Proton Waja History
Catalog record
This is a brief catalog introduction with limited source documentation. A licensed, identity-checked lead photograph has not yet been added for this page. Detailed year, configuration and ownership coverage must be identified separately; this page is not a complete vehicle catalog.
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The Waja (meaning 'steel' or 'brave' in Malay) debuted in August 2000 under the premiership of Mahathir Mohamad as the first Proton model designed in-house by Malaysian engineers, rather than rebadged from a Mitsubishi template. Although its platform drew on elements from the Mitsubishi Carisma/Volvo S40 architecture and early cars used Mitsubishi and Renault engines, the car's body design, interior, and engineering were Proton's own work — a milestone that made Malaysia the 11th country in the world capable of designing a car from the ground up.
When Proton's own CamPro engine became available, a CamPro-powered Waja was introduced, replacing the earlier Mitsubishi 4G18 unit. The Waja also offered a 1.8L Renault F4P for buyers wanting more performance. Sold in the UK as the Proton Impian, it ran until June 2011 with over 292,000 units produced.
Body styles
- Sedan
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