Following its debut public appearance in last month’s National Day parade, the upcoming Proton e.MAS 7 C-segment EV crossover SUV hasn’t sat idle. In fact, PRO-NET, the subsidiary charged with distributing the Proton e.MAS EV brand, has been busy developing and localising the e.MAS 7.
This likely explains the increased sighting frequency of camouflaged e.MAS 7 prototypes performing public road tests of late. Earlier today, PRO-NET shed light into some of the rather thorough and seemingly rigorous testing cycles conducted with the Proton e.MAS 7 pre-launch prototypes.
Critically, part of these pre-launch development includes a high degree of work localising the e.MAS 7 too. As a refresher, the Proton e.MAS 7 set for launch by year’s end shares the same Global Modular Architecture (GMA) base as the Geely Galaxy E5.
While it may appear as a badge-engineering effort as per its past models, Proton insists strongly this isn’t the case. Perhaps some of the tests cycles revealed today somewhat justifies said claim. “Our team is dedicated to ensuring that the Proton e.MAS 7 stands up to the highest standards of quality and reliability, paving the way for its grand launch,’’ says Zhang Qiang, CEO of PRO-NET.
Ensuring it meets the demands of Malaysia’s environment and affirm its durability, adaptability and alignment with local requirements, the e.MAS 7 is undergoing Durability Adaptive Testing (DAT), Electrical Road Testing (ERT), Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) Road Test, and Quality Reliability Test (QRT).
Other tests include enhancements to its navigation systems and Digital Head Unit (DHU) and Telematic Service Provider (TSP) services. PRO-NET adds it is also localising key software components to ensure the DHU accurately translates the original Chinese market language to Malaysian English and adapts to local settings, instead of using generic translations.
To date, PRO-NET says engineers have conducted DAT simulations replicating Malaysia’s unique climate factors and traffic patterns, fine-tuned the in-car navigation to accurately reflect Malaysian road maps, as well as optimised radio frequency capture for local stations. That last effort was also focussed on rural and mountainous routes plus trains stations.
As for its ERT cycle, PRO-NET targets to complete 10,000 KM of road tests for which to ensure flawless integration of all the e.MAS 7’s electronic functions. ADAS, on the other, is also being rigorously tested under various scenarios including shopping mall parking lots, road forks, as well as elevated road surfaces.
On to durability tests, which encompasses rigorous troubleshooting and system checks to ensure resilience under local conditions, PRO-NET notably requested and implemented 49 additional processes and unique features from partners Geely. In turn, this should see the e.MAS 7 meet not just high local standards, but global ones too.
Being an SUV offering, part of the durability tests also included water-wading, and PRO-NET highlights that the e.MAS 7 actually exceeded the 400 MM figure charted by its Geely-badged twin mentioned, meaning this Proton redux can handle itself better in potential flooding scenarios.
Also completed thus far is up to 100,000 KM of QRT where the e.MAS 7’s acceleration, braking performance, and power consumption, were assessed. Critically, PRO-NET also affirmed its commitment to have the e.MAS 7 assessed by the ASEAN NCAP, though no timeline for this was specified yet.
