Proton Tops Two Categories In The Brighton To London Future Car Challenge

BRISTOL, UNITED KINGDOM – Nov 8, 2011: Malaysian car manufacturer Proton has had cause to celebrate having won two categories in the Brighton to London RAC Future Car Challenge which took place on Saturday 5 November.

Proton, which has a franchise portfolio of 75 dealerships throughout the UK, stole the show for the second year running with the ‘Best Overall Extended Range’ category and also won the ‘Most Energy Efficient Multi-Purpose’ category with its Proton Exora Range Extended Electric Vehicle (REEV).

More than 65 low-emission vehicles – some not seen on the UK roads before – battled for pole position in the three different entrants classes and seven vehicle categories – from small passenger classes to light commercial vehicles.

The 60-mile route challenged competing cars from the world’s most recognised car manufacturers to use the least amount of energy on their journey. As well as low-emission conventional (internal combustion) engine cars, the entry list included electric vehicles, hybrid models and cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

Simon Park, General Manager for Sales and Marketing for Proton in the UK commented: “This year, Proton entered three cars into the Brighton to London RAC Future Car Challenge – the Exora REEV, the Saga EV and the Persona Elegance REEV. We are absolutely delighted with how the Exora REEV faired and its success clearly demonstrates our commitment to the development of export markets and investment in a new range of conventional hybrid and electric vehicles to meet growing demand.

“With petrol and diesel prices showing no signs of decreasing, the future of motor cars must lie in finding a fuel that is not only cost effective, efficient and more environmentally friendly. Our LPG car, the EcoLogic, has already proved a popular choice for customers – and we think our new range of eco-friendly cars will also be popular for the future.”

Proton’s entry into the Future Car Challenge was a joint collaboration with one of its technology partners, Frazer-Nash Research Limited.