Closer Look: 2021 Proton Saga R3 Limited Edition - still worthy of the R3 badge?
Sanjay · Feb 20, 2021 05:00 PM
0
0
While the facelifted 2021 Proton Persona and Iriz are pretty much opensecrets, Proton's revival of the R3 brand pretty much came out of nowhere, led by this week's launches of the 2021 Proton Saga and Iriz R3 Limited Edition.
Standing for 'Race, Rally, Research', it was a badge of honour (as cliche as it sounds) that a select few models wore, which went on to be icons in their own right. Performance upgrades followed their visual flair, making them properly hotted-up Protons.
Like the Anniversary Edition, the R3 LE is based on the 1.3 Premium variant, which means it gets the same 15-inch wheels. Only this time, it's in a matte grey shade.
Beyond those, the R3 LE gets a set of window banners, new decals along the sides, and of course, a set of 'R3' and 'Limited Edition' badges.
Pretty much the same interior
The Saga R3 LE gains bright highlights on the air-conditioning vents, centre-console cubby space and instrument cluster surrounds - pretty much the same things that were in the Anniversary Edition.
Other than that, the R3 LE gets variant-specific carpets, a unique steering wheel with coloured inserts, and a badge on the passenger side to complete the look.
Credit where it's due though, the R3 LE gains leather seats, resplete with 'R3 Limited Edition' embroidrery. Last year's special only got fabric seats.
Performance - maybe next time
This is where it's a bit disappointing - there isn't anything done to the Saga under the hood. Power output is unchanged at 95 PS/120 Nm, coming from the 1.3-litre, naturally-aspirated mill that's paired to a 4-speed automatic gearbox.
Hope there's faster things to come...
When all's said and done, the chin-scratcher is why Proton made a 1,100-unit limited-edition variant, only to introduce a nearly-identical copy barely a year later.
In fact, the R3 Limited Edition is even more common than the Anniversary Edition - 2,000 copies will be made, with prices starting from RM 42,300.
Whatever the case, at least the R3 name's back. Hopefully means this greater, faster things to come from the moniker moving forward.
If the R3 is a bit too shouty for you, check out our review of the Premium variant below.
With humble beginnings collecting diecast models and spending hours virtually tuning dream cars on the computer, his love of cars has delightfully transformed into a career. Sanjay enjoys how the same passion for cars transcends boundaries and brings people together.