All-new model,Proton Suprima S.

The Proton Suprima S – the name of which is derived from the English root word ‘supreme’ – arrives on the scene 16 months after the Preve sedan premiered, and the five-door C-segment hatchback makes its debut in only a single engine guise (in two variant forms, the Executive and Premium) at point of launch, this being the familiar CamPro 1.6 turbo.The same mill equips the Premium version of the Preve, and makes it way on here without any revisions – the low-pressure turbocharged unit delivers identical 138 hp at 5,000 rpm and 205 Nm between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm output numbers.

It’s therefore surprising to find that there’s no sign of the Getrag five-speed manual transmission on the car at this juncture, the CamPro unit being paired to the same seven-speed Punch VT3 CVT gearbox as fitted on the turbocharged Preve.In terms of performance figures, the Suprima S has a 190 km/h top speed and a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 9.9 seconds, while fuel consumption is rated at 9.1 litres per 100 km. In comparison, the equivalent turbocharged Preve has a quoted 200 km/h top speed and 0-100 km/h time of 9.6 seconds, as well as a 8.2 litres per 100 km combined cycle fuel consumption.Much of this can be explained by the kerb weight of the Suprima S, which is 1,375 kg for the Executive and 1,395 kg for the Premium. Essentially, the hatch is slightly heavier than the 1.6 Premium CFE Preve, which tips the scales at 1,340 kg.Other numbers for the hatch are overall dimensions that measure in at 4,436 mm long, 1,786 mm wide and 1,524 mm tall, with a 2,650 mm long wheelbase (front overhang 918 mm, rear 868 mm) and a ground clearance of 155 mm. Both the front and rear track are the same at 1,542 mm each.Aside from the length, these figures for the Suprima S are exactly identical to that of the Preve sedan. The Preve is longer by 107 mm, measuring in at 4,543 mm, the lack of a tail in the Suprima S obviously trimming the length.