The price of the Proton Preve has been slashed to $15,990 driveaway, making it one of the cheapest small cars on the market.
Originally priced at $18,990 driveaway, the $3000 price cut represents a 16 per cent saving on the five-speed manual Preve. The automatic CVT-equipped Preve is now also $3000 cheaper, down from $20,990 to $17,990 driveaway.
Proton Cars Australia claims the new pricing makes the Preve “Australia’s most affordable car”. While the Chinese-built Chery J3 is technically Australia’s cheapest small car at $12,990 driveaway, Proton says the Preve’s standard five-year warranty, capped-price servicing and free roadside assistance offer makes it more affordable to own.
The pricing offer sees the removal of Proton’s free servicing offer for the Preve, however. Under the company’s capped-price servicing offer, it costs $1500 to service a Preve manual for five years or 75,000km and $1600 to service a Preve CVT – effectively cutting the price saving in half.
In our review of the Proton Preve in May, we suggested the car should be priced “at least $4000 cheaper” – an opinion that appears to have resonated within Proton Cars Australia HQ.
Proton says the special pricing offer applies to Preve vehicles ordered and delivered before December 31 or while stock lasts.
Proton has also cut $2000 from the price of the Gen.2 and Persona, now both $14,990 driveaway, and $1000 from the S16 FLX, now $12,990 driveaway.
The Proton Preve is powered by an 80kW/150Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, consuming 7.2 litres per 100km on the combined cycle when paired with the manual gearbox and 8.0L/100km with the CVT.
Standard feature highlights include 16-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth phone connectivity, electronic stability control and six airbags (dual front, side and curtains).
Proton sold 150 Preves in the first half of this year after hitting showrooms in February.
