Proton Satria GTi Article:
Uncommon Affinity
The Proton Satria GTi is one of Malaysia’s few automotive hurrah’s that are genuinely respected outside of its home market. In spite of its Japanese underpinnings and British-derived handling, it fulfills the Satria’s conquest as a factory contender to the likes of equivalent hot hatches of its time, and to this day, still fulfills its purpose of a b-road knight.
Come 2020 and in Japan, appeared a little red example.
A little bit of a myth, the red Satria GTi would be spotted along the Chubu region, running the mountain roads and clocking times most couldn’t hit at the time.
Since then, the little hatchback would vanish then re-emerge. Until it turned silver, and supposedly drove slower.
It did its respective rounds, showing up, not, and eventually it got replaced with a different example. Since then, it hasn’t changed.
These days, it makes its infrequent appearances not being pushed to the limit, and sits next to cars as unique as it.
Back then, this was the only Proton GTi that most would ever see. These days, there exists a few more examples but they make their appearance in more local places to its place of creation.
I talk about this particular GTi because the person behind the wheel also originated from Celestar Islands. This was Celestar’s tuning culture, brought into Japan for the forseeable future for the rest of the world to see.
Back in Celestar Islands, there are numerous but limited amounts of Satria GTi still on the road.
The original pool of Satria GTi’s brought in by official importer Cycle & Carriage reduced from the original 75 units to approximately 54, with the 55th being written off a few years back in a rollover accident, parallel imported units not withstanding.
The total pool would be closer to 63 (as of 2021), including the elusive and exclusive R3 variant.
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| Unit CI-GT109H (Photo taken 2021) |
The Proton Satria GTi is based on the 1991-1995 Mitsubishi Colt/Mirage, produced at the tail end of the Mirage’s production in 1994. The GTi variant began production only in 1998.
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| Unit CI-GT109H (Photo taken 2021) |
The body is effectively the same as the Mitsubishi Mirage, down to the body, interior and engine, but the GTi received a little more than a simple rebadge.
The hot Mirage Cyborg-R used a turbocharged 1.6 litre, but the Malaysian derived version uses the 1.8L 4G93T, without the turbo and a higher compression ratio to compensate for the lack of turbocharger. In “4G93P” form (P for Proton), the GTi made 138bhp, a far cry from the 4G93T that made 212bhp come 1995.
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| Unit CI-SDD1882X (Photo taken 2021) |
Although it would never set the performance world on fire, it certainly set the Malaysian market ablaze. This was one of Malaysia’s fastest domestic car at the time, a cheaper option over the other Japanese, Italian, European and French rivals. It may had Mitsubishi underpinnings, but the shape was still relevant in Malaysia’s perspective, and the bodykit made the dull Satria stand out. Did Proton mention that Lotus had a hand in development?
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| Unit CI-SDM7816B (Photo taken 2021) |
In Singapore, Cycle & Carriage brought in only 11 units, none of which survived the COE cull twenty years on.
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| Singapore Motoring magazine, August 1999. Photo Credit: Midnite Oil |
Here in Celestar Islands, the GTi remains as a cult favorite by those who own or owned one. Many GTi’s have seen local motorsports usage in Carpark rallies in the 2000’s, and track use since its inception until now.
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| Right: The elusive CI-SJA7129T (Photo taken 2021) |
There even is 2 R3’s, but photos of them remain scarce.
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| (Photo taken 2021) |
The original Crest Racing Proton Satria GTi’s whereabouts remain unknown even today.
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| Crest Racing Proton Satria GTi |
If you’re looking to purchase one, units that were renewed COE in the 9th year of the decade when COE was cheap is will set you back about $40k. A bit steep in price, but not as pricey as other Japanese derived cars made in its time. Looking at you, Nissan Skyline.
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| Crest Racing Proton Satria GTi |
This article is not based on any specific unit, but a homage to the ones whose owners have allowed me to place photos in this article.
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| Unit CI-GT109H (Photo taken 2021) |
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| Unit CI-GT109H (Photo taken 2021) |
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| Unit CI-GT109H (Photo taken 2021) |
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| Unit CI-GT109H (Photo taken 2021) |
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| Unit CI-GT109H (Photo taken 2021) |
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| Unit CI-GT109H (Photo taken 2021) |
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| Unit CI-GT109H (Photo taken 2021) |
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| Unit CI-SDD1882X and Unit CI-SDA765Z (Photo taken 2021) |
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| Unit CI-SBA842H (Photo taken 2021) |
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| Unit CI-SDA765Z (Photo taken 2021) |
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| Unit CI-SDA765Z (Photo taken 2021) |
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| Unit CI-SDA765Z (Photo taken 2021) |
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| Unit CI-SDA765Z (Photo taken 2021) |
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| Unit CI-SDA765Z (Photo taken 2021) |
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| Unit CI-PPP8474P (Photo taken 2021) |
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| Unit CI-PPP8474P (Photo taken 2021) |
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| Unit CI-SDM6731L (Photo taken 2023) |
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| Unit CI-SDM6731L (Photo taken 2023) |
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| Unit CI-SDH851C (Photo taken 2023) |
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| Unit CI-SGR77P (Photo taken 2023) |
Although I do own an example, its still in the shops, and I don’t have any recent photos of it, so a dedicated article will exist for that car. For now, happy scouting for your dream car!
~Emiri
