Proton and Giugiaro jointly revealed the concept version for a new city car that will become the Malaysian national car-maker's first hybrid model at the Geneva motor show this week. Three models were displayed, two hard-milled models and a single 5D prototype with full interior, although promotional material also showed a shorter Toyota iQ-like Emas 3 model was being developed too.
Points to note on the exterior include the neat DLO graphic with a 'tooth' on the C-Pillar, tail lamps sitting within the smoked glass tailgate, as on the VW Up! concept and a monographic front grille and headlamps incorporating 12 LEDs. The orange SUV/crossover version dubbed 'Country' seems more successful, not least for the bolder graphics on the car, including radial ribs on the dark wheelarches and a skeletal roof rail with aerofoil-type crossbars finished in dark grey. There's a different front bumper treatment too, with a separated slim grille below the smoked glass headlamps and circular fog lamp housings to add to the more rugged look.
The series hybrid drive system was developed by Proton's British subsidiary, Lotus Engineering, and includes a 1.2 liter Lotus Range Extender three-cylinder engine that can run on petrol, ethanol or methanol. The engine serves exclusively to recharge the lithium-ion batteries and provide electrical power for the drive motors in a similar arrangement to GM's Volt.
It's interesting to note how we're witnessing a new format of monovolume A-Segment car emerging, such as the Mitsubishi i, Tata Nano and Pininfarina B0 Bluecar that, coincidently, was displayed opposite, also in a white body color. Seen next to the Bluecar, the Emas appears very dated, suffering from flat surfaces and planes, with little finesse to the design and, as a showcar, it wasn't clear what this concept means for the future design direction of Proton. Ultimately, it seems a wasted opportunity that the excellent designers at Proton's own in-house subsidiary - Lotus - weren't asked to contribute to it.
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