Proton has announced its eagerly-awaited low-cost model, the S16, will go on sale in Australia on November 1 – and that it will sell for a driveaway price of less than $13,000.

The Malaysian company has built the Proton Saga for many years now and the Australia version will be imported as the S16. The most recent update of the Saga/S16 was introduced in 2008 so should be right up to date when it reaches our shores.

According to Proton Cars Australia's general manager of sales and operations, Billy Falconer, the new Proton S16 will deliver the best value and economy equation on the Australian car market. "We believe the S16 will lead the market on price and economy with performance that will be head and shoulders above other cars in the sector," said Falconer.

All Proton Australia dealers will be taking delivery of a demonstrator Proton S16 models during October for test drives and will take orders for the new car ahead of the launch.

Unlike some other economy cars, which are typically three-door hatchbacks with small engines, the new Proton S16 will have a 1.6-litre and a four-door sedan body. The sedan shape permits a large boot and the 413-litre capacity will give it a real advantage over small hatches in the carrying stakes. The boot size also means the Proton S16 can have a full-size spare wheel without too much loss of space

Proton Australia promises its new car will follow the company's tradition in having an impressive array of standard equipment. This will definitely include air conditioning, power front windows, power steering, remote keyless entry with central locking and immobiliser, AM/FM/CD audio system, a height adjustable driver’s seat and tilt adjustable steering. Other desirable items may yet be included, but Proton Australia is keeping final details close to its corporate chest at this stage of the rollout campaign.

The new Proton S16 sedan will be powered by Proton's twin-cam 16-valve 1.6 litre Campro engine. It produces 82 kW of power and 148 Nm of torque. Combined fuel consumption has been measured at a frugal 6.3 litres/100km. The engine has recently been upgraded from the last one we tested, with emphasis on better torque at low and medium revs.

Like all Proton passenger vehicles the new Proton S16 comes with the advantage of Lotus tuned ride and handling.

The Proton S16 be covered in Australia by a three-year unlimited kilometre factory backed warranty, as well as free 24-hour a day roadside assistance.

Over the last 20-something years we have driven the Proton Saga in several formats in Malaysia and have always found it to be an honest car that's easy to use, if not particularly exciting in its makeup. We haven’t driven the latest version at this stage, but look forward to sampling one or two in November and will bring you our initial road test details as soon as possible.

The rumour mill says the new Proton sedan may go on sale in Australia for as little as $11,990 driveaway to challenge the upcoming Chinese cars. Only time will tell, but Proton is well established in this country and has long been one of the leaders in the low-cost/high equipment battle.

Proton Australia has built a new website as part of the introduction of the new S16, click onto www.newsedan.com.au/. You will also find links to that site at www.proton.com.au/. The Proton website will allow customers to register their details and be amongst the first to find out details of exact price and specifications when they are revealed closer to the on-sale date.