It’s an open secret that the forthcoming Proton eMas 5 will be based on the Geely Xingyuan/Star Wish and, like the Galaxy E5/EX5-derived eMas 7, will share pretty much everything with its twin. However, an ad posted by Proton eMas itself on social media – for its Electrify Your Life giveaway, no less – teases what could possibly be a slightly different front fascia.
The car shown here sports sharper almond-shaped headlights and a wider air intake, while the bonnet shutline has been pushed further outwards towards the lamps. It’s a subtly more aggressive look compared to the cutesy design of the Star Wish, which would be more in line with Malaysian tastes.
Now, it could very well be that this straight front-end shot is just an AI image that Proton created using an official photo of the camouflaged prototype shown at the Malaysia Autoshow last month – presumably to change the background and to make the angle of the car higher.
A few things point to this being the case – for instance, the headlight internals are strangely distorted and the slim inlets on the bumper corners are different on one side compared to the other. Then there’s the fact that this image is only used in ads; the posts on the brand’s feed about the giveaway only show a covered car (also clearly AI-generated) when referring to the eMas 5.
Either way, the eMas 5 will almost certainly share much of its mechanicals with the Star Wish, including 79 PS/130 Nm and 116 PS/150 Nm rear motors mated to 30.12 kWh (for a range of just 310 km on China’s CLTC cycle) and 40.16 kWh (for a range of 410 km) lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs respectively. Proton would do well to install larger battery packs – perhaps from the eMas 7 – to increase the range and make the car better suited to Malaysian use cases.
Expect the car to be offered in CBU fully-imported form first when it goes on sale in the fourth quarter of the year, given that the new EV plant in Tanjong Malim, operational by the end of 2025, will be building the eMas 7 first. As such, the eMas 5 will likely be charged import tax as the exemptions for CBU EVs will end before 2026, unless Proton can reach a special deal with the government.
What do you guys think – do you prefer the original Xingyuan/Star Wish-derived design or the sportier look envisaged here? Sound off in the comments after the jump.
GALLERY: Proton eMas 5 prototype at Malaysia Autoshow 2025
GALLERY: Geely Xingyuan/Star Wish at Bangkok Motor Show 2025
AD: Drive the Proton model of your dreams. Submit your details and Proton PJ will get in touch with you.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
yawwwwwn, ppl already moving to hydrogen or hybrid, now u only catch up on EV, are u asking we consumer to pay a old tech junk with high price?
Hahahah…why a sad sack you are.
There are several affordable Geely PHEV,
Not underpowered, tak makan minyak.
“…the eMas 5 will likely be charged import tax…”
Proton’s biggest problem. Especially If Perodua launches its EV within the same time frame. Perodua is already the stronger brand, you don’t wanna exacerbate your odds with a RM100k vehicle. Perodua was always gonna undercut them in pricing, but to space out the difference even more? Just asking for hurt.
By the time the e.MAS 5 is launched Proton’s EV assembly plant in Tanjung Malim will already be up and running.
Square one. Happy (continue) rebadging #proton.
Proton as usual, so slow in doing things.
Just the rims look like the owner is a feminine man.