After teasing for months, Proton e.MAS 7 was officially introduced last month. Despite its recent release, some are already curious about what type of vehicle Proton will release next under the e.MAS brand – will it be an EV or PHEV?
Proton has seen a surge in e.MAS 7 bookings, with over 2,500 already secured within a short period of time. Although there have been no official confirmations yet, indications suggest that the next e.MAS model may be launched sooner than anticipated.
Dr. Li Chunrong, the CEO of Proton, announced at the opening of the Proton e.MAS Petaling Jaya 3S center that the next e.MAS model will be introduced in 2025. This aligns with Dr. Li's previous statement in February of last year, where he mentioned that Proton's second electric vehicle model could potentially be released within 6 to 8 months after the first one.
Proton submitted trademark filings for three new e.MAS models last year, which include the e.MAS 3 and e.MAS 5. Additionally, they are introducing a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version for the e.MAS 7.
Currently, there is speculation that Geely Xingyuang and Galaxy Starship 7 could be added to the e.MAS lineup in Malaysia. These models are being considered for a reason and may potentially become part of the e.MAS family soon.
Geely Xingyuan may be introduced in Malaysia as the Proton e.MAS 5. The decision to go with an electric hatchback model was influenced by the success of the e.MAS 7 SUV. With the Proton Iriz hatchback being the only option currently available from the automaker for over a decade, 2025 was chosen as the ideal time to unveil a brand new hatchback model.
Current speculation suggests that the Geely Xingyuan is the top choice for the Proton e.MAS 5. This is based on a video shared on the Proton e.MAS Cars Facebook page, showing select Proton e.MAS dealers getting a firsthand look at the Xingyuan at Geely's headquarters in Hangzhou, China.
The Xingyuan is equipped with a rear-wheel drive system and can have a maximum power output of 85kW, depending on the specific model. Geely claims that this electric vehicle can travel up to 410km on a single charge, although this range estimate is based on the CLTC standard, which is known for being generous.
It is likely that you can achieve a range slightly exceeding 300km based on the more stringent WLTP standards typically used as a benchmark in Malaysia.
Could the Galaxy Starship 7 be rebranded as the Proton e.MAS 7 PHEV? Proton announced last year that their electrified products would be housed under the e.MAS brand, including PHEV models. It is currently rumored that the Geely Galaxy Starship 7 may be the chosen model to be transformed into the e.MAS 7 PHEV.
Similar to other models like the e.MAS 7, Galaxy E5, and Xingyuan, the Galaxy Starship 7 EM-i was constructed using GEA technology. This plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) had a powertrain that included an 82kW (110hp) 1.5L 4-cylinder engine and a 160kW (~215hp) electric motor. The engine produced 136Nm of torque, while the electric motor generated 262Nm of torque.
The Galaxy Starship 7 has a powerful LFP battery pack that can hold up to 19.09kWh, giving it a range of up to 120km in full EV mode. It can be charged quickly with a DC charger, reaching speeds of up to 36kW and allowing the battery to go from 30% to 80% in just 20 minutes.
As a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the Galaxy Starship 7 has the capability to travel even greater distances. With a 51L fuel tank and a combined fuel consumption rate of 3.75L/100km, it can achieve a total range of up to 1,420km.
Despite the increasing popularity of battery-powered electric vehicles in Malaysia, a significant number of consumers are hesitant to transition due to concerns about range anxiety and the lack of charging infrastructure. As an alternative to fully electric vehicles, many consumers may find plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) to be a more comfortable option.
In contrast to BEVs, the Malaysian government did not offer any benefits for PHEVs, which may have posed a challenge for Proton to introduce the e.MAS 7 PHEV at an affordable price. Despite this, the absence of incentives did not deter Jaecoo from introducing the J7 PHEV in Malaysia, set to be released later this year with a price range of RM170k to RM180k.
Could the Proton e.MAS 3 be competing directly with the Perodua EV? The specific plans for the e.MAS 3 are currently unknown, but some experts speculate that it could be Proton's response to the upcoming Perodua EMO EV.
Commonly referred to as the Perodua Ace, a name trademarked by the automaker in the previous year, this electric vehicle is anticipated to be the most budget-friendly option in Malaysia, priced at less than RM90k. Although many specifics about the EV have not been revealed yet, Perodua has disclosed that it will be equipped with a CATL LFP battery and have a range of 400km.
Although Geely has a variety of affordable electric vehicles like the Panda Mini, there is no indication that any of them will be designated as the e.MAS 3 according to rumors. In order to compete with the price of Perodua's electric vehicles, which are subject to the government's RM100k floor price policy for imported completely built-up units (CBU) electric vehicles, Proton's e.MAS 3 must be manufactured locally.
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The number of electric vehicle registrations in Malaysia increased by 64% in 2024, with BYD accounting for 4 out of 10 EVs. A guide on using the MyBorderPass QR to clear immigration at KLIA in under 10 seconds is available. Following the release of the Proton e.MAS 7, the next vehicle from Proton is speculated to be either an EV or a PHEV. The Tesla Model Y 2025 "Juniper" is now open for bookings in Malaysia, starting at RM195,450 with deliveries set to begin in late April. Sime Motors AutoArena is offering a free solar system with selected pre-owned EVs. The Honor Magic 7 Pro in Malaysia features a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, 200MP telephoto camera, 5850mAh battery, and is priced from RM4599. The content is protected under copyright © 2024 by SoyaCincau.com Mind Blow Sdn Bhd (1076827-P).