TEST DRIVE

When it comes to pricing its cars in Thailand, Proton rarely, if ever, fails to miss the mark.

Take the latest Preve compact saloon as an example. In range-topping Premium form at 759,000 baht, not a single player in the Thai C-segment can match it for price.

The Preve Premium has a 138hp 1.6-litre petrol-turbo, CVT automatic, cabin-filled airbags, stability and traction control and navigation system.

A Toyota Corolla with comparable performance and kit would cost more than 900,000 baht. Even the lowest spec Mazda 3 _ equipped with a 105hp 1.6-litre engine _ just manages to undercut the Preve by 4,000 baht.

That said, the Preve is great value when it comes to the price and specification balance. This selling point is quite useful in a country that still regards Proton as a relatively new brand, not as established as the ever-powerful Japanese makes.

The Preve's package itself is not bad, either. Designed as a replacement for the Persona, the Preve has sensible dimensions in its class. It isn't too big on the outside yet is spacious enough inside.

There's proper head and legroom for both front and rear occupants. The boot, despite the protruding wheel arches, still manages to yield usable space. The rear seats can fold flat for increased cargo capacity, but the process is a fussy, three-step process: tuck away the flimsy cushions, remove the head rests (only two are available and none for the centre occupant) and then push the backrests down.

Proton has apparently focused much on the Preve's functionality levels, which goes to explain why the design of the car isn't rousing.

Tidy as it may look in appearance, the Preve looks very ordinary on the outside. Despite its freshness, hardly anybody took interest in the car, probably because it simply looks like a Honda City from several angles.

Equally as uninspiring is the interior, which has bland door panels and a staid-looking console. At least the steering wheel and its paddle-shifters look quite good. Some soft-to-touch plastics can be found in the Preve, but hard counterparts still reign. There's no leather option yet, although Proton is said to be working on it for a later time in the car's life cycle.

Upon driving, the Preve feels every inch a Proton. At low speeds, the steering is a tad heavy and the firmly sprung suspension can be hard over potholes and speed bumps _ you can also hear some interior parts squeaking.

But as soon as you head out of the city, the crisply tailored driving characteristics pay dividends with good poise, grip and cornering ability.

You could say that a chassis can't be sporty and comfy at the same time, which is the inevitable compromise you have to live with in the Preve. Well, not actually, because the Ford Focus sort of manages to combine these two aspects quite well.

The decision by Proton to top the Preve range with a turbo version is good, for its helps plug the deficiencies of the non-turbo version used in the cheaper Standard and Executive variants. The strategy was first used in the seven-seat Exora, which shares the same engine as the Preve.

Acceleration and overtaking power is plenty at real-world speeds in the Preve. This turbo is designed to make driving easier and more economical than in a car powered by a non-turbo engine.

Even so, you regularly crave for a little more oomph, given that this is a light-turbo application. Maybe the Preve's weight could be a culprit _ it's the only car in its class to over 1.3 tonnes.

We managed to record a 14.5kpl economy which isn't that bad nor super because the 1.8 versions of the Corolla and Nissan Sylphy once came into our hands at 15kpl.

But what makes the Preve's engine so Proton is the noise it makes when revved up with the occasional coarseness permeating to the gas pedal.

The CVT works smoothly but not to the point of the Corolla's. The same goes for the quickness of the gear change in seven-speed manual mode.

Regardless, it's good to see Proton introducing turbo technology to the mass-market saloon scene in Thailand because, at some point in the future, the Japanese will eventually have to catch up with a trend that is working well in Europe in performance, economy and emission terms.

Many potential Preve buyers may be tempted to go for the regular 110hp 1.6-litre models which can help save as much as 100,000 baht. But it's really worth considering the more rewarding performance _ and safety kit _ of this top-line 138hp 1.6-litre.

But what really prevents the Preve from shining in its class is the lack of refinement and comfort which are quite essential for family cars for the masses, no matter how good it is to drive.

Which, in the end, makes the Preve just another Proton to emerge from Malaysia's national car brand, but better this time.

AT A GLANCE

Styling ................................. 6/10

Tidy it may be, the design is still uninspiring. The same goes for the staid-looking interior.

Performance ........................ 7/10

Turbo engine is effortless and reasonably frugal at real-world speeds but feels coarse and vocal.

Handling and ride .................. 7/10

Taut chassis and meaty steering has been tuned the Proton way, but they can feel firm and heavy at low speeds.

Practicality .......................... 8/10

There's a good amount of interior and boot space, with added versatility from rear seats that can fold down.

Safety kit ............................. 9/10

Cabin-filled airbags and chassis and braking electronics don't come easily in this class at this price point.

VERDICT .............................. 7/10

The Preve stands out in the Thai C-segment class with outstanding kit, turbo performance and crisp driving manners. But as a compact family car, it lacks refinement and comfort.

From above left: There’s ample space in the rear. Seats fold flat but in a fussy manner.

What prevents the Preve from shining in its class is the lack of comfort

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