PROTON LEAPFROGS RIVALS WITH EVEN KEENER PRICES

Already hailed as the "people's price champion", Proton is taking its value for money creed to new heights with this week's launch of the cheapest full size four door saloon in Britain.

A Limited Edition of the new Wira 1.5 LXi 'S' LE four door is now available from Proton dealers throughout the UK for just £7999 on the road. A five door version is also available at no extra cost.

To reinforce its price advantage over rival manufacturers, Proton is also offering a Limited Edition Wira 1.6 LXi 'S' LE in both four and five door form at £9299 OTR, including metallic paint finish in Oregano Green or Mercury Silver as standard on all four models and ABS as standard on 1.6 models.

Customers quick to recognise the stunning value of the Wira 1.6 LXi 'S' LE will save a whopping £3000 on the Nissan Almera 1.5 E five door and almost £1700 on the cost of a Daewoo Lanos 1.6 SX four door.

In spite of major dynamic and specification improvements across the re-branded Satria and Wira ranges for the 2000 model year, UK prices of the Malaysian manufacturer's cars are up to 15 % lower today than prices applicable in 1998.

A stock of just 500 of the four Wira Limited Editions is being made available to UK Proton dealers and the campaign will run until the end of July.

To achieve these even more exceptional price levels, the LE's are offered without sunroofs and alloy wheels. They will be backed by a one year manufacturer's warranty, plus one year RAC membership, although both can be upgraded to normal Proton warranty standards at extra cost.

Equipment is otherwise identical to 2000 model year specifications. This means that all four LE's already offer a high level of standard features, including power steering, electric front windows, central locking and Clarion sound systems.

The 1.6 litre versions also benefit from Lotus-derived improvements to ride and handling, while all four models incorporate a noise, vibration and harshness package to reduce road, wind and mechanical noise inside the passenger cabin.