Suprima S over Vios? Here’s 5 reasons why…

Brand image is important when buying a car, especially when the time comes to sell it on but do buyers sometimes choose a car because of the badge and reputation it has over a better car from an inferior brand name?

Proton launched their all-new Suprima S a few months ago and though they’re making encouraging noises about sales volume, the days of a new Proton immediately heading the national sales charts are long gone. In contrast, Toyota just launched the brand-new Vios last month. The car is so popular that it chalked up 8,000 orders…before it was even officially launched!
But is the Suprima S so much less of a good buy than the Vios or is it a case of ‘great car, shame about who makes it’? We go spec-sheet surfing and point out 5 areas where Proton’s Suprima S Premium is clearly superior to the more expensive Toyota Vios G.


The Proton Suprima S
 
The all-new Toyota Vios.

1. Size
No surprise here as the Suprima S is a full-sized C-segment hatchback while the Toyota Vios is a B-segment car. The Proton’s length x width x height measurements of 4536mm x 1786mm x 1524mm easily trumps its rival which has figures of 4410mm x 1700mm x 1475mm. The Suprima S also has a 100mm longer wheelbase at 2650mm, which translates to more interior space. However, there is a penalty to pay as the Suprima S tips the scales at 1395kg. Toyota’s claimed kerb weight for the Vios G is a featherweight 1090kg but the difference is made up with…

The Suprima S gets a Charged Fuel-Efficient (CFE) turbocharged engine.
 
The 1NZ-FE soldiers on with the new Toyota Vios.

2. Power
The turbocharged 1.6-litre CFE engine Proton uses in the Suprima S is a familiar unit as it’s also found in the Exora Bold and Prevé Executive. It develops 140hp at 5000rpm and 205Nm from 2000-4000rpm and Proton has a claimed fuel consumption figure of 9.1L/100km. The Vios uses Toyota’s 1.5-litre 1NZ-FE engine, and though it’s efficient and reliable, it’s been used since the very first Vios in 2003. It produces 109hp at 6000rpm and 141Nm at 4200rpm, which means it not only trails the Suprima S for power and torque, it also falls behind most of its class rivals. Toyota doesn’t quote a claimed fuel consumption figure on its corporate site but it’s safe to assume it’s more efficient than the Suprima S. However, it won’t be as relaxed a long distance cruiser because…
A CVT with 7-speed mode shift is available in the Suprima S.
A traditional 4-speed automatic is the transmission for the Vios.

3. Gearbox
While there is something to be said about not deviating from a tried and tested formula, it seems almost inexplicable that the Vios G is paired to a 4-speed automatic that was also used in the very first car. There is also no manual mode (either a sequential gate or paddle shifters) so when you want to get sporty, you’ll have to manually shift it to 3,2 and L. The Proton Suprima S Premium uses a Protronic CVT gearbox and while every CVT requires some getting used to, it also gets steering mounted paddles to allow access to seven virtual gear ratios. That means you can achieve a highway cruise at ridiculously low revs. Ah, but perhaps a Vios G would perhaps have a longer spec sheet? Think again…
The Proton Suprima S interior.
The all-new interior of the Toyota Vios.

4. Standard specs
After years of poorly specified cars Proton is throwing everything into their car including the kitchen sink. The Suprima S Premium gets six airbags, ABS, EBD and BA brakes, Traction Control and ESC. It also boasts of ISOFIX and top tether mounts, leather on the seats, door trims and steering wheel, DRLs, 7-inch LCD screen with built in sat-nav, auto lights and auto wipers. The standard spec on the Vios G has the leather and ISOFIX mounts as well as the brakes but it makes do with just two airbags and has neither TC nor ESC with manual lights and wipers. The air conditioning is manual too and while you can specify a touch screen infotainment system, it’s an optional extra that costs RM2,990. And then there is always…
The Suprima S has proven to be an entertaining car to drive.
The Vios focuses more on ride comfort and refinement.

5. Handling
While a spec sheet cannot tell you how a car feels when being driven you can delve into the specs to guess which would be more fun. The Toyota Vios G essentially uses the same chassis as the original car from 2003. The only update is the move to an electric power steering rack but the suspension hardware of MacPherson struts and torsion beams is unchanged. The Suprima S Premium uses a less efficient hydraulic power steering rack (but it offers better feel) and it uses MacPherson struts at the front with a multilink set up at the rear. With wider 205/45 R17 tyres (183/60 R15 on the Vios G) on the Suprima S Premium and knowing that Proton puts a premium on handling, we can safely conclude that it would run circles around the Vios G.
Ultimately, it’s fairly easy to point out the parts where a Proton Suprima S is superior to the Toyota Vios G. It’s a car aimed at a class above its rival but that shouldn’t stop buyers from putting it on their shopping list. Yes, admittedly, there’re are other clear and very compelling reasons to choose the Vios over the Suprima but on pure objective terms, it’s also very clear that the Proton is the superior car.


  
  

Volkswagen Golf vs Proton Suprima S

Have Proton created a Volkswagen Golf beater with the Suprima S and can it dethrone the German and claim the family hatch title.

Whoever thought this would ever happen? When the seventh iteration of the world famous Golf, the worldwide benchmark when it comes to family hatchbacks, needs to face off with a relative newcomer stuffed with the latest tech toys in order to keep its crown as king of the hill.

The latest Golf is probably the best one yet as it has managed to incorporate a nimble and communicative chassis with the latest driver and safety aids that Wolfsburg has to offer. Launched last year, the Golf Mk7 is powered by a turbocharged 1.4 TSI engine that pumps out 138bhp and 250Nm of torque. It is mated to a 7-speed direct shift gearbox (DSG), which offers almost instantaneous gearshifts allowing the car to sprint to 100km/h from a standstill in 8.4 seconds.

 

Despite having some of VW’s better tech under its hood, the Golf can still be a practical daily driver. Unlike other turbocharged vehicles that need premium fuel for optimum efficiency, the Golf can make do with RON95 while still offering impressive acceleration figures.

Apart from power, the Golf comes with some of the most sophisticated electronic systems fitted in modern cars. Its headlights come on when it gets dark, windshield wipers activate when it starts to rain, the engine shuts off when at a standstill to save fuel and with hill start assist enabled, keeps you from rolling down hill when on an inclination. All these systems work so seamlessly together that it feels as though the car is thinking for you. Arguably, if you don’t require rocketship acceleration, it’s the only car you will ever need.

Now on to the Proton - it’s our national automaker’s pride and joy, a mild hatchback with the kind of build quality and sophistication not usually associated with the brand. Though it made its debut in the Preve, the 1.6-litre CFE engine feels well suited for the Suprima S. Believe it or not, it matches the Golf’s TSI unit for horsepower and is only 45Nm down on torque with 205Nm, which is available from 2000 to 4000 rpm. Paired to a CVT transmission, it is able to deliver almost linear acceleration all the way up the rev range.

 

Also like the Golf, the Proton comes with decent tech. Other than the usual safety stuff like six airbags, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, TC and ESP, the Suprima S also comes with auto headlights and wiper system allowing the electronics to seem somewhat automated.

Admittedly, pitting Proton’s first mild hatch against the established German isn’t too far fetched when you consider the relative wealth of knowledge Proton has gathered by its collaboration with other automakers and its involvement in motorsports.

The Suprima S is probably the most sophisticated Proton yet but will it be able to measure up to the Golf? We did just that to see how close the Malaysian upstart could come to stealing the crown. To find out how it fared, pick up the June issue of Autocar Malaysia.

Source: AUTOCAR MALAYSIA

How to install Android apps on Proton Suprima S’ Infotainment System

Photo: Sideloaded CPU-Z app on Suprima S’ head unit.

The more you know. Since our hands-on test with Proton Suprima S’ Infotainment System last year, one of the things we’ve been wondering was whether it’s possible to sideload Android apps, since there is no Google Play Store, or any Google Play Services for that matter.

With its Android version now confirmed, we’ve been presented with another question. I believe since Gingerbread, the default setting was to block app sideloading from ‘unknown sources’. During our hands-on with the head unit, there was no such setting for me to disable, leading me to believe it’s not possible to install third party Android apps.

But it turns out it is possible, and quite straightforward too. Here’s how you could do it too, with just a little technical know-how required:

1. Download our favorite Android file manager, ‘ES File Explorer File Manager’ to your Android
2. Launch it, go to App Manager, long-press itself, and select Backup. This will make a copy of the APK to the ‘backups’ folder on your SD card
3. Rename it to something short like ‘es.apk’
4. Transfer it to a USB stick (via USB OTG or via a computer)
5. Plug in the USB drive to the USB port on your Proton Suprima S
6. On the head unit, launch the Browser and type in the following path: ‘file:///mnt/sdcard/udisk/sda1/es.apk’
7. You’ll get a warning pop-up to which you’ll choose to proceed with the installation
8. Profit!

The reason why we would want to pick a file manager is because once it’s installed, subsequent sideloading is just as easy as plugging in the USB stick (loaded with your APKs) and use ES File Explorer to run them, instead of having to type in the path on the Browser each time. Just try not to download APKs from the web, but use the method described on Step Number 1 and 2.

But of course, not all apps will be compatible, since the display is resistive and probably doesn’t support multitouch (heck, it can’t even properly handle my single-touch). Also, many developers have begun abandoning Gingerbread and only support Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich or greater.

Photo: The head unit appears to be factory-rooted, as indicated by CPU-Z

Apparently, Waze doesn’t really work, not because it can’t be installed, but because of how Suprima S will disable its Wi-Fi radio when the handbrake is released. Waze will also spit out an error about not having access to the SD card (where Lokatoo is stored). The head unit also appears to be factory-rooted, as shown in the CPU-Z app. Video playback on the console is fine, until when the reverse gear is engaged, where the display will be taken over by the reverse camera view.

Some have mentioned that the Wi-Fi can be re-enabled manually in Settings. However, the latest version now is 7.26 (from the original 7.07), so that loophole may have been patched, if there ever was a loophole.

All About Proton Suprima S

          The Proton Suprima S, codenamed P3-22A is a five-door compact hatchback engineered by Malaysian automobile manufacturer Proton. It was released on 17 August 2013 and is based on Proton's next generation P2 platform. The Suprima S complements the Proton Prevé saloon and has been designed with larger emphasis on international markets.
The name Suprima has its roots in the English word, Supreme. The S suffix stands for Sports.
  
Design 
Exterior - The Proton Suprima S lends largely and improves upon the design cues first seen on its sister car, the Proton Prevé which launched 16 months prior, on 16 April 2012. Apart from the fully redesigned rear, the Suprima is almost identical to the Prevé in terms of its exterior design, bar the new diamond-cut seven-spoke alloy rims (17" and 16" on the Premium and Executive trims respectively), revised Proton Wings front grille, front air intake and foglight inserts.The Suprima was designed with more emphasis on sportiness in an effort to appeal to a younger audience.
Proton had previously collaborated with Italy-based Italdesign Giugiaro S.p.A for the styling and likeness of the Prevé, which ultimately trickled down into the Suprima as well.The Prevé and to an extent, the Suprima was developed by an international consortium consisting of experts from Malaysia, Italy, France, Germany and South Korea.Additionally, several components of the car are also sourced from Japan, South Korea, Australia and Europe.
The Suprima is the second Malaysian-made car to be factory-fitted with LED position lamps and the first to be offered with LED Daytime running lights (DRL).The LEDs built into the projector headlights on the Suprima Executive trim are identical to those of the Prevé, whereas those on the Suprima Premium variant are true LED DRLs.The LED DRLs may improve the visual appeal of the Suprima, but more importantly help in improving road safety by increasing the conspicuity of the car during daylight conditions.The inclusion of daytime running lights on passenger cars are not compulsory in Malaysia, but they are mandatory equipment for all passenger cars marketed in European Union member states as of 7 February 2011 under the EU Directive 2008/89/EC.The Suprima also features a rear fog lamp which is mounted centrally on the rear diffuser, bringing the car up to ECE R38 compliance.Additionally, the rear lights on the Suprima feature guide lights, another first for Proton.The side view mirrors which sport built-in LED turn signal lights have remained physically unchanged over the Prevé's. However, both mirrors now fold and unfold automatically in the Premium trim, whereas in the Executive line, manual user input is required, though both mirrors are still fully electric in nature.



Interior - The interior of the Suprima has remained largely unchanged when compared to the Prevé's. Nonetheless, several improvements were made which contributed to an overall increase in the Suprima's visual and ergonomic appeal. The new Proton Infotainment System, equipped standard in all Suprimas is an advanced Android OS-powered 7" LCD touchscreen head unit which doubles as a GPS/SatNav system, DVD player and in-car web browser.The system also has Bluetooth, USB, iPod and WiFi compatibility.However, the user can only browse the internet, access YouTube, watch DVDs and play Android-based games when the handbrake is engaged, as a safety precaution.Audio output is channelled to four speakers in the Executive trim, but the Premium trim offers an additional two A-pillar mounted tweeters, bringing the grand total up to six speakers.The whole system is connected to the internet over a WiMAX network under an agreement between Proton and the Malaysian ISP, Yes 4G.A WiFi dongle provided with the Suprima is used to set up a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) within the car itself, thus offering on-the-go broadband with coverage in all major Malaysian cities and towns as well as across the Malaysian Expressway System, with download speeds of up to 20Mbit/s.However, the broadband services may cease if the car is driven into areas without Yes 4G coverage, or into neighbouring Singapore or Thailand. Nonetheless, Proton has made up for this with the ability to divert or bridge an internet connection using a smartphone or another portable hotspot instead.Furthermore, the built-in GPS system does not require an internet connection to function, as it operates independently over Telekom Malaysia's Lokatoo service.The Suprima is the third Proton car to offer internet based services, the first being a limited edition of the Proton Inspira, and the second being its sister car, the Prevé.
The Premium variant of the Suprima comes with exclusive interior kit not offered in the Executive trim, in particular the Anthracite-shade leather seats, front parking sensors and a built-in reverse camera. It also receives several features previously offered in the Prevé's Premium trim, namely the steering-mounted paddle shifters, automatic headlights and wipers, climate control, cruise control and push-start engine ignition.
  
Safety

• / - ANCAP -
• - MIRA -
• - MyVAP -

 The Suprima S became the second Proton car after the Prevé to claim the full 5-Star safety rating of the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) of Australia and New Zealand.The Suprima has not been officially crash tested by the ANCAP, but it has been thoroughly crash tested and assessed by the MIRA of the United Kingdom, an independent organisation which is recognised by the ANCAP.The Malaysian Vehicle Assessment Programme (MyVAP) of the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety (MIROS) had previously rated the Malaysian Domestic Market (MDM) Prevé five-stars, but has yet to officially assess the Suprima.However, the Suprima offers curtain airbags on top of all the safety equipment previously offered in the MDM Prevé, effectively making the Suprima safer than its sister car and thus deserving of the five-star rating as well.

Like the Prevé, the Suprima S has also been developed to house a maximum of 6 SRS airbags, an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TCS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).However, unlike the Prevé, all Suprima units came standard with all of its engineered safety features at launch, whereas the MDM Prevé Premium trim was only offered with a maximum of 4 airbags with all electronic safety equipment, and the MDM Prevé Executive trim models were only fitted with 2 airbags without BA, TCS & ESC at launch.However, the MDM Prevé has since been updated for the 2014 model year and currently offers all of its engineered safety features as standard across all trim variants, without a hike in pricing.Additionally, the Suprima Premium variant offers front parking sensors, a reverse camera, Hill-Hold Assist, an Electronic Gear Shift Lock and brighter LED daytime running lights (DRL) which help contribute to an overall increase in safety standards.

Prior to the launch of the Suprima S and Prevé duo, Proton cars suffered from a poor safety reputation. The Proton Jumbuck infamously scored one star out of a potential five in its ANCAP test in 2009.Proton responded by raising safety standards significantly during the development of the Prevé and Suprima S. The REinforced Safety Structure (RESS) frame was developed specifically for the duo.Proton employs the use of Hot Press Forming (HPF), a process which was pioneered in Germany, during the Prevé's and Suprima's manufacturing stage.Twelve HPF components help in the reinforcement of the passenger compartment for improved occupant safety.The end result is an increased tensile strength and torsional body rigidity of 19,000 Nm/degree.The usage of HPF in the manufacturing process also helps in weight-saving, which translates into improved fuel efficiency, handling and performance. Proton is the only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in South East Asia to use Hot Press Forming in their manufacturing processes.
As of January 2014, Proton has prioritised safety as one of their main unique selling propositions (USP) and has been aggressively promoting their achievements with the Prevé and Suprima S.The company has promised that all new Protons launched from 2014 onwards will come with extensive safety equipment and feature a 5-Star ANCAP rating.
The Suprima S borrows most of its ride & handling attributes from the Prevé, which was tested in various weather and road conditions during its development phase such as ice & snow in Sweden as well as intense heat in Spain.The suspension system consists of MacPherson struts for the front and a multi-link with stabiliser bar for the rear.The suspension setup, the result of a retune of the Prevé's was wholly done in-house by the local Ride & Handling team, and was subsequently approved by Proton's British sister company, Lotus during a short joint-test with the testing team. Unlike the Prevé, the Suprima S displays a Lotus Ride & Handling badge on the bootlid, whereas in the former, no such badging is offered, but Proton Ride & Handling is nonetheless used in the Prevé's promotional media.


  
Powertrains
The Proton Suprima S is only offered with the 1.6 litre CamPro Turbo I4 petrol engine which has been indigenously designed by Proton and Lotus.The CamPro Turbo was previously known as the CamPro CFE, in which CFE stood for Charged Fuel Efficiency. Proton opted to rename the engine in favour of clarity & conciseness.The CamPro Turbo incorporates a low-pressure intercooled turbocharger that delivers 138 horsepower (103 kW) at 5,000 rpm and 205 Nm of torque between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm.Proton claims the turbocharged 1.6 litre CamPro Turbo is equivalent to a naturally aspirated 2.0 litre engine, and it has also been designed to conform to Euro V emission standards.The CamPro Turbo in the Suprima is mated to the Belgian-made seven-speed Punch Powertrain VT3+ CVT, also known as ProTronic, Proton's version of a manumatic transmission.The VT3+ transmission has been refined and revised to offer a sportier and more spirited driving experience.The CamPro Turbo and VT3 CVT were first used in the 2011 Proton Exora Bold and 2012 Proton Prevé Premium respectively.
Proton is currently developing an all-new 2.0-litre turbocharged engine for the Prevé and Suprima S duo.A six-speed manual transmission option is also in development.