We go to Proton headquarters today to find out what really happened to the Proton X90 Hybrid
By now most of you reading this would have seen the video of the inside ‘D’ pillar panel of a Proton X90 Hybrid all burnt and the rear luggage area and seats of the vehicle covered in ‘extinguishant’ white powder which was used to ‘put out the fire’.
When we first watched the video yesterday evening we immediately realised that it WAS NOT the hybrid battery that exploded. Why? Well, if the hybrid battery had exploded, the rear tailgate will be on the ground and the rear side glass windows would have shattered from the impact of the battery explosion.
Interestingly, this looked more like a small fire in the luggage area, close to the rear left hand side ‘D’ pillar which might have started from an item sitting in the rear luggage area or a wiring issue on the inside of the ‘D’ panel.
Now, we were allowed to see the vehicle and under the rear luggage area the 48V Lithium-Ion Battery was completely intact and just covered with ‘extinguishant’ white powder that used to ‘put out the fire’. We were however NOT ALLOWED to take any pictures and share online as this fire is still being investigated.
So, we can confirm that this was NOT a 48V Lithium-Ion Battery issue.
Meanwhile, in case you were wondering, this Proton X90 is the company’s first-ever SUV equipped with a mild hybrid system, making it a significant milestone for the brand. But why is the powertrain so crucial for this vehicle’s success?
The Proton X90 comes with a 48V Electric Motor Synergy (EMS) System, which is designed to work in tandem with the car’s internal combustion engine.
This system provides extra torque and acceleration when needed, making for a more powerful and smoother driving experience. It also helps to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, which is excellent news for anyone concerned about their carbon footprint.
