2008 Proton Persona Is the Greenest Proton Ever

Green Credentials

13/05/2008 -- The green credentials of the new 2008 Proton Persona have been given official endorsement with the Federal Government Green Vehicle Guide awarding it a four star rating, the first Proton to achieve this level of energy efficiency.

2008 Proton Persona

The new Proton Persona is amongst the greenest cars on Australian roads, earning a 4 star rating in the 2008 Government Green Vehicle Guide. The four star rating is based on both the fuel efficiency and the low level of emissions the new Persona achieves from its 1.6litre Campro twin cam 16 valve engine.

Persona ranks an equal rating with several other smaller cars including Mitsubishi Colt, Smart Four 4, Mini Cooper and Citroen C2, with the same four star rating and beating many far more popular models thanks to its low fuel usage.

The only cars in front of Persona on the Green Vehicle Guide are considerably more expensive and most are smaller than the new Proton.

Persona scores a 6.5 air pollution rating and a 7.5 greenhouse rating in the Green Vehicle Guide, the same as the smaller and more expensive Citroen C2 mini car.

According to Proton Cars Australia managing director, John Startari, the achievement underlines Proton's commitment to building economical and cost effective cars that are also kind to the environment.

"Persona is the first Proton to score a four star rating, however our cars have always returned excellent fuel economy and have been highly rated in the Green Vehicle Guide over the past few years," said John Startari.

"The Jumbuck ute was listed as the greenest and most economical ute or light truck on the Australian market, recording a 3.5 star rating on the 2007 Green Vehicle Guide," he said.

"Proton engineers have done a lot of work refining the engine mapping of the Persona to deliver better fuel efficiency as well as better driveability and performance on the road and that is apparent when you get behind the wheel," he added.

"As well as improvements under the bonnet the Persona has benefited from a cleaner, more aerodynamic design which has lowered drag further enhancing its fuel efficiency as well as lowering noise levels," said John Startari.

The Greenhouse Rating awards a score out of ten for the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) the vehicle produces, the higher the score the lower the CO2. emitted.

All new vehicle models up to 3.5 tonnes sold in Australia are tested by the government to determine both the fuel consumption and the level of CO2 emissions.

The Air Pollution Rating is based on the level of air pollutant emissions allowable under the standard to which the particular vehicle has been successfully tested for supply to the Australian market.