KLIMS 2026 retrospective: Proton FutureMotion HEV showcase and Mazda CX-5, CX-60 previews headline Kuala Lumpur show

The show: dates, venue and programme

The Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show 2026 ran at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur from 12 to 21 June 2026, with public opening confirmed by paultan.org's show report. The organiser's media registration page separately lists an exclusive media day on 11 June 2026, ahead of the public opening, including guided brand walkthroughs and the opening ceremony. This was the 11th edition of the event, themed 'Beyond Mobility', according to paultan.org. ⁴³

Admission during the event was priced at RM30 for adults and RM15 for students, OKU visitors and seniors above 60 on ticketed days, with free entry on Monday 15 June, Tuesday 16 June and Thursday 18 June, an RM80 Unlimited Access Pass covering all 10 days and an RM100 five-pax bundle pass, as reported by paultan.org. BitAuto.my, in its pre-show overview published on 9 June 2026, counted 18 participating brands and more than 40 vehicles on display, including Dongfeng, GWM, Honda, Hyundai, Jetour, Kia, Mazda, MG, Nissan, Perodua, Proton, Proton eMas, smart, Toyota, TQ Wuling, Weststar Maxus, Xpeng and Zeekr. ⁴⁵

This article is a retrospective of the 2026 edition based on dated manufacturer, organiser and media reporting; DriveAgent did not attend the show and makes no claim of attendance, photography or on-site driving. Attendance figures for the edition were not verified in the reporting available at the time. ⁴³⁵

Proton's FutureMotion HEV: the hybrid technology showcase

Proton's 11 June 2026 announcement described its KLIMS booth under the theme 'PROTON AHEAD: Intelligence That Connects People', centred on a PROTON Intelligent Mobility Zone highlighting HEV technology, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), the i-GT Engine, Proton Electrical & Electronic Architecture (EEA), the PROTON Modular Vehicle Cockpit Concept and the PROTON IHU Smart Cockpit. The company also presented its full model line-up — Saga, S70, X50, X70 Sport Edition and X90 — plus a modified Proton X50 described by Proton as bringing a younger, sportier character to the model. The modified X50 was a display vehicle, not a production variant launch. ¹

The HEV technology combines a 1.5-litre Dedicated Hybrid Engine (DHE) with a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT). Proton stated the engine delivers 82 kW of rated power and 136 Nm of maximum torque — engine ratings, not combined-system output — with a 14-to-1 compression ratio, RON95 fuel compatibility and compliance with China 6b/Euro 6d emissions standards, targeting up to 46.5 per cent peak thermal efficiency through Atkinson-cycle combustion, water-cooled EGR and a smart cooling electric water pump. The DHT features a P1 motor for engine starting and power generation and a P3 motor as the main drive motor with deceleration energy recovery, alongside a Power Control Module, per Proton's release. ¹¹⁰

Proton said the system automatically switches between EV Mode, Series Mode, Parallel Mode and Direct Drive (ICE Mode) based on vehicle speed, power demand and battery condition. Lowyat.net's 11 June 2026 report, drawing on Proton's press release, described the same four modes and quoted Deputy Chief Executive Officer Dato' Ir. Rashid Musa: 'Our technologies represent an important step in PROTON's journey towards intelligent mobility. At KLIMS 2026, we want visitors to experience how our technology is not only advanced but also designed around real Malaysian driving conditions.' Proton cited urban commuting, school runs and long-distance travel as target use cases. ¹¹⁰

Beyond the technology displays, Proton's release stated that selected models — the Saga, S70, X50, X90 and X70 — would be available for test drives at the booth, and that customers who made a booking during the event would enjoy exclusive KLIMS offers, with additional rewards available through the brand's social media activities. These visitor-facing conditions applied during the event only and are not ongoing offers. ¹

Proton's release did not name the production model that will use the FutureMotion HEV system. Lowyat.net noted that both the DHE and DHT are to be assembled at the Automotive Hi-Tech Valley facility in Tanjung Malim, according to Rashid Musa. paultan.org's 11 June report identified the technology as a version of Geely's i-HEV powertrain, which debuted in China earlier in 2026, and reported Proton's deputy CEO saying at the KLIMS presentation that the powertrain is slated to debut in a new model soon. According to paultan.org, Proton has already confirmed it will use a 'DHT120' — the number standing for the motor's output in kW, converting to 163 PS — for a yet-to-be-launched SUV. paultan.org's own analysis suggested the most likely recipient is a second Advanced Modular Architecture (AMA02) model, widely tipped as the 'Saga Cross', expected to enter production at the end of the year, but this model identification was the outlet's speculation, not a Proton announcement. ¹⁰⁹

For technical context, paultan.org reported the sole current model using this powertrain is the Geely Preface i-HEV, with a 111 PS/136 Nm engine tune and a 190 PS/240 Nm motor in its dedicated hybrid transmission, while noting a 163 PS/210 Nm motor tune exists in Geely models such as the Galaxy Starshine 6/Emgrand EM-i. Proton's own announcement did not specify motor output figures for its FutureMotion display, so no combined-system output can be stated for the Malaysian showcase. ⁹¹

Mazda Malaysia: CX-5 preview and CX-60 3.3G AWD

Mazda Malaysia's KLIMS page announced two 'highly anticipated models making their debut appearance' at the show: the All-New Mazda CX-5, explicitly labelled 'Coming Soon', described as redesigned from the ground up, and the Mazda CX-60 3.3G AWD, described as powered by a 3.3-litre inline-six turbo engine with all-wheel drive. Mazda Malaysia invited visitors to talk to specialists and 'secure updates on pre-launch offers' — the CX-5 was a preview, not a Malaysian launch, and no Malaysian on-sale date or pricing for it was given in the announcement. ²

paultan.org's pre-show report added that Bermaz Motor had confirmed the third-generation CX-5's appearance as an exclusive preview, and that the CX-60 3.3G AWD sits above the 2.5G 2WD at RM252,872.80 on-the-road without insurance, about RM52,000 more, with a 3.3-litre turbocharged inline-six petrol engine and 48-volt M Hybrid Boost mild-hybrid system producing 284 PS and 450 Nm, plus Nappa leather upholstery and extra front-passenger adjustment. These are Bermaz figures reported by paultan.org for the Malaysian market. ⁷⁵

paultan.org's show report described the displayed CX-60 as a 3.3-litre MHEV CBU unit expanding the Malaysian line-up, and noted visitors could make bookings for the all-new CX-5 at the show. Autobuzz.my's pre-show feature, published 8 June 2026, described the third-generation CX-5 as larger than its predecessor across all dimensions, with a modernised dashboard and large centre display, and globally available with an e-Skyactiv G 2.5-litre engine with 24-volt mild-hybrid system producing 141 hp and 238 Nm — global specifications, not confirmed Malaysian ones. ⁴¹¹

Other launches and previews at the event

paultan.org's show report listed vehicles launched at KLIMS 2026 including the sixth-generation Honda Prelude in 203 PS e:HEV hybrid form — not yet in Malaysian showrooms at the time — the Proton eMas 7 Premium Plus with a larger 68.39 kWh battery and additional equipment, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Ioniq 6 N, which launched Hyundai's N performance brand in Malaysia. Autobuzz.my's pre-show feature detailed the eMas 7 Premium Plus battery as a 68.39 kWh Aegis Short Blade LFP pack rated for 475 km WLTP range, versus 345 km WLTP for the 49.52 kWh Prime and 410 km WLTP for the 60.22 kWh Premium variants. ⁴¹¹

Among previews, paultan.org's show report cited the Zeekr 9X flagship plug-in hybrid SUV, the IM6 from SAIC's IM brand, the third-generation Mazda CX-5, GWM's Ora 5 HEV, the six-seat TQ Wuling Huajing S and the Kia K4, alongside concepts including Toyota's Corolla Concept, Perodua's C2 Concept (a study previewing a future EV sedan), the QV-E G+ Edition and Aruz Space concepts, and Proton's FutureMotion HEV display. Autobuzz.my noted the Zeekr 9X is confirmed for a Malaysian launch in late 2026 to early 2027, with estimates of RM700,000 to RM1 million described as estimates by that outlet. ⁴¹¹

Proton's eMas exhibits went beyond the Premium Plus: paultan.org reported a locally assembled (CKD) eMas 5 was showcased at the event alongside the eMas 7 Premium Plus, as pre-show reporting had anticipated, with the eMas 5 CKD set to enter production at Tanjung Malim. These details pertain to the Malaysian market only. ⁴⁹⁶

Hybrid momentum as the show's theme, in Malaysian-market analysis

BitAuto.my's post-show analysis, published on 22 June 2026, observed that hybrids (including mild hybrids) appeared on almost every stand at KLIMS 2026, a marked shift from the EV-heavy 2024 edition, citing the Mazda CX-60 3.3 mild hybrid, Nissan's e-Power X-Trail focus, Toyota's and Honda's hybrid line-ups and strong Chinese-brand plug-in hybrid presence including the Zeekr 9X. It characterised Proton's FutureMotion HEV as a 1.5-litre system derived from Geely technology in China. These are that publication's observations and analysis of the Malaysian market, not findings of DriveAgent. ⁸

No announcements at or after the show establish Australian availability for any vehicle discussed here. Proton's FutureMotion HEV specifications, the Mazda CX-60 3.3G AWD price and equipment, and the eMas 7 variant details are Malaysian-market claims from the manufacturers and Malaysian media, and no local on-sale date, pricing or specification for Australia was announced at this event. ¹²⁷