Proton S16 'cheapest car' to be launched in December, Australia

The Australian name for the Proton Saga has been announced – Proton’s smallest sedan will be offered down under as the Proton S16. I assume this is supposed to stand for Saga 1.6, not sure what’s wrong with the Saga name. The S16 will go on sale from the 1st of November for under AU$13,000 with a manual transmission, but Australian dealers will get test drive units in October for anyone who is interested in the car.

Under the hood will be the Campro IAFM engine that powers the Persona here in Malaysia, producing 110 horsepower at 6,500rpm and 148Nm of torque. The car’s fuel consumption is rated at 6.3 liters per 100km on the ADR (Australian Design Rules) combined cycle.

This is unconfirmed but according to some Aussie news sites the Australian spec car is expected to have dual SRS airbags for the front driver and passenger, which means it’ll be one of the highest spec versions of the Saga available so far, as the top of the line Sage in Malaysia thus far has only been available with a driver airbag.

What’s even more interesting for Australian buyers is that the price tag could possibly go even lower with the introduction of a 1.3 liter Campro engine option, which will only be available from February 2010 onwards. It’s not sure if the 1.3 liter car will continue to be called the S16, or receive a more apt name like the S13.

The Saga is the latest model to join Proton Australia’s line-up, selling Down Under as the Proton S16. As its name suggests, the S16 is powered by the 110 bhp 1.6-litre Campro IAFM engine paired to a five-speed manual ‘box.

Its drive away retail price of $11,990 makes it the lowest priced new car in Australia. Before launch, Proton billed the S16 as the cheapest sedan in the market, but latest currency exchange rates have given the S16 an even stronger selling point.

The auto version will debut shortly while July 2010 will see the introduction a GXR variant that adds dual airbags, ABS, alloys, reverse sensors and fog lamps to the kit list.

It’s clearly a very good deal, but since the Saga’s looks aren’t exactly what you’d call pretty, Proton Australia has signed on Miss Universe Australia 2009 Rachael Finch for some “look at me” appeal. She will be featured in all S16 ads in Australia. A clearer view of the lovely Miss Finch is available after the jump!

Turbo engines claimed to have higher failure rates

Most of the world’s major manufacturers are really into ‘downsizing’ their engines now to improve CO2 emissions and provide better torque. A new breed of 1.4 to 1.6 liter light turbocharged engines are replacing normally aspirated 2.0 liters, mainly in Europe.

Some statistics point to a fuel economy savings of up to 20% over normally normally aspirated rivals. Even our national carmaker Proton is looking into a Campro Turbo project, which basically allows our 1.6 liter block to make the power equivalent to a 2.0 liter or larger engine.

But a UK company called Warranty Direct claims that turbocharged cars are more likely to breakdown today compared to their normally aspirated rivals.

They also claim that half the cars built in Europe are turbocharged, and this number could rise up to 85% by the year 2020.

Of course, data such as this benefits companies like Warranty Direct, which sell extended warranty coverage which you can buy for your car when your manufacturer warranty expires. So there is a hidden motive in them delivering this message to the public. But if it is backed by data, it could warrant a little worry.

Companies like Toyota and Honda which have not followed this downsizing trend would be smiling at this piece of news as well. So far Japanese manufacturers haven’t really done much to develop such ‘downsized’ engines, except for Nissan which shares its new small turbo engine with Renault.

Mercedes considers diesel for AMG models

• Diesel power for flagship AMG models?
• Electric-powered SLS announced
• Future is not exclusively petrol
  

Mercedes-Benz has not ruled out its performance brand AMG using diesel engines for its flagship models.

Electric version of SLS AMG announced
AMG currently hand-assembles petrol-powered engines only, but Mercedes announced earlier this year that it aims to build an electric-powered version of its SLS – AMG's first bespoke supercar.

Diesel a possibility, says AMG
However, when asked if AMG are looking at diesel engines, Oliver Wiech, AMG's product manager for the C-Class, E-Class, SLK and SL, didn't rule it out.

Mr Weich said: 'We are taking an open view and looking at lots of options, but if you look at our announcement on the electric SLS, you can see what is in the future.'

Dutch car-spy site autogespot has been listening intently to Volker Mornhinweg from AMG at the Geneva Motor Show last week. Mr Mornhinweg has let slip that AMG is looking into developing a hybrid engine for the performance arm of Mercedes-Benz.

One engine that is rumoured to be in its final stages of development is an AMG V8 diesel. The horsepower war between Mercedes, BMW and Audi is still full on (Audi is in the lead with their 580 hp Audi RS 6 Avant) but perhaps with massive horsepower output reaching its practical threshhold the focus is shifting towards torque. Diesel engines are notorious for their increased torque output over their petrol counterparts and it seems AMG wants it. Recent evidence of similar thinking has already been displayed by Audi with their R8 TDI Concept and Q7 V12 TDI.

Also showing performance potential is a diesel-hybrid engine with their electric motors known for producing huge amounts of instantaneous torque even more than diesel. One example is illustrated by the new GLK BlueTEC Hybrid's four cylinder engine producing 224 hp with 560 Nm (413 lb-ft) of torque. Until AMG releases additional information we can only dream of an AMG BlueTEC Hybrid V8 based on the 420 CDI (320 hp / 730 Nm or 538 lb-ft).