Proton has shown its first plug-in hybrid car, called the e.MAS 7 PHEV, at the Proton Tech Showcase in Shah Alam. The car is not for sale yet, but this preview shows that Proton is getting ready to enter the plug-in hybrid market for the first time.
The e.MAS 7 PHEV is the Malaysian version of the Geely Starray EM-i, a model sold in China. It shares many parts with its fully electric twin, the e.MAS 7. The test car shown to the public has Proton’s large tiger logo on the front and on the glass panels.
The car uses a 1.5-litre engine made by Geely. For hybrid use, the engine was changed to make it more fuel-efficient. It uses the Atkinson cycle, has simpler parts, and includes a special EGR system to reduce fuel use. The engine also never stops charging the battery unless the wheels need extra help.
The full P145 hybrid system was also shown. It has no normal belts, uses an electric air-cond compressor, and replaces the usual alternator with a DC-DC converter. The cooling pump is also stronger than the one used in the Saga.
Geely says the engine has a very high 47.26% thermal efficiency, which they claim is the best in any production engine today. This comes from better and faster combustion inside the engine.
For power, the petrol engine makes 99 PS, and the front electric motor makes 218PS and 262Nm. Together, they let the car go from 0–100 km/h in eight seconds. Most of the time, the car runs on electric power, but at higher speeds, a clutch connects the engine to help drive the wheels—similar to Honda’s e:HEV system.
The battery is an 18.4 kWh LFP unit, slightly smaller than the one used in the Chinese version. It sends power to a 12-in-1 electric drive system with a single-speed gearbox.
Proton says the total driving range is 1,065km, though this comes from an easier test cycle. Under WLTP, the model sold in Australia can drive 83km on electric power and 943km combined.
On the outside, the PHEV looks similar to the electric e.MAS 7 but has some changes. It has split headlamps, a full-width front light bar, normal door handles, and slightly different bumpers, tailgate and rear lights.
The display car also shows extra details such as a Hangzhou landmark graphic on the windscreen and a panoramic sunroof, though this is covered by blue wrap. Inside, the right-hand-drive model uses the same dashboard as the electric e.MAS 7, not the Chinese layout.
This preview marks Proton’s official move into plug-in hybrids, and since the car shown looks close to final form, the full launch is expected to happen soon.
