We discussed the PROTON/Italdesign/Lotus collaboration on a hybrid drive system in a previous HybridMile post. This drive system features a 1.2-liter engine capable of running on gasoline, ethanol and natural gas. The trio added an 11.7 kWh lithium-ion battery to the system in order to facilitate all-electric power over short distances. PROTON’s presentation at the Geneva Motor Show built off this collaboration with three hybrid prototypes. The Malaysian auto firm presented the EMAS line, which stands for Eco Mobility Advance Solution.
The base EMAS is a five-door, four-seat hatchback that would be ideal for day-to-day use. PROTON also released the EMAS Country, a three-door, five-seat hatchback designed for commutes through spacious rural areas. The final entrant in the PROTON EMAS family is the EMAS 3, a three-door coupe with adjustable seats that is designed for city driving. All three models feature raised profiles in order to accommodate drive components located under the rear seats.
PROTON touted the performance metrics of the EMAS to show the potential of this hybrid as an alternative to existing coupes and hatchbacks. The EMAS could reach 60 miles per hour from a dead stop in 14 seconds. This 0-60 MPH time may seem slow but it is competitive with other vehicles in the economy vehicle class. The maximum speed of the EMAS is 106 miles per hour, which is more than sufficient for drivers in almost any environment. The EMAS is also capable of traveling up to 31 miles on all-electric power before the engine starts again.
The keyword for the PROTON EMAS line seems to be flexibility. Company representatives stated that the EMAS 3 may feature a full battery-electric system and only two seats in its production version. The PROTON/Italdesign/Lotus engine is the epitome of flexibility with three fuel options possible to accommodate future developments. The EMAS line itself seems to reflect the future of automotive design where automakers focus more narrowly on driving trends. PROTON is not the first to create a city car prototype but the progression from city to rural to all-purpose hybrid vehicles looks innovative. As with any concept car, PROTON has to prove that these components will mean an affordable and functioning product for consumers.
