We know almost everything about the Proton eMas 5 now, following the revelation of its RM60k to RM80k estimated price last weekend as part of the EV’s open for booking online event. Prior to that, we’ve detailed the right-hand-drive version of the Geely Xingyuan with Proton badges – although Tg Malim insists on camouflage, the eMas 5’s looks isn’t a secret.
So, with eMas 5 launch around the corner now, here are some snacks in the form of details you can’t find in the brochure. We’ll start with no ‘Proton ride and handling’.
This being a rebadged Geely, the lack of Proton involvement in the eMas 5’s suspension tune should not be too big of a surprise, but as is the case every time a new Proton-badged car is launched, some expect ‘Proton ride and handling’ to be in the mix. The demand for that element speaks of the good work done by Proton in suspension tune in the past, and good marketing, amplified by the media.
During a recent visit to Geely’s plant in Xiangtan (near Changsha, the capital of China’s Hunan province) – the main plant for the local Geome Xingyuan and where all export-bound batches wearing Geely EX2 and Proton eMas 5 badging are made – we learnt that all cars ride on the same suspension tune, including the eMas 5 bound for Malaysia. Proton was not involved in this aspect of the EV.
One surprising element about the Xingyuan/eMas 5 is the use of rear multi-link suspension over a torsion beam, given its budget EV brief. We wouldn’t have bat an eyelid had the eMas 5 came with the cheaper and more compact torsion beam, which is Geely’s choice for the Proton X50 and S70.
Hardware helps, but tuning could be as important, if not more crucial to how a car deals with Malaysian roads. We had a short ride in a base-spec Xingyuan on the open roads around the Xiangtan plant, and this rear passenger came away surprised at the composed ride of the EV. With four people onboard and wavy roads not unlike some of our highways, the Geome dealt with rebounds after dips in the road very well – no subsequent waves.
Honestly, we expected softer suspension with more slack, something rather common in Chinese cars, including the eMas 7. A bouncy, boat-like ride can be uncomfortable for rear passengers, but I suspect that the eMas 5 will cope well with less-than-perfect Malaysian roads. Also unusual is the eMas 5’s rear-wheel-drive layout (eMas 7 is FWD, although both sit on the same modular platform), but its modest output (116 PS/150 Nm in the Premium), should bury any sporting ideas.
The usual caveat applies to this positive first impression. It has happened before, a car riding well and feeling great abroad, only to be too soft or crashy when driven in Malaysia. Our test car was a base spec Xingyuan riding on 15-inch steel wheels (16-inch alloys for eMas 5), but the slightly taller tyres wouldn’t have been too big of a factor. We’ll need to confirm it on home soil, but the eMas 5 should ride better than your average Chinese car.
Without Proton ride and handling. More on what will be Malaysia’s most affordable EV here.
GALLERY: Proton eMas 5 preview
Compare prices between different insurer providers to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services. Many payment method supported and you can pay with instalment using Grab PayLater or Shopee SPayLater.
