Proton EMAS
The Proton EMAS is a family of concept cars created by Italdesign Giugiaro and developed by Proton, first revealed at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show as a hybrid vehicle.
The name EMAS stands for Eco Mobility Advance Solution, while the word “emas” itself means “gold” in Malay.
Building on the idea, Proton’s subsidiary Lotus Cars later unveiled the Lotus Ethos, a plug-in hybrid city car concept derived from the EMAS platform.
Under the skin, the EMAS is based on a heavily reworked Toyota iQ architecture, retaining only elements such as the suspension and steering, while the rest of the vehicle was newly developed.
It uses a 16.5 kWh battery pack paired with a range-extender engine engineered by Lotus. This compact 1.2-liter three-cylinder unit features a single overhead camshaft and four valves per cylinder, weighs just 56 kg in dry form, and is tuned to operate efficiently at two key engine speeds, producing 20 hp at 1,500 rpm and 47 hp at 3,500 rpm, with peak torque of 107 Nm at 2,500 rpm. The battery system consists of 100 cells rated at 31 Ah, operating at 370 volts.
In performance terms, the EMAS was claimed to reach 60 mph in 14 seconds, achieve a top speed of 105 mph, and deliver a total driving range of up to 350 miles, while emitting just 60 g/km of CO₂.
The concept rides on 18-inch wheels with 215/45 tires and uses MacPherson strut suspension at both the front and rear, combined with a torsion-beam setup.
Stylistically, the exterior focused on upright proportions and efficient use of vertical space, while the interior adopted a clean, minimalist approach with a strong emphasis on digital interfaces.
Two TFT screens formed the core of the instrument panel, handling both driver information and vehicle systems, while additional multimedia functions were integrated into the center console. Extensive glazing, including a large windscreen canopy, enhanced the feeling of openness and light within the cabin.
The project was envisioned as Proton’s first truly global model and was originally slated to reach production by 2012, though by August 2014 it had yet to materialize as a production car.
The 5-door concept was sold to an undisclosed owner in an auction in 2020.
Proton EMAS3 City
Configured as a three-door hatchback with a 3+1 seating layout, the EMAS3 was designed to carry three adults and one child within an overall length of roughly three meters.
Despite its small exterior dimensions, the car sought to offer generous interior space by employing a flat floor and relatively high seating positions.
Proton EMAS3 was a mock-up.
Proton EMAS Country
The EMAS Country explored a crossover-oriented interpretation of a shared modular platform.
Designed as a three-door compact crossover, the EMAS Country featured increased ground clearance and exterior details intended to evoke mild off-road capability. Its proportions measured roughly 3,555 mm in length, 1,699 mm in width, and 1,576 mm in height, supported by a 2,590 mm wheelbase.
The exterior styling leaned toward practicality, with visual cues such as protective lower-body cladding, roof rails, and a slightly raised stance reinforcing its urban-utility character.
Proton EMAS Country was a mock-up.
