Here’s a few by-the-way observations of the upcoming Proton e.MAS 7, that most overviews might have just glossed over.
With Proton having since recently lifted the media embargo on the first static impressions of its e.MAS 7, there are probably dozens of articles (with more than one on Automacha) and videos out there already that details all the major points that you should know about its first-ever EV.
So just to do something slightly different from the rest, here is therefore instead some of the lesser-mentioned quirks with the new e.MAS 7, which might not have been explicitly pointed out in everyone else’s overview.
1. The e.MAS 7 is comes with auto-retractable flip-out exterior door handles, a first for Proton.
2. All interior electric window switches in the e.MAS 7 are the vertical stick out-type that has been previously seen on the likes of Jaecoo’s J7. Its actuation may also seem unintuitive to some at first, but it pretty much works like a conventional window switch: push forward to lower and pull back to raise the windows.
3. The rear windows in the e.MAS 7 winds fully down.
4. The rotary knob prominently placed on the centre console actually serves than more one function. Simply rotating it as it is changes the media volume, but press then rotate and it could then be used to change a fan speed (or a number of other features based on what is configured!)
5. There is no physical sunshade or sunroof open/close button on the e.MAS 7, with control of it all to be done through the screen. The sliders on the on-screen menu to control them both does nevertheless allow for them to be opened and closed to whatever specific point that the controller desires.
6. Many will have noted that the Proton e.MAS 7 has a twin-spoke steering wheel, but it should also be worth highlighting here too that it is also to be an odd squircle shape.
7. There is a configurable button on the multi-function steering wheel that can activate the 360º surround view monitor, change media sources and perhaps most surprisingly, open (and close!) the boot.
8. The e.MAS 7 has a split-level two-stage boot floor. The upper stage is somewhat shallow but offers a flat load lip, while the lower stage opens up a much more usable capacity. There is also a surprisingly cavernous underfloor storage compartment too, which makes up for the lack of frunk on this EV.
9. There is to be no frunk on the e.MAS 7.
10. There are two stages of recline for the rear seats of the e.MAS 7 (30º and 35º).
11. There is a useful pull out drawer-style storage cubby behind the centre console, as well as a useful sizeable rectangular under seat storage drawer (which is perfect for storing things like shoes actually)
12. There is currently no tonneau cover or parcel shelf for the boot of the e.MAS 7, which does seem to be a rather large oversight. Wonder what the aftermarket will be able to offer in its place?
13. Despite Proton having finally just introduced Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the facelifted X70, the new e.MAS 7 however seems to still be stuck with only CarbitLink (for now at least).
14. There is a Rest Space and Camping Space mode in the infotainment system. The former activates a soothing interior ambient light show (dubbed fluorescent silent night) for a pre-set duration, while the latter couldn’t be activated during the preview because the e.MAS’s battery was below 25%.
15. There is a smartphone-style Security Manager menu screen in its infotainment, which lets owners control and review what permissions can be/have been granted to it. This comes ahead of hints of there being third-party app integration coming soon in the future.
16. The infotainment system shows the album art of the current track in a circular rotating record style graphic, when playing Spotify-streamed music through Bluetooth.
17. The e.MAS 7 comes packing a 16-speaker FlyMe Sound audio system, with two of those speakers embedded into the headrests of each front seat for full-on ‘Spatial Sound’.
18. The e.MAS 7 also offers a Volvo-style virtual venue selection for its sound system, with the options being: Recording Studio, Music Hall, Opera House and Concert. Now is all this any good? Truth be told the sound system is only average at best, but this is admittedly before messing around with the EQ settings.
19. The e.MAS 7 has a setting that can immediately cut any music being played when a door is open, and then automatically resumes it when all doors are closed. A perfect feature to cultivate a polite society!
20. The e.MAS 7 has a configurable setting that allows the choice of phone calls and navigation to be played through the headrest speakers on both front seats, or just the driver only. There is also an ‘intelligent headrest stereo mode switching feature’ which automatically switches the navigation and phone call to play through the driver’s seat headrest speakers, when there is a passenger in the passenger seat.
21. Much like other Chinese cars, while it may seem that there are two wireless charging pads in the centre console, only the right-hand one in the e.MAS 7 is actually one.
22. Aside from 3 driving modes (ECO, Comfort and Sport, there are also two brake pedal feel settings with the e.MAS 7: Comfort and Sport. It has what is termed the ‘comfort braking’ feature too, which supposedly reduces ‘the jerkiness of the vehicle when braking in non-emergency situations’.
23. The e.MAS 7 has ventilated front seats. But instead of the usual three-stages of manual cooling control, it also has an Auto Vent feature.
24. There e.MAS 7’s climate control has a self drying after locking feature, which ‘enables intelligent short-term ventilating to reduce moisture and odors’. Perfect for preventing mold and mildew growth in our humid climate!
25. You could choose to either have a male or female voice assistant responding to your voice command in the Proton e.MAS 7.
26. The key of the e.MAS 7 is a completely smooth one piece item, which is not unlike a shiny pebble.
