Call it Schrödinger’s Proton eMAS 5 (stylised as e.MAS 5), as the carmaker has unveiled its latest EV at the ongoing Malaysia Autoshow 2025 – except that it remains very much under wraps.
While the overall shape confirms the eMAS 5 is based on the Geely Star Wish, itself sold in China as the Xingyuan, the compact hatchback is still wrapped in colourful camouflage that conceals much of the unique features for the local market.
The exterior might be all about that technicolour, but the glass had only one shade, black. Heavy tinting kept the interior out of view, but if the Xingyuan is anything to go by, expect the same symmetric double cowl layout with an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a larger 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen.
The passenger’s side of the dash has a city skyline graphic that would be cool if localised with the Petronas Twin Towers or KL Tower in its design. If most of the Xingyuan features are carried over, we can also expect power-adjustable front seats, rear-air-conditioning vents, a 50W Qi wireless charger and 3.3 kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality to power external devices.
Additionally, active driver assists systems should make its way here as well, comprising autonomous emergency braking, front vehicle departure alert and lane departure warning.
Rounding things up is improved storage in the form of a 70-litre frunk, something the eMAS 7 cannot lay claim to. Rear storage is a 375-litre boot that grows to 1,320 litres with the rear seats dropped.
READ MORE: Geely Galaxy Xingyuan at Auto Shanghai 2025 – the soon-to-be Proton eMAS 5
From an exterior perspective, the rounded Xingyuan design cue remains untouched. You can also make out the sweptback headlights and distinct C-pillar with the obvious changes being the Proton roundel and badging. Even the wheels are wrapped up, but it should be a direct copy of the 16-inch, four-spoke flat pieces from the Geely.
Powertrain details were not revealed but going by the Xingyuan, the eMAS 5 should pack a single rear-mounted motor with 79 hp and 130 Nm of torque. A 30.12 kWh CATL lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery delivers a claimed 310 km of range but bear in mind that figure is under China’s CLTC cycle that is rather generous. WLTP figures would paint a more realistic picture but is unavailable.
That isn’t the only variant though. A larger 40.16 kWh LFP battery is also available in its home country for a claimed 410 km which is again on the generous CLTC cycle. This variant also comes with boosted outputs for the motor, 116 hp and 150 Nm of torque.
The eMas 5 is expected to launch in Q4 2025 and will likely be available initially in CBU form, given that Proton’s EV plant in Tanjung Malim only comes online by the year-end.
While it will definitely be priced cheaper than the eMAS 7, the timing of the launch throws a spanner in the works of trying to estimate the exact range. CBU EV tax exemptions are only available until the end of the year, so the first batch could be subjected to import duties – but again, Proton might have special arrangements with the government too.
The most likely scenario – we expect – would be a CKD bridging exemption for the first batch until the plant comes online and rolls out CKD units of the eMAS 5. This would also give the Proton a shot at taking on Perodua and its EV offering, which was also teased at the show today.
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