The Proton Juara is a microvan/mini MPV manufactured and marketed by Proton, a Malaysian carmaker, from 2001 to 2004. Introduced on July 22, 2001, it was Proton's first vehicle that wasn't a saloon, hatchback, or coupé. Proton, with Mitsubishi Motors, planned to co-develop the Juara as an export vehicle that would be sold under the Mitsubishi name.
History of the Proton Juara
Already in the early 1990s, at the start of the MPV era, designs of a Proton MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) were available. During that time, Proton only sold saloon, hatchback, and coupé body styles. At the time of its creation in late 1999, Proton's first MPV, dubbed the "Proton RGW," was in the works. It was built on a modified version of Mitsubishi's Town Box Wide platform, which Proton planned to change for two or three years to appeal to a wider audience. On July 22, 2001, Proton showed off their new Juara model at the KLCC Esplanade in Kuala Lumpur. When Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad was Malaysia's Prime Minister, he approved the launch. Juara was secretly named after the generation's greatest athlete before its official release date. Proton saw the Juara as a mini MPV and a "lifestyle car"; therefore, they designed it to appeal to a specific market. The Juara's odd kei car proportions and van-like styling did not go over well with Malaysian customers. The Proton Juara gasoline engine, a Mitsubishi 4A31 S4 4-cylinder EFI unit, could only be paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission.
Price
In 2001, the 1.1E was the most popular trim available for the market, which was around RM 49,200 at launch (RM 77,391 or $16,459 in 2022).
Features of the Proton Juara
Seating can accommodate up to six people across three rows. All the second and third-row seats are easily removable, movable, and foldable. The Juara looks almost identical to the Mitsubishi Town Box Wide on which it is based, but for some distinctive Proton branding on the front grille, bumper, and side moldings, as well as some 14-inch alloy wheels. The Juara included a CD player, power windows (with anti-trap front windows), power-adjustable mirrors, a radio, and follow-me-home lights as standard equipment.
Specs and Performance of the Proton Juara
The Proton Juara's 1.1L engine delivers 71 hp (53 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 69 lb-ft (94 Nm) at 4,500 rpm of torque. Proton sold the Juara as a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) vehicle, and it was available with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The Juara accelerates from 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 kph) in 18.1 seconds and has a top speed of 84 mph (135 kph). Dimension-wise, the Proton Juara measures 3,660 mm (144.1 in) long, 1,535 mm (60.4 in) wide, and 1,810 mm (71.3 in) high. Its wheelbase measures 2,390 mm (94.1 in), and it has a curb weight of 2,216 lbs (1,005 kg).
Release Date
From 2001 to 2004, the Proton Juara was sold, but it was taken off the market in 2004 because it didn't sell well.