Proton e.MAS 7 Opened For Bookings – 2 Variants, Est. From RM120,000!

Proton officially opened the order books for its first ever production EV, the e.MAS 7, earlier today.

National carmaker Proton has officially opened the order books for its upcoming first production electric vehicle (EV), the e.MAS 7. The announcement was made earlier today at the Setia City Convention Centre where Proton chose to also publicly unveil the e.MAS 7’s interior and specs.

We’ll get straight into the estimated starting price announced, which reads at RM120,000. Moreover, Proton also announced a ‘Pioneer Privilege Deal’ that comes with a RM500 rebate and a giftpack worth RM1,000. This offer runs from today until the e.MAS 7’s official launch.

Two variants are available, and prices start from an estimated figure of RM120,000. Early birds booking the e.MAS 7 now until its official launch also benefit with a special 'Pioneer Privilege Deal'.

Bookings can now be placed at authorised Proton e.MAS dealerships nationwide at a nominal fee of RM500. As for the actual launch date, Proton remains tight-lipped on specifics, but did confirm plans to have the e.MAS 7 launched by Dec – perhaps during KLIMS 2024.

We’ll detail the two variants revealed shortly, but before that, it’s also worth highlighting that today’s announcement also included the launch of the Proton e.MAS App. The carmaker says the app is a ‘dynamic platform designed to enhance user experience from booking through ownership.’

Announced today too was the dedicated Proton e.MAS App, which is basically mirrors what PRO-NET already established through the Hello smart App for the smart Automobile brand locally.

From what we can garner, the Proton e.MAS App essentially emulates what PRO-NET already established via the Hello smart App for the smart Automobile brand locally. The app simplifies booking, service scheduling and accessing partnering EV charging networks.

As a refresher, the Proton e.MAS 7 is an EV SUV that’s co-developed jointly by both Proton and partners Geely. And just like the Chinese market original, Proton’s right-hand-drive (RHD) rendition is set to see two variants offered – a base ‘Prime’ and a higher-specced ‘Premium’.

Both the Prime and Premium variants of the e.MAS 7 adopt Geely's new Aegis short blade LFP-type battery packs, albeit at differing capacities.

Apart from level of kit and amenities primed on board, each guise is denoted by their respective battery capacities. Both adopt Geely’s latest Aegis short blade LFP-type packs with capacities of 49.52 kWh (Prime) and 60.22 kWh (Premium).

In terms of range, the base Prime with its smaller battery size promises a WLTP-rated figure of 345 KM whilst the larger-capacity pack in the Premium sees it promise a higher 430 KM WLTP-rated figure instead. Overall, these are respectable to say the least, as are their charging speeds.

Both variants sees 1 KW AC charging ability as standard. Whilst DC charging speeds vary, both still promises the same 30-80% re-charge time of just 20 minutes.

11 kW AC charging is standard across both, and Proton touts 30-80% re-charge times of 4.9 Hrs (Prime) and 6.1 Hrs (Premium). As for DC fast-charging, the Prime variant accepts up to 80 kW whilst the Premium takes up to 100 kW instead, both promising 30-80% re-charges in just 20 minutes.

As for performance, both the Prime and Premium variants of the Proton e.MAS 7 share the same front-mounted ‘12-in-1 Electric Drive System’ e-motor unit. Rated at 215 HP ( 160 KW) and 320 NM, drive goes to the front wheels and sees 0-100 KM/H sprints done in 6.9 secs whilst V-max is capped at 175 KM/H.

Shared across both variants are the same e-motor drive units, as well as the Level 2-rated ADAS package.

Moving on to on board kit and amenities, there’s indeed plenty to look forward to, but we’ll detail this separately in another feature. Instead, we’ll be brief here in noting that both variants will share a slew of items like its dual digital displays plus a slew of Level 2-rated Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) features too.

Highlights of the latter include Intelligent and Adaptive Cruise Control (ICC & ACC), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS – AEB, FCW, DBS),  Lane Keeping Assist (LKA – LDW, LDP, ELKA), Rear Side Assist System (RCW, RCTA, RCTB, LCA, BSD, DOW), as well as Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) all present.

Both variants are set to offer a rich list of features and amenities primed as standard, albeit at varying degrees.

On top of which, both a forward radar plus a 360-degree parking camera suite primed across all variants too. In short, the Proton e.MAS 7 is set to offer high degree of semi-autonomous driving abilities, regardless of which variant you choose.

Given what we just relayed, what do you folks reckon then? Would you opt this relatively bargain-priced alternative EV crossover SUV offering from the national automaker? Share your thoughts in the comments below, as well as our social media pages…