Skip to content
Proton models, news & reviews
2
Handling
Performance
1
Usability
3
Feelgood factor
Readers' rating
3.5
By Matthew Proud
First Drives
03 September 2008 12:20
Want to swap cheap thrills for cheap fuel? The Gen-2 Ecologic combines petrol power and low-cost LPG to force hard-up drivers to pay the Malaysian saloon a little more attention.
Proton barely registers on most buyers’ radars and, before this new Ecologic model came along, it was hard to find any reason to justify the Gen-2 existence. But the LPG option finally gives the Gen-2 a real purpose: it transforms the dull family car into a dull family car with half-price fuel bills, at no extra cost.
Absolutely nothing. A fully-converted GEN-2 Ecologic lines up alongside the standard 1.6 petrol for exactly the same price. No added cost at all. Proton absorbs the cost of fitting the system so you don’t have to.
With LPG about half the price of petrol per litre, drivers will save about £500 every 10,000 miles by opting for the Ecologic. So those covering mega-mileages will cash in straight away. Unfortunately, that’s where the plus points end…
The Gen-2 shows itself up within seconds of a stamp on the throttle, a limp away from the lights and a waddle past the first roundabout: it’s so dreary to drive. Twelve slow seconds are needed to reach 62mph and the 109bhp, Lotus-engineered 1.6-litre engine falls short for both city zip and comfortable motorway cruising.
The unresponsive brakes need a firm foot for sudden stops and the agricultural five-speed manual gearbox is very disappointing – imagine stirring a box of Maltesers with a breadstick and you’re pretty close.
Click 'Next' below to read our verdict on the Proton Gen-2 Ecologic
Add your comment
Sign in You must be signed in to submit a comment.
Proton Gen-2 1.6 Ecologic (2008) CAR review
Subject
Your comment
By submitting your comment, you agree to adhere to the CAR Magazine website Terms and Conditions
Cancel
You must be logged in to subscribe to a topic
Login or register now
hillfloater says
Re: Proton Gen-2 1.6 Ecologic (2008) CAR review
I run two LPG-powered vehicles for different purposes. I often wish I still had my pretty old Xantia, it was a super motor but they replaced it with the ugly C5. I'd have converted that knowing what I know now. Like 'engineer' I'm happy to stand at the pump for another couple of minutes before paying my 20 quid or so to fill up! As for rising LPG prices, I don't think it will happen in a hurry - the conversion industry is still a backstreet game so volume increase will continue to be slow. Especially if you keep slagging it off - keep up the good work! Only Millbrook, out of a vast automotive powertrain development industry, to their credit, are making any decent effort to change things on the OE side. So yes, if you're a pensioner buy a Proton, it'll get you about as well as most of the other boring small cars. If not - buy a decent car and get it converted. I'm often joined at the LPG pump by guys running Range Rovers and big BMWs - now THEY are saving serious money!
14 January 2010 11:19
Number One says
RE: Proton Gen-2 1.6 Ecologic (2008) CAR review
Proton is not the solution. LPG may be a transition solution indeed as it is currently cheaper and as such gaining volume all over europe. Problem is that LPG will also become expensive if demand increases so it is really just a middle step before other more definitive solution
05 September 2008 13:13
zeroSignal says
engineer - you base your entire comment on refueling times. And that's just silly. I run a 1994 Citroen Xantia on LPG, and have been so for the past 4-5 years. And I'm absolutely happy with the LPG system. The Citroen engines back then were very two-faced - quite economical out on the motorway, but hilariously thirsty for city driving. Considering I do most of my driving within city limits the LPG system has saved me quite a bit. I don't mind spending 4 minutes (yes, 4 minutes, I've actually timed it) once every 10-15 days to fill up the 55 litre LPG tank. Not at all. 50% of fuel cost or 2 minutes? The maths is quite simple really..
05 September 2008 11:24
engineer says
Proton appear to have lost the battle with the Koreans for suppling cheap cars with good warenttes (to pensioners). As for LPG, it fell by the wayside when the government was forced to stop handing out Powershift grants as they fell foul of EU anti competition laws. LPG is fine if you're happy to satnd there for ten mins while the tanks fills. Nothing can compete with oil based fuels when it comes to refueling times.
04 September 2008 16:46
PT100 says
They cannot sell Protons in ther home country, so they will do whatever it takes to try to sell them overseas. Please take this advice; don't bother!
04 September 2008 16:43
Upload stories, photos or videos direct to the site, or email newsdesk@carmagazine.co.uk.
Alternatively, call 01733 468 485 (+ 44 1733 468 485)
Seen a secret new car, fabulous exotic or have news we should publish? Then get in touch now.
