Proton's possible future small hatchback could be based on the Celerio.
Proton recently launched the 2016 Proton Persona and plans to launch the 2016 Proton Saga and a new MPV based on the Maruti Ertiga this year. That's all that's coming from Proton this year, but later, there would be a new A-segment hatchback as well. This hatchback could be an iteration of the Maruti Celerio, and speculative renderings published by Paultan show what it may look like.
The new A-segment hatchback will come as a result of the strategic partnership between Proton, DRB-HICOM and Suzuki. The speculative rendering, work of Theophilus Chin, shows a the Maruti Celerio moderately tweaked for a distinctive look. The front-end makes the car immediately recognisable as a Proton, thanks to the latest family face borrowed from the 2016 Persona. The rest of the exterior is nearly the same as that of the original model.
The Maruti Celerio is available with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 67 hp and 90 Nm of torque and a 0.8-litre two-cylinder diesel engine that develops 47 hp and 125 Nm of torque in India. Transmission choices include 5-speed manual and Auto Gear Shift (automated manual transmission).
Also Read: 2016 Proton Persona gets 5-star in ASEAN NCAP
The Proton-badged iteration of the Maruti Celerio, if launched, will probably be a petrol-only offering. It will rival the Perodua Axia.
[Image Source: Paultan]
