New Proton Saga ‘Teased’ During EV Factory Launch – ADAS Confirmed

Render of the upcoming new Proton Saga by @theottle. Earlier today, Proton's latest teaser for which officially confirmed several key bits.

At the launch of the new Proton Electric Vehicle (EV) Production Factory held earlier today at the automaker’s main Tanjung Malim production hub in Perak, a brand new ’teaser’ of the upcoming new generation Proton Saga was also released.

More precisely, said next-gen Saga model was ‘teased’ through a special video presentation played by the automaker. Amongst the audience witnessing this today was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Geely Group founding Chairman Li Shufu.

This was perhaps a ‘bonus’ of today’s launch event, which sees Proton officially establishing the country’s first dedicated EV production line of its kind. Both the e.MAS 7 EV crossover and upcoming e.MAS 5 EV hatch are set to roll of this new line very soon.

Screenshots of the special video presentation detailing the new Saga development shown by Proton today. Not the fact the the Saga has undergone winter tests in China (top, left) too.

Back to the new Saga teaser and, finally, Proton confirmed several key bits whilst also giving out snippets of the compact sedan’s striking new design. With the latter, from the glimpse provided, P1's new compact sedan promises a sharper and more ‘upmarket’ look indeed.

We’ll reserve judgement on design once we get a full view of the final car, but ahead of which, Proton has confirmed several things we’ve long speculated. Firstly, the new Saga will still underpin the automaker’s AMA platform, albeit heavily revised.

Secondly, the heavy revisions mentioned likely resulted in a whole new electrical and electronics (E&E) package, which in turn enables the new Saga to pack advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features – or at least the basics of which.

A Proton spokesperson confirming the presence of both Autonmous Emergency Braking (AEB) and Blind Spot Detection (BSD) in the special video noted.

Spyshot of the new-gen Saga prototype form earlier this year. The sight of what appears to be an optical sensor in the top-centre of the front windscreen already hinted that the new Saga will get basic ADAS functions.

This was confirmed in an interview segment of the special video presentation mentioned. Through which, a spokesperson specifically highlighted both Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and Blind Spot Detection (BSD). With the former, we can also perhaps expect Forward Collision Warning (FCW) included too.

In other words, the new Saga isn’t just promising good looks, it also promising seriously enhanced safety, especially over its outgoing predecessor. Moreover, there’s also the promise of enhanced performance to match too.

Also confirmed is an equally 'brand new 1.5-litre powertrain'. Speculation is rife that this is a watered-down derivative of the new 4-cyl turbo petrol mill from the X50 facelift.

In the same video presentation, Proton confirmed the new Saga will feature an equally ‘new 1.5-lite powertrain’. Further details weren’t divulged, but this is speculated to be a new 4-cyl  naturally aspirated mill, likely a derivative of the new 1.5-litre turbo 4-cyl  petrol mill from the X50 facelift. 

That’s as far as we can pick out from the special video presentation noted Proton showed during its new EV production factory launch. Naturally, details regarding variants range, launch date or even tentative prices were revealed.

Nevertheless, from what we can assess, we may not have long to wait as the new-gen Proton Saga is expected to debut sometime in the final quarter (Q4) of this year.