Everything you need to know about the first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) from Proton is here, save for the price of course. The 2026 Proton eMas 7 PHEV not only supports plug-in hybrid capabilities but is also capable of extended electric-only driving range. It will plonk itself next to its fully electrified eMas 7
Everything you need to know about the first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) from Proton is here, save for the price of course. The 2026 Proton eMas 7 PHEV not only supports plug-in hybrid capabilities but is also capable of extended electric-only driving range.
It will plonk itself next to its fully electrified eMas 7 sibling. Both sit on the Global Modular Architecture (GMA), ideated from scratch with electrification in the mix.
At the time of launch this coming Tuesday, there will be three variants available:
- Prime
- Premium
- Premium Plus
Just like its brother from the same mothership, the Geely Starship 7, the eMAS 7 PHEV has the identical BHE15PFI 1.5-litre naturally aspirated inline-four. Yes, it is similar to the mill in the new Proton Saga but for hybrid purposes, it runs on an Atkinson cycle and is detuned to 99 PS and 125 Nm of torque. In this state, Proton claims a thermal efficiency of up to 46.5%.
A traction electric motor is integrated into the dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT). The motor produces 218 PS and 262 Nm of torque. That DHT is something special as well, being an11-in-1 integrated unit that allows for series-parallel hybrid operation. Total output for the system is 262 PS.
Not all three get the same battery capacity. The entry-level Prime and mid Premium get a CATL-sourced 18.4 kWh LFP battery. Official claims are a WLTP EV range of 83 km, with total range up to 943 km while returning fuel consumption figures of 4.3L/100 km.
As the flagship of the range, the Premium Plus rolls up with a larger 29.8 kWh Aegis Short Blade LFP battery, good for an electric range of 146 km that also increases the overall range to 996 km. The heftier battery increases fuel consumption negligibly to 4.4L/100 km.
From a performance perspective, the Prime and Premium will dispatch the century sprint in 8.0 seconds flat but the heavier Premium Plus takes 8.2 seconds. All variants will top out at 170 kph.
AC charging for all variants is 6.6 kW. If you require faster charging, the Prime and Premium are once again differentiated with support for 30 kW DC fast charging. That gets the battery from 30-80% in under 20 minutes.
The flagship Premium Plus supports DC fast charging at 60 kW, juicing up its batteries in the same rate but in less than 16 minutes.
All variants are equipped with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) capabilities for owners to power external electrical devices or even charge another EV with a flat battery.
While it would be assumed that the eMas 7 PHEV would measure in the same as its EV sibling, the numbers tell a slightly different story.
The PHEV is 4,740 mm (+ 125 mm) in length, 1,940 mm (+ 39 mm) in width and 1,685 mm (+ 15 mm) in height with a 2,755 mm (+ 5 mm) wheelbase. For comparison, the eMas 7 EV is 4,615 mm in length, 1,901 mm in width and 1,670 mm tall with a 2,750 mm wheelbase.
Cargo space in the rear is 528 litres but drop the rear seats and it expands to 2,065 litres.
Only visuals of the car wrapped in camouflage are allowed for now but it is not difficult to see that the eMas 7 PHEV does not stray far from the clean and flowing lines of the eMas family.
Telling the PHEV and EV apart is made simple with the former’s front façade comprising a unique split headlight and redesigned taillight illumination signature. Other minor cosmetic changes include different bumpers and the number plate now raised to be mounted in a recess on the rear hatch. The eMas7 EV has its plate pinned to the rear bumper.
Of course, the equipment list matches the variant. As such, the Prime comes with the following:
- LED headlights
- LED DRLs
- LED indicators
- LED 3D full-width taillights
- automatic headlights + follow-me-home function
- 18-inch wheels
- rain-sensing wipers
- power-adjustable and heated side-view mirrors
- roof rails
Drop a bit more coin on the Premium and you’ll get these extras:
- LED full-width front light bar
- powered rear hatch
- auto-folding side-view mirrors
- 19-inch wheels
Splurge on the flagship Premium Plus and you will boss around with an additional panoramic sunroof with an integrated sunshade and the larger battery of course.
Proton are keeping mum on the interior design for now but some of the features have already been revealed. This includes the same 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and larger 15.4-inch touchscreen infotainment display that is found in the eMas 7 EV. The system operates on Flyme Auto OS that also supports Malay and over-the-air updates. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is present and accounted for.
All variants get a six-speaker system, steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustment, leatherette upholstery and a combination of USB Type-A and Type-C charging ports.
However, the Premium and Premium Plus get some additional goodies as follows:
- 13.8-inch head-up display
- 360-degree surround view camera
- 16-speaker Flyme sound system
- auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- power-adjustable front seats with memory + ventilation
- rear centre armrest with cupholders
- retractable tonneau cover
- 256-colour ambient lighting system
Safety tech is extremely commendable as well, with the Prime receiving the following:
- seven airbags
- Level 2 ADAS (Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention, Forward Collision Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition and Leading Vehicle Departure Alert
Stepping up to the Premium and Premium Plus will see these features added into the mix:
- Lane Change Warning
- Emergency Lane Keep Assist
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Braking
- Blind Spot Detection
- Rear Collision Warning
- Door Open Warning
With most of the key details already revealed, the only missing piece of information is the pricing, warranty and interior design. Stay tuned on Tuesday night for those missing bits.