The Proton Gen-2 is the first fully Malaysian-developed (including chassis and engine) Proton car and the replacement model for the Proton Wira; launched on February 8, 2004. Proton still continued to sell the Wira after the Gen.2 was launched, due primarily to the popularity of sedan/saloon vehicles in the target market.
The Gen.2, a hatchback design, is considered by many to be the best-looking Proton. It has a minimalist and modern interior with design cues from the Lotus subsidiary. However, very low quality of materials and fit and finish of interior components seriously hurt the public's perception of the quality of the vehicle at launch. Later models used improved quality materials and assistance from the TUV of Germany to help maintain the quality improvements. The Gen.2 was the first Proton to receive the (inappropriately) named CamPro engine, which at launch was widely criticised for the lack of low- to mid-range torque (pulling puwer), due to a late decision to drop Camshaft Profiling from the engine feature-list in production models.
Attempts to improve this torque deficit by adjusting ECU parameters have largely been unsuccessful. Published engine torque curves still show a pronounced dip in torque output in the crucial 2000-3000 RPM engine speed region, presumably due to the missing engine feature.
The version with Campro CPS engine was previewed during the 24th Thailand International Motor Expo 2007 in Bangkok.
The Proton Gen-2 was also released in the form of two other variants:
1) The Proton Gen-2 R3 MME Edition
2) The Proton Gen-2 EVE Hybrid, a hybrid concept version of the Gen-2, revealed during the 2007 Geneva Auto Show. It retains the S45MPH Campro engine coupled together with a 30 kW, 144 V electric motor.
