CKD Proton eMas 7 PHEV rolls out in Malaysia, massage seats added and specs unchanged

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's best-selling plug-in hybrid has gone local. The Proton eMas 7 PHEV is now assembled at Proton's Tanjung Malim plant, the same facility that took over eMas 7 EV production in January, and the switch from fully imported CBU units brings at least one meaningful upgrade to the cabin.

The headline change is a bit of comfort kit. The CKD specification now includes front driver and passenger massage seats on both the Premium and Premium Plus, a feature that was not part of the CBU car's equipment list.

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That is a notable move, because on the fully electric eMas 7 massage seats arrived only in June as an exclusive of the range-topping Premium Plus. Here, the mid-spec Premium gets them too.

Beyond that, buyers should not expect a different car to drive. Every powertrain and performance number carries over intact from the CBU model.

The 1.5 litre naturally aspirated dedicated hybrid engine still produces 73 kW and 125 Nm, paired with a 160 kW and 262 Nm traction motor through the 11-in-1 dedicated hybrid transmission, for a combined 193 kW and 262 Nm sent to the front wheels.

Zero to 100 km/h remains 8.0 seconds for the Prime and Premium and 8.2 seconds for the Premium Plus, with all three capped at 170 km/h.

Battery specification is unchanged as well. The Prime and Premium continue with an 18.4 kWh lithium iron phosphate pack good for 105 km of EV range on the NEDC cycle, while the Premium Plus keeps the larger 29.8 kWh unit rated at 170 km.

DC charging stays at 30 kW and 60 kW respectively, with 30 to 80 per cent quoted at under 20 minutes and under 16 minutes, and AC charging is 6.6 kW across the range. Combined NEDC range is 1,000 km for the lower two variants and 1,065 km for the Premium Plus, with fuel consumption listed at 4.3 and 4.4 litres per 100 km.

The chassis is untouched: MacPherson struts up front, a multi-link rear, ventilated front and solid rear discs, electronic power steering and an electric parking brake. Tyres remain 225/55 R18 on the Prime and 235/50 R19 on the Premium and Premium Plus. Boot space is still 528 litres, expanding to 2,065 litres with the rear bench folded, and the fuel tank holds 51 litres.

Dimensions carry over too, at 4,740 mm long and 1,685 mm tall on a 2,755 mm wheelbase, with kerb weights of 1,735 kg, 1,760 kg and 1,835 kg across the three variants.

Elsewhere the variant walk is familiar. The Prime makes do with 18-inch wheels, six speakers, LED headlamps with intelligent high beam control and a rear view camera.

The Premium adds the full-width front light bar, powered tailgate, auto-folding mirrors, 16-speaker Flyme sound system with headrest speakers, windshield head-up display, wireless charging, ambient lighting, ventilated seats, a 360-degree camera and the wider driver assistance suite including blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alert.

The Premium Plus is distinguished by its panoramic sunroof and the larger battery.

Driver assistance carries over rather than catching up. The CKD eMas 7 PHEV does not gain the evasive manoeuvre assist, front cross traffic alert and active lane change assist that the eMas 7 EV Premium picked up when it moved to local assembly, features that required three additional millimetre-wave radar units.

The hybrid's Level 2 suite is the same one it launched with, including the Prime's omission of blind spot detection, door open warning, rear cross traffic alert and braking, rear collision warning, lane change safety warning and emergency lane keep assist.

Pricing for the locally assembled car has yet to be confirmed as this was only a rollout event. The CBU eMas 7 PHEV opened at RM109,800 on the road without insurance for the Prime and topped out at RM129,800 for the Premium Plus, with launch rebates trimming the entry point.

For context, Malaysian buyers cross-shopping in this space will be looking at the Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV and the Jaecoo J7 PHEV, both of which sit above the Proton on price, along with the BYD Sealion 6.

The model has been on a strong run since launch. Proton confirmed the eMas 7 PHEV as Malaysia's number one plug-in hybrid with 2,936 deliveries in the first half of 2026, on the back of more than 6,500 bookings taken in its opening months. Moving assembly to Tanjung Malim should ease supply, and it puts the PHEV on the same line as the eMas 7 EV that pioneered the plant.

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