KUALA LUMPUR: The newly launched Persona Elegance 1.6 litre sedan is expected to boost overall Proton car sales by 8% in the 2010/2011 financial year, said Proton Holdings Bhd group managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.

"The introduction of the Persona Elegance is expected to increase monthly sales of the Persona to at least 4,000 units per month and contribute to 48,000 to be sold over the next 12-month period, representing an 11% increase over the last 12-month's performance," he said at the unveiling of the car on Thursday, March 18.

It will replace the Persona SE, which the mid-sized sedan model currently holds a 35% market share of cars in its class, according to Proton. Prices start from RM46,499 on- the-road (OTR) or the manual transmission base line type to RM59,499 for the high line type.

With a monthly average sales volume of 3,600 units, Proton has sold 102,914 units have been sold since August 2007. As at February this year, there has been 6,898 bookings.

The model is available in base, medium and high line variants. The base and medium line types come with either a four-speed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual transmission, while the high line type only comes with automatic transmission.

The enhanced model sports redesigned headlights and rear LED combi lights, a more pronounced front grille fascia, new upholstery, meter combi fascia, and door mirrors with built-in turn indicators.

The base line and medium line types come with twin front airbags and full body-kit, while the high line type comes with leather seats.