Launched: Proton S70 – 4 Variants, From RM73,800 Onwards!

Minister of Investment, Trade & Industry Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz (fourth from left) with Proton execs at the official launch of the new Proton S70.

National carmaker Proton has finally launched its very latest offering, the Proton S70 sedan, earlier today.

The model’s glitzy launch held today at the Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, saw f Minister of Investment, Trade & Industry Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz amongst the attendees. Present too were top-level execs from Proton led by chairman Tan Sri Syed Faisal Albar, CEO Dr. Li Chunrong, and Deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah.

As expected, the Geely Emgrand-based Proton S70 sees FOUR guises available starting with a baseline 1.5T Executive, a mid-specced 1.5T Premium, as well as the 1.5T Flagship and 1.5T Flagship X range-topping duo.

The S70 from its initial press preview event held last month. Pictured is the 1.5T Flagship X variant.

As a refresher, ALL variants will feature the peppier port-injected (MPI) 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbocharged petrol mill and 7-speed DCT automatic transmission pairing derived from the non-Flagship variants of the X50 crossover. These drive the front wheels with 147 HP (150 PS) and 226 NM of twist. 

Proton did not disclose official 0-100 KM/H sprint times or fuel economy figures yet for the S70, but just know that this Malaysianised version of Geely’s BMA Platform-based sedan is starkly different from that sold in China and other market – those make do with a less peppy (read: non-turbo) 1.5-litre 4-cyl heart.

As a refresher, this 'Malaysianised' Geely Emgrand gets a peppier 1.5-litre 3-cyl turbo and 7-speed DCT package as seen in the X50 crossover, promising 147 HP and 226 NM.

Besides the powertrain, common features shared across the board include electronic parking brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold and Hill Hold Assist (HHA), LED DRLs, cruise control, three selectable drive modes (Eco, Normal, Sport), keyless entry and ignition plus remote start, built-in N95 filter for the air-cond, rear air-cond vents, as well as five USB charge ports in total – three up front, two at the rear.

Shared across all variants are some basic advance driving assists (ADAS), namely Rear Collison Warning (RCW), Lane-Change Assist (LCA), Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Door Opening Warning (DOW). Common safety features, on the other hand, sees six airbags, ABS with EBD and BA, as well as traction and stability control (TCS and ESC) suites.

Full specifications  of all four variants of the Proton S70. Click on each to enlarge.

On to the differences now and, starting with the base 1.5T Executive, it’s easily denoted by its adoption of both 16-inch wheels and halogen-type headlights. This is also the only variant to see its cabin furnished with fabric seat upholstery with no rear seat armrest plus urethane-wrapped steering wheel.

At the very least, the 1.5T Executive does feature an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment primed with Bluetooth and a 4-speaker audio setup. Sorry folks, still no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto here, but unit offers some form of smartphone connectivity on top of Bluetooth mentioned earlier. Also, there’s no reverse camera here, just a trio of rear parking sensors.

Snazzy 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels are exclusive to the two Flagship variants only.

Over to the mid-specced 1.5T Premium and it sees its exterior sporting fancier projector LED headlights with automatic activation matched with the snazzy-looking LED taillight bar plus auto-folding side mirrors. On board, this guise gets leatherette upholstery and steering wrapping. It also gets automatic air-conditioning plus a rear seat with an armrest added.

Elsewhere, this mid-specced offering also sees the addition of a reverse camera plus two forward parking sensors on top of the sensors trip at the rear. Apart from which, little else sets the 1.5T Premium variant from the 1.5T Executive it slots above, albeit it does boast a much tastier visual stance thanks to its all-LED forward and rear lighting combination.

Snazzy LED taillight bar is primed in the Premium variant onwards.

Also exclusive to the two Flagship variants are things like the larger and connected touchscreen infotainment, digital meter panel, as well as the wireless charging pad.

Naturally, Proton reserved the best bells and whistles for the both the 1.5T Flagship and 1.5T Flagship X variants, and they’re easily denoted by their larger 17-inch wheels they roll on. In the case of the 1.5T Flagship X, it’s the only one to feature both a sunroof and built-in digital video recorder (DVR) or ‘dashcam’.

On board, both variants see additions such as three selectable steering modes (Normal, Sport and Comfort), fully digital 10.3-inch meter panel, tyre pressure monitor (TPMS), larger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen primed with a 6-speaker setup plus 360-degree 3D parking camera view, as well as an added wireless smartphone charging pad.

Crucially, the infotainment system is beefed up in both Flagship variants with 4G and WiFi-enabled functions such as voice command, navigation, music streaming, weather, as well as integration with the Proton Link App. Additionally, both Flagship variants also offer 6-way power adjustable driver seat.

As detailed during its official preview, only the 1.5T Flagship and 1.5T Flagship X get a full-swing of ADAS features and deliver Level 2 semi-autonomous driving abilities.

More importantly, both also benefit with a full swing of ADAS features that grant Level 2 semi-autonomous driving. Key features include Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop-Go function, Lane-Departure Warning and Prevention (LDW and LDP), Lane Centering Control (LCC), Traffic Sign Information (TSI), as well as Intelligent High Beam Control (IHBC).

All these have culminated with the S70 garnering a 5-Star ASEAN NCAP crash-test rating ahead of today’s launch and official price announcement. Speaking of which, here are the OFFICIAL PRICE figures for the new Proton S70:

(On-the-road excluding insurance)

In terms of AFTER-SALES, the Proton S70 sees a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty plus up to 6 free labour service included. For the 1.5T Flagship and 1.5T Flagship X duo, their prices include a 5-year data package (capped at 1 GB monthly). Proton adds that the S70 will also see financing offers with interest rates as low as 2.34% per annum.

Moreover, early birds – specifically the first 3,000 units registered by 29 Feb 2024 – benefit with special launch packages. Amongst them is the inclusion of an aerokit worth RM3,130 (1.5T Flagship X only), a RM500 service voucher, as well as the upgraded Proton insurance programme that comes with complimentary Special Perils coverage for the first year.

S70 1.5T Flagship X with aerokit pictured. Said kit is part of the special launch packages available for the first 3,000 units registered by 29 Feb 2024.

Has the Proton S70's price, after-sales package, and special launch packages tempted you away from the usual Japanese B- and C-segment choices yet?

That’s everything we can tell you about the new Proton S70, folks. Well, what do you reckon? Would you opt for this over the usual Japanese B-segment suspects from Honda, Toyota, Nissan, or Mazda? Is there enough here to woo you away from their larger C-segment siblings (i.e. this, this, or this) too?

As always, hit the comments below – and our social media platforms – with your take…