PRO-Net recently organised a comprehensive media drive programme to put Malaysia’s most affordable electric vehicle, the Proton e.MAS 5, through a proper real-world assessment.
This was no ordinary test drive. It was a fully structured programme designed to evaluate every critical aspect of the model through five specially crafted challenges.
The convoy consisted of 10 units of the Proton e.MAS 5 Premium variant, each carrying three media representatives. We set off from the Proton Centre of Excellence (COE), with Genting Highlands as our destination.
Along the way, participants were tasked with completing five challenges built around the theme VOLTS — Versatile Technology, Outstanding Design, Luxurious Space, Top Tier Safety, and Superior Drivability.
The primary objective was to determine the durability, practicality, safety, and most importantly, the energy efficiency of this EV.
Proton e.MAS 5 Premium — Quick Specifications
- Price: RM69,800
- Battery: CATL LFP 40.16kWh
- Driving range: 325km (WLTP)
- 0 to 50 km/h acceleration: 3.9 seconds
- DC fast charging 30 to 80 percent: 21 minutes
- Alloy wheels: 16-inch
- 360° camera
- Full ADAS suite
- Powered tailgate
- Full LED lighting front and rear
- Test unit colour: Marble Cream exterior with Alabaster White interior
CHALLENGE 1: L — Luxurious Space
The first challenge tested just how practical the Proton e.MAS 5’s interior storage actually is. All participants were required to fill every available storage compartment in the vehicle — something that rarely gets explored in a typical test drive session.
Despite its compact footprint, the e.MAS 5 proved that modern design can yield impressively efficient use of space. In total, there are 32 usable storage spaces, including:
- Frunk (front boot) — 70 litres: Roomy enough for a laptop bag, charging cables, or emergency kit
- Under-seat storage — 28 litres: Ideal for smaller items or shoes
- Centre console storage — 20 litres: Strategically placed for items you need quick access to
- Boot space — 375 litres: Plenty of room for a small family’s holiday luggage
- Bottle holders on all doors, rear armrest cup holders, and a generous glovebox
This challenge revealed that even in a value-focused EV, Proton hasn’t cut corners on utility — making the e.MAS 5 a genuinely practical compact EV for daily life.
CHALLENGE 2: O — Outstanding Design
The second challenge asked participants to capture exterior and interior photos of the car in their own creative style. It sounds simple enough, but it was actually a clever way to get everyone to slow down and truly appreciate the design details of the Proton e.MAS 5.
On the outside, the Proton e.MAS 5 presents:
- A clean, modern, and aerodynamically refined body
- Semi-concealed door handles
- Full LED lighting
- Aerodynamic 16-inch alloy wheels
Step inside, and the premium feel becomes immediately apparent through:
- Dual-tone Alabaster White interior trim
- Crystal accents on the gear selector
- Dual-tone Leatherette steering wheel
- A clean, minimalist centre console
- Rear doors that open up to 65 degrees for easy passenger entry and exit
While a light-coloured interior is often a concern for Malaysian buyers, Proton has managed to balance aesthetics and practicality well — the e.MAS 5’s cabin looks premium without feeling impractical.
CHALLENGE 3: S — Superior Drivability
The third challenge took place in the streets of Kuala Lumpur — the ideal setting to test agility and real-world driving capability. With a turning radius of just 4.95 metres, the Proton e.MAS 5 demonstrated confident ability to handle:
- Narrow roads
- Tight urban lanes
- Double parking situations
- U-turns in confined spaces
Worth highlighting is the use of a multilink rear suspension — a setup rarely found in an EV at this price point. It delivers noticeably better composure over undulating and potholed surfaces, keeping the ride stable and vibration to a minimum.
From dense city traffic to narrow back lanes, the e.MAS 5 made a convincing case for itself as an EV genuinely built for the modern urban lifestyle.
CHALLENGE 4: V — Versatile Technology
The fourth challenge assessed the technology capability and energy efficiency of the Proton e.MAS 5. Participants were required to recharge at Bamboo Hills, Kuala Lumpur, with energy consumption tracked and evaluated individually throughout the drive.
Key technologies showcased:
- DC fast charging 30 to 80 percent: Completed in just 21 minutes — among the fastest in its class
- CATL LFP battery: Renowned for durability, safety, and long cycle life
- 14.6-inch Full HD display: Handles navigation, energy status, infotainment, and public charger integration
- Vehicle-to-Load (V2L): Allows the car to supply power to external devices
The seamless integration of technology and practicality makes the e.MAS 5 far more than just a budget EV — it’s a genuinely modern electric vehicle that covers everyday needs with confidence.
CHALLENGE 5: T — Top Tier Safety
The final challenge brought participants onto one of Malaysia’s most demanding routes — the climb up to Genting Highlands — where safety and stability took centre stage. For reference, the e.MAS 5 comes equipped with:
- A full ADAS suite including Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and more
- High-quality 360° camera system
- Reinforced cage body structure
- Emergency braking performance of 100 to 0 km/h in just 36.9 metres
Despite being fitted with LingLong branded tyres, the performance through Genting’s tight and steep corners was respectable. Grip was adequate and body roll was well contained, proving that the tyre, chassis, and suspension combination has been well-calibrated.
Here Is Exactly How We Achieved the Most Efficient Drive at 9.6kW/100km
In the energy efficiency challenge, our approach wasn’t simply about driving slowly — we applied EV-specific driving techniques to optimise every single movement on the road.
Here are the seven strategies that helped us record one of the lowest energy consumption figures in the convoy:
- Momentum Driving
- We accelerated smoothly and deliberately, allowing the car to coast as far as possible without wasting energy unnecessarily
- Maintaining an Optimal Speed of 60 to 75 km/h
- This range typically delivers the best efficiency for a lightweight EV like the e.MAS 5, particularly on the highway
- Maximising Regenerative Braking
- Every time we slowed down or descended a hill, the regen system was used to its full potential to recover energy back into the battery
- Avoiding Sudden Acceleration
- Even though this EV can sprint from 0 to 50 km/h in 3.9 seconds, a smooth throttle foot matters far more when efficiency is the goal
- Safe Drafting Behind Larger Vehicles
- By maintaining a safe following distance behind lorries or MPVs, aerodynamic drag was reduced — lowering overall energy consumption in the process
- Running the Air Conditioning in Eco Mode
- Set at 24°C with low fan speed throughout the journey, keeping the energy load on the system minimal without sacrificing comfort
- No Device Charging Inside the Car
- All personal devices ran on their own batteries — ensuring the car’s energy consumption stayed as low as possible throughout the drive
The combined result of these strategies allowed our team to record an impressively efficient energy consumption of 9.6kW/100km — proving the true potential of the Proton e.MAS 5 as an affordable EV that genuinely delivers on efficiency.
The e.MAS 5 Is More Than Just an Affordable EV
The VOLTS media drive proved that the Proton e.MAS 5 isn’t just the most affordable EV in Malaysia — it’s a vehicle genuinely engineered to meet the demands of the modern Malaysian driver: practical, stable, safe, technologically capable, and above all, efficient.
At under RM70,000, the e.MAS 5 delivers a driving experience that punches well above its price tag — making it the right choice for Malaysians ready to make the switch to electric mobility.
