Welcome to what has got to be the biggest unveiling at the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show (KLIMS). This is the new Perodua eMO-II concept, billed as “the next evolution of its prototype battery electric vehicle,” ahead of the production version’s launch sometime before the end of next year.
Unlike last year’s eMO scale model, this is a full-size show car – albeit one still made out of fibreglass (Bufori assisted with the finishing and painting) – that shows the clear advancement the national carmaker has made with its EV.
As previewed in Monday’s teaser, the eMO-II is, in some ways, even sportier-looking than the original eMO. The dramatic X-shaped front bumper with its sharp corners has been retained but has now been joined by a full-width light bar underlining an illuminated Perodua logo. There’s also a deep chin spoiler with ‘eMO-II’ embossed on it.
Moving to the side, one can see the dynamic design afforded by the wraparound windscreen design, heavily-raked rear windscreen and thick C-pillars. Side-view cameras replace the usual mirrors (sadly not destined for production), while lower down, you’ll find gloss black wheel arch flares highlighting the flared fenders. Curiously, there are vents low down in the rear doors.
The rear of the car is probably the sportiest angle, with a scalloped tailgate, a sizeable roof spoiler and a massive rear diffuser with a central fog light. A major theme of the design is a chequered songket pattern, found in the head- and taillights, side skirts, rear windscreen and glass roof (yes, you read that right). Completing the look are 19-inch wheels with Tesla Cybertruck-style heptagonal aero covers.
Inside, the eMO-II gets a very modern cabin with a two-spoke steering wheel and a wraparound “cockpit” with a digital instrument display, a smaller touchscreen and twin air-con vents. Further down sits a gloss black centre console with a push-button gear selector, a second touchscreen for the air-con controls and an iPad mini holder with a built-in Qi wireless charger. The show car is finished in a two-tone colour scheme, including the four bucket seats.
Perodua hid a few neat tricks in the eMO-II’s door cards. At the front, you’ll find a storage compartment for an umbrella, Rolls-Royce style, as well as a detachable lower section that doubles as a messenger bag. Meanwhile, the rear doors house collapsible stools that would be handy for camping trips. It remains to be seen if these features will be offered on the production model, but it sure would be great if it did.
No technical details have been revealed just yet, but initial specs include a zero-to-100 km/h sprint time of between six and seven seconds, as well as a range of between 400 to 410 km from a CATL-sourced lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. Perodua says it will initially import the battery and motor but plans to eventually assemble these components in-house.
In what is a reversal of roles with Proton, Perodua’s EV will be an in-house development, given that neither Daihatsu nor Toyota currently have a full electric model at this size and price. By contrast, the Proton eMas 7 is a twin of the Geely Galaxy E5/EX5.
The company confirmed that the production model will be an all-new nameplate separate from the next-generation Myvi, and it will be smaller than that car, playing in the lower reaches of the B-segment. Perodua is aiming for the car to be the cheapest EV in Malaysia, with the hope that the price will not exceed RM90,000.
Perodua’s electrification efforts ramped up last week with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Petronas and Gentari. This will see the latter setting up charging facilities at Perodua service centres, with the view of aiding customers’ transition to full EVs.
The post Perodua eMO-II concept – full-size show car previews first EV, 0-100 km/h 6-7 secs, up to 410 km range appeared first on Paul Tan’s Automotive News.
