First Drive: Proton e.MAS 7 – SIX Things We Learnt

We.re still barred from showing you the final exterior of the Proton e.MAS 7, but you can get a pretty clear idea by clicking these blue words...

As we countdown to the eventual official launch of the Proton e.MAS 7 EV crossover, the national carmaker has lifted yet another content embargo for which earlier this week. This follows on from a closed preview test-drive session for local press held last week.

Whilst we viewed and drove the e.MAS 7 in final production form, we are still barred from showing you its exterior. It’s all part of Proton’s staggered release strategy which, if we’re honest, seems to linger a tad too long for our liking.

Whilst we reserve our take of the exterior, Proton MIGHT show the e.MAS 7 fully uncovered at the upcoming KLIMS 2024 show that next week. With that out of the way, here are SIX things we learnt after sizing up and briefly driving the e.MAS 7 at Proton’s Shah Alam test track…

Premium variant pictured featuring 'Indigo Blue' faux leather seat covers and dash trims. Said upholstery's blue-ish tinge only shines when bathed in sunlight.

1. The Interior Is Both Plush And Practical

Whilst we’re barred from showing you its exterior, Proton has instead allowed us to show you the e.MAS 7’s innards. Compared to what we saw in an early prototype previewed prior, things are looking mighty good to say the least.

Firstly, space is respectable all around, but this is a widely expected trait given this Geely-based electric crossover’s sizeable 2,750 MM wheelbase, 1,910 MM width and 1,670 MM height. Said dimensions do indeed see the e.MAS 7 conform to typical C-SUV standards too.

Overall space is great, and the presence of 33 storage bins and cubbies on top of the cavernous 461-litre standard boot space sees the e.MAS 7 offer greater practicality too.

Adding to which is the decent space utilisation, evident through the presence of no less than 33 storage bins and cubbies lining the cabin besides the cavernous 461-litre boot. Suffice to say it, the e.MAS 7 promises to be the most practical offering in class thanks to this.

What’s impressive too are the plush ‘Indigo Blue’ faux leather seat covers and dash upholstery primed in the higher-specced Premium variant. This guise also gets premium amenities like power-adjustable and ventilated front seats, powered tailgate, and a panoramic sunroof.

10.2-inch digital instrument panel (left) and massive 15.4-inch touchscreen (right) is shared across both variants of the e.MAS 7.

2. There’s Lots Of Tech Too!

Of course, our first take of the interior won’t be complete without taking you through the level of tech present here. Simply put, there’s plenty, and it all seems to keep the e.MAS 7 slightly ahead of the bulk of its competitors.

Shared across both Prime and Premium variants is a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a massive 15.4-inch central infotainment touchscreen interface. The latter is the key highlight as it boasts crisp 2.5K resolution and snappy response times for all its accessible functions.

The massive touchscreen boasts crisp 2.5K resolution and snappy responses. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remains absent at launch, but will come later via an OTA update.

Before you ask, we’ve already enquired about the availability of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Bad news first, neither will be available initially at launch. The good news is that the both are in the pipelines and are set to come via over-the-air (OTA) updates later.

Otherwise, the infotainment unit itself is not too shabby as it still offers a native navigation function that will integrate access to the Proton e.MAS EV charging network – much like how sister brand smart Automobile does with their dedicated infotainment and app ecosystem.

Premium variant also promises top-shelf audio quality via ita 16 Flyme Sound Wanos audio setup. Matching that too is a 256-colour cabin ambient lighting suite.

Prime variant does lose out on several amenities, but it still benefits with 'basics' such as power-adjustable driver seat, wireless charging pad and keyless entry and ignition.

Adding to which is the promise of top-shelf sound quality too, especially in the Premium variant as it gets laced with no less than 16 Flyme Sound Wanos speakers around the cabin. This variant also gets a 256-colour cabin ambient lighting suite to boot.

As for the Prime variant, it doesn’t get some of these luxuries, making do with fabric seats, six-speaker audio and no front seat ventilation. At the very least though, it offers basics like keyless entry and ignition, wireless charging pad, 360-degree camera, and power-adjustable driver seat.

The LHD Geely Galaxy E5 original we tested prior wasn't too shabby to drive...

3. It Arguably Drives Better Than Its LHD Geely-Twin

When our writer Mukhlis Azman had a go in the left-hand-drive (LHD) Geely Galaxy E5 last month, it was clear that this Chinese market twin of the e.MAS 7 had very soft, comfort-focused drive dynamics – typical of most Chinese-made EVs.

Clearly, the folks at Proton’s Ride & Handling office have learned plenty over the years through their efforts localising the X70, X50, X90 and S70 models from Geely. And the result of their efforts adapting the e.MAS 7 for Malaysia were very also telling.

... Proton's RHD redux of which arguably felt much more planted and a lot more agile in contrast.

The right-hand-drive (RHD) final pre-production prototype we drove recently felt arguably more planted in contrast. The retuned springs and dampers also felt a lot firmer here, which in turn granted greater agility too, but not at the expense of losing out too much on comfort.

Simply put, this is now a much more balanced and arguably better-handling redux of said Chinese market original, and it certainly makes for a more engaging crossover to drive versus the bulk of its segment contemporaries.

Compact and innovative 12-in-1 e-motor plonked up front delivers decent pep and respectable real world range.

4. Power, Speed And Range Are All Adequate

Packing a front-mounted e-motor outputting 214 HP and 320 NM to the front wheels, the e.MAS 7 delivers respectably rapid off-the-line acceleration as how most EVs do. Whilst not sportscar-like quick, 0-100 KM/H dashes in just 6.9 secs remains respectable, as is the capped 175 KM/H V-Max.

Overall, you could say that the compact 12-in-1 e-motor powering the e.MAS 7 feels like a well-honed all-rounder instead of an eager tyre-warping torque monster. And this affinity for efficient power consumption perhaps explains the decent WLTP-rated ranges Proton revealed.

In terms of real world range, the Premium offers the furthest at 410 KM (WLTP) whilst the Prime will cover up to 345 KM (WLTP) instead.

Aptly, with the larger 60.22 kWh capacity version of Geely’s ‘Aegis Short Blade Battery’ pack, the Premium variant offers the most range at 410 KM. The Prime variant, which packs a smaller 49.52 kWh pack, instead offers 345 KM of real world travel.

Whilst it’s fair to say that said range figures aren’t segment-leading, they are indeed far from paltry, and the same can be said of the e.MAS 7’s charging speeds…

As for charging, both variants of the e.MAS 7 accepts 11 kW AC charging inputs, as well as respectable 80 kW (Prime) and 100 kW (Premium) DC charging inputs.

5. There’s Acceptable AC And DC Charging Speeds

From the get-go, both Prime and Premium variants share the ability to draw in 11 kW AC charging inputs. Indeed, this is far better than the typical 7 kW or less that what’s offered by the bulk of rivalling mass market Chinese EVs – i.e. BYD Atto 3.

Moving to DC charging speeds, the smaller battery in the Prime variant peaks at a respectable 80 kW whilst the bigger battery in the Premium variant ups things to 100 kW instead. Either way, these enable 30-80% charges attained in just about 20 minutes.

Overall, it’s easy to see that on this front at least, things are respectably decent, as is the next fact.

Both Prime and Premium variants offer Level 2 semi-autonomous driving abilities enabled by no less than 15 ADAS features and functions primed as standard.

6. Level 2 ADAS Is Standard Across Both

Whilst the Prime variant loses out on luxuries, it isn’t exempted from having Level 2 semi-autonomous driving abilities. Enabling this are both Intelligent and Adaptive Cruise Control (ICC & ACC) suites, Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane-Keeping Assist (LKA), Rear Side Radar Assist System, as well as traffic Sign Identification (TSI).

Altogether, these enable no less than 15 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) features, thus seeing the Proton e.MAS 7 promising to be one of the safest offerings in class too. And the fact that this comes accessible from as low as RM120,000 onwards ought to be a key decider for many prospects.

Yes, this camouflage will be peeled back very soon, perhaps during KLIMS 2024.

It Launches In Dec

Apart from what we just detailed, there isn’t much else we can disclose, but you don’t have long to wait. Besides its public showing at KLIMS 2024, national carmaker Proton has confirmed that it will officially launch the e.MAS 7 shortly after.

At which point, we will know its final pricing and, critically, the after-sales and warranty packages that will be included in said prices. Given the regular industry norms, expect 8-year or 160,000 KM coverage at the very least for the e.MAS 7’s EV battery packs.

Apart from which, what else would you expect the e.MAS 7 to offer on this front? As always, share your takes in the comments below, as well as through our social media pages…