This just in – Proton’s next model on the Advanced Modular Architecture (AMA), the AMA02, is set to enter production near the end of the year. Longtime supplier Feytech has recently signed an RM96.8 million, 84-month (seven-year) contract for leather seat covers for the car starting in the fourth quarter of 2026, according to its Bursa Malaysia announcement.
The vehicle should take the form of a compact (read: A-segment) SUV widely tipped to rival the Perodua Ativa and Honda WR-V. It’s expected to bear the Saga Cross name, as part of an expansion of the Saga lineup beyond the evergreen budget sedan.
This will be a big deal for Proton as it will expand its SUV lineup downwards with a smaller, cheaper model – drawing on nearly a decade of experience building and selling crossovers. To save costs, it is expected to utilise the same powertrain as the four-door, this being a 120 PS/150 Nm BHE15PFI 1.5 litre i-GT naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine, mated to an Aisin four-speed automatic (no Punch CVT for this one).
Also expected is a hybrid system to help it compete with the Chery Tiggo Cross, dovetailing neatly with Geely recently launching new i-HEV models. The latter essentially uses the EM-i plug-in hybrid powertrain from the eMas 7 PHEV – including the electric motor and an 11-in-1 single-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT) – but with a smaller battery, eliminating the need for it to be charged at the mains.
With the engine – a version of that BHE15 NA mill already built locally – and hybrid components mostly shared with the eMas 7 PHEV, it makes sense for the AMA02/Saga Cross to receive this powertrain. This is especially true given Proton has announced that it would be assembling the hybrid bits in Malaysia, too. The car should get the DHT120 variant of the powertrain, the number likely corresponding to the electric motor’s power output in kilowatts (120 kW or 163 PS).
This is not the first time we’ve heard news of a Proton supplier signing a contract for the AMA02/Saga Cross. Earlier this year, MCE Holdings also confirmed it would be providing automotive electronics and mechatronic components for a new model, and while it did not name the car specifically, it did put down an August-to-October window for the start of production, as well as an identical 84-month contract duration.
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Originality is what makes a car maker great. Copycats don’t earn as much respect.
2 common features of Malaysian made vehicles:
Firstly, Big loud ugly “logo” stamped on the back of your car. Be it “Tiger” logo or Red and White colour logo ,..
Secondly, weird name… Perodua , Proton…. cannot understand why such name…
If you had half of an initiative, you would have searched that thing called the internet to find out the back story of the name. But then again….
To us Malaysians, the name Skoda, Lada, Mitsuoka, Opel, Saturn also sound weird but we are not b!tching as much as you because we know there are other languages besides Malay and English. Secondly, Perodua’s and Proton’s logo at the back before the transition to script was never big or loud, they’re moderate size. How small you want it to be? As tiny as peehole? Thirdly, Proton designed their own cars starting from 2000 until being purchased by Geely and Perodua also make a few cars using their own design (current gen Myvi, QV-E and well, the hideous Bezza).
Someone is using this id FrankC.. hmm .. hiding behind some else I’d to put forward comment.. hiding behind… Adooi
Nice looking.
Only idiot would buy Saga. So new yet so many complaints already in the market.
P1,if the complains about QC in the new Saga are genuine,then do yourself a favor…replace those vendors that r still giving sub standard quality.
If Mr Newme is just hot air,then move on.
The new Saga ‘s frontage is OK,but the rear is somewhat appalling.It resembles someone with swollen lips at both sides..a bit of a mismatch,with a nice frontage.
I m not a basher,only wish P1 will learn from past bailouts.Surely ,u can do better than before.
What complaints?
That’s quite a handsome design!
how do you create an account with a profile pic for Paultan.org ?
just go to gravatar.com and register an acc with the same email you use to comment here. upload profile picture there
thanks, been a fan for years, wondering how to
You can’t grow shit with Proton. Ironic as that statement is, since shit is very good fertilizer. Almost a decade with Geely and still struggling to be #1 AT HOME. No wonder Geely took back the foreign RHD markets.
At this point Geely is a bigger name than Proton globally, why would they need a Proton badge to sell cars overseas anymore? The fact that Geely doesn’t even allow Proton to localize their designs for the local market anymore is telling.
Geely said “Screw it, the Msians like and buy our cars anyway. Why waste money?” Pretty soon, they won’t even need the ‘grill’ engineers/designers anymore. When Geely gets anything close to their initial investment, they’ll drop Proton entirely. They only wanted Lotus, DRB had to strong-arm them into taking Proton as well. It is known.
And yet, Perodua doing exactly the same escapes your attention. And the fact that Honda, Toyota, Suzuki and even Aston Martin rebadges (in this case from a Toyota) also escapes your scatter brain thinking…
And yet P2 is #1 in the country and has been that way for decades now. P2 engineers get to design more than just grills, which somehow ESCAPES your rebuttal. Whatever your opinion of it is, P2 designed an EV from the ground up, financial success be damned. Toyota boss trusts P2 enough to give money to make their own car. Meanwhile Proton has to beg to even be allowed to play around with their over 10 year old model and make cars from that. I’m scatter brained? Not dummies like you that like to roll out the Perodua Whataboutism in every argument?
Sure buddy. maybe get a brain before you start arguing.
Does Proton allow every of its supplier to mention the exact production date timing? and specifically for what model and segment too..it should be confidential, no?
A listed company is required to announce major deals to the course. This is done daily and if you go to the Bursa site, you can read each one. This one gets airtime as it is after all PROTON related.
A listed company is required to announce major deals to the bourse. This is done daily and if you go to the Bursa site, you can read each one. This one gets airtime as it is after all PROTON related.
Not another SUV? When is Proton coming out with a Persona Replacement, a mid size 1.5NA Sedan?
Proton persona is not midsize , it was B segment sedan in global category because small than C segment too
Bruh, globally? Wich unfortunate country out there got the new Persona? Here in Malaysia “midsize” is the correct term for Persona as it’s sized between the smallest Saga and the biggest Perdana in sedan category. But, no-one really use that term here as we’re more used to A, B, C D, segmentation like in the UK or Europe. “midsize” for vehicle is one of the terms that being used in US only (not even global), and they don’t correspond well with our car segmentation due to the bigger size of their vehicles there (generally). They called them “compact”(C segment), “midsize”(D segment) and “fullsize”(something bigger than D segment eg: the 7 series or S Class)
I am really looking forward to the new Proton X30 / Saga Cross, hoping it features a powerful 1.5L engine or a hybrid option and retains the strong 7-year warranty (Saga iGT optional up to 7yrs).
To compete effectively, it should focus on offering superior space, power, efficiency and comfort, establishing it as a strong alternative to options like the WR-V’s killer, I. E. the Tiggo Cross 1.5T and 1.5H-EV.
Is it a copycat of Renault Captur?
Are u sure it’s in the “billion”?
Hope the dashboard design will not be like the current saga design. Ativa dashboard looks nice , it feels like you are driving a Toyota..
Ooo. Looks interesting. With hybrid version in tow.. wah should keep Saga alive for another generation
rebadge pon problem, nk bikin new model?
lgi guna pkai image dr theosifilis…m@ngkok
Saga Hatchback is actually more feasible than Saga Crossover.
Hope the dashboard design will not be as awkward looking like the current Saga sedan..Perodua Ativa dashboard design is much better compared to the WRV.
Leading up to the Saga launch, there were a few spyshots and prototype test drive on public road. The Saga Cross however, none yet. I’m starting to have a doubt if it is the modified chasis from the Saga because that will need a lot of testing or they are using another body frame. Time will tell