Geneva Motor Show: Proton Emas, Emas Country & Emas3 Hybrid Concepts

Proton has unveiled the trio of Proton hybrid concept cars at the Geneva Motor Show. Named Emas, Emas Country and Emas3, which stands for Eco Mobility Advance Solution and means gold in Bahasa Malaysia, the concept cars are a result of a creative collaboration between Proton, Italdesign Giugiaro and Lotus Engineering.

Proton Emas is meant to be a new type of car that transcends traditional market segmentation, with emphasis on maximising interior space while minimising environmental impact. Each of the three compact-sized concepts—the five-door, four-seater Emas, the three-door, five-seater Emas Country and the three-door, 3+1 seater Emas3—is designed to provide good access to interior room that is comparable to C-, D-segment cars and SUVs.

“We have created a family of models in different configurations but all offering the passenger room of a medium-category car while maintaining the exterior dimensions of a compact mini”, according to Giorgetto Giugiaro, Chairman of Italdesign Giugiaro. “The architecture has been designed in such a way as to allow us to outfit an infinite number of variants without compromising the car's great comfort and extensive interior space”.

The plug-in series hybrid drivetrain is borrowed from the Lotus Evora 414E hybrid concept. Powered by a lithium ion battery pack located between the car's double floor, the rear-mounted electric motor—with continuous power of 45 kW, peak power of 75 kW, and peak torque of 280 Nm—drives the rear wheels; the high peak torque negates the use of a gearbox.

The 51-bhp (at 3500 rpm) 1.2-litre three-cylinder Lotus Range Extender petrol engine, located at the front, functions as a range-extender by recharging the batteries. For added flexibility, the engine can run on either petrol, ethanol or methanol. Proton Emas can travel for 50 km with a fully-charged battery pack, which can be completely recharged in three hours via a normal 220-volt power point. 0-100 km/h takes 14 seconds, while top speed stands at 170 km/h.

With a 2590 mm wheelbase, the specially-designed platform has a raised floorpan to accommodate the batteries in the centre. The seats are therefore higher than the class norm, and are all electrically-adjustable—two design features that Giugiaro says allow for excellent access and optimal use of the available interior space.

The inside is dominated by two TFT screens at the centre of the dashboard. The monitor on the right displays the speedometer, and other key driving parameters as well as the hybrid system energy flows. The monitor on the left displays secondary parameters such as the audio system, telephone and internet access browser. Located beneath the two screens is a touch-screen from which the driver can control all of the car's functions.

While no one from the Proton, Lotus, or Giugiaro camp actually confirmed that Proton Emas will make production, Proton Managing Director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Tahir did equate the car to Proton's golden opportunity to enter the global automotive scene.

“The unveiling of the concept cars today reflects the long-term strategy we have in matching global automotive standards as we expand and reinforce our presence worldwide”, Syed Zainal Abidin said. “The aim is to produce the global car for world market in the future”.

However, a lot of questions still need answers: When will we see Proton Emas in production? How much of the car we see here will make it to production? Will Proton address its quality issues once and for all, starting with this car? And, will this be the car to prove that Proton is a brand to be taken seriously on a global stage?