The Proton Wira was Proton’s second-ever model right after the Saga (some may argue the second model should be Proton Iswara but Iswara is a...
The history of the Wira definitely deserves its own article and the article is published here. However there are some limited models just like the Putra we posted here that we would like to share with you all.
10. Proton Wira 2.0 Diesel
Diesel passenger cars weren’t and still aren’t popular in Malaysia but Proton still produced the first Proton Wira 2.0 Diesel in 1996. The car is powered by a 2.0L SOHC 4 cylinder naturally aspirated4D68 engine sourced from Mitsubishi and capable to produce 63HP and 79HP for the turbo version.
To appeal to buyers, the Wira Diesel was entitled to a 50% road tax as a cleaner and more value-saving choice. At the time of launch, the Wira Diesel started from RM 56,567.95 (solid) and RM 57,249.81 (metallic). However, even with the incentive, sales were generally poor as the road tax rate was still higher on diesel-powered private vehicles than petrol-powered ones of the same displacement and the Wira Diesel was discontinued in 2000 after only 4 years.
9. Proton Wira Special Edition (WiSE)
The 1.5 Special Edition, which is also known as the SE or WiSE by Wira fans, is probably the raciest-looking Wira Aeroback to have been released by Proton. It featured a more aerodynamic exterior which was recognized by its sports skirts and optional huge GT rear wing that was more for show than substance.
Elsewhere, the WiSE also came with bucket seats, a sports exhaust, a tuned suspension, a red speedometer, an aluminium gear knob, aluminium pedals, and 16-inch GTi-spec wheels. Power coming from the tried and tested 4G15 MPI engine was boosted by 8%, which produced 90 PS @ 6,000 rpm and 126 Nm @3,000 rpm. The WiSE was offered with 2 transmissions, a 3-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission. During its launch in 2004, the Wira SE selling price start from RM 49,000. The WiSE only came in two colours, Racing Red and Black Rider.
8. Proton Wira 1.6 Millennium Edition
21 years ago, Proton released a special edition of the Wira Aeroback that was given a very cool metallic Lake Green paint job to celebrate the new millennium. The Millennium Edition was powered by a standard 1.6-litre 4G92 (113 PS/137 Nm) that was mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission.
Proton added some trims to enhance the looks of the Wira Aeroback for the new millennium including a revised grille, a front skirt, a bee-sting antenna, and new sports rims aside from the paintwork.
7. Proton Wira 1.6 Thomas Cup Edition
We were the champion in 1992 Thomas Cup and even though we were not managed to win in year 2000 Thomas Cup, EON released a special edition to commemorate the host nation. Widely seen as the sedan twin to the Millennium edition, the Wira 1.6 Thomas Cup Edition was based on the popular 1.6 XLi variant with an exquisite metallic blue paintjob. At RM 63,182.67 (inclusive of insurance). the
The Thomas Cup Edition is priced similar to the Wira 1.6 XLi but comes with some enhanced features. These include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, semi-bucket leather seats, front skirting, special Thomas Cup sticker decals, and a bee-sting antenna. However only handful were made and handed to 300 lucky owners.
6. Proton Wira Executive 1.5/1.6
Proton’s three first sedan models, the Saga, the Wira, and the Perdana, interestingly, each had a long-wheelbase (LWB) variant. The Executive which extended the wheelbase by 254 mm compared to the standard Wira (2,500 mm).
The Wira Executive had bigger rear legroom but apart from a few additional wood trims, the interior remained looking like the standard Wira. Proton offered 2 engine choices for the Wira Executive which were the 1.6-litre 4G92P (113 PS/137 Nm) and the 1.5-litre 4G15P (85 PS/123 Nm). These were paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission and a 3-speed automatic transmission respectively. The price range from RM 72K to 84K. The 1.5 GL Sedan was sold at RM 71,969.58, the1.6 XLi Sedan – RM 80,981.67, the1.6 XLi Aeroback – RM 79,160.80 and the 1.6 XLi Aeroback (with accessories) – RM 83,073.02. Back in the days, Aeroback costed more than a sedan.
5. Proton Wira Grand Limousine 1.6
Do you think that the Executive is a longest version? Then you maybe wrong, there is a longer version which we called it Proton Wira Grand Limousine and only 25 units were built. It has an additional wheelbase length of 915 mm from the standard Wira sedan. Adding to the Wira limo’s legend is the fact that they were assembled by a coachbuilder in Australia, not locally.
While the outside of the Wira Grand Limousine looks like a stretched Wira with a vinyl roof, there were more in the cockpit. There were TV with video player, Boomerang TV antenna, Connolly leather upholstery, Ottoman seat rests, Privacy glass divider between front and rear occupants, Driver intercom,, Wool carpets, Dash wood trims, Individual rear reading lamps and a Soft-touch PVC roof lining.
The Wira Grand Limousine is powered solely by a 1.6-litre 4G92 engine producing 112HP. EON listed the Wira Grand Limousine at RM 108,358.97 in 1996 and it will cost you around RM184K in today's money which you can buy a way better car.
4. Proton Wira 1.8 EXi PERT (C99S)
The Wira 1.8 EXi PERT shareed some similarities with the Wira Thomas Cup Edition like the front bumper splitter, roof antenna, transparent signal lights and sport rim. However, the car came with the metallic Lake Green colour as the Wira Millennium instead of blue colour.
The PERT edition was powered by the same 1.8-litre DOHC 4G93 which equipped in the Wira EXi LE but mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission instead. Inside, it felt more luxurious too with leather seats and silver trim around the instrument panel and radio. The 1.8 EXi PERT was cheaper when compared to the 1.9 EXi LE with the price tag of RM 71,947.86.
3. Proton Wira 1.8 EXi LE (C99S)
The Wira with the chassis code C99 can be considered as the best Proton Wira among the fans. Built specifically to fulfill the FIA’s homologation requirement of a minimum of 2,500 road-legal units in order to qualify for the Group N World Rally Championship, the Wira C99 was equipped with the 4G93 DOHC engine which capable to produce 138HP and paired with a 5 speed manual gearbox.
Besides the kitted-out aesthetics, twin exhaust tailpipes, 14-inch 5-spoke AAC wheels, and bigger front and rear brakes, the bodyshell was toughened thanks to 20-point double stitch welds throughout as well as a reinforcement bar to reduce body roll to a minimum. At the rear trunk, it also equipped with a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO I spoiler. We called it "tiang gol" in Malaysia. Inside the interior, the car was fitted with Recaro Njoy semi-bucket seats with Recaro fabric trims, a Momo Daytona 3-spoke steering wheel, and a leather Momo gearshift knob. The price was set at RM 72,235.10 which you can only able to buy a low spec Honda Jazz.
2. Proton Wira 1.8 EXi LE RS (C99S)
RS (Racing Spec) means "kosong" and is the meaning of empty in Malaysia mindset. The Wira 1.8 EXi RS (Racing Spec) variant which was catered for the more hardcore of Wira fans and with 50 units made. In order to reduce weight, Proton removed the Recaro seats, Momo gear knob and steering whee and the power windows as well and which resulted the RS only weigh around 1030KG. So now it explained why we called RS as "kosong" variant as there was no power windows. Are you kidding me? Hahaha...
However to keep the RS competitive, Proton acquired the ECU from Mitsubishi and did some fine tuning on it. With such mod, the RS was capable to reach 9000 rpm and 260 km/h.
1. Proton Sembilu
Last but not least, the rarest of all - Proton Sembilu. The actual version of Malaysia Proton Wiralution (Wira + Evolution). The Sembilu was considered as the father to the Wira C99 and also a tale of what could have been. It might look like a pimp my ride Proton Wira but really that’s just hiding what’s underneath it.
The Sembilu was equipped with the famous Mitsubishi 4G63T 2.0L turbocharged engine and it was a all wheel drive Proton Wira which was road legal back then. (Any modified all wheel drive Proton Wira is not road legal).
Too young back in year 1994 and still do not understand up until now why the project was killed off by the JPJ and the reason for it was the Semibilu's power was too much for us, the Malaysians to handle. Sigh...
Photos: Credit to their respective owners
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