Geneva 2010: Proton, Italdesign Giugiaro and Lotus Team to Create EMAS

(March 4, 2010 )

Automakers are turning real serious about the eco friendliness of their new designs and we got to see that at the Geneva Motor Show. The?show?packed with hybrid and electric models. Joining them was?one of Malaysia’s largest automakers, Proton, teaming up?with Italdesign Giugiaro and then there is Lotus backing them?up with its hybrid powertrain. This trio brings another addition to the list of hybrid concept vehicles – the Proton Emas. The micro-sized family of low environmental-impact cars?is designed in three different configurations that Italdesign Giugiaro says have been achieved without compromising with comfort and interior space. ?To elaborate, these are:

Emas3 City: A three-door hatchback saloon with three normal seats and one with less legroom. The car is a plug-in electric vehicle.

Emas Country: The three-door?urban SUV accommodates five comfortably and uses a hybrid powertrain.

Emas Comfort: It is a five-door four-seater that again ships in with a hybrid engine.

The hybrid engines use a 45 kW motor that peaks at 75 kW, developing 240 Nm of torque.?The motor is powered by 11.5 kWh lithium-ion batteries that combine with the 1.2-liter flexfuel engine producing 50 hp and a generator to sprint the Proton Emas from 0 to 100 km/h in 14 seconds and a top speed of 170 km/h. All-electric range is estimated at 50 km.

“With this project, we have shown that the car layout can remain unchanged irrespective of the type of fuel system," said Italdesign chief Giorgetto Giugiaro. It is yet not known whether Proton has any production plans for the Emas; however, the efforts employed by the three partners do point toward a positive outcome.

Source: www.nitrobahn.com