thats what i called an honest review. a sporty car that isn't sporty, yet far from comfort. thats excatly what i think of it.

just wait till those savvy supporters wake up

http://carpoint.ninemsn.com.au/car-review/1636308.aspx

OVERVIEW
Malaysian car-maker Proton has kicked more behinds than goals during its time in Australia.

The brand had some success with its Satria small car -- especially among devotees of 'hot fours', who went for the GTi version. It bombed with its Lotus-tweaked Waja, which was priced, let's just say, ambitiously. And its most recent Gen II small car hasn't pressed many emotional buttons out there in buyer land either.

Perhaps Proton's biggest success has been the Satria-based Jumbuck, which took up where Subaru's much-loved Brumby left off (albeit with two-wheel drive only) as a cheap and cheerful half-tonne ute.

The newcomer in Proton's Australian range, the cheekily-named Savvy small car (actually, it slots into the VFACTS light car category) arrives with unusual looks which you'll either like instantly or, probably, eventually. Lotus also has had some input into this car (Proton owns the iconic English carmaker) in terms of ride and handling, and some design elements.

Proton's also happy to highlight the fact that the Savvy carries certification from the internationally-recognised, German compliance engineering, testing and quality registration group, TUV Rheinland. TUV certified the overall vehicle and went through the whole build process, including the componentry suppliers to Proton.

Importantly, the Savvy arrives with a $13,990 pricetag for a five-door hatchback with five-speed manual gearbox and a solid features list. A similarly five-speed clutchless A/MT (automatic/manual transmission) version -- a first in this price bracket -- is $1000 extra.

Holden's Daewoo-sourced Barina three-door may lead the market at $12,990, but the Savvy offers five doors -- and a better standard equipment list -- for a grand. On the surface, impressive pricing...

Importantly, the Savvy claims hybrid-like fuel economy. Its combined city and highway figure is 5.7lt/100km, and the A/MT-equipped Savvy is said to deliver an impressive 4.5lt/100km, marginally better than the five-speed manual.

However, there's a sting in the Savvy's fuel economy tale... You'll read about it shortly.


FEATURES
The Savvy arrives in one model level only, the A/MT version being the only differentiator from the standard offering. Under its clamshell-like bonnet is a 1.2-litre, SOHC four-cylinder engine driving the front wheels.

Proton Cars Australia has chosen to equip the Savvy generously. Standard equipment includes driver and front passenger airbags, an anti-lock braking system, front fog lamps, parking sensors, CD player, power front windows (the side mirrors need to be adjusted manually, however), air-conditioning, remote central locking, 15-inch alloy wheels (the spare's a space-saver and is located under the boot floor) and decent tyres.

The driver's bucket seat offers fore and aft tilt via a big, triangular knob on its base. But don't look for steering wheel height adjustment -- it's not there.

In what we're told is another Lotus-inspired touch, the two main instrument dials are yellow-faced. Again, you're either going to love 'em or need to warm to them. At least they're different and add to the Savvy's cheekiness.


COMFORT
Inside, the Savvy is comfortable without being warm and inviting. The first things you notice when you open the driver's door are the grey-fabric trimmed seats -- with fine polka-dot inserts -- the hard plastic dashboard and, yes, those hard-to-miss yellow-face instruments.

Sit in the driver's seat, and you'll notice that it offers good support, both in terms of its cushion and the firmish lateral bolsters on the seat squab. The thick-rimmed plastic steering wheel feels good in your hands, too.

Both the above-mentioned attributes work well in combination with perhaps the Savvy's biggest plus ... it's surprisingly good ride and handling. (See 'On the Road' below.)

The car is roomy inside, too. Drivers and front seat passengers hovering around 183cm won't have too many complaints about head and shoulder room. Rear seat passengers of the same stature may be challenged for headroom, but legroom's okay, front and rear. We didn't get to sit on the rear seat for any great distance, but wouldn't be surprised if that thin-cushion, sat slap-bang on the car's raised floor, gets a bit wearing after a while.

The rear bench is split 50-50 and either or both sides can be folded flat by lifting the lightweight cushion up and swinging it forward, parking it against the back of the front seat. By removing the head restraint/s, you're than able to fold the squabs flat.


SAFETY
We've already mentioned the two airbags up front, which is good news. However, the not-so-good news is that the centre-rear seat belt is a lap-only item. Bargain basement price or not, this isn't really isn't on nowadays.

Proton also makes big claims for the Savvy's structural integrity, the car having achieved a three-star rating in the Australia-recognised Euro NCAP crash tests.

Active safety equipment includes the ABS braking system -- working on class-standard disc front/rear drum brakes -- and EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution). Both are generous standard additions at this pricepoint.


MECHANICALS
The 1.2-litre multipoint injection, four cylinder engine is sourced from Renault (as are both the manual and AM/T transmissions) and develops a modest 55kW of power at 5500rpm and 105Nm of torque at 4250rpm.
Proton says 90 per cent of the engine's torque is available between 1750 and 4250rpm.

The engine is Euro4 emissions compliant with what's said to be exemplary CO2 emissions of 118g/km.

All of which is well and good. The surprise, however, is in the fact that the engine sips only 95 octane unleaded, which can range from three to six cents a litre more expensive than regular unleaded. At those prices, filling the 40-litre tank will cost you between $1.20 and $2.40 more than regular unleaded. Small change maybe, but worth adding into your price of ownership calculations.

Gear ratios are identical in both transmissions, with fifth an overdrive 0.821:1 and final drive ratio of 4.214.

Suspension is pretty much regulation struts at the front with gas dampers and L-arms off the front subframe. The rear is a semi-independent torsion beam set-up, again with gas dampers.

Brakes are ventilated discs at the front and drums at the rear, with the aforementioned ABS and EBD systems distinctly worthwhile standard additions.


COMPETITORS
The Savvy arrives in the sharpest, most hotly-contested end of the market. Calling it cut-throat is putting it mildly.

In terms of its five-door competition, the Savvy's $13,990 gives it big bargaining power.

Of the major players, Holden's badge-engineered Barina is $14,490 and comes with power windows and mirrors, together with a CD/MP3 audio system but misses out on the Savvy's standard ABS and alloy wheels (they're part of an $1190 option pack). The four-speed automatic is a $2000 option. The Barina weighs more than the Savvy but counters with 22kW more power and 40Nm more torque.

Ford's German-built Fiesta costs $16,490 in four-door LX form. That's a big price differential in this end of the market, but it's arguably the best drive in the light car category. ABS and EBD is a $700 option, while ABS is packaged with the four-speed automatic as a $2200 option.

Hyundai's Getz also offers substantially more power and torque from its 1.4-litre engine (78kW and 144Nm respectively) but is a chunky 120kg heavier than the little Proton, and, in five-door form, $500 more expensive. ABS with EBD is part of the four-wheel-disc system on 1.6-litre Getz models which, in five-door form will cost you $15,490 for the manual and $17,380 with automatic transmission.

Closest in both engine capacity and claimed fuel economy is the 1.3-litre Honda Jazz GLi, which starts at $15,390 for the five-speed manual and $17,390 for the CVT automatic version. Honda claims a combined 5.7lt/100km from the manual and 5.8lt/100km for the CVT-equipped version. ABS with EBD is standard across the range.

Kia's Rio offers a class-leading 82kW and 145Nm from its 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine and a combined 7.6lt/100km from the five-speed manual-equipped $15,990 version and 8.6lt/100km from its $17,990 four-speed automatic sibling. The Rio weighs in at the bulkiest in this company, at 1215kg. ABS is an $850 option.

The perky Mazda2's 1.5-litre four-cylinder delivers 82kW and 141Nm. It's 135kg heavier than the Savvy, too, and offers a combined 6.6lt/100km from its five-speed manual and 7.0lt/100km in four-speed automatic form. The five-speed manual version of the entry-level Neo is $16,290, while the four-speed automatic is $18,140. A so-called Power Pack -- with power windows, body-colour mirrors and side protection mouldings -- is a $740 option. The worthwhile Power Pack Plus Safety option -- with ABS, EBD and EBA (electronic brake assist) plus side front airbags and curtain airbags front and rear -- adds $1890.

Toyota's Yaris five-door hatchback comes well equipped and starts at $16,190 with manual gearbox and $17,460 with four-speed auto. ABS, EBD and EBA are all standard equipment.

Like we said, hotly-contested!



ON THE ROAD
We can only tell you about the manual gearbox Savvy because there were no AM/Ts on the launch drive. First examples of the auto-manual were due in the country closer to the Savvy's April 3 launch.

Move out into the traffic, and you're in for your first surprise -- the Savvy feels reluctant to build speed. In fact, the engine feels as if it doesn't want to rev at all. You'd hope the engine would loosen-up with more kilometres under its belt. As is, we'd have to say that it felt decidedly sluggish, despite Proton's claims that the Savvy has one of the best power-to-weight ratios in its class.

The gearshift itself feels stiff at first, too, but the gate actually feels accurate and more satisfying than those in most small cars after you get the hang of it.

Head out onto a freeway, and the Savvy's reluctance to rev becomes even more apparent as its noise levels rise to a steady, obvious drone. It may be fuel efficient around 100km/h, but the Savvy doesn't sound happy at those speeds. Most drivers will find themselves reaching for the audio button... And the volume control.

Where the Savvy does shine, however, is when the going gets twisty and (surprise, surprise!) bumpy. Its ride and handling is well sorted, and even the relatively slow steering comes into its own. While it's no ball of fire between the corners -- especially in hilly conditions -- the Savvy feels sure-footed.

The Goodyear Eagle NCT 175/50 R15 tyres are well chosen, offering no-fuss grip and mercifully-quiet cornering in the tight stuff.

In short, the Savvy's definitely a city car that packs a surprise ride and handling punch. If only it had a free-revving, quieter engine to take advantage of its trump card ride and handling package.

http://www.ciao.co.uk/Proton_Savvy__Review_5568065


At the other end of the scale is the Savvy's impressive ride and handling. Proton is quick to give their Lotus subsidiary all of the kudos. And why wouldn't you? The British icon has a solid reputation in chassis engineering. Compliant and controlled, the suspension soaks up bumps big and small, without upsetting the cars' composure. Its direct steering, while not feather light relays all the information you need. Yes the car is aimed at urban dwellers, but the grip and balance of the chassis make it an enjoyable drive along the twisty bits (some extra kilowatts would make it even better). Manufacturers of more expensive cars could learn a thing or two from the little Proton. Braking performance seemed up to the mark as well, a series of downhill bends not proving too tough. The standard ABS is a bonus at this price.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2003090...030262,,00.html

The Savvy has precise steering and handles well, so it has the potential to cope with more power.


heck i can choose whatever i want to post..trust the biased bashers.

try to drive up to 130km/h in a kelisa, kancil and kenari..heck a turbocharged kancil could go 180 kmh .. only a person with balls of steel would go beyond that speed in those cars. you can hold the steering with a hand well beyond 170 km/h in a savvy..some dumb posts in the thread do not deserve a reply.

I believe u making another dump post over here.

That because those cars are not designed to run above 120kmh and above. Only a person with balls of steel will risk his/her life driving 170kmh in the savvy, endangering not only the driver's life but the other road users as well.

I believe ur post does not make any sense as well, so are you encouraging all drivers to drive above the highway speed limit? Oh god

This post has been edited by travis_ckf: May 18 2006, 09:36 AM

true true driving beyond that speed for a savvy is really a...stupid idea not even the so called tough tortoise shell that score euro NCAP 3 can save even your puny balls if something went wrong (put into simple words...hancur berkecai)

anyway savvy is meant for city driving. bout driving it on highway...no way man...

This post has been edited by cfyung85: May 18 2006, 09:49 AM

I second that.. I doubt proton make car to target what market.. Savvy luanch then said it can go how fast.. target for racer??

thats y the way plotong advertise is to con those small kiddies only the use of comics, monsters, cartoons...WTH advertise a slow tortoise as if it can outrace an F1 i think even those pro street racer gonna laugh at how those ah beng fly their savvy

anyway back to topic. i think savvy is nice if it is advertised in a more professional way like the myvi. no point showing how fast it can go n how thrilling it can be. what can people expect from a 1.2 engine? if for me basically i'll buy it n i'll drive it like a true tortoise

This post has been edited by cfyung85: May 18 2006, 09:58 AM

lol you're making assumption..did i encourage people to go beyond the speed limit anywhere in my post? The point is stability at hight speed , Savvy is a great hiway cruiser like waja gen.2, at high speed you won't have that floating sensation like other cars., the steering and the car feels heavy..at 110 or 170 km/h it's ur choice... I think people is smart enogh 110kmh is the limit isnt it.. a big SIGH,

proton's goal should be making an everyday car. just like ford mondeo in european. they did okay with saga, iswara and wira if you dont mind the quality. as far as sporty goes, in a proton, no thanks. well it's okay with GTi coz at least its properly shaped as a car, not a box.

the engine is good, the car is a good performer, just compare it with the new naza cars and wit h 1.4 engine. savvy owned both, best in its class.. and thats why the they emphasize on it...... i agree the comic ad is disastrous..

But you can't beat Japanese car reliability still, and that buys customers' heart.

Savvy engine best of it's class? Try compare to the K3-VE or the 1NZ-FE then.

However i believe the K3-VE may be less powerful than the 1.2 engine from the savvy, but still it will has lesser problems and more durable and easier to maintain in our country.

As dstl1128 says, u cant beat Japanese's reliability, no matter who heartless or soulness that car will be.

no need to debate. as long as his savvy can do 170km/h and the steering doesn't vibrate, none of the problem will be a problem for him.

good said.. that's all the requirement..

u put 1NZ-FE later he said that is much higher CC la.. not fair.. perhaps a 2NE-FE? only 100cc higher.. comparable..

should be 2NZ-FE, 85bhp.

Getting an etra 10HP from that Renault unit shuldn't be too much of a problem.

I am just waiting for him to say savvy can beat a BMW in handling....

It could be one day he will say the proton savvy will be the best car in the world, beating the buggati veyron.