Long-forgotten car brand reveals new EV as it hails return to Britain after 10 years away
A LONG-forgotten car brand is set to release a new EV and it could be coming to the UK – a decade after they pulled all of their motors from showrooms.
Malaysian manufacturer Proton are to release the all-electric e.MAS 7 – which will cost roughly £19,475, with the premium version coming in at £22,000.
The standard car will come with a 49.5kWh battery and have a range of up to 254 miles.
It’s due to look similar to Chinese brand Geely’s Galaxy E5, with distinctive features such as 18 inch wheels, LED lights in the front and back of the car, and a panoramic sunroof.
The car will also have speakers in the headrests and fully reclinable front seats.
And for full functionality it will feature a head up display.
The firm is best known in the UK for its budget-friendly cars including the Satria Neo, Impian and Savvy.
The car maker was common on British roads until bosses pulled out of the market in 2014.
The brand specialised in affordable small cars well before rivals, such as Smart Car, since its UK debut in 1989.
Originally set up in 1983 by the Malaysian Government, it sold rebadged Mitsubishis before starting its original production line in 2000.
Despite withdrawing from the European market, the manufacturer has retained its popularity in Asia.
And after some financial woes in the mid-2010s, owners DRB-HICOM sold half to Chinese car giant Geely, which itself owns brands like Volvo, Polestar and Lotus.
According to Autoexpress, there are currently no plans for Proton to relaunch in the UK, but there’s no reason to doubt they could be sold alongside Volvo, Lotus, Polestar and Smart sometime in the future.
This comes as Chinese manufacturer Nio is readying an EV of its own for the European market in 2025.
Badged under the name Onvo, the stylish L60 coupe-SUV somewhat resembles the Tesla Model Y and will give Elon Musk’s car company some concerns.
Currently, Nio releases cars under three different marques: Nio, Onvo and Firefly.