18/01/2026

theSunday Special XV ON SUNDAY JAN 18, 2026

The year of plug-in hybrids

being able to drive well over 200km on electric mode alone, without the fear of not being able to find a charger or being stuck for hours while waiting for your turn to have a go at a public charger. The e.MAS 7 PHEV also looks better than its all-electric sibling and if your commute is less than 50km a day, you can technically drive around for four days without igniting the engine. As long as you don’t drive very fast that is. A PHEV is a great middle ground if you’re not ready to make the plunge into an EV as yet. Even Chery has introduced PHEV’s and they seem to be a really good bargain as well. So, we are yet to see what the year is going to turn out to be, but for now, it seems to be the year of the plug-in hybrid.

IT IS the third Sunday of the new year and the year is already shaping up to be rather interesting. Last year was another record breaking year for electric vehicles, with a total of 44,813 units registered. That is more than double the units registered in 2024. If you recall, 2025 ended with some scare mongering. With the lifting of duty free incentives as well as the road tax holiday for electric vehicles, many expected the price of EV’s to go up in January. But a quick check on the websites of popular EV brands such as Tesla and BYD has revealed that prices are still very much the same as last year. So, what gives? Were all the reports of prices increasing the following year just a

status. So car makers ordered them by the thousands and that is why you can still get a good deal on a Tesla or a BYD. But that will not last though, so go ahead and buy one soon if you thought you missed the boat. This year also seems to be the year of plug-in

tactic to drive sales in December? After all, there were 8,123 EV’s registered in that month alone, which is more than triple the number of the same month in the year before. It is not false though, there is some truth to the price of EV’s rising this year. But the reason why we are not seeing

WRITTEN BY KESHY DHILLON

hybrids. Proton has just introduced the e.MAS 7 PHEV, a plug-in hybrid variant of the hugely popular fully electric e.MAS 7. This PHEV variant is a good choice for those of you who want to enjoy all the benefits of an EV such as

prices sky rocketing is because a lot of the cars we see listed on websites today were actually brought in last year. Every EV that reached our shores before Jan 1 2026 still enjoys duty free

Improving refinement, efficiency

Proton unveils 2026 X70 with new four-cylinder turbo engine

PROTON officially unveiled the 2026 Proton X70, introducing a significant mechanical update alongside a refreshed feature list for its popular C-segment SUV. The latest iteration is pre viewed with a new 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, the same pow erplant currently used in the Proton X50, paired with a seven speed dual-clutch transmission. The update underlines Proton’s focus on improving refinement and efficiency while maintaining everyday usability. For 2026, the X70 is offered in 1.5TD Executive and 1.5TD Premium variants. Both vari ants come with drive mode and steering mode selection as standard. Exterior equipment on the Executive includes LED head lamps with daytime running lights, auto headlamps with Follow Me Home function, LED front fog lamps, front welcome lamps, auto rain sensing wipers, roof rails, remote engine start, and a power tailgate with nearby auto-open function. Inside, the cabin sees a strong emphasis on technol ogy and comfort. The 2026 X70 features a 12.3-inch info tainment touchscreen paired with a 7-inch digital instru ment display, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other standard features include dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, leatherette seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, front venti lated seats, a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, an has

auto-dimming rear-view mir ror, four USB ports, and a six speaker audio system. Safety remains a core focus, with the Executive variant already equipped with six SRS airbags, walk away auto lock, a 360° HD camera with 180° transparent view, as well as front and rear parking sensors, enhancing confidence in daily driving and parking situations. The 1.5TD Premium vari ant builds on this foundation with additional comfort, design and safety upgrades. It rides on 19-inch alloy wheels and adds 72-colour rhythmic ambient lighting, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with two-way lumbar support, and a four way power-adjustable front passenger seat. A head-up dis play and security window tint further elevate the cabin experience. Advanced driver assistance systems are also expanded on the Premium variant, includ ing Auto Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Adaptive and Intelligent Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Departure Prevention, Lane Centring Control, Traffic Sign Information, Intelligent High Beam Control, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change

Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Warning, DoorOpening Warning, and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, along with four front parking sensors. Notably, the 2026 Proton X70 signals a shift in equip ment strategy, as the pano ramic sunroof and Nappa leather upholstery offered on the previous facelifted X70 are no longer available. Proton appears to be streamlining the range to focus on features that enhance safety, technology and day-to-day practicality while keeping the model com petitively positioned in the segment. The Executive variant is priced at RM106,800 and the Premium at RM119,800. The 2026 Proton X70 is offered with a special launch rebate of RM7,000, bringing the Proton X70 1.5TD Executiveto RM99,800 and

the first 1,500 customers who register their vehicles by March 31, 2026. In addition, the Pro-Shield programme enhances cover age through an upgraded Proton insurance package, which includes special perils coverage, personal accident protection for passengers of up to RM15,000 per person, and additional flood relief coverage of up to RM2,000. The Pro-Shield offer is like wise limited to the first 1,500 customers, with registration required by March 31. With its new four-cylinder turbo charged engine, updated technology suite and comprehensive safety offer ing, the 2026 Proton X70 con tinues to strengthen its role as a key model in Proton’s SUV portfolio, aimed at Malaysian buyers seeking a modern and well-equipped C-segment SUV.

the Proton X70 1.5TD Premium to RM112,800. All prices quoted are on-the-road without insurance and are valid for Peninsular Malaysia only. Alongside the launch, Proton is offering a compre hensive ownership package for early customers. The Pro Warranty package includes a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage and six free labour services. Pro-Connect provides an upgraded five-year in-car data package with 2GB of data per month, while Pro Finance offers up to nine years of financing, with inter est rates starting from 2.2% per annum and a margin of finance of up to 90%. Customers can also benefit from the Pro-Trade-In pro gramme, which provides trade-in overtrade support of up to RM2,000, available to