Proton Exora - First Looks

For a comprehensive review, go to MTM. As with all new product launches, I will not repeat much of what veteran motoring journos have mentioned. On the surface level, I am very impressed with the latest effort by Proton.



There is a video posted by PaulTan.org. It is obviously taken from a sales training material and these are usually meant for internal use only. Not sure how he got it or whether Proton will be too pleased to see it being circulated. But as far as we are concerned, we have him to thank and take a look at it while you still can.

Take a look at the Avanza section at the 1 minute mark. Notice that the person in the video have to go over to the driver's side to open the tailgate. This is because the Avanza is the only model here that lacks a tailgate release handle. I remember this very well because there was once I had to do some house moving with the help of an Avanza. And boy was I cursing everytime I had to lug my boxes AND fumble with the keys in my pocket to open the driver's door and then deciding to either to do a balancing act with the heavy boxes and bend down to reach the tailgate release or hurt my back more by having to put the boxes on the ground, push to tailgate release lever, close the door, pick up the boxes again and move to the back of the car. Try repeating that in multiples of ten. How is it possible for a MPV, a utility use centric vehicle come without a tailgate release handle!

This blog has touched a bit on the Body Control Module (BCM, also known as Body Control Unit) in an earlier entry here. Contrary to the earlier speculation made, the Exora's BCM is actually sourced not from a Japanese supplier but from a German one, Siemens VDO. However, I need to point out that late last year Siemens VDO was sold to Continental AG, which was in turn was bought over by Schaeffler Grouppe early this year. An earlier post here has covered a bit on this ensuing drama.


Example of a Body Control Unit made by Continental Automotive (now owned by Schaeffler)

I am not sure if the senior management of Proton was thinking along the line as what I am seeing when they decided to push the standards / norms of what constitutes a "common specs" for a vehicle in this class or price range. The functions offered in the BCM is not even available in higher end luxury MPVs costing twice its price. Beyond the physical functions and reduction in wire harness complexity offered by the BCM, functions offered by the BCM allows the Exora to differentiate itself from its competitors beyond the conventional design elements.

Many auto industry analysts have been predicting that in the future, cars are going to look increasingly similar, due to greater cost pressures necessitating greater sharing of common parts with other models or even other vehicle makes. Also, increasingly tough crash safety and exhaust emission regulations meant that all crash safety engineers and aerodynamicists have to work within a small regulatory window. The end result is that cars of the future are going to look very similar.

The next level of product differentiation is expected to come from software enabled functions, like those offered in the Exora's BCM. The other types of differentiation will come from electronic human-vehicle interface. Physical differentiation is going to become even more costly in the future and may only be reserved for high end luxury models. As cross-branding becomes more common, compact / minicars will have to rely on things like a different chassis tuning, electronic engine management mapping, integrated Sat-Nav, climate control, entertainment and communication modules to differentiate themselves. We are starting to see such trends happening in saturated markets like Western Europe and Japan. Think of Toyota-PSA collaboration in Europe, Nissan-Suzuki-Mazda OEM arrangement in Japan and a similar Mitsubishi-PSA's CUV agreement in Europe.


I appreciate that a small bag hook is provided at the front passenger area. Most cars only offer them at the rear, below the headrest which doesn't really make sense when you consider how most of us deal with take-away foods. But I would much prefer the "slide-in and slide-out" type offered in Toyota models. I cringe at the thought how these pointy hooks will affect occupants in the event of a bad crash.


Speaking of crash, Proton has mentioned that it has benchmark their passive safety performance against EuroNCAP standards, and it is expect to perform to a 4-stars level (out of a maximum of 5). We would not know the actual EuroNCAP scores as though it is often cited by consumers, EuroNCAP is actually not a legal requirement in Europe or any other country. It is an independent body funded by the German AA (ADAC) and European insurance companies and cars are selected based on their availability in Europe. So unless the Exora is sold widely in Europe there will not be any official EuroNCAP results.

Assuming that the EuroNCAP standards mentioned by Proton are of the latest ESC and Pedestrian Protection Directive 2, 4-stars is the maximum scores the Exora can obtain as far as crash safety performance is concerned. The last 5th star can only be awarded to cars that are fitted with ESC (electronic stability control) on at least "85% of models sold." EuroNCAP considers ESC to be the most important safety feature after seatbelts, far more important than airbags which many misguided consumers seem to think as very important.

The dramatic roll-over crash shown in the image above, I would much rather have Proton offer me an ESC function that avoids such a crash in the first place, rather than telling me how strong is the body. I rather avoid a crash than to be in one in the first place. More on why I think ESC must be fitted as standard.

Related link :
Proton Exora MPV - it flashes under hard braking
Stupid Rich Chinese Drivers
The case of ESP and Corporate Social Responsibility