Following the completion of the Geely E5 Long Test Drive World Tour from China to the Proton head office complex in Shah Alam, Selangor – a 3,700-km distance – another equally significant event will soon take off: the Proton e.MAS 7 Tour.
While this tour will not be a reverse of the Geely E5 by going to Geely’s headquarters in Hangzhou, China, it will cover 2,000 kms around Malaysia to visit every state. A nationwide tour for a car model is not unknown and there have been some in the past but this one is very significant because the Proton e.MAS 7 is a fully electric vehicle.
Demonstrating capabilities and durability
Just as the Long Test Drive World Tour of the E5 – also an EV – demonstrated the long-range capabilities and durability of the vehicle, the e.MAS 7 Tour will also show that EVs can travel long distances. And it is also fitting that e.MAS is the first Malaysian EV brand.
As the e.MAS 7 travels around and stops at many places, Malaysians will be able to get a close look at the model which is expected to be launched by the end of this year. “Proton e.MAS is proud to be embarking on this journey with the e.MAS 7. Our goal is to provide Malaysians with an engaging experience of how it navigates our nation’s unique road conditions and climates. This tour will not only celebrate our vibrant communities but also foster a deeper connection with our customers,” said Zhang Qiang, CEO of PRO-NET, Proton’s subsidiary which is involved in New Energy Vehicles.
The 2,000 kms will cover diverse terrain, ranging from coastal roads to mountainous regions, showing the EVs ability to perform just like any other motorised vehicle.
Official tour to begin on October 5
The Tour will begin on October 5, with the first leg covering Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, and Johor . It will then continue along the Easy Coast to Pahang, Terengganu, and Kelantan. This will be followed by stopovers in Perak, Penang, Kedah, and Perlis.
The route will then take the EVs back to the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor before crossing the South China Sea to East Malaysia. The vehicles will land in Sarawak and tour the state before heading to Sabah where the Tour will officially end.
While the Tour officially commences in October, Proton e.MAS has some activities before then. Those who missed seeing it during the National Day parade will again be able to see it in selected locations in Putrajaya on September 25 and in Shah Alam on September 26.
“The Geely E5’s achievement of driving over 3,700 kms from China to Malaysia is a significant achievement. This brand-new EV went through tough weather, challenging road conditions, and even floodwaters. The durability, reliability, and quality of the Galaxy E5 highlight the engineering excellence behind the Proton e.MAS 7—demonstrating how it will be a game-changer for our market,” Mr. Zhang Qiang said.
EV co-developed with Geely
He makes reference to the Geely EV because it is a twin pf the e.MAS 7, having been co-developed with Proton. Just as Geely and Mercedes-Benz Design jointly developed the new generation of smart EVs, the E5 and e.MAS 7 are the products of a joint effort with each automaker contributing its expertise.
In the case of the e.MAS 7, Proton’s focus was on developing the righthand drive variant for markets with driving conditions similar to Malaysia’s. That it was developed concurrently is a departure from the past approach where the original model was already developed and then Proton would adapt it, adding development time.
Freshest new Proton model
With the e.MAS 7, Proton will have one of the newest models in the world as the E5 was officially launched in May this year. It will be the first of a range of e.MAS EVs in different segments that will be launched in coming years.
Click here for latest information about the Proton e.MAS 7 Tour