ROTON SATRIA NEO R3 LOTUS RACING EDITION –
TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Introduction
Undertaking this project presented PROTON with a very difficult set of challenges, and
the primary concern was in being able to introduce a model that would be worthy of
being known as the Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing edition.
With motorsports, more precisely Formula 1, there really isn’t any room for purely
cosmetics, and therefore, any production model introduced to celebrate PROTON’s
involvement with Lotus Racing in this year’s Formula 1 World Championship, must be
one that is worthy in being associated with the sport.
Addressing synergy in this unique relationship was perhaps the most critical first step
that was overcome and eventually paved the way to designing the Satria Neo R3 Lotus
Racing edition.
Exterior Styling
The classic Lotus Racing Green with yellow-inspired Lotus racing stripes of the Satria
Neo R3 Lotus Racing edition is no cosmetics treatment, and challenged PROTON’s
motorsports division, R3, to produce a vehicle that would live-up to the reputation of the
livery that is synonymous with the Lotus racing heritage and success.
If they say every car has a personality, then the overall design of the Satria Neo R3
Lotus Racing edition carefully brings together racing heritage and driving enjoyment to
communicate strength, performance, agility and in-car excitement.
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Optimizing the flow of air and to generate down force, Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing
edition features a race-proven R3 sculpted front bumper with a race-influenced wide air
dam and front splitter.
Signatures of yellow and graphite, when combined with the base Lotus Racing Green,
bring clarity to the shape and form of the front bumper, giving it a more pronounced
appearance and accentuating all the meticulous detailing that had gone into the design.
The rear bumper sports an equal amount of detailing, and a diffuser to assist with the
overall aerodynamics of the car.
One of the Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing’s most distinctive features is its indented front
fenders with sports race-inspired side air vents with the Lotus Racing name prominently
emblazoned. This is also the first time PROTON is introducing a production model with
FRP (Fibre reinforced plastic) fenders.
A carbon fibre hood, tailgate spoiler and side skirts, 16” inch alloys and a lower ride
height complete the overall aggressive yet refined look
Interior Styling
Simplicity and subtle placements of the racing heritage colours within the interior create
a very exciting and sporty cabin, from detailing on the leather wrapped three-spoke
multi-function steering wheel with carbon fibre effect finishing and door trim, to the
shades of Lotus Racing Green on selected parts of the front fascia.
The Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing edition also features exclusive nappa leather wrapped
PROTON bucket seats with carbon fibre effect inserts with perforated leather, detailed
with the yellow and green Lotus Racing embroidered insignia.
Other details in the cabin include an engine start button finished in polished aluminium,
R3 alloy gear knob and R3 alloy pedals.
Performance
Like all R3 signature vehicles, the Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing edition was
conceptualized to strike a balance between power and handling, offering outright
performance in the form of a spirited as well as enjoyable drive.
Running on R3’s engine management system, specially-tuned R3 camshafts, alloy
under-drive pulleys, R3 tuned full exhaust system which includes titanium headers and
full stainless steel piping and muffler liberates 145 brake horsepower at 7000 rpm from
the 1.6-litre CamPro CPS engine. To create all this power, the engine breathes through
a K&N filter and R3 Carbon Fibre Airbox. The standard production model Satria Neo
and Satria Neo CPS is rated at 110bhp and 125bhp respectively.
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Maximum torque also increases to 168 Nm at 5000 rpm, from 148Nm and 150Nm in the
base and CPS Satria Neo models respectively, enabling the Satria Neo Lotus to hit 0-
100km/h in a respectable 9.2 seconds, and up to a top speed of 200 km/h.
A great degree of effort went into setting-up the suspension system of the car. With the
base model Satria Neo already benefiting from Lotus ride and handling, the engineers
from R3 had an already strong foundation to improve on.
A set of Ohlins dual flow valve fully-adjustable suspension system with R3-tuned spring
and damper rates, a lower ride height, stiffened rubber suspension bushes and revised
suspension geometry, gives racecar-like direct steering input and cornering precision.
The Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing edition runs on lightweight 16” inch alloys and benefit
from exceptional grip in the form of Bridgestone Adrenalin RE001 205/45 R16 tyres.
What is perhaps a first for a production model Proton car is the use of massive 4-pot AP
Racing calipers and ventilated discs for the front brakes. The Satria Neo R3 Lotus
Racing is also equipped with anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic brake
distribution (EBD).
Performance by Lightweight & Aerodynamics
Put on a diet, which epitomizes Lotus’ ideology of performance by lightweight, the Satria
Neo R3 Lotus Racing edition features several weight saving measures.
A carbon fibre hood, race-designed FRP front and rear bumpers, and lightweight FRP
front fenders provides not only weight savings but more efficient aerodynamics and
down force, that translates into better handling under extreme driving conditions.
The custom 16” inch lightweight alloy wheels meanwhile, further reduces unsprung
weight to enhance the overall handling.
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Technical Specifications
Overall Length: 3905mm
Overall Width: 1710mm
Overall Height: 1410mm
Wheelbase: 2440mm
Weight: 1150kg
Engine: 1.6 CamPro CPS
Displacement: 1597cc
Transmission: 5 speed manual
Maximum Power: 145bhp at 7000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 168 Nm at 5000 rpm
Engine Management: R3 Tuned
Maximum Speed: 200 km/h
0-100km/h: 9.2 seconds
Front/Rear Suspension: Ohlins Adujustable coil-overs with R3-tuned spring and
damper rates
Wheels: Lightweight Advanti Racing 16 x 7 ET38 alloys
Tyres: Bridgestone Adrenalin RE001 205/45 R16
Brakes (Front): Front AP Racing 4-pot calipers with ventilated discs
Brakes (Rear): Single-pot with solid discs
Safety: Dual SRS front airbags, Pre-tensioner seat belts
About R3
Race.Rally.Research or R3 is PROTON’s motorsports division and charged with the
research, development and production of race cars, PROTON performance parts and
limited hyper performance production models.
Redefining the limits of a Proton car, R3’s performance on the racing track is injected
into high-performance components for the Proton range of vehicles and production
model vehicles for the enthusiasts who demand ride and handling with uncompromised
levels of comfort, agility, control and grip.
