We drove Proton e.MAS 7’s twin, the Geely Galaxy E5

Last week, the Proton Centre of Excellence (COE) served as the final destination for Geely’s Galaxy E5 world tour, which kicked off in China.

Despite being dubbed a ‘world tour’, the convoy, consisting of several left-hand drive Galaxy E5 units, actually traversed just three Southeast Asian countries: Laos, Thailand, and Malaysia.

Nevertheless, the 3,700 km journey was deemed sufficient to showcase the Galaxy E5’s capabilities and durability in real-world conditions.

According to a representative from Geely, the convoy successfully completed the journey without issues, with each unit arriving at the COE in good condition, despite having to face floods in Laos caused by Typhoon Yagi.

Taking advantage of the cars being here, Proton invited media representatives to test drive the Proton e.MAS 7 twin on its famed test track at the COE. Additionally, select media personnel were also given the opportunity to drive the EV on public roads for a more realistic driving experience.

From my observation, the test drive session provided clear hints as to the design, technology, and performance of the e.MAS 7, which will soon be launched in the local market.

Is the Exterior Design Similar?

Proton previously emphasised that the e.MAS 7 is not merely a rebadged Galaxy E5. This claim holds true on a technical front, as the e.MAS 7 was developed concurrently with the Galaxy E5. According to Proton, over 100 of their engineers were involved in this project.

However, in terms of exterior design, it is fair to say that Proton may not have all the freedom to make significant changes to the e.MAS 7, aside from altering the logo and badges. Elements like the Infinite Weave design found in other Geely-based models are also absent, as the e.MAS 7 lacks a front grille.

It is also interesting to note that the Galaxy E5 that we test drove came with 19-inch wheels, one inch bigger than that of the e.MAS 7.

A Spacious Yet Luxurious Interior

Similar to its exterior, the cabin design of the e.MAS 7 is expected to be quite similar to that of the Galaxy E5. This is a good thing, as the interior design of this Chinese EV is quite impressive in terms of layout and materials used.

The leather upholstery appears luxurious and feels soft to the touch. Importantly, it is applied extensively, not only on the seats but also covering a substantial part of the dashboard and door panels.

In addition to white, Geely offers choices in brown-red and dark blue. Will Proton offer the same colour options with the e.MAS 7? We look forward to finding out.

Roomy and Practical—Perfect for Malaysians

With a wheelbase of 2,750 mm, the Galaxy E5 offers a spacious and comfortable cabin. I was quite impressed with the rear legroom, which is comparable to that of D-segment vehicles, even though this is a C-segment SUV.

The rear seats provide adequate thigh support, but what’s more intriguing is the front passenger seat, which comes with Ottoman functionality—a feature typically found only in luxury MPVs.

For those who often carry a lot of items, fret not: the Galaxy E5 includes 33 storage compartments, including a drawer beneath the rear seats. Although the trunk space is modest (461 litres) for an SUV, there is an additional 51 liters of storage under the trunk floor.

Packed with Technology

Both the Galaxy E5 and the e.MAS 7 are powered by the same operating system, Flyme Auto, driven by the 7 nm Longying One Chip, which is touted as the first smart cockpit chip from China. Besides smartphone integration, this OS also offers voice command features for various tasks—think of it as your personal assistant.

The EV also boasts a Flyme Sound audio system with a capacity of 1,000 watts and 16 speakers, including those in the headrests. Additionally, there are external speakers useful for playing music during a gathering.

You can also use the external speakers to issue warnings to pedestrians or other road users. Notably, the sound choices available are quite unconventional, featuring sounds like “Hi,” roar of a tiger, a cat’s meow, supercar engine revving, and more.

The Galaxy E5 is Designed for Comfort—What About the e.MAS 7?

While brief, the driving session on both the Proton test track and public roads effectively revealed the character of the Galaxy E5. It was clear that the EV is tuned for a more relaxed driving experience, unlike other Chinese EVs I have tried, such as the smart #1.

The Galaxy E5 is equipped with a single electric motor at the front axle, generating 218 PS and 320 Nm of torque, enabling it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 184 km/h.

In today’s landscape, where EVs can easily match supercars, these figures may not seem impressive. However, I believe that the Galaxy E5 is sufficiently fast for the average driver. The throttle response is calm and unhurried, even when depressed aggressively.

Moreover, the Galaxy E5’s suspension system is very soft. During our drive to Puncak Alam, the vehicle proved adept at soaking up bumps from uneven surfaces almost seamlessly within the cabin. Nevertheless, the Galaxy E5 tend to bounce when cruising at high speeds or being driven on undulating roads.

Conclusion

As mentioned, the test drive session was valuable as it provided considerable insight into the upcoming Proton e.MAS 7.

In terms of exterior and interior design, as well as infotainment systems and technology, I personally do not expect significant changes, as the Galaxy E5 package is already appealing.

However, regarding driving dynamics—particularly throttle response and suspension tuning—Proton will undoubtedly apply its expertise to ensure the e.MAS 7 is well-suited for Malaysian road conditions while meeting the expectations of local EV buyers.