Pour one out for the Proton Iriz, manufacturing of which has apparently ended this week with the final physique, #97576, having been churned out by the Tanjong Malim plant on September 9. That’s in keeping with the above picture that has surfaced on the Proton Iriz Membership Malaysia (PICM) Fb group, quashing any hope of the hatchback receiving a Saga-style makeover.
Whereas the nationwide carmaker has but to announce the information publicly (and the automotive continues to be listed on the official web site), it’s possible that gross sales will finish quietly, as was the case with the Exora MPV in 2023. Because of this Proton will quickly be with out a hatch in its lineup for the primary time because it launched the Mitsubishi Mirage-based Satria manner again in 1994.
It’s a case of what might have been for the Iriz, which was launched with a lot fanfare virtually precisely 11 years in the past because the automotive that may take the Proton identify abroad and save the corporate. You possibly can hint the mannequin’s roots all the best way again to 2010 with the Giugiaro-designed EMAS idea (to not be confused with the eMas 7 EV that took the identify 14 years later) that made headlines on the Geneva Motor Present that yr.
Not a lot of Proton’s splashy interval truly got here to fruition – keep in mind that it was additionally throughout this time that it introduced vary extender EVs to the UK and made the now-infamous announcement to launch 5 new Lotus fashions on the Paris present. However simply three years later, the world would catch a glimpse of what the EMAS was turning into with the first spyshots of what was then often called the World Small Automotive (GSC).
Yours really joined paultan.org in early 2014, simply as growth of the automotive was correctly gaining pace, with pictures of disguised prototypes being despatched to our inbox seemingly each week. It was a really astonishing interval as we learnt increasingly concerning the automotive because the months progressed, with whispers of “Myvi killer” suggesting that Proton was critical about attempting to beat Perodua at its personal recreation.
The Iriz ultimately made its debut on September 25 that yr (who might neglect the tagline “Betul2 Onz”?). Provided in 1.3 and 1.6 litre variations and retailing between RM42,438 to RM62,888, it was priced to deal with the Myvi head-on and specced to beat it – notably the place security was involved. I even managed to grow to be one of many first individuals to drive the automotive on the launch, describing it as a promising however flawed machine.
Sadly for Proton, Perodua reduce its legs from underneath it by launching the smaller and cheaper Axia simply ten days earlier than it, stealing its thunder. Solely considered one of these two vehicles ever acquired a second technology – take a guess as to which one.
Ultimately, the Iriz by no means fairly managed to fulfill the frankly unrealistic expectations it was burdened with. That triggered a dramatic curbing of its future plans – it by no means did handle to get exported to the UK, Australia or Europe (though it did find yourself being was an R5 rally automotive within the UK, reaching modest success), and it additionally by no means acquired the driver help bundle it was examined with, whilst Perodua rolled out its personal Superior Security Help (ASA) expertise throughout its lineup.
Neither did the Iriz obtain the electrical model that it was designed for – and which resulted within the automotive’s tallboy design – nor the sportier turbocharged engine (paired with a six-speed handbook gearbox, no much less) that was teased; these Proton firsts ended up going to later Geely-developed merchandise. We nonetheless haven’t forgiven the corporate for denying us the pukka Iriz R3 of our desires.
To its credit score, Proton did give the Iriz a number of updates over time to handle points with refinement and CVT efficiency. These included two vital facelifts in 2019 and 2021 because of Geely funding, the final one turning it right into a surprisingly enticing automotive and eventually bringing the rugged-looking Lively variant into manufacturing (albeit in considerably watered-down type).
The Iriz additionally sired a sedan model in 2016 within the form of the third-generation Persona. That automotive ended up changing into extra profitable, repeating the impact seen on the earlier mannequin versus the Gen.2 and indicating that Proton arguably ought to have led with the four-door model first. As but, there is no such thing as a information about whether or not manufacturing of the Persona would finish alongside the Iriz, though we suspect it would soldier on for a pair extra years a minimum of.
I believe we’ve stated sufficient concerning the Iriz, which might be fondly remembered (our personal Hafriz Shah will – he even purchased one!) regardless of not setting the gross sales charts on hearth. Take a bow, you likeable not-so-World Small Automotive, and revel in your well-deserved retirement.
GALLERY: 2021 Proton Iriz Lively in Malaysia
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