Here's copy of ranting by my old friend Bangau in regards to Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing. Frankly speaking, he has a very good point there and the Proton's folks may find it a bitter pill to swallow but that's the reality mate!
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Thanks to Proton Motorsports, I had the chance to sample the Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing, the car that has the longest name in Proton's history.
Colleague Daniel Wong picked up the car from Proton, and I "curi" the car from him for a 3-hour drive around Bangsar, Cyberjaya and Putrajaya.
The car attracted enthusiasts while those who were not must be thinking it was just another modified Neo.
I have nothing to say about the appearance as looks is subjective. The Neo has always looked nice, and to me, it is Proton's best designed car.
I also believe the R3 team has done a splendid job, given the time and budget constraint.
And so my complaint goes to the management, the ones who decided that the project should be done.
Where sir, did you get the idea to sell a modified Neo for RM115,000?
I said modified because the car is using parts which are available in the market.
Yes, the FRP wings might be new but I heard it will be available soon in the market.
The Ohlins shocks are RM30,000, but that too can be ordered.
The bodykit is the same as the R3 Neo, the carbon fibre hood is easily available from many shops and the wheels are not specifically designed for the car.
The seats are stock, covered with Napa leather. The gear knob is R3's chrome unit (at least my Neo uses a Sparco one), the pedals are also R3 (and mine are Momo Corse, lagi best) and the mats are R3 (mine are from Momo, Italy).
The engine is a CPS, but has been done up by R3 but it is still the same n/a engine.
Why this half past six job? Why not give the team ample time to come out with something really spectacular?
The dashboard and interior can be covered with Alcantara. The two front seats should be Recaros, and the rear must also have matching patterns.
Get somebody to redo the instrument cluster. In the same time, get another audio system, with more speakers and a subwoofer.
Change the gearbox ratios, make it a close ratio box, then you can really harness the power.
Turbocharge the car, or supercharge it (its a limited edition unit, you don't need EU approvals). Give it more power.
And how about HID lights? A different designed bodykit is also a must, made from FRP.
Tell your suppliers that they are not to sell the design to anybody else, and sue companies who try to come out with imitation kits.
Only then you can start slapping RM100k plus price on the car. Don't get me wrong my dear friends at Proton. When everybody else is condemning you, the last thing you guys need is a project like this!
But it is not too late. Lotus had the Carlton before, so why not resurrect that trend and come out with a Lotus Neo?
Right now, I find it difficult to justify that green car, especially when I see a Swift Sport running around.
http://cbt.com.my/blog/satria-neo-r3-lotus-racing-it-can-be-lot-better%E2%80%A6
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Thanks to Proton Motorsports, I had the chance to sample the Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing, the car that has the longest name in Proton's history.
Colleague Daniel Wong picked up the car from Proton, and I "curi" the car from him for a 3-hour drive around Bangsar, Cyberjaya and Putrajaya.
The car attracted enthusiasts while those who were not must be thinking it was just another modified Neo.
I have nothing to say about the appearance as looks is subjective. The Neo has always looked nice, and to me, it is Proton's best designed car.
I also believe the R3 team has done a splendid job, given the time and budget constraint.
And so my complaint goes to the management, the ones who decided that the project should be done.
Where sir, did you get the idea to sell a modified Neo for RM115,000?
I said modified because the car is using parts which are available in the market.
Yes, the FRP wings might be new but I heard it will be available soon in the market.
The Ohlins shocks are RM30,000, but that too can be ordered.
The bodykit is the same as the R3 Neo, the carbon fibre hood is easily available from many shops and the wheels are not specifically designed for the car.
The seats are stock, covered with Napa leather. The gear knob is R3's chrome unit (at least my Neo uses a Sparco one), the pedals are also R3 (and mine are Momo Corse, lagi best) and the mats are R3 (mine are from Momo, Italy).
The engine is a CPS, but has been done up by R3 but it is still the same n/a engine.
Why this half past six job? Why not give the team ample time to come out with something really spectacular?
The dashboard and interior can be covered with Alcantara. The two front seats should be Recaros, and the rear must also have matching patterns.
Get somebody to redo the instrument cluster. In the same time, get another audio system, with more speakers and a subwoofer.
Change the gearbox ratios, make it a close ratio box, then you can really harness the power.
Turbocharge the car, or supercharge it (its a limited edition unit, you don't need EU approvals). Give it more power.
And how about HID lights? A different designed bodykit is also a must, made from FRP.
Tell your suppliers that they are not to sell the design to anybody else, and sue companies who try to come out with imitation kits.
Only then you can start slapping RM100k plus price on the car. Don't get me wrong my dear friends at Proton. When everybody else is condemning you, the last thing you guys need is a project like this!
But it is not too late. Lotus had the Carlton before, so why not resurrect that trend and come out with a Lotus Neo?
Right now, I find it difficult to justify that green car, especially when I see a Swift Sport running around.
http://cbt.com.my/blog/satria-neo-r3-lotus-racing-it-can-be-lot-better%E2%80%A6
Succulently put.
ReplyDeleteProton must have either really shackled their design team (in terms of specs and funds) or gave them a such short deadline, that the team had to raid the parts bin and quickly source the 'cool' stuff from third parties.
Management then expects people to pay that much money for a car that does 0-100km/h in 9.2 seconds... Fine, I'm sure it handles well but seriously, it does not justify the price nor the 'limited edition' labeling.
Couldn't agree more. For a car to have the 'Lotus' brand attached on it, it must have at least the same par of power as these days hot hatchers which around 180-200hp. Even the R3 managed to nailed the dynamics way better than any other Neos, it will only definitely highlighting the significant lethargic power issues the Campro engine is.
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