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Plug-in Hybrid

Proton Shows First Plug-in Hybrid, the e.MAS 7 PHEV

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.

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BYD Unveils 2026 Seal 06 DM-i with New Ocean Series Design

BYD has formally introduced the 2026 Seal 06 DM-i, a new mid-size sedan offered in two configurations priced at 96,800 yuan (around RM62,700) and 106,800 yuan (around RM69,200). The model expands BYD’s plug-in hybrid line-up with refreshed styling, updated technology and improved electric driving capability.

Built on the same platform as the Qin L, the Seal 06 DM-i adopts BYD’s latest “Ocean Series” design language. The front end is defined by a closed grille paired with a large lower air intake, giving the sedan a clean and modern appearance. At the rear, a full-width taillight strip is accompanied by water-drop shaped lighting elements on each side, while a darkened lower bumper adds contrast and visual depth.

The interior follows the “Ocean Family” theme, featuring smooth, curved surfaces across the door panels and seating areas. Key equipment includes a full LCD instrument display and a 15.6-inch central touchscreen as the cabin’s main interface. The centre console adopts a circular layout with a compact toggle-style gear selector, framed by neatly arranged physical buttons for essential functions.

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All the benefits of an EV without the hassle

Exploring Chery’s PHEV models

In a previous article, we explored the benefits of Chery’s HEV technology, stating that it offered benefits such as improved fuel efficiency, performance and even a smoother ride.

You can read the article here.

But we understand that there are some who don’t mind the plugged-in life but need an engine to sometimes go further. Chery has a solution for that too and it is known as the Chery Super Hybrid (CSH) Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV).

Two PHEV models were launched recently, the Tiggo 7 PHEV and the Tiggo 8 PHEV. And both offer gargantuan power with impressive range, up to 1200km to be precise.

So what makes PHEV’s by Chery so efficient?

It is the result of a large battery, powerful tri-motors, self-charging capability and the ability to plug in to an external source for recharging.

Powering Chery PHEV’s is a 18.3kWh LFP battery that is IP68 certified for overall durability.

Interestingly, Chery has been rather keen to showcase its durability. The battery is already known to be dust and water resistant, and it is also well known that it can withstand up to 95 degrees Celsius of heat, but in a display of durability, Chery also submerged the battery in a metre-deep tank of seawater for over 53 hours.

After that, it was removed from the tank, cleaned out and reinstalled into a Tiggo 8 PHEV and voila, it still worked.

But that’s not the only test it has survived, Chery has been overtly keen to show the toughness of its LFP batteries, and it has withstood everything the company has thrown at it, seven-car stack test and 15 foot vertical drop included.

The battery is obviously at the centre of the car’s capabilities

And rightfully so because it provides for an all-electric range of up to 90km, making the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 PHEV models incredibly efficient.

In fact, as mentioned before, both models have a claimed combined range of up to 1200km. So yes, the battery is very much the heart of Chery’s CSH package.

As for recharging, the battery can accept up to 40kW of DC charge and 6.6kW of AC charge. The former will charge up the car from 30-80% state of charge in under 20 minutes, while the latter will take three hours.

This is true for both the Tiggo 7 and the Tiggo 8 PHEV models.

What are some of the other benefits of PHEV models?

Power, a lot of it, is one of the other benefits of a PHEV model. Though efficiency is the keyword here, but power can’t be ignored.

Both the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 PHEV’s are powered by a 1.5-litre, turbocharged engine making 143PS and 215Nm.

This is then combined with an electric motor that makes 204PS and 310Nm by itself. Total system output is rated at 275PS and 365Nm of torque.

The engine mostly works as a range extender and recharge the battery when it is depleted while on the move. But when needed, the engine works concurrently with the motor to provide forward propulsion.

What is rather impressive here is that Chery claims a 98% mechanical efficiency for its Dedicated Hybrid Transmission. If you are wondering what that means, well that simply means that very little power is loss to friction or other “parasitic” losses. So what the engine and motor produce, the wheels get 98% of.

Who will benefit from Chery’s PHEV models?

Just about everyone in fact. If you spend time in traffic during work hours, you will appreciate the all-electric capabilities that the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 PHEV have to offer.

If you travel a lot on highways and don’t want to be stuck to a charger, you will also appreciate the fact that the engine can recharge the batteries, as can the regenerative braking system.

So, after a while of driving on the highway, the battery would have gained some percentage of charge so you don’t always have to look out for a charger to enjoy the benefits of the PHEV powertrain.

There is a lot to appreciate about Chery’s PHEV systems, so if you are keen on a car that is efficient and powerful yet comfortable for the family, then Chery’s HEV and PHEV models make a lot of sense.

Chery Malaysia Prepares to Launch TIGGO 7 and TIGGO 8 Plug-in Hybrids – Bookings Open

Chery Malaysia is gearing up to expand its line-up with the arrival of two new plug-in hybrid SUVs – the TIGGO 7 PHEV and the TIGGO 8 PHEV. Both models will feature the brand’s latest Chery Super Hybrid (CSH) technology, which blends efficiency, performance, and safety in a package designed to appeal to Malaysian drivers.

The timing of these new models fits neatly with the government’s ongoing push for greener mobility, backed by policies such as the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), the National Automotive Policy (NAP), and the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). By introducing these hybrids, Chery is aligning its efforts with the country’s plans to move towards cleaner and more energy-efficient vehicles while encouraging industrial transformation in the automotive sector.

At the heart of both SUVs is Chery’s dedicated hybrid system, which brings together three major components. The first is the latest ACTECO 1.5 TGDi fifth-generation engine, which boasts a thermal efficiency of 44.5%, helping to deliver both fuel savings and strong power.

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Volvo XC70 Debuts as Brand’s First Long-Range Plug-in Hybrid with Over 200km EV Range

Volvo Cars has introduced the all-new XC70, its first long-range plug-in hybrid SUV, and the model arrives with a milestone: an all-electric driving range of more than 200km under the CLTC cycle. This marks the longest zero-emissions capability of any Volvo plug-in hybrid to date, signalling the brand’s next step towards a more sustainable product portfolio.

The XC70 is underpinned by Volvo’s new Scalable Modular Architecture (SMA) platform, engineered specifically for long-range plug-in hybrids. The model has been designed to meet growing customer demand for extended-range electrified vehicles, particularly in China where pre-orders have already begun. Volvo Cars has confirmed that Europe will follow later, bringing the SUV to a wider audience in due course.

Fast charging is one of the car’s defining features, allowing the battery to be replenished from 0 to 80 per cent in just 23 minutes. The SUV also supports bi-directional charging, meaning the onboard battery can serve as a portable power bank for devices and appliances, particularly useful for outdoor activities and camping. With its efficient hybrid system, the XC70 is capable of covering more than 1,200km when combining its electric drive with the combustion engine, offering both flexibility and peace of mind for longer journeys.

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Smart Confirms Plug-in Hybrid Version of #5 SUV Amid Market Changes

The new Smart #5 SUV is set to be sold with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain alongside previously revealed pure-electric variants in response to growing concerns around sales in some global markets.

The move, confirmed by Chinese-based Smart officials after photos of test mules were posted on social media, represents a major step-change for the Geely- and Mercedes-Benz-owned company, which previously committed to exclusively selling new-generation Smart models with electric power.

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Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Memperkenalkan GLC 350 e 4MATIC Plug-In Hibrid Pemasangan Tempatan

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia telah melancarkan GLC 350 e 4MATIC pemasangan tempatan, sebuah SUV mewah hibrid plug-in, yang dipasang di kilang mereka di Pekan, Pahang. Model ini memperkukuhkan kedudukan Mercedes-Benz sebagai peneraju dalam pasaran SUV mewah, dengan gabungan prestasi unggul dan kecekapan tenaga elektrik.

Nadia Trimmel, Naib Presiden Pemasaran & Jualan Mercedes-Benz Cars Malaysia, menekankan bahawa GLC 350 e 4MATIC adalah kenderaan yang serba boleh, menawarkan pengalaman pemanduan enjin pembakaran yang lancar dan kelebihan kecekapan elektrik. Dengan jarak pemanduan elektrik mencecah 131 km (mengikut kitaran WLTP), SUV ini sesuai untuk kegunaan bandar dan perjalanan jarak jauh.

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Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Unveils Locally Assembled GLC 350 e 4MATIC Plug-In Hybrid

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has introduced the locally assembled GLC 350 e 4MATIC, a plug-in hybrid variant of the popular luxury SUV. Assembled at their plant in Pekan, Pahang, this latest offering reinforces Mercedes-Benz’s leadership in the luxury SUV market by combining electric efficiency with outstanding performance.

Nadia Trimmel, Vice President of Marketing & Sales for Mercedes-Benz Cars Malaysia, described the new model as a versatile vehicle that delivers the best of both worlds. “The new Mercedes-Benz GLC 350 e 4MATIC offers customers the seamless performance and reliability of a combustion engine paired with the efficiency and quiet comfort of electric driving,” she said. With a range of up to 131km in electric mode (WLTP), the vehicle offers an ideal solution for both urban and long-distance journeys.

Efficient Powertrain with Over 100 km Electric Range

The GLC 350 e 4MATIC comes equipped with a 1,999 cc four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 204hp and 320Nm of torque, paired with an electric motor generating 100kW and 440Nm of torque. Combined, the system delivers 313hp and 550Nm of torque, allowing the SUV to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 6.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 218km/h.

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Lamborghini Unveils Temerarious Transition: The End of the Huracan Era

Lamborghini is set to bid farewell to the Huracan, with production scheduled to end in December. The iconic supercar, known for its thrilling naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 engine, will be succeeded by Lamborghini’s third plug-in hybrid supercar, reportedly named the Temerario. The highly anticipated debut of the Temerario will take place at Monterey Car Week on August 16.

Performance Overhaul

The Temerario will mark a significant departure from its predecessor’s signature engine. Instead of the revered V10, it will feature a new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, delivering an impressive 789hp and 729Nm of torque. This engine, capable of reaching 10,000 rpm, is adapted from the 3.8-litre unit used in Lamborghini’s SC63 LMDh prototype, designed for top-tier racing series including the Hypercar, GTP, and IMSA SportsCar Championships.

In addition to this potent engine, the Temerario will utilise an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission sourced from the Revuelto, ensuring rapid gear changes. The car’s hybrid powertrain will include a three-motor plug-in system, contributing an extra 147hp and 299Nm of torque, bringing the total power output to exceed 887hp. This marks a significant boost of nearly 250hp over most versions of the Huracan.

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Lamborghini Urus SE: The First Plug-in Hybrid Super SUV

Lamborghini has electrified its best-selling Urus model with the introduction of the new Urus SE, boasting increased power and speed. Unlike typical plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) setups which often involve downsized engines, the Urus SE retains its potent twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine alongside an electric motor.

Integrated within the eight-speed automatic transmission, the electric motor contributes 189hp and 482Nm of torque, while the petrol engine delivers an impressive 612hp and 799Nm.

Compared to its predecessor, the Urus S, the new SE variant shaves off 0.1 seconds in the 0-100km/h sprint, achieving it in just 3.4 seconds. While the Performante variant remains the quickest in the Urus lineup at 3.3 seconds, the Urus SE clocks in at 200km/h in just 11.4 seconds, 1.1 seconds ahead of the petrol-only version and 0.1 seconds quicker than the Performante. Its top speed reaches 312km/h, edging out both V-8-only versions.

Equipped with a 25.7-kWh lithium-ion battery positioned below the cargo floor, the Urus SE boasts over 60km of pure electric range, reaching speeds of up to 130km/h in EV mode before the V-8 engine seamlessly takes over. Lamborghini highlights an 80 per cent reduction in emissions compared to the pure ICE model with the plug-in hybrid configuration.

Beyond its electrified powertrain, the Urus SE receives aesthetic updates including updated matrix LED headlights with a distinctive daytime running light signature inspired by a bull’s tail. The front section features discreet tweaks inspired by the Revuelto supercar, while the rear draws inspiration from the Gallardo, enhancing downforce by 35 per cent compared to the Urus S.

Buyers can choose from an array of customisation options, including new 23-inch wheels, over 100 body colour choices, and 47 interior themes. For those seeking bespoke configurations, Lamborghini offers the Ad Personam program for one-off builds.

The cabin has been updated to highlight Lamborghini’s signature “feel like a pilot” design DNA, featuring new solutions throughout the front section of the dashboard and accentuating the lightweight feeling already introduced on the Revuelto. The Urus SE features a pair of 12.3-inch screens and introduces four new selectable driving modes: EV Drive, Hybrid, Performance, and Recharge, alongside the existing driving modes.

With Lamborghini confirming that the second-generation Urus will be fully electric upon its release in 2029, the Urus SE offers enthusiasts the chance to experience a petrol-powered exotic SUV from the legendary Italian marque before the transition to electric mobility.