GALLERY: 2022 Proton Persona 1.6 Premium

The Proton Persona was officially unveiled its latest facelift guise early last month, though due to pandemic restrictions at the time, it is only now that we can bring you live images of the national carmaker’s once again revised B-segment sedan. Here it is, in visual detail.

The example photographed here is the top 1.6 Premium CVT, to give its variant name, and is priced at RM55,800 on-the-road excluding insurance. Under the skin is a 1,597 cc naturally aspirated engine that produces 109 PS at 5,750 rpm and 150 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm and mated to a continously variable transmission driving the front wheels.

Its front end receives the latest Proton emblem located within a redesigned grille, paired with LED headlamps on this range-topping Premium variant. Its front bumper has also been brought up to date with a refresh, and LED daytime running lights continue to be located at the bumper insert panels.

At the rear, changes that identify the 2022 model-year facelift are more reserved and still closely resemble the previous iteration, here bringing darkened tail lamp housings, and the rear bumper’s lower section wear a similar design to that of its predecessor, which was itself a facelift in 2019.

Rolling stock on the 2022 Persona in this Premium trim is a set of 16-inch alloy wheels in a dual tone finish, shod in tyres measuring 185/55R16. The middle Executive trim variant gets the same wheel design in a plain finish.

The interior gets the lion’s share of revisions in this facelift, and the Premium variant is differentiated here with brown leatherette upholstery whereas the Executive and Standard variants get fabric trim instead. Front and centre with the most prominent interior update is the freestanding eight-inch infotainment screen that now sits above the horizontal air-conditioning vents, whereas the screen was previously between vertical vents.

Exclusive to the Premium variant in 2022 Persona range is the “Hi Proton” voice command function, while adding navigation, music streaming, weather forecasts as well as 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Safety kit in the 2022 Persona 1.6 Premium CVT is comprised of six airbags (front, side and curtain), plus two rear parking sensors added from the Executive variant onwards. Standard across the board are ABS, EBD, brake assist, stability control, traction control and hill hold assist. These culminate in a five-star Asean NCAP rating for the 2022 Persona and the related Iriz, based on testing conducted under the 2017-2020 protocol.

Last but not least, the 2022 Proton Persona gets a choice of six exterior colours, of which five are available for the Premium variant. This is the Premium-exclusive Space Grey finish photographed here, and others also available for the range-topper are Snow White, Armour Silver, Rosewood Maroon and Ruby Red.