As Geely prepares to launch the EX5 (we know it as the Proton eMas 7) in Australia later this year, GoAuto reports that the EV SUV will get an Aussie-specific suspension setup and ADAS tune, and that testing and evaluation, which took 12 months, have concluded there.
The team wanted to ensure the EX5’s suspension was properly tuned to Australian roads with unique characteristics, including the coarse chip seal surfaces that create a rougher ride, the long-distance highways with undulating stretches, and the suburban streets dotted with speed bumps and roundabouts.
Geely Auto Australia head Li Lei told the publication that the result is a “fine-tuned suspension that perfectly balances the needs of Australian drivers, refining the setup to be composed and sure-footed, without compromising comfort or driver control behind the wheel.”
“We wanted to ensure the car offered a great experience for Australians and these adjustments will deliver a smoother ride over rough surfaces, improved stability for long-distance journeys, and the durability to handle variable loads — all while maintaining the comfort, confidence and reliability consumers expect,” he added.
Of course, we know road conditions differ greatly from country to country – and Australia is by far no exception – but we were previously informed by a Geely rep that Proton’s suspension setup will be used in export markets, Australia included. Have plans changed, or is Australia among the few outliers?
In a December 2 report, GoAuto noted that the EX5 it tested in China felt too soft for Australian tastes. It said the spongy dampers and springs, while exhibiting fair comfort and control, would not suit Australia’s ever-changing and unsettling surfaces.
Meanwhile, the ADAS has been calibrated for Australia too, including the lane-keep assist, traffic sign information recognition and driver monitoring. These systems, along with adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, evasive manoeuvre assist, front and rear cross-traffic alert, and seven airbags will be standard on the EX5 Down Under.
According to GoAuto, the Geely EX5 is expected to be priced around AUD45,000 (RM127k) before on-roads and will be able to travel up to 430 km on a full charge – consistent with our Proton eMas 7 Premium.
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Ice cream sound to waltzing Matilda?
Times has changed. Proton-tuned suspension is no longer special. Tech has improved.
Oh, proton’s tunings more for race tracks , which is why so many road racers are born in Malaysia.
As for the Aussies’ case , Geely tuned suspension more suitable for kangaroo’s land . Otherwise, too many kangaroos will be killed in road accidents if use proton’s.
Geely did not allow Proton R&H team to touch eMas7 suspension setup, and it is underdampened as hell tuned to smooth chinese city roads and slow speeds of chinese drivers.
They did not want to listen to proton engineers with extensive R&H knowhow passed down from Lotus Engineering, but apparently will listen to Aussie potential customers?
Last time no own technology, now even no more! All depend on Geely to safe Proton.
Proton is like the black sheep of geely group
You r right,Sir.
Protong is not only a black sheep,but step sheep.
Slowly Geely is moving export hubs to other countries.
Tanjong Malim is operating at only 15% of its 1 million capacity.It is just a glorified ‘showroom”.
Why? All due to the spoilt DRB bunch of blardy vendors who refuse to reduce parts prices by 30%.
Give 3 more years,when sales fall to only 100,000 units.
Geely will bercherai proton.
LMAO, kena game.
Lotus tuning suspension not suit Kangaroo land.
Nah, Aussies don’t need the Proton setup as their roads are leagues ahead of what’s available in Malaysia. Potholes are like a rare spawn over there.
It’s about good ride, not about road condtion
Guli tune suspension lol
It probably a Proton tuned but Geely take all the credit. Normal practice for PRC companies
Proton kena game lagi lateww.. lol
every update form geely is killing proton in many ways.