ALERT: The Proton e.MAS 7 PHEV will launch on Feb 4.
Proton New Energy Technology Sdn Bhd (Pro-NET), a wholly owned subsidiary of Proton, says bookings are now open for the new Proton e.MAS 7 PHEV, positioning it as the brand’s first plug-in hybrid and its first “Dual-Powered EV” for Malaysia.
Pro-NET said the PHEV would be priced at between RM110,000 and RM130,000, making it a potential price play in a segment that is still thin in Malaysia (here’s looking at the Chery Tiggo 8 PHEV albeit it being a 7-seater). The Proton PHEV would be offered in three versions.
The booking push followed a 25-hour livestream drive that Pro-NET said covered more than 1,100km from Penang to Johor Baru, before finishing at Proton’s Centre of Excellence via the North-South Expressway.
The company said the trip showed the PHEV was capable of going long-distance on a single tank/charge while being suited for day-to-day driving.
Pro-NET said the livestream ran across two consecutive days and rotated hosts, product specialists and lifestyle, tech and motoring KOLs. It also featured live Q&A sessions and on-road commentary as the trip unfolded.
At the end of the drive, Pro-NET said the same vehicle that completed the route arrived for the booking announcement without refuelling or recharging, a claim aimed at overcoming range anxiety.
Pro-NET CEO Zhang Qiang said: “The e.MAS 7 PHEV represents an important milestone for Proton e.MAS as we expand beyond full electric vehicles into plug-in hybrid technology. It is designed for Malaysians who want to enjoy electric driving in their daily lives, without giving up the freedom to travel long distances with confidence.
“By opening bookings following a real-world, long-distance drive, we are demonstrating that the e.MAS 7 PHEV is built to meet real Malaysian driving needs.”
On the technical side, Pro-NET said the e.MAS 7 PHEV uses an 11-in-1 Dedicated Hybrid Transmission system and an LFP (Lithium Ferro Phosphate) battery, with automatic EV/hybrid mode switching and energy management.
For routine use, it is intended to run in EV mode or a series-hybrid setup where the petrol engine does not drive the wheels directly. Instead, it powers the P1 electric motor to charge the battery or supply electricity to the P3 motor that drives the wheels.
When the engine is the more efficient option, such as steady highway cruising or long climbs, Pro-NET said a clutch engages so the engine can drive the wheels directly or work alongside the P3 motor.
Bookings require a RM99 fee via the Proton e.MAS website or authorised dealers. Pro-NET said early buyers would receive a RM500 rebate on the booking fee, with the offer limited to the first 5,000 customers. Terms and conditions apply.
About P1 and P3 electric motors
P1 and P3 refer to motor positions in the drivetrain: P1 sits on the engine side and mainly acts as a starter-generator to start the engine and generate electricity, while P3 sits on the transmission output side and serves as the main traction motor that drives the wheels and handles regenerative braking. In a series-hybrid phase, the engine can turn the P1 motor to generate electricity that charges the battery or feeds the P3 motor to move the car, but in a series-parallel system the engine can also be clutched in to drive the wheels directly when that is more efficient.
