2026 Proton S70 MC1 open for reserving – 1.5T i-GT 4-cyl, 0-100 km/h 7.5 secs, 17.5 km/l, AACP, launch 11 Feb

Proper on cueProton has previewed the 2026 S70, which can be open for reserving in any respect 3S and 4S centres nationwide beginning tomorrow, February 7, forward of its launch of February 11. The segment-straddling sedan receives minor exterior and inside tweaks that belie a giant change beneath 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at 181 PS at 5,500 rpm and 290 Nm of torque between 2,000 and three,500 rpm, a substantial 31 PS/64 Nm leap over the outdated port-injected mill. Geared up with the identical seven-speed moist dual-clutch transmission as earlier than, the brand new engine takes a second and a half out of the zero-to-100 km/h dash, finishing it in 7.5 seconds.

This increase in efficiency comes at no expense to gas financial system – in actual fact, shorn of the X70‘s heft, the S70 consumes a lot much less petrol at 5.7 litres per 100 km (17.5 km per litre), which is simply barely greater 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 additionally guarantees decrease operating prices because of a change to a toothed timing chain, together with smoother gearshifts from a recalibrated gearbox.

Talking of the NA engine, Proton made no point out of such a model for the S70, regardless of earlier rumours. Maybe the much less highly effective four-pot, which makes 120 PS and 150 Nm, can be supplied at a later date to coincide with the Persona’s eventual discontinuationappearing as an oblique alternative with a lower cost.

Past that, the adjustments are as beforehand reported, lifted from the 2025 Geely Emgrand. The LED headlights have been very barely tweaked, and they’re truly a downgrade from the earlier mannequin’s, outfitted with halogen reflector indicators. These had been beforehand built-in into the eyebrow-like LED daytime operating lights, which have been retained. The flip indicators take the place of the outdated excessive beams close to the internal edge, so the projectors are seemingly doing double obligation now, integrating each the high and low beams.

Additionally new are the Flagship’s 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels, once more virtually equivalent to the outgoing ones however with a extra blade-like design for the spokes. It’s right here the place you’ll discover one other downgrade, because the Kumho Ecowing ES31 tyres have been swapped out for GitiComfort F22 rubber. That is the third tyre alternative for the S70, which initially ran Goodyear Assurance Triplemax 2s earlier than the Goodyear plant in Shah Alam was closed – an identical swap was carried out for the 2026 X70 after the Continental plant closure.

Lastly, the 2026 S70 will see the debut of a brand new bodykit, that includes “fangs” framing the air consumption, purple highlights throughout, a extra aggressive diffuser-like rear skirt and a boot lid lip spoiler with a sizeable centre cutout. It stays to be seen if this can be fitted as normal on the highest variants (a minimum of for a restricted time, as was the case for the present automobile) or supplied as a price choice.

The inside is nearly unchanged from the present S70, retaining the horizontal dashboard with a full-width air vent design, broad centre console topped by a T-shaped gearlever, the ten.25-inch instrument show and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and even the black fake leather-based seats.

Curiously, the automobile continues to lack a pace limiter button on the steering wheel, completely different from each different Proton mannequin with adaptive cruise management. The excellent news is that Proton has lastly given the S70 wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, having snubbed house owners of the present mannequin.

The S70 continues to be supplied with a variety of driver assists, together with Stage 2 semi-autonomous driving options such because the aforementioned adaptive cruise management and lane centring help, plus autonomous emergency braking and rear cross visitors alert. As but, it’s unclear if these will proceed to be fitted solely to the top-spec Flagship variants, however judging by the most recent X50 and X70, it will seemingly be sadly nonetheless the case.

Proton has but to supply any particulars on pricing, however for reference, the present S70 is priced at RM73,800 for the Govt, 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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