Your Idea of Improved Waja

[si|verfish]

faisal; although it is wishful thinking on his part, I think it also reflects what most of us want to see from R3. Let me explain. Everybody and their pet dog knows too well of Protons failings and all of them have very very bad impressions of Proton (rightly or wrongly). They wish for better offerings from Proton. They probably see that R3 could possibly have that ability to give that to them ie a better Proton, Protons guys like us want.

I think merely tinkering with current Proton models is probably not enough. Maybe it is about time R3 get a bit more thorough with their offerings, maybe even to the level of thoroughness that AMG and BMW M do for their cars. A lot to ask, yes, but ultimately I suppose that is what you guys should be aiming for.

I'll give an example. Take the Waja MME. I approve of the bodykits, the brakes and the exhaust system upgrades but the interior leaves a lot to be desired (doesn't have to expensive, at least look different from the normal ones) and the retarded details at the back like the now infamous "thermometer" backlights and that fugly "WAJA" lettering above the license plate. Should very much get rid of those 2 things at least, spoils the bloody look.

 

[faisal]

Take the Waja MME. I approve of the bodykits, the brakes and the exhaust system upgrades but the interior leaves a lot to be desired (doesn't have to expensive, at least look different from the normal ones) and the retarded details at the back like the now infamous "thermometer" backlights and that fugly "WAJA" lettering above the license plate. Should very much get rid of those 2 things at least, spoils the bloody look.

The MME cars aren't LEV cars like The Satria R3 which underwent many changes. Hence the near std look interior-wise. In a nutshell they are ZeroKit cars with all/or most R3 performance/styling options fitted (where available)

The tail lights and the "Tailgate garnish" are current production items. Personally we prefer the previous tail light but there are limitations especially on a "ZeroKit" style vehicle.

 

[si|verfish]

I understand with regards to the MME cars. I'm more talking about R3's output in general.

I also understand the compromises and the lengths you guys will have to make for certain things to be possible but we all hope R3 could go the extra mile. Sometimes, the little things will count too, like said taillights.

 

[faisal]

I understand with regards to the MME cars. I'm more talking about R3's output in general.

I also understand the compromises and the lengths you guys will have to make for certain things to be possible but we all hope R3 could go the extra mile. Sometimes, the little things will count too, like said taillights.

Those taillights, honestly speaking, aren't worth the extra mile (for just 200 units) if you could understand where I'm coming from....

but hey no one is stopping anyone from changing to the old style tail lights..

Back order tail lights anyone??

 

[si|verfish]

Those taillights, honestly speaking, aren't worth the extra mile (for just 200 units) if you could understand where I'm coming from....

but hey no one is stopping anyone from changing to the old style tail lights..

Back order tail lights anyone??

Yeah, I know where you are coming from.

But you know people will go; "That MME Waja, yeah it looks allright but those backlights....etc". It sort of takes away some shine from the product and I'm sure you guys probably get annoyed by that as well. Sometimes it really is the little things. Like how Protons power window failings continue to haunt even the R3 folks.

 

[riggy]

An improved waja is a necessity. However what would the criteria be? Externally, the waja would need to be a whole lot less slab sided than the current design. Notice how the side panels (fender, doors) have not a single curve or arch or groove splitting it? The only thing that splits the car is the rubber strips running through the sides. This is actually a good thing for a manufacturer who intends to save moulding costs for the body panels, as we all know, the more shapes, the more design cost is there. However, this makes the car look utterly dull. Take a look at a shopping trolley and notice that if you put straight square panels it may just look like a waja’s side. In short, Proton needs to have its designers to make it look like the Neo (with headroom of course).

About the front and rear, yes, a Subaru style facelift is the way to go.

Note that Subaru is technically a small company compared to its other Japanese car manufacturers. To make sure that their cars last a long time, they actually over engineer the chassis to a point (try looking up on US reports on the actual strength of a Subaru B pillar to have more knowledge about what i’m saying here) and then keep improving on it year after year. The facelift isn’t the only thing that changes after every few years, there are lots of changes underneath if you look at the Impreza GD series applied A to the current applied F chassis. Aside from going from bug eyed to blob eyed to eagle eyed, the Impreza actually gained a better steering rack, lots some weight, got more aluminium parts even for the base models, better ride and handling due to new shocks and springs, new rear track (for the STIs), different roll bar settings etc. However, Subaru standardizes alot of items that actually make a car feel good to own. Note that Subaru probably makes only 400,000-500,000 vehicles a year, and it is because of this there is lots of rationalisation/standardization involved. The cars are actually based on the same 3-4 platforms. The R1 and R2 is essentially the same with the exception for length and the Impreza and Forrester share the same chassis and then the Legacy for its premium chassis (which I think the B9 Tribeca is based upon). Interior trimmings are quite the same, MOMO is specified for most of the Impreza upwards vehicles for the steering, which arguably makes the best steering wheels around. If you seat in a Subaru, you’d know that while certain plastics may seem somewhat cheap. The engineers MADE SURE that what you hold the most feels extremely good (this goes to pedals, gearknob, air-condition vents and controls). Hence, Proton should make sure that their cars based upon these criteria.

Back to the Waja issue, Proton should make the Waja a nice place to be in. As such, redesign the seats. The back/lumbar support is all wrong with those seats. Another thing with the interior I find wrong is the meter hood. Why is there a piece of plastic holding it up right in the middle? You can’t use it for anything, you can’t put a 10sen coin there in fact. Its just there to hold up the darn meter hood from collapsing under its own weight. Redesign it so that it can actually be used for coins. (unless with the new campro versions that has been done already).

Another issue is that Proton needs to increase the steering height. It seats a little too low for sprited driving. Either that or drop the seats. Improve the quality of the plastics in the car. Proton designers should opt for a little more quality in their plastics. No need to go so far for a benchmark, just buy a myvi and look at the upper part of the dashboard to see how a dashboard should be done on a budget. If you want something higher, look at the new civic then, seating in it makes you feel good.

ACTUALLY, the only good thing about the waja is the chassis, the rest you should change. It also goes to show that ride and handling needs to be coupled with the rest for a satisfying driving experience.

regards

 

[eyong]

Riggy: "Why is there a piece of plastic holding it up right in the middle? You can’t use it for anything, you can’t put a 10sen coin there in fact. Its just there to hold up the darn meter hood from collapsing under its own weight."

Is that what's it for??? I have always wondered from day 1 till the last day with the car, is WTF is that thing for??? I know chicks used it to stick stuff toys there, or anything that could be wedged in-between. They could have put a digital clock assembly there, rather than having that tiny thing at the bottom of the cluster. Least the passenger could see the time too rather than asking the driver for it ...

 

[chaku]

my interpretation of facelifted waja

http://www.pix8.net/pro/pic.php?u=5841R6L7G&i=970860

at least...i want waja to be this way...sport luxury car...
i will surely buy if it looks like this