The Proton S70 will arrive soon! The manufacturer has said that the first new automobile has left the assembly line at its Tanjong Malim facility. You can reserve one for RM500 starting today, November 1, 2023, if you'd want one.

The Persona was unveiled back in August 2016, and the Perdana was the brand's previous all-new sedan until the S70's release. The S70 will go on tour ahead of its formal introduction this year, with customer previews scheduled to begin on November 11, 2023, in the key state capitals of Malaysia.




The S70 is built on an existing Geely model, just like the X50 and X70. In this instance, it's the most recent Emgrand, model S11, which debuted in China in August 2021. Because of this, the S70 sits on the same BMA platform as the X50, a B-segment SUV. However, don't allow this mistake you into thinking that the S70 is a B-segment model because it actually employs a rear torsion beam instead of a B-segment model.

 Since the X70 is a C-segment SUV and the S70 is more of a C-segment sedan, the S70 receives the '70' suffix to reflect this. As we've previously stated, these "segment" comparisons are, of course, not exactly inflexible and are typically only utilized as market (or, more accurately, pricing) benchmarks.





In terms of dimensions, here are the key figures of the S70 (referencing the Emgrand):

• Length: 4,638 mm
• Width: 1,822 mm
• Height: 1,460 mm
• Wheelbase: 2,650 mm

Here's how it stacks up against the Persona, its sedan stablemate, and other well-liked B- and C-segment Honda and Toyota models:



Proton has released a considerable number of photos showing the S70 in all its splendor, so there is no need to tease with the design. Unsurprisingly, the Emgrand and Proton share the same fundamental form, but Proton-specific details like the rear model logo and the new grille's insert adorned with chrome pins like on the X90 are distinguishing elements. The car in the image also includes a sunroof, LED taillights with a light bar, projector headlights, LED taillights, and 17-inch 10-spoke wheels with Goodyear Assurance TripleMax 2 tires.

A large touchscreen infotainment system situated above the central air vents and climate controls (a large screen displays the air conditioning system's state) is another similarity to the interior of the Emgrand.






Even if at first glance it might seem like a perfect replica, some deviations have been noted. Compared to the Emgrand, the steering wheel and shorter gear lever have a distinct design and resemble the ones found in the X50 and X90, respectively. We need an explanation for this, however it could be related to the S70's engine.

The 1.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four petrol engine of the Emgrand, which is presently offered for sale in the Philippines, produces 102 horsepower and 142 Nm of torque. This is less than the 114 PS and 147 Nm variant that is marketed in China.



The Persona and the S70 are almost identical in terms of power (109 PS and 150 Nm), thus the Persona's engine wouldn't work well in the S70, which is supposed to be further up the lineup. As a result, the S70 receives an arrangement more appropriate for its standing.

Proton has only revealed that the car would have a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine paired with a dual-clutch transmission in its press release, without going into further detail just yet. It doesn't take much to figure out that the 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-three petrol engine that powers the X70, producing 177 PS and 255 Nm, will likely be mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch in the S70.



That's significant since, in the markets where it is offered, the Emgrand doesn't receive this kind of configuration, making us something special in that regard. We'll have to wait until launch day to get further specifics like cost and available variations.

With the preliminary information we now possess, will you be placing an order for the S70 right away? Please share your expectations about the C-segment sedan's equipment in the comments section below.