22 April 2008

MUSCAT -- Al Hashar and Company, the sole distributor of Proton cars in Oman, unveiled two first fully-homegrown marques, Gen 2, Proton's flagship and Waja, family sedan, under the auspices of Dr Khamis bin Mubarak al Alawi, Minister of Transport and Communications at Al Hashar showroom at Al Athaiba yesterday evening.

More than 300 invited guests witnessed the dazzling launch of 2008 models amid an awe-inspiring illusionist's live performance with flashy light and sound show. This heralded the magical appearance of the Gen 2 and Waja on stage which provided dramatic effect in the lively ambience of the showroom. The launch of the stylishly chic and sporty 1,600 cc five-seater hatchback Gen 2 and the reliable and elegant family sedan Waja models was significant for Al Hashar and Company.

Addressing the press conference earlier in the day, Werner K Koch, Chief Executive Officer, Al Hashar Group of Companies, in the presence of Michael Lee, Country Manger, Proton, Shaikh Nasser bin Said al Hashar, Member of board of Directors, Al Hashar Group, Sultan al Kharusi, Board Member and Mohammed Ariffin bin Amir, Regional Head of Middle East, Proton, said new brands of Proton, Malaysia's largest manufacturer of automobiles, offer customers the car that is bound to make them passionate about comfort, handling and affordable style.

"Today is a special and momentous occasion for us as we introduce Proton to our automotive line of products in Oman. The immensely successful brand in Malaysia has proven its success outside its boundaries in countries like the UK, South Africa and Australia and in other 25 countries worldwide. Proton's philosophy of 'the right car, for the right market, at the right price' has been the driving force behind its recent success," Koch said.

"Our excellent service, before and after sales, the fantastic value-for-money in terms of quality for Waja and Gen 2, and the chic styling of the Gen 2 will be the selling point here. Mostly fleet sales are to car rental agencies and corporate firms, aside from purchases by individual families. However, we are not targeting the Gen 2 and Waja specifically for fleet sales as such. We are targeting these vehicles at middle-class individuals and families," he added. The new generation Gen 2 has been styled to attract a wide customer base. The Lotus Design Studio has a major influence on the design of the curvy muscular bodywork that looks simply sensational in a range of new colours.

From the bee sting aerial to the dashboard instrument panel, the Gen 2's sporting pedigree is undeniable. The 1.6 litre Campro engine, designed in collaboration with Lotus, delivers exceptional torque output. The double overhead-camshaft engine produces 110bhp. Power is matched by agility with Gen 2's handling. The Gen 2 has outstanding stability when cornering and changing lanes, making it an exciting, responsive drive while maximising passenger comfort. Sleek, sporty lines continue throughout the interior.

The design combines ergonomic comfort with classic minimalism. Optimal protection is provided by increased body rigidity and strategic crumple zones. Four-wheel ABS with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) system ensures maximum stability and good braking performance. As for the Waja, built with superior ride and handling, it is a mid-sized family sedan with a 1.6 litre engine, in both manual and automatic transmission options. Waja's two main strengths are its equipment levels and safety. With an enhanced structural integrity, the Waja's body strength was benchmarked against several leading cars in its category.

Promising to provide performance and peace-of-mind, the model is fitted with a good level of equipment which includes electronically-controlled air-conditioner, power steering, electric mirrors, six-speaker single CD radio, power windows and remote central locking. The Waja's standard safety and security features include anti-lock brakes (ABS), driver and front passenger airbags, traction control, alarm, engine immobiliser, side airbags and seat belt pretension.

By Shaddad al Musalmy

© Oman Daily Observer 2008