My Unbelievable Proton Exora VIP Test Drive

Still remember how excited I was about my the  VIP meeting with Proton Exora  some time ago? Guess what? I was actually given the  rare  opp...

Still remember how excited I was about my the VIP meeting with Proton Exora some time ago? Guess what? I was actually given the rare opportunity of my lifetime to test drive our country's very first MPV on the 31st of July. Yep! I was one of the lucky fellow Malaccans to experience Proton Exora first hand...the hardcore way! Woot~woot! That morning, yours truly me, together with the 20 lucky couples "reported" ourselves at Philea Resort before we would embark on an unforgettable journey on the Exora.

Breakfast before my Proton Exora VIP Test Drive session. :)

By the time I touched down at Philea Resort (at around 9a.m.), I could see that most of the participants were already there, enjoying their hearty breakfast, courtesy of the people from Proton Edar. I also managed to get a few bites on the delicious bread and pastries...and ouh yeah~of course not forgetting my cup of aromatic coffee. There was no one there I was familiar with. However it didn't take me long to break the ice and chat with them. Half an hour later, all of us were ushered into a "secret" room where we were briefed about the details of our mission for that day. :p

One of our driving instructors for the day-Kenneth!

Representatives from Proton Edar greeted us and warmly welcomed our arrival. Up next was Kenneth Chiew, who would be our one of the driving instructors for the day. Kenneth started the ball rolling by telling us about the Fact and Myth that have been revolving around the Proton Exora. It was really an eye-opener for me as Kenneth dismissed myth after myth about the Exora. Now I know that if you were to be involved in an accident *touch wood*, Exora will be giving your maximum protection with its strong, rigid steel cage.

A lot of myths shadowing Exora ha been debunked!

We were even shown a few videos on how Exora performed excellently well in crash tests. "Too bad we weren't able to be in the driving seat to test the air bags while crashing the Exora huh, Kenneth?" Haha :D It has really amazed me that the Exora's passengers cabin was very much intact and unscathed in those simulated crashes. Normally I would have expect a car to be gruesomely dismantled after those "horrible" crashes, but I was utterly wrong. This goes to show how much effort Proton has put into Exora to ensure the safety of the drivers and passengers. Kudos!

Mrs. Charis on Child Development.

Later on Mrs. Charis Wong presented a talk to us on child development. Now let me ask you, "What's the difference between a praise and an encouragement?" Can you tell me? Simply put~encouragement emphasizes more on the efforts and details rather than the final results. Mrs. Charis Wong shared with us the importance of encouraging our children for the efforts that they have put in. So the next time you try to praise your little ones, remember to encourage them instead yeah. See~we parents, even learnt some tips about parenting here.

Are you ready all Exora-ians? :p

Then came the moment that all of us had been waiting for-the Exora test drive.We were briefed and off we went...to the washroom (Haha~:D) before all of us congregated in front of Philea Resort's lobby where 12 elegant Exoras were waiting patiently for us to ignite their engines. Of course before we hopped onto our respective Exoras, we camwhore a bit in front of at least a dozen cameras for remembrance. Gosh~I am sure all of us felt like superstars during our group photo session, right folks?

Everyone is rushing into their Exora.

I am in mine already. Let's go!

On our way to PKNM.

All the Exoras gliding down the highway.

"OK~ladies and gentlemen, start your engine!" We were all comfortably seated in our Exoras after our group photo. We buckled up and waited for our final instruction. Yours, truly me has driven a few hatchbacks, sedans, SUV...but never an MPV. So I was really, really excited when I got myself behind the wheels of "my" exhilarating black Exora which happened to be the 12th Exora. I was a bit nervous too...why? Because Exora is really, really huge. I mean the moment I slid into it, I could tell how unbelievably ample the space is inside. Coupled that with the luxurious dashboard and leather seats...aw...how I wish I could drive that Exora home. :p

I will be driving Exora No.12. :)

"Are you guys ready?" The walkie-talkie sounded. Yep~it was our driving instructor telling us we could start rolling. We hit the road and headed towards our playground-Wisma PKNM, which was situated near MITC. The 12 of us (Exoras) were divided into 2 groups. While on the road we were supposed to abide by that one simple rule-drive according to your number sequence. This was not Daytona so no overtaking was allowed for show offs. :p All of us had no arriving at our destination. If we were, the GPS and walkie-talkie would be handy. For the first time in my life, I felt so powerful on the road in my Exora. I glided pass car after car with all eyes on me. Don't get jealous yeah~LOL

It's time for Emergency Braking!

Once we were there, we drove to the different parts of the "racing" track according to our groups. Our first challenge of the day was to execute emergency break after flooring the gas! OMG~I have never ever done this even back when I first learnt how to drive... understandably I was nervous. My heart was pounding furiously as it was my turn to perform the emergency breaking stunt. My mind was racing with crazy thoughts-what if the car skids and overturn? I kept my composure and floored the gas!

After No. 10, it will be my turn.

It's time to floor the gas! Vrooooom!

Watch how I execute my emergency brake!

I could vividly feel how quick the Exora was accelerating towards the "breaking zone" made of cones as I was floored the gas. I hit the brake the moment I reached the cones...guess what? The black Exora that I drove didn't skid and neither did it overturn (of course). Haha :D My anxiety was totally unfounded. This certainly proves that Proton Exora can be braked safely and stopped stably in time without skidding thanks to its ABS and EBD! Now this is what we call top-notch safety!

Our instructor diligently showing us the dos and don'ts of emergency braking!

He actually explained everything in detail for all of us.

I must say that I am full of awe for Exora's ABS and EBD. So how did I managed to break safely after reaching around 80km per hour in my raging Exora? Firstly the ABS (Antilock Brake System) make that Exora will not skid during an emergency brake while the EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution System) stabilizes the car by ensuring the correct amount of braking power is sent to the correct wheels according to the current weight distribution of car. Now this is awesome or what?

Watch an Exora performed an emergency brake.

After this normal emergency braking routine, our instructor upped the ante by asking us to perform emergency break after avoiding an obstacle. So we had to avoid some fallen cones and swerve to right before kicking the brake. This time around~there was no way I was going to chicken out. Bring it on~vroom. Ha :D I really loved this braking routines as the instructor explained to each of us how we could improve our emergency breaking. Do you know that in order to initiate ABS, we need to really "kick" the break as hard as we can? Then only the ABS will be activated. Hiyeak!

Husband and wife discussing their blindfolding parking strategy.

Instructor giving final pointers to the husband.

Blindfold on and you are good to go!

Can you guess what was his time? Click here to find.

Ok~enough of burning the tyre. Our next challenge was to perform the impossible. We were supposed to park the car...without seeing anything at all. Yes~we had to outrageously park the Exora while being blindfolded. The drivers would be blindfolded and their only guide was to listen to their partners' instructions. So if your wife happened to suck in giving direction...you will be sulking as well in this challenged. Hmm...how did I fare? Yours truly me managed to clock in respectably at 1 minute 11 seconds (for my standard~lar). The fastest couple managed to park their Exora effortlessly in just 40 seconds. *gasp*

Our final challenge for the day-Pile-up!

We have to pile all these into the car.

I got to know this loving couple who came all the way from Seremban.

Watch how these following 2 teams performed in their pile-up challenge. :)

Our final challenge for the day was the so-called Pile-in Challenge. In this game, each couple was supposed to load many (many, many) luggage bags, a golf bag, a baby stroller and 2 passengers into the Exora in the shortest time possible. The moment everyone was buckled up, the stopwatch would be stopped. My brother and I had successfully thrown everything safely into the car in just 35 seconds. Not bad at all. However the fastest couple of the day did it in just 27 seconds. Damn! Ha :D Reminder: Always make sure you luggage are not blocking your rear view ok.

Your dose of limelight!

While we were waiting for our turns to play Pile-in Challenge, each couple would be interviewed by the representative from Proton Edar. Each couple would share their honest view about their experience with Exora. A microphone would be given and you speech would be recorded and personally sent to you. for your remembrance. Priceless right? All of us really enjoyed our little limelight with some actually spoke for almost 20 minutes in front of the lens. Seize the moment aye~:p

Kenneth gleefully looked at me from his rear mirror before my Taxi Terror Ride.

Watch how Kenneth showed us what is called driving!





He made a damn good drifter as well. :)

Just when I thought my fun was over, I was surprised by Kenneth who invited me to join him and other luckier participants on his Taxi Ride! I suspect that he used to race in Daytona as his strutted his stuff flawlessly around the track. Kenneth first did slalum stunt. He weaved effortlessly from one cone to the other. Then he showed us how a real emergency brake should be performed. In his last stunt was...drifting! OMG~if not for Exora's pre-tensioner seat-belt, I would have been thrown out from the car! The terror ride...opps I mean Taxi Ride was truly breathtaking. Thanks Kenneth. :)

You are the man-Kenneth!

Time flied~by the time my exhilarating Taxi Ride came to an end, it was around 1p.m. already. Yep~It was time for lunch. Off all of us hopped onto our respective Exoras and headed back to Philea resort. While on the way back, we were even shown or was it being told by our instructor via the walkie talkie and on how to use Cruise Control. Aww~it was such a delight to finally test this cruise control on my own. It would be very useful especially if I drive it back to my wife's hometown which almost 500km away.

I simply love the spaciousness of Proton Exora.

Aww...I can stretch myself and relax.

Sitting right at the back is unbelievably comfortable as well.

So here's my take on Proton Exora: It is one of the most powerful car I have driven so far. Besides offering an ample cabin space, Proton Exora is also equipped with top notch safety features such as high-tensile body frame, airbags, pre-tensioner seatbetls, ABS, EBD just to name a few. After test driving it for a day, Proton Exora has certainly proved itself to be one of the best MPVs in Malaysia. It will be the perfect family car for my wife and babies. Aww...how I wish I can drive it home. Anyway I wanna take this opportunity to thank Proton Edar for allowing me to drive the Exora and feel it first hand.

2 thumbs up for this amazingly affordable but yet comfortable Proton Exora.