Akhirnya.....Proton Hibrid

Sebelum ni teman ada memaparkan artikel berkaitan kereta-kereta hibrid & bertanya kenapa Proton tak buat kereta hibrid, akhirnya soalan teman terjawab hari ini apabila Proton mengumumkan akan memperkenalkan kereta hibrid ini di Geneva Motor Show bulan depan. Di bawah ini adalah beritanya : 

PROTON TO UNVEIL CONCEPT CAR AT 80TH GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

Shah Alam, February 12, 2010 -  PROTON will unveil its concept car at the 80th International Motor Show in Geneva on 2 March 2010.  PROTON Advisor, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, is scheduled to launch the PROTON Concept Car during the event. The concept car is a creative collaboration with Italdesign Giugiaro and based on a hybrid propulsion system. The specially designed chassis also features a raised floor that can accommodate the conventional engine as well as the hybrid system’s batteries in the rear. The concept car leverages on maximising space, while maintaining the overall dimensions of a compact car. The five-door, four-seater hatchback concept car has a total length of 3550mm and features a front-mounted endothermic engine for recharging the lithium ion batteries with a fully electric drive-train.  The car was conceived with the aim of maximising the interior roominess and improving access to the vehicle. The high position of the four independently-adjustable and sliding seats, allows passengers to fully enjoy the spacious interior. Thanks to the combination of these two technical specifications the car is easier to enter, as the seats’ H-points (or the position of an occupant’s hip) are at the same height as in an SUV. PROTON Holdings Berhad Group Managing Director, Dato’ Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamad Tahir, said that the collaboration is part of its long-term strategy to match global automotive standards and expand its footprint worldwide. Manakala kat bawah ni dipetik dari ITALDESIGN....Tahniah Proton

ITALDESIGN GIUGIARO GOES BEYOND TRADITIONAL MARKET SEGMENTATION
The Geneva Motor Show will host the debut of a reduced environmental impact car 
family created with the Malaysian manufacturer Proton that will offer many surprises
 Launch: 12 February Moncalieri (TO)
Italdesign Giugiaro is introducing a family of low environmental impact cars at the
eightieth edition of the Geneva International Motor show (4‐14 March 2010) that is
set to revolutionise traditional segmentation in the car market.
The design, created with the Malaysian manufacturer Proton (Perusahaan
OTOmobil Nasional), is based on a hybrid drive system and was developed with the
aim of optimising the available on‐board space and car access ergonomics.
“This is the outcome of several years of study: the solution allows interior
spaciousness on a par with that of a segment D saloon despite maintaining the
exterior dimensions of a segment A car” explained Giorgetto Giugiaro, Chairman of
Italdesign Giugiaro.
“You could say that it is a brand new type of car, a new automotive concept where
looks are as important as function, ergonomics and comfort, not to mention
environmental impact. It is higher than other compact cars to make the best use of
interior space; the seat H point is at the same height as the passengers' hips: you do
not get down into your car as in a coupé, you do not climb up as in an SUV but you
enter in a natural way. Rear seat comfort when you enter and leave the car is
absolutely unprecedented, the distance from the front seat is comparable to that of
an SUV” added Giugiaro.
The platform, specially designed by Italdesign Giugiaro for this car family, includes a
raised floorpan that is able to accommodate the hybrid system’s batteries at the
rear. The four seats are identical, independent and sliding, ensuring identical
comfort to passengers and driver alike.
The first configuration of the compact car family created by Italdesign Giugiaro with
PROTON, due to be unveiled on 2 March at 10 am, is a four‐seater, five‐door
hatchback just 3550 mm in length.