Why would a Proton eMas 7, launched in Malaysia for nearly a year now, need to be camouflaged? Only one possible reason – this has got to be the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version. Those alloys certainly don’t look like the Prime’s nor the Premium’s; they look more like the multi-spokers on the Geely EX5/Starray/Galaxy Starship 7 EM-i, which is, yes, the PHEV. We thank reader Naiim for these spyshots.
The eMas 7 PHEV name was trademarked as early as September 2024. If this happens, it will be Proton eMas’ first PHEV. What can we expect? Well, Australia gets a 99 PS/125 Nm 1.5 litre BHE15PFI (recognise this?) engine, a 218 PS/320 Nm electric motor, an 18.4-kWh LFP battery, an eight-second 0-100 km/h time and a 170 km/h top speed.
Other figures include WLTP ranges of 84 km on electricity only or 943 km combined, a 2.4 litre per 100 km claimed fuel consumption, a 14.7 kWh per 100 km claimed electricity consumption, max 6 kW AC and 30 kW DC charging, 6 kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) as well as a 428-litre boot that becomes 2,065 litres when you fold the back seats down.
There are two variants Down Under. Standard are 225/55R18 tyres, a 10.2-inch digital instrument panel, a 15.4-inch centre touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, six speakers, auto climate control and powered front seats. The higher variant gets 235/50R19 tyres and adds a panoramic sunroof, a 13.4-inch head-up display, wireless charging, 16 1,000-watt Flyme speakers, a power tailgate, front parking sensors, 256-colour ambient lighting, ventilated front seats and driver seat memory.
Safety? Both variants in Australia get AEB, ACC, ICC, rear cross traffic alert and brake, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, door opening warning, lane changing assist, blind spot detection, emergency lane keeping assist, occupant detection alert and driver fatigue alert.
As per the Starship 7 – the original car – there are end-to-end front and rear light bars, split headlamps and regular pull-type door handles, but left- and right-hand drive interiors are not the same – the RHD one is basically the eMas 7’s, which should make things easier for Tanjong Malim when it starts churning this out. Launch bila? Next year’s a good guess, don’t you think?
Australian-market Geely Starray EM-i (RHD)
Geely Starray EM-i makes ASEAN debut at GIIAS (RHD)
Geely Galaxy Starship 7 EM-i at Auto Shanghai 2025 (LHD, different interior)
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The dumbest element on the eMas 7 design – the rear hatch itself is the rear bumper. I’ve already seen two eMas 7s on the road with dented and crooked lower hatch lips from minor rear collisions. What the heck were the designers thinking.
Finally can compete with Chery Tiggo Cross H-EV and Tiggo 7 1.5Turbo PH-EV.
This one got that 1.5 non turbo PH-EV,
a good alternative too.
Not a good drivetrain to justify with 943KM (untested) range. 1200-1300KM will be good.
My 2L engine with 59L tank size can already go up to 850KM and that is a 2020 car.
With the battery degradation + complex maintenance, not a good value and end up like the 330e, E300 Bluetech etc after 5-7 years of ownership.
obviously its not a equal comparison because going by your math your car only does around 15 km per liter which is mediocre compare to emas7, furthermore this PHEV is quite heavier at around 1.8 tons, also battery tech has advanced much now since the time of stoneage ancient 330e or e300.
what complex maintenance. unlike your car, EV does not have much moving parts nor fluids.
PHEV You have to do engine maintenance same as ICE cars. You have battery to replace when the time comes.
compare properly , your car only does around 15km per liter which is inferior fuel consumption to emas7 PHEV and dont forget emas weights around 1700kg.
330e and e300 is ancient tech, battery tech now has advanced a long way .
I want this year.
Can you ask proton where on earth is the emas7 ckd ??
You guys posted that they started production in September but till now nothing ???
A proton x50 phev would be a good choice for people that want a smaller suv but powerful and high range