The Proton Waja is a sedan car manufactured and marketed by the Malaysian carmaker Proton from 2000 to 2011. The Malay name Waja, which translates to "strong as steel," has both concrete and symbolic meanings. It was marketed as the Proton Impian in the UK. Another Malay language-derived word that means "dream." Between 2000 and 2012, around 292,556 Proton Waja vehicles were sold.
History of the Proton Waja
On May 8, 2000, Proton unveiled its new corporate logo and the Proton Waja to the world. Airbags, anti-lock brakes, and leather seats were not standard on early Waja models. The Proton Waja 1.6X was unveiled on October 6, 2001. Proton offered only an auto gearbox and upgraded features for this model. The stock Waja lacked a back armrest with a cup holder, but Proton has added one, with an adjustable headrest for the back seats and lumbar support for the driver's seat. Proton's portfolio also included the British automaker Lotus when they created the automobile. This led management to recruit Lotus's engineering team to work on the Impian. It was a fun challenge, primarily since Lotus engineers are known for their expertise in building high-performance sports vehicles rather than mundane family sedans. As a result, they relied on their previous experiences. Proton released the Proton Waja 1.8X in 2002. It was driven by the same Renault F4P motor seen in the Renault Laguna. The Proton Waja 1.6X shared a lot of its equipment. The front disc brakes were made bigger, and an airbag for the passenger was added. The Impian could be had with any number of engines made by Mitsubishi, Renault, or Lotus, or built in-house. The suspension was borrowed from the Mitsubishi Carisma but has been modified by Lotus to provide a more stable ride. However, that was not beneficial to a household.
Price
What does a pre-owned Proton Waja cost? Price information from several sources suggests a range of $2,400–$4,070.
Features
Exterior Features
Exteriorly, the Proton Impian looked like any other three-box car. The designers' lone creative license was to add a small triangle window behind the back seats. For this reason, the C-pillars were relatively thin. Proton gave the hood a triangular extension over the grille up front, where a shield-shaped insignia was fixed. The headlights looked like they were from the 1990s, but by 2001 a new style had emerged.
Interior Features
The Impian's interior kept the straightforward design of the dashboard seen in earlier Mitsubishi vehicles. However, the company bolstered the sides of the front seats more than usual to keep passengers safe during sharp turns. Back there, you could fit three grownups comfortably. The 2001 model came standard with air conditioning, leather upholstery, a Clarion stereo, and wood accents. Less feature-packed variants of the Impian/Waja were made available later.
Specs and Performance of the Proton Waja
The model was available in three different engines: 1.6L, 1.8L, and 2.0L. The Proton Waja's 2.0L engine delivers 150 hp (110 kW) at 6,750 rpm and 132 lb-ft (179 Nm) at 4,000 rpm of torque. Proton marketed the Waja as a front-wheel-drive (FWD) vehicle, and it was available with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The Proton Waja accelerates from 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 kph) in 12.0 seconds, with a top speed of 127 mph (204 kph). Dimension-wise, the Proton Waja measures 4,470 mm (176.0 in) long, 1,740 mm (68.5 in) wide, and 1,420 mm (55.9 in) high. Its wheelbase measures 2,600 mm (102.4 in) and has a curb weight of 2,679–2,723 lbs (1,215–1,235 kg).
Release Date
The Proton Waja was released by the Malaysian car manufacturer Proton from 2000 to 2011. It was discontinued in June 2011.