Geely EX5 updated in China: Huge frunk & potential RWD – what is next for Proton eMas 7?

Geely's updated EX5 has surfaced in China's latest Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filing, ahead of an expected debut on 21 September.

For Malaysian readers, this one is worth watching as the EX5 is the China-market version of the Proton eMas 7, and this update could bring a major change to the way the SUV is driven.

Shan Aifu, head of PR, Geely Galaxy, said on Weibo that the basic exterior design remains familiar, but the car has been thoroughly reworked underneath, including its underlying architecture, components and electronic systems.

One of the clearest signs of that is under the bonnet: the new EX5 now has a huge frunk, with a maximum load rating of 50 kg.

That change has led to speculation that Geely could move the EX5 from front-wheel drive (FWD) to rear-wheel drive (RWD). And that immediately raises another question in Malaysia: could the Proton eMas 7 eventually get the same treatment?

The changes point to a new drivetrain layout

There are a few clues behind the rear-wheel-drive theory.

The charging port has moved

The charging port is now at the rear instead of the front wing. Together with the new frunk, that suggests the packaging under the bonnet has been changed significantly.

Power is up by 114 hp

According to the MIIT filing, the updated EX5 uses a single electric motor on the rear axle producing up to 245 kW (around 329 hp). That is 114 hp more than the current model.

Higher top speed, slightly longer body

Top speed rises from 175 km/h to 201 km/h. The new EX5 measures 4,636 mm long, 1,920 mm wide and 1,670 mm tall, while the 2,750 mm wheelbase remains unchanged. Overall length is up by 21 mm.

Geely has yet to confirm the final drivetrain layout, but the rear-mounted motor, relocated charging port and new front storage area all suggest that the EX5 has undergone a much deeper mechanical rethink than a routine facelift.

LiDAR joins the upgraded driver-assistance package

There is plenty happening on the technology side too.

The updated EX5 gets redesigned front and rear bumpers, semi-hidden door handles and a roof-mounted LiDAR sensor.

That points to the possibility of Geely's G-ASD G-Pilot H5 driver-assistance system, which is designed to support navigation-assisted driving (NOA) on both urban roads and motorways.

Additional side- and rear-facing cameras have also been added around the front wings and roof spoiler, giving the new EX5 a more comprehensive sensor setup.

Why Geely is making such a big change

The timing of the overhaul is not difficult to understand. From January to August 2026, the Geely EX5 recorded 40,776 deliveries, down 45.9% year on year.

With competition in China's electric SUV market becoming tougher, the EX5 needs more than a fresh set of bumpers to stand out. Geely appears to have gone much further this time, reworking the car's mechanical package as well as its technology.

The remaining details, including the final equipment list and pricing, should be confirmed around the 21 September debut.

For Malaysian buyers, though, the drivetrain could be the bigger story. Because the EX5 forms the basis of the Proton eMas 7, any major change to Geely's version naturally gets people wondering whether the Proton eMas 7 could eventually switch to rear-wheel drive too.