After almost two months of the Proton e.MAS 5 touring the country promoting Proton’s second electric car, it will finally be launched on 30 October and we were given the chance to drive one of the final versions of the electric car before it hits the market this week.
The Proton e.MAS 5 will come in two versions, Prime and Premium, differentiated by the size of the battery and the power of its electric motor. The version we tested was the Premium version, which is equipped with a rear-wheel drive electric motor that delivers a maximum power of 85kW (~113 HP) and torque of 150 Nm with a 0-50 km/h acceleration time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 135 km/h. With a battery capacity of 40 kWh LFP, it provides a range of 325 km.
From my experience at the Proton Shah Alam Test Track, the 0-50 km/h acceleration in 3.9 seconds was easily accomplished, allowing me to climb the first corner without any problems. It can be said that most of the time I was on the test track I was also able to drive around 90-120 km/h. Although the 0-50 km/h acceleration is not something that is the main strength of this car, it is still a feature that is always emphasized in the purchase of electric cars and for me it meets the target group intended as a buyer of this car.
In terms of NVH (Noise-vibration-harshness) at high speeds, for me it is proportional and not too noticeable, especially even though there are uneven roads at several corners on this circuit. The sound of the howling wind only starts to be heard when you are really fast, but it is not too loud and as an electric car, you already do not hear any engine noise so at high speeds, for me the wind noise produced is adequate.
For the slalom, figure 8 and obstacle course tests, given the control, I was still able to move quickly and during the 8 laps, I could feel how different the Proton e.MAS 5 is with rear-wheel drive. You can turn more sharply but at the same time you have to really control the turn and speed, and even having a U-turn distance of less than 5 meters, makes it easier for you to do U-turns.
With this circuit test, I feel that the features of the Proton e.MAS 5 are sufficient for its purpose as a short-distance electric car, with a range that is more targeted for urban use. It does not mean that you cannot take it back to the village, but you will need to charge it more often, depending on your driving style. For distances like Ipoh or Melaka, you may need to charge it once, but for destinations like Perlis, Changlun, Kota Bharu or Desaru, you may need to charge it twice. It is equipped with fast charging up to 71 kW for the Premium version, and all Proton e.MAS 5 models also have a 30-80% charging speed as fast as 21 minutes.
With the first look and first acceleration of the Proton e.MAS 5 already shared, perhaps what we should look forward to is the price which will be announced on 30 October, and also a long-distance test drive. At a price of around RM 60K- 80K, the Proton e.MAS 5 will certainly satisfy the tastes of users who want an electric car for urban use, coupled with features that add value such as a frunk front storage space, an automatically opening rear boot, various storage spaces in the interior and most importantly, it is also an electric car for the entry-level class at an affordable price.
