The Proton Arena is a small front wheel drivecoupé utility manufactured by Malaysian automaker Proton. Introduced in 2002, the Arena is the only form of pickup by Proton, and is the only Proton model to enjoy significantly more popularity in its export market than domestically. The suspension configuration of the Arena consists of a combination of independent MacPherson strut suspensions from a saloon car at the front, and torsion beam, leaf sprung suspensions at the rear. Other modifications include the use of a rigid rear axle, an uprated front stabiliser bar, and 14" front ventilated discs and 9" rear drum brakes with load sensing proportioning valves, optimised weight distribution and the use of reinforced high profile tyres. Lotus Engineering provided additional ride and handling enhancements. Similar to the car it is based on, the Arena is powered by a 1.5-litre, 12-valve Electronically Fuel InjectedMitsubishi 4G15 engine fitted with Proton's proprietary EMS 400 engine management system. The Arena was proclaimed to have met Europe's Euro 2 emission standards, and was also claimed to provide a good power-and-fuel efficiency balance by producing an output of per litre and a power-to-weight ratio of per tonne. While the engine offers a respectable fuel consumption rating, it struggles under heavy loads.
Body design
The Arena is based largely on Proton's Wira/Persona saloon, sharing similar frontal designs of the then current Wira and mechanics, but having a reduced seating capacity of two confined to a Wira-based cabin and featuring a rear cargo bed measuring x x with a maximum payload of and a maximum load area of x. In Malaysia, the Arena is offered in three variants, which features a variety of cargo bed accessories and trims but does not vary mechanically from the export edition:
The "Freestyle", the base Arena model with an open bed, exposed metal sports bars, steel rims and hubcaps.
The "Sportdeck", an open bed variant similar to the Freestyle with covered sports bars, body trims, and alloy rims.
The "Fastback", an upmarket variant with a hard, streamlined tonneau cover-cum-camper shell, body trims, and alloy rims.
In Australia, the Jumbuck was available in two variants, GLi and GLSi.
Chassis
Like the Wira, the Arena is of unibody construction, but in order to sustain additional loads from the cargo bed, the Arena includes a load-bearing ladder frame connected to a "torque box" for improved body durability and strength.
Safety features
While freely sold in Malaysia, no stringent third-party safety tests on the Arena were conducted or published publicly in the country. In September 2009, the Jumbuck was crash tested by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program. The Jumbuck fared poorly, receiving a one-star rating out of five. The Jumbuck lacks many of the safety features offered in other modern automobiles, such as airbags and anti-lock brakes. The absence of such safety features in an attempt to lower retail pricing is suspected to be one factor for the one-star crash test result. Proton Cars Australia has criticised the choice of the Jumbuck for the test, arguing the vehicle is the last of an old platform and is due for a replacement in the middle of 2010.
Marketing
In Malaysia, the Arena was often marketed for both commercial and recreational use. The stripped down Freestyle variant was specified to be targeted exclusively for a variety of commercial interests, while the Sportdeck variant was offered for both private owners and businesses. The Fastback variant, the top-of-the-line Arena, was targeted at private owners. While the three Arena variants were advertised as models for specialised tasks, all three models may be used in any way. Although the Arena was offered in Malaysia, the Arena was not popular in the local market and was mostly an export model. The Jumbuck remains a relevant model more than a decade after its British launch. Of the estimated 1,800 units registered between 2003 and 2006 in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, over 1,300 units remain licensed as of Q3 2015, with a further 153 units on SORN. Over 80% of all Proton Jumbucks sold in the UK are still on the roads.
