As we await the official launch of the Proton eMas 7, Geely has made a significant move by launching the Galaxy E5 model (or Geely EX5) in the Thai market.
Two variants are offered in the neighboring country: the Pro variant, priced at THB 859,000 (approximately RM111,000), and the Max variant, which costs THB 949,000 (approximately RM123,000).
The Geely EX5 shares similar specifications with the eMas 7, equipped with a single electric motor delivering 218 PS and 320 Nm of torque.
The Aegis 60.22 kWh battery pack provides a driving range of up to 495 km on a full charge, based on NEDC standards.
The Geely EX5 also supports 11 kW AC charging, allowing it to fully charge in 6.1 hours, as well as 100 kW DC fast charging, which enables charging from 30% to 80% in just 20 minutes.
Unlike the Proton eMas 7, the Geely EX5 comes standard with Apple CarPlay connectivity.
With the official entry of the Geely brand into the Thai market, what will happen to the plans of the Chinese automotive giant to use the Proton brand for the ASEAN market and other right-hand drive markets?
In the coming weeks, Geely is set to launch its latest SUV model in the Galaxy series, the Galaxy Starship 7.
This SUV is built on the new Global Energy Architecture (GEA) platform that supports the super electric hybrid “Thor” technology, referring to the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain configuration.
The mentioned Thor system consists of a 1.5-liter engine and a single electric motor that drives the front wheels, paired with a battery pack sourced from SVOLT.
According to Geely, there are two battery pack capacity options available, namely a 19.09 kWh that can offer an electric range of up to 101 km, or a 28.94 kWh with a zero-emission range of 150 km.
In terms of dimensions, the Geely Galaxy Starship 7 measures 4,740 mm in length, 1,905 mm in width, 1,685 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,755 mm.
This makes the Galaxy Starship 7 almost as large as SUV models like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class.
Despite its somewhat futuristic name, the design of the Geely Galaxy Starship 7 appears quite conventional, reminiscent of the Porsche Macan/Cayenne models, especially at the rear.
As for the cabin space, the Galaxy Starship 7 features a large central infotainment screen, followed by a smaller digital cluster screen behind the two-spoke steering wheel.
The central console houses a wireless device charging slot, main control buttons, cupholders, and storage space at the bottom complete with additional USB slots.
More information is expected to be revealed closer to the official launch later this year. The most important question – will this be rebranded into a Proton car?
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.
Chinese automotive company Geely is currently scouting suitable locations to establish a large-scale production facility on the European continent.
However according to Reuters sources, Geely Auto Group’s Vice President Li Chuanhai confirmed that the plans were “not 100 percent” certain while speaking in Frankfurt, Germany last week.
Geely had previously held discussions with the Polish government, but the authorities in the country did not see Geely as an ideal investment partner.
In Frankfurt, Geely has opened a new facility where it will serve as the location for testing and developing 13 new models of electric vehicles to meet stricter European standards.
In addition to Geely, several Chinese automotive manufacturers, including Chery and GWM, are also planning to establish assembly plants in Europe to avoid higher tariffs imposed on imported EVs from the mainland.
Geely Auto Group has unveiled a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery promising durability of up to one million kilometers, faster charging rates, and most importantly, greater safety for use.
According to Geely, this Short Blade battery has been tested for up to 3,500 charging cycles, equivalent to charging and driving for one million kilometers with minimal impact on driving range.
Based on an average annual driving distance of around 20,000 km, this Short Blade battery is capable of lasting up to 50 years, thereby extending the battery’s lifespan, enhancing the resale value of EVs, and reducing carbon emissions by over 80,000 tonnes per year.
Furthermore, Geely’s new battery is said to be capable of faster charging and operating more stably at low ambient temperatures – issues that have plagued current electric vehicles.
Test data indicates that the average charging time from 10-80 percent State of Charge (SoC) for this Short Blade battery is around 17 minutes and 4 seconds, compared to 26 minutes for a similar capacity blade battery.
In extreme cold temperatures, the Short Blade battery has a high discharge rate and offers a longer driving range compared to the long blade battery.
Moreover, in ambient temperatures below negative 30℃, the Short Blade battery can maintain a capacity retention rate of 90.54 percent, compared to the average value of 78.96 percent for the long blade battery.
Importantly, this new Geely battery pack offers more robust features, thanks to the use of high-strength materials and better heat resistance.
The Short Blade battery utilizes upgraded diaphragm and electrode structures, as well as Self-Fusing technology that can prevent the occurrence of short circuits commonly encountered in accident situations.
To prove the safety level of this latest battery, Geely conducted eight 5 mm needle puncture tests simultaneously, followed by leaving it for an hour without any negative effects.
Additionally, it also underwent a test of 5.8×42 mm rifle bullet shots where no incidents of thermal runaway occurred in the structure.
Most significantly, Geely also conducted six sets of more extreme tests than industry standards, including immersion in seawater, extremely cold environments, high-frequency package bottom abrasion, 26-ton load rollover, side impact, and fire tests.
According to CarNewsChina, this Short Blade battery will debut in the Geely Galaxy E5 electric SUV model, scheduled to launch in early August.
Two battery pack capacities are offered, namely 49.52 kWh with a range of up to 440 km, and a 60.22 kWh battery pack with a driving range of up to 530 km (according to CLTC data).
Geely has just launched the Galax E8 in China, which is the third model in the Galaxy series. This sedan EV is built on Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform with a sleek and sporty body design.
The design is not just for aesthetics, as the Galaxy E8 reportedly has a drag coefficient of only 0.199, lower than the Mercedes EQS (0.202) and Nio ET7 (0.208).
As usual, there’s no front grille, but the Geely Galaxy E8 features sharp headlamps and DRL. The side profile is free of any protruding objects that would disrupt airflow, and the door handles are retractable.
The interior of the cabin is striking, with a large 45-inch 8K resolution screen that stretches across the dashboard. Chinese companies seem to favor these large screens.
The Galaxy E8 also comes with a flat-bottomed and flat-top steering wheel, meaning it’s not circular. The central console is compact with six buttons, a rotary knob, a wireless charger pad, and storage space. Other features include ambient lighting and a panoramic sunroof.
For the mechanical aspect, the Geely Galaxy E8 is available in several configurations. The first is a 400-volt version with a 62kWh lithium phosphate (LFP) battery, a 272hp rear axle motor, and a driving range of 550km.
Another version has a 272hp motor but is equipped with a larger 76kWh battery pack, extending the driving range to 665km.
The highest variant has an 800-volt battery, a 224hp front motor, a 421hp rear motor, and a 76kWh battery pack. This variant can be driven up to 665km on a single charge.
Malaysia’s Leading Automotive News | ENGEAR ENGLISH
