Photos by RAJA FAISAL HISHAN
The Proton e.MAS 7 is due for a mid-December launch and to give the media a taste of its performance and road handling capabilities, the national automaker recently held a preview at the Proton Centre of Excellence, Subang Jaya.
Do note that all exterior photos of the e.MAS 7 (not wrapped in camouflage patterns) are under a media embargo until the official launch of the car.
Each media participant took a 10 to 15-minute high-speed drive in Proton's first all-electric C-segment sport utility vehicle (SUV) on the test track facility.
We started off with a quick drive in the rival BYD Atto 3, which has Atlas A51 tyres sized 215/55 R18.
The Atto 3 is certainly a competent SUV, and handled decently when we put it through its paces on the steep 42-degree banked curve section of the test track, followed by a short slalom through a cone-filled course and an emergency "swerve and avoid" exercise.
Next, we jumped into the e.MAS 7, fitted with larger Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance tyres sized 235/50 R19, to repeat the same track exercises.
We found a minimalist and premium-looking interior with high quality materials, and we like the space-saving gear shifter stalk that is conveniently located on the steering column.
Flick this into D, and the e.MAS 7 is ready to go.
We also alternated between Comfort and Sport drive modes which adjust power delivery.
On the high-speed run on the banked curve section of the test track, the e.MAS 7 felt noticeably more planted compared with its rival.
As for dynamic handling, the e.MAS 7 displayed impressive composure and agility as we manoeuvred the car swiftly through the cone-filled slalom course, followed by the emergency "swerve and avoid" exercise.
The e.MAS 7 is definitely another well-engineered and high-tech set of all-electric wheels to be excited about, based on our brief high-speed exercises on the test track.
The Proton e.MAS 7 will be offered in two variants of Prime and Premium.
Estimated prices are from RM120,000.
Highlights of the e.MAS 7 include a spacious cabin and a 2,750mm wheelbase, low wind resistance (0.275 Cd aerodynamic drag coefficient), and Geely’s Aegis short blade battery featuring a 192 Wh/kg energy density.
Both the e.MAS 7 variants share a front electric motor rated at 160kW and 320Nm of torque, which allows the SUV to do the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.9 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 175km/h.
Standard kit includes a multi-link rear independent suspension, 10.2-inch LCD instrument cluster, LED headlights with Follow-me Home light and Auto On/Off and Active High Beam Control, concealed door handles, roof rails, rain sensing wipers, leatherette seats, driver 6-way powered seat, Walk Away Auto Lock, smartphone wireless charging, automatic air-conditioning with N95 filter, and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology to power other devices.
Also, the e.MAS 7 is designed with 33 storage spaces (best-in-class) and trunk space of 461 litres, which expands to 1,877 litres with rear seats folded.
It also has rear seats that can be reclined for extra comfort, with 30 and 35-degree adjustments.
The infotainment system with a 15.4-inch 2.5K HD touchscreen runs on Geely’s Flyme Auto operating system, powered by the Dragon Eagle-1 which is China's first domestically developed automotive grade 7-nanometer chip.
Standard safety features include six airbags, Auto Hold function, and 360-degree view camera while Advanced Driver Assistance Systems（ADAS）include Intelligent Cruise Control（ICC), Adaptive Cruise Control（ACC), Automatic Emergency Braking（AEB), Forward Collision Warning（FCW), Dynamic Brake Support（DBS), Lane Departure Warning（LDW), Lane Departure Prevention（LDP), Emergency Lane Keeping Assist（ELKA), Rear Collision Warning（RCW), Rear Cross Traffic Alert（RCTA), Rear Cross Traffic Braking（RCTB), Lane Change Assist（LCA), Blind Spot Detection（BSD), Door Open Warning（DOW), and Traffic Sign Identification（TSI).
Both the e.MAS 7 variants have a rear radar system while only the Premium variant gets a front radar system.
The Prime variant has a 49.52kWh battery pack and offers a 345km WLTP driving range, and comes with 225/55 R18 tyres and six audio speakers.
The Premium variant gets 60.22kWh battery pack for a longer 410km WLTP driving range, and comes with 235/50 R19 tyres and 16 audio speakers, panoramic sunroof with sunshade, power tailgate, active grille shutter, Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror, driver seat with memory setting, a front passenger 4-Way adjustable powered seat, front ventilated seats, 256-colour ambient light, and windshield Head-up Display (HUD).
