, the Proton S16 sedan is a roomy, small four-door sedan that is powered by a twin-cam engine. Features on the current model include: an AM/FM/CD audio system, power steering, air conditioning, remote central locking with immobiliser and alarm, a driver’s SRS airbag, seating for five and five cup holders.

Amazing value, you’ll have yourself an economical package that leads the entry level vehicles for new car buyers. There are now three models to choose from.

You definitely won’t be arguing about the price with the talented little Proton S16. There is no other new car in Australia that can match the Proton S16 for value. How does the Proton S16 stack up in other important areas? Read on and you will find out just how immense the Proton S16 package really is.

Yes, I know the ads for the Proton S16 look alright with Rachel Finch as the face of Proton helping to sell Proton’s vehicles. But, actually, the little Proton S16 also has a pretty face all of its own – not to mention exterior. Notable curvy lines accentuate the car’s sporty appearance, and the high waistline gives the Proton S16 a solid on-road presence that is often lacking in small-car designs. Flared wheel arches, a detailed front end that boasts low down driving lights (GX and GXR models), stylish wheels and an antenna that sits proud upon the roof at the centre-front position.

Surprisingly roomy inside, it’s easy to get nicely comfortable in the Proton S16’s plush seats. Plenty of head, leg and shoulder room make travelling in the Proton S16 a relaxed event for four burly adults. Three adults can sit across the rear seat, however the seating positions for the three adults will be snug.

I like the way that Proton has given the S16 a quality feel to its interior. Excellent colour patterns and a refined appearance credit the Proton S16 with panache and style. Pleasing detailing across the dash area, four round air-vents with two of the vents alongside each other in the middle of the dash, a deeply indented storage area for sunnies and knick- knacks on the front passenger side of the dash, clear and easy to use heating functions, and, yes, the Proton S16 has an excellent little audio package that can play your favourite music crisply. It is, in fact, a well presented vehicle that has excellent features for the price you pay. Electric windows, remote control locking, cup-holders and electric wing-mirrors come as standard. Living with the Proton S16’s simplicity makes driving the Proton S16 a completely uncomplicated task.

Slip into the Proton S16’s driver’s seat, and the sporty steering wheel sits neatly into the hands. With a height adjustable driver’s seat and tilt adjustable steering column you’ll feel at home behind the wheel. The instrumentation is clear to read, and at start-up, the engine note is crisp and ready. Easy to drive, the Proton S16 simply goes about its business with a composure and freshness that befits a car with a higher price tag. Notable features of the way the Proton S16 handles the road are: light and direct steering, first-rate grip, controlled braking and a sprightly engine.

How is the Proton S16 served up? There are three versions. The Proton S16 G boasts a powerful 1.3 litre engine that is linked to a five-speed manual gearbox. The ease which with the car can be slipped through the gears makes driving a pleasure. The Proton S16 GX has a few more goodies on-board. A reverse parking sensor, fog lamps, high grade cloth seat upholstery and a four speaker CD unit (as opposed to a two speaker system). Also, under the bonnet of the GX model lies a responsive multi-point-fuel-injected 1.6 litre petrol engine. Fun to drive, and smooth, the Proton S16 GX can be driven at a good clip with good feedback for the driver. You can choose between a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic to do the business in the Proton S16 GX model. Last but not least is the Proton S16 GXR model that is named as the flagship model because it has pre-tensioning seatbelts, the full array of airbags and four audio speakers as standard. If you can run to a few more dollars (and lets face it the new price for the GXR is not that pricey), I reckon the added safety features make this, by far, the better model to own.

The Proton S16 G and S16 GX versions ensure that their safety credentials are getting up with the play– even though their new car prices throw dirt in the face of their competitors. With such a low price, it was agreeable to find that the Proton S16 came equipped with a driver’s SRS airbag, a driver’s seatbelt pre-tensioner, front seat headrests, rear seat headrests and a high mount stop lamp at the rear. Still, do go for the GXR and you’ll have an SRS airbag for the front passenger and a pre-tensioning seatbelt for the front passenger, too.

The Proton S16 has a funky exterior. The colours from which you have to choose from are vivid and appealing. There is vivid white, vivid red, Tranquility black and Genetic silver. Whatever your colour choice, the Proton S16 is a sharp looker. And, you can take it a step further and personalise your S16 with a number of accessories, including body kits, spoilers and alloy wheels.

Get in touch with private Fleet for the new-car deal in Australia.

The current model series includes the:

• S16 G
• S16 GX
• S16 GXR

For anymore information on the Proton S16, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quotes requests out to our national network of Proton dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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