Shown at the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show (KLIMS) 2026, and then again at the Global Automotive and Technology Expo (GATE) 2026, Proton’s HEV hybrid system now has an official name – the automaker has confirmed i-HEV as the official name of its new hybrid technology, which will make its debut in the upcoming AMA 02 model.
Reiterating that which was indicated previously, the naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre Dedicated Hybrid Engine (DHE) Atkinson-cycle mill offers 111 PS and 136 Nm of torque (which is the same as China’s Geely Preface i-HEV), with a 46.5% thermal efficiency.
The unit also features a high geometric compression ratio of 14:1, which works with water-cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) to optimise combustion and reduce pumping losses. Elsewhere, a variable displacement oil pump adjusts oil supply according to demand, while an electric water pump manages coolant circulation as needed, helping to reduce the energy consumed by auxiliary systems and support effective engine temperature management.
