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2026 Proton S70 MC1 launched – new 1.5T i-GT 4-cyl, 0-100 km/h 7.5 secs, new bodykit, fr. RM69k to RM90k

2026 Proton S70 MC1 launched – new 1.5T i-GT 4-cyl, 0-100 km/h 7.5 secs, new bodykit, fr. RM69k to RM90k

Having opened the order books for it last week, Proton has officially launched the 2026 Proton S70 MC1, doing so earlier this evening. The facelifted sedan arrives in the same four variant forms as when it was when it was introduced in November 2023, these being the Executive, Premium, Flagship and Flagship X

Let’s get to the pricing first. The four variants of the 2026 Proton MC1 are priced as follows (all on-the-road, without insurance):

  • S70 1.5TD Executive – RM68,800
  • S70 1.5TD Premium – RM74,800
  • S70 1.5TD Flagship – RM84,800
  • S70 1.5TD Flagship X – RM89,800

The above prices are with a RM5,000 early bird rebate being offered for the car. The actual pricing is identical to pre-facelift, which was priced at RM73,800 for the Executive, RM79,800 for the Premium, RM89,800 for the Flagship and RM94,800 for the Flagship X.

The 2026 Proton S70 MC1 comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and six times free labour for servicing. It also comes with a five-year in-car data package with 2GB of data per month.

2026 Proton S70 MC1 launched – new 1.5T i-GT 4-cyl, 0-100 km/h 7.5 secs, new bodykit, fr. RM69k to RM90k

Away from one huge change, which is with the engine, the rest of the rework on the 2026 S70 is relatively minor, with minimal revisions being done to the exterior and interior. As reported previously, the changes outside are essentially lifted from the 2025 Geely Emgrand. This brings about new LED headlights, but without the flashy start-up sequence from before.

Additionally, the turn signal indicators are now bulb units, having previously being integrated into the eyebrow-like LED daytime running lights. Essentially, the turn signals take the place of the old high beams near the inner edge, so the high beam is now integrated into the main projector unit.

Other new bits include 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels for the Flagship, and these are almost identical to the outgoing unit, but with a more blade-like design for the spokes.

As for the tyres, the S70 MC1 is now shod with GitiComfort F22 tyres across the entire variant range. The Giti rubbers take over from the previous Kumho Ecowing ES31, which replaced the Goodyear Assurance Triplemax 2s that were dropped when the Goodyear plant in Shah Alam shut down in 2024. According to Proton, the tyre choice is based on maintaining the cost, because there were no locally-made choices priced in the same range as a replacement for the Goodyear.

Elsewhere, the Flagship X gets a new black bodykit. Designed by Proton, based on local taste, this brings about a distinct accent framing the air intake, a more aggressive diffuser-like rear skirt, a boot lid lip spoiler with a sizeable centre cutout and red highlight accents, which can be found on the black and white coloured versions of the car. The red finish – which the company calls Storm Red – is actually quite dark and subtle, and nowhere as garish as in the AI official pics have rendered it.

The big news is of course with the powertrain, with the S70 now featuring a 1.5 litre BHE15-EFZ i-GT turbo direct-injected four-cylinder engine, which replaces the GEP3 three-pot. The unit, which features a part-time Miller cycle, DVVT and an electric water pump, will equip all four variants available for the car.

With 181 PS at 5,500 rpm and 290 Nm of torque between 2,000 and 3,500 rpm, the new unit offers a considerable 31 PS/64 Nm jump over the old port-injected mill. The seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission has been retained, but the new engine allows the 2026 car to do the 0-100 km/h run in 7.5 seconds, which is a significant improvement from the 9.6 seconds for the same on the original S70.

Proton says this boost in performance comes at no expense to fuel economy. In fact, FC has improved, with the claimed 5.7 litres per 100 km (17.5 km per litre) consumption of the new mill representing an 8.1% improvement from before.

You get the same three drive modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport) as before, without the adaptive mode like on the X50 facelift. The automaker says that there’s no adaptive driving mode because it is still evaluating customer response and acceptance to it.

Proton S70 MC1 Flagship interior.

The company adds that running costs will lower thanks of a switch to a toothed timing chain, and recalibration work to the DCT means smoother gearshifts, with a better initial response, on the new car. Elsewhere, the suspension has been retuned to adapt to the new engine weight, but the ride and handling package is unchanged. No changes to the steering.

Inside, the cabin remains unchanged from the current S70, with only the headliner switching to black on the Flagship X (it remains beige for the rest of the range), and so you’ll find the familiar horizontal dashboard with a full-width air vent design and broad centre console topped by a T-shaped gear lever.

Standard fit items on the Executive include fabric seats, an 8.0-inch infotainment head unit, five USB ports, rear parking sensors and 16-inch alloys (with 205/55 tyres), and the window switchgear is now illuminated. Move up to the Premium and you get auto LED headlamps, a rear tail light bar, leatherette seats and a leatherette-wrapped steering wheel as well as auto air-conditioning, front parking sensors and a reverse camera.

Proton S70 MC1 Premium interior.

While the 8.0-inch screen means that the Executive and Premium don’t feature AACP, it’s perhaps more curious that both continue to feature analogue meters for its instrument display. This is an odd choice, given that X50 facelift went full digital, and even the Saga MC3 in its base form has that.

Move up to the Flagship and that’s where the goodies come in, starting with a switch to the 17-inch rollers, which are wrapped with 205/50 profile tyres. The 10.25-inch TFT instrument display and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen from before continues on unchanged, but buyers of the variant (and the X, of course) can finaly look forward to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Speaking of this, it has been confirmed that this AACP update will not make its way on to older cars.

The Flagship also adds on a wireless mobile charger, 360-degree HD camera with 3D display, a six-way powered driver’s seat and security window film from the Premium. However, there are still no paddle shifters, despite the automaker billing the car as a “sport sedan.” The company says that is because paddle shifters are not available on the Emgrand in China.

2026 Proton S70 MC1 launched – new 1.5T i-GT 4-cyl, 0-100 km/h 7.5 secs, new bodykit, fr. RM69k to RM90k

2026 Proton S70 MC1 specification sheet, Click to enlarge.

As for the Flagship X, aside from the bodykit and black headliner, the add-ons are minimal, with a sunroof and a front DVR being the extra items.

Safety-wise, the S70 comes equipped with six airbags and items such as lane change assist, door opening warning, rear collision warning and rear cross traffic alert as standard. That’s for the Executive and Premium. As before, only the Flagship (and X) get Level 2 semi-autonomous driving features such as adaptive cruise control, lane centring assist and autonomous emergency braking.

In terms of exterior colours, the choices available for the S70 MC1 are Quartz Black, Snow White, Space Grey, Marine Blue, Armour Silver and Ruby Red, the latter replacing the previous Passion Red. The Teal Bayou Green shade has been dropped from the palette.

GALLERY: 2026 Proton S70 MC1 official images, technical slides and price list

GALLERY: 2026 Proton S70 MC1 colour options at Sepang Track Day

GALLERY: 2026 Proton S70 MC1, Flagship X

GALLERY: 2026 Proton S70 MC1, Flagship

GALLERY: 2026 Proton S70 MC1, Premium

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • Worth to take Proton S70, more fun and more power and more safer, same like Vios and Yaris (easier to ride) but more reliable and better aftersales where Honda cant

    Well-loved. Thumb up 69 Thumb down 8
    • True. That’s why nowadays more youngster prefer reliability cars not only just power and more fun like toyota and p1

      Thumb up 34 Thumb down 12
    • Made in cina on Feb 12, 2026 at 6:19 am

      Why rebadge?

      Thumb up 3 Thumb down 21
    • newme on Feb 12, 2026 at 8:45 am

      More suitable for retire, have more time to spend at service centre.

      Thumb up 0 Thumb down 5
    • Masakroti on Feb 12, 2026 at 10:29 pm

      Diamlah toyota salesman. Both toyota and honda can’t match the value of this. Especially toyota so sluggish

      Thumb up 12 Thumb down 30
      • You didnt know that toyota spec and safety are good especially both of vios and yaris with more reliable and have better aftersales than what you said now and also not sluggish
        Besides, not everyone wants to drive S70 as wanting to drive vios and yaris where easier to manovuere/turning especially when comes about parking though S70 is good
        Btw, Im not toyota salesman, just stating the facts

        Thumb up 8 Thumb down 4
  • Much better and more convenient for longer term for S70 than taking any tesla models

    Thumb up 32 Thumb down 6
  • ahhookpin on Feb 11, 2026 at 9:48 pm

    “the Executive and Premium … both continue to feature analogue meters for its instrument display. This is an odd choice, given that X50 facelift went full digital, and even the Saga MC3 in its base form has that.”

    Perhaps there’s some market research we’re not aware of that says RM80k car buyers have preference for analogue meters. See Perodua Traz.

    Thumb up 17 Thumb down 2
    • I think it’s more to do with minimum amount of parts that they promised to buy from the vendors. Previous sales still yet to achieve the target

      Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • PERODUA KING on Feb 11, 2026 at 10:12 pm

    expensive chinese junk, better get honda civic

    Thumb up 13 Thumb down 98
    • no bain on Feb 12, 2026 at 8:50 am

      yes because honda civic is much cheaper , no wait it isnt .

      Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • JustSaying on Feb 12, 2026 at 10:10 am

      You can’t afford neither one.

      Thumb up 17 Thumb down 3
    • Pyraxle on Feb 12, 2026 at 11:02 am

      Civic is the expensive japan junk. Civic already lose leh no need to cry here hahahahahahahahahah

      Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Honda civic…but this car now more fun with using 4 cylinder turbo engine and faster acceleration with higher top speed than civic, especially if modifying to any stage performance level. Even s70 uses dct gearbox and uses good quality where honda civic cant

      Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • Honda civic…but S70 now more fun with using 4 cylinder turbo engine and faster acceleration with higher top speed than civic, especially if modifying to any stage performance level. Even s70 uses dct gearbox and uses good quality where honda civic cant

      Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Lofude on Feb 13, 2026 at 8:00 pm

      Yes and get ready to pack your stuff.
      Honda SC will be your second home.

      Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Lagi simple lagi best on Feb 11, 2026 at 11:21 pm

    The rm75k premium is the 1 to get, avoid those chinese unproven tech less headache aftermath.

    Thumb up 11 Thumb down 17
  • Sabri on Feb 11, 2026 at 11:52 pm

    Typical jaguh kampong car

    Thumb up 10 Thumb down 20
  • Local fighter on Feb 12, 2026 at 12:00 am

    This or Ativa, you choose

    Thumb up 7 Thumb down 3
  • All the colours are available across the specs?

    Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • another ah beng car!

    Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • the 7.5s to 100km/h is a champ
    Comfort like C segment rivals too
    Space and sofa size not smaller than Golf sedan Jetta 1.4

    It meet better tech space and comfort now.

    Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
  • Z900 2016 on Feb 12, 2026 at 8:43 am

    really cheap for the performance!…can easily tapau those ahbeng civic with fake exhaust tips hahaha
    this will be my 3rd car for sure! proton take my money!

    Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • Rakyat Malaysia on Feb 12, 2026 at 8:51 am

    Under Madani proton prices going down the wazoo because of his election promise to lower car prices. He kept his promise so he must be reelected!

    Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3
  • abgjat on Feb 12, 2026 at 8:52 am

    The executive & premium 8 inch head unit got easyconnection app (same in the previous saga mc2) can get AACP with CarAi box

    Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • 290nm of torque for car this size?? Wow. That’s Subaru WRX number many years ago. IF ONLY they have AWD. What a car!

    Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Lala Land on Feb 12, 2026 at 9:19 am

    Why can’t B segment SUVs priced like this model? Kind of cheap with commendable specs as compared to the Traz.

    Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • usb rain on Feb 12, 2026 at 9:26 am

    mighty powerful cheap 180hp four cylinder engine available for malaysians to enjoy , so be grateful to which peoples party and which president X ? the former colonial master japanese would only sell you a 1.5 NA with 110hp.

    Thumb up 1 Thumb down 4
  • Feel like downgrade especially headlamp is big changes.
    normally facelift will do improvement but why Proton drop the LED signal? bulb still the best??

    Thumb up 6 Thumb down 3
    • Black Hulk on Feb 13, 2026 at 9:01 am

      Of course downgrade it for make it more budget cost maintenance. Want it fancy then mod yourself. Customizable bro. Not even affect your safety while driving right?

      Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
    • J7 owner on Feb 15, 2026 at 7:11 pm

      only rm10 to replace bulb but need rm100 to replace led

      thats y

      Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • FrankC on Feb 12, 2026 at 3:54 pm

    alamak! fuel pump inlet goes to left side (passenger side). Proton please consider next change it to right side (driver side). Perodua, toyota, honda and almost all chinese made cars is using left side. our petrol station now congested to fill up on left side. right side refueling now empty!!!
    nissan and ori proton model, still goes to the right but obviously the qty of vehicles with right side refueling is declining fast

    Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2
  • tricycle on Feb 12, 2026 at 8:49 pm

    This S70 is nice, but still waiting for Geely/Proton to bring the Civic fighter Geely Binrui Cool.

    S70 is city, vios, almera equivalent.

    Thumb up 2 Thumb down 18
  • Dugung X on Feb 12, 2026 at 10:28 pm

    Come on la. Analogue meters are better. You need to give proton credit. Not everyone likes full digital. Maybe old man.

    Thumb up 9 Thumb down 2
  • lchan on Feb 12, 2026 at 10:52 pm

    CIVIC BOYZZZ ARE FOAMING AND RAGING YO!!

    Thumb up 19 Thumb down 2
  • Ollie on Feb 13, 2026 at 5:35 am

    For 30 years i never touched a Proton..
    However in the local market, the best offering is the x50 now, followed by S70, and the Saga is a very very good first car too
    Excellent work by Geely who I had major reservations about but they’ve really delivered on Proton

    Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Ollie on Feb 13, 2026 at 5:37 am

    Remember.. The 1.5 t Civic does 8.5 secs.. This is at 7.5 is the same acceleration as my Cla 200. Not bad at all

    Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • and the real kicker is china car will probably be more reliable and durable compared to your merc cla

      Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Avgjoe on Feb 13, 2026 at 9:03 am

    Can we please have pictures of the Executive variant too? Not everyone needs or wants a Flagship or Premium variant. Thank you

    Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Lofude on Feb 13, 2026 at 8:08 pm

    Been driven new X50, there is nothing wrong with the new engine. Very responsive and economical. Just a bit of shame its in SUV body. But with a sedan, definitely will fly. Hope proton will consider giving this car a Proton R&H treatment in the future.

    Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Test drive this car last Sunday (15.2.2026), notice the stock tyre GitiComfort is not feasible for fast driving at turns. Suggest to future buyer to change the tyre to avoid loss of grip. Unable to get details on the engine mounting hardware which I hope change to accommodate the 4-cyn engine.

    Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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