While the facelifted 2021 Proton Persona and Iriz are pretty much open secrets, 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. 

Also read: 2021 Proton Iriz & Saga R3 Limited Edition, Persona & Exora Black Edition launched in Malaysia

But is it really the R3 we've been waiting for? With so much visual similarity to 2020's Saga 35th Anniversary Edition, what else could be new?

What's the fuss about R3?

One doesn't even need rose-tinted glasses to realise that the R3 moniker once meant something special.

Check this out: Proton Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing Edition, R3's final hurrah

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.

Here's how it started: 2004 Proton Satria R3 1.8, Race Rally Research’s first-ever star

The Saga and Iriz however, are a bit different. Zero performance touches, but a whole lot of cosmetic updates.

What does the Saga R3 LE get?

If the sense of déjà vu is palpable, then its because the R3 LE shares the same bee-like combo as last year's Saga 35th Anniversary Edition. 

Which means yellow highlights below the grille, the front splitter, side skirts, side mirror caps, and rear bumper.

Throwback: 2020 Proton Saga Anniversary Edition launched in Malaysia - only 1,100 units, from RM 39,300

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.