Proton’s first PHEV under e.MAS, here’s how the e.MAS 7 PHEV variants splits

KUALA LUMPUR: Proton is about to enter plug-in hybrid territory for the first time, and it is doing it under the e.MAS banner.

Officially, the company is calling the e.MAS 7 PHEV a “dual-powered EV”, which is a very Proton Marketing way of saying one thing, it is a plug-in hybrid SUV that can be charged like an EV, run as an EV for meaningful distances, then fall back on petrol when the battery is done.

Also Read: Proton sold 9,549 EVs in 2025, announces special after-sales benefits

For now, Proton is keeping the exterior design under wraps. That is why the photos being released by us ahead of launch only show the SUV in camouflage, with the full reveal held back for launch day, which is happening this week.

Three variants, and they are not just “more speakers” upgrades

Proton is lining up the e.MAS 7 PHEV in three variants: Prime, Premium, and Premium+. 

The important bit is that the range, charging performance, wheels, and key comfort and safety equipment actually moving with the variants, especially when you step up to Premium+.

Here is the clearest way to separate them.

Powertrain, same idea across the board, engine plus motor driving the front wheels

All three variants use the same core hybrid setup, a 1.5L 4-cylinder dedicated hybrid engine paired with a front electric motor, driving the front wheels through an 11-in-1 dedicated hybrid transmission. 

Output figures are:

• Engine: 73 kW and 125 Nm

• Electric motor: 160 kW and 262 Nm 

• Combined: 193 kW (262PS) and 262 Nm

Drive modes available are PURE / HYBRID / POWER, which is Proton spelling out the intent, it can behave like an EV when you want it to, blend power sources when it makes sense, or prioritise performance when you ask for it. 

Batteries and charging, this is where Premium+ changes the story

The range and charging split is simple.

Prime and Premium

• 18.4 kWh LFP battery 

• 30 kW DC fast charging, 30–80% in  less than 20 minutes 

• 6.6 kW AC charging 

• EV driving range (NEDC): 105 km 

• Total driving range (NEDC): 1,000 km 

Premium+

• 29.8 kWh LFP battery 

• 60 kW DC fast charging, 30–80% in  less than 16 minutes

• 6.6 kW AC charging 

• EV driving range (NEDC): 170 km 

• Total driving range (NEDC): 1,065 km 

So yes, Prime and Premium are essentially the “same battery, same charging” pairing, while Premium+ is the one that meaningfully changes how often you need petrol at all, and how quickly you can top up on DC.

Performance numbers, Premium+ is slightly slower, and there is a reason

On paper, Prime and Premium are quoted at 0–100 km/h in 8.0 seconds, while Premium+ is 8.2 seconds, with 170 km/h max speed listed for all.

That small drop is not dramatic, but it lines up with one obvious difference, Premium+ is heavier. Kerb weight is listed at:

• Prime: 1,735 kg

• Premium: 1,760 kg

• Premium+: 1,835 kg 

Wheels and tyres, Prime is the comfort-biased one

Prime is the only one on 18-inch tyres (225/55 R18), while Premium and Premium+ step up to 19-inch (235/50 R19). 

In real ownership terms, that usually translates to Prime being the quieter, softer daily option, while the 19s lean more towards style and sharper response.

Practicality, it is sized like a proper family SUV

Just around the e.MAS 7's size, the dimensions are listed at 4,740 mm long, 1,940 mm wide, 1,685 mm tall, with a 2,755 mm wheelbase.

Boot space is quoted at 528 litres, expanding to 2,065 litres with the rear seats folded.  There's no under boot storage like the e.MAS 7.

Other useful day-to-day numbers include a 5.2 m turning radius and a 51-litre fuel tank. 

The real variant differences, what you gain as you move up

This is perhaps the part that matters most when you consider which variant to buy.

Prime (entry)

• Same hybrid outputs and drive modes as the rest 

• Smaller battery and 30 kW DC setup, EV range and total range 

• 18-inch tyres (225/55 R18) 

• The line it draws in Proton’s own equipment list is clear, Prime is the “core tech and core hybrid” grade, before the comfort, premium audio, and additional safety conveniences pile on. 

Premium (mid)
Premium is the sweet spot for buyers who want the same battery and charging as Prime, but with the cabin and safety experience feeling more “finished”.

From the features Proton has listed, Premium is where you start seeing the upgraded day-to-day kit that tends to matter more than headline horsepower, the higher-grade infotainment and connectivity stack, plus additional convenience features such as HUD, wireless charging, premium audio, and the more advanced camera and driver assistance items being part of the overall package. 

Premium+ (range and charging flagship)
Premium+ is the one you buy for the PHEV experience that feels closest to an EV lifestyle.

• Bigger 29.8 kWh battery, more EV range, more total range, faster DC charging 

• Slightly heavier, slightly slower 0–100 figure 

• It sits as the “no compromises” spec where range and charging are the headline, and the rest of the cabin and safety stack follows the top-grade positioning. 

Tech and software, Flyme-based infotainment plus an app, plus V2L and V2V

Across the line, Proton is leaning hard into a software-led cabin experience.

The infotainment is  a 15.4-inch 2.5K touchscreen running the Flyme Auto operating system, with English and Malay interfaces, a 7 nm automotive-grade chip, 4G and WiFi connectivity, 2-zone voice control, and online navigation. 

Smartphone connectivity includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from the get go , plus an app store and over-the-air updates. 

There is also a Proton e.MAS app with vehicle status and remote functions, plus scheduled trip and scheduled charging features. 

And yes, the PHEV keeps the EV party tricks, vehicle-to-load (V2L) is available, and so is vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V). 

Safety, Level 2 ADAS is in, and the higher variants push further

Proton has kitted the PHEV with a Level 2 ADAS suite that includes ICC, ACC, AEB, FCW, plus lane and sign support such as LDW, LDP, LVDA and TSR, alongside the usual stability and braking systems. 

The safety list also includes multiple airbags, including a far-side airbag being part of the overall line-up. 

If the e.MAS 7 EV was Proton’s opening statement for battery-electric, the e.MAS 7 PHEV is clearly aimed at the next group of buyers, people who want EV-style driving for daily use, but still want petrol as a safety net for long runs, Raya balik kampung, or simply not thinking about chargers all the time.

The key decision will come down to what you want the PHEV to be.

If you want a plug-in hybrid that behaves like a hybrid with a useful EV mode, Prime and Premium do that. If you want the plug-in hybrid to behave like an EV most of the week, Premium+ is the one that changes the experience, because battery size, EV range, and DC charging speed all move together.

And if you are wondering why the photos are still wrapped in camouflage, that is part of Proton’s launch choreography, the full design reveal is being kept for launch day, coming this week.

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