Looks like Proton’s upcoming C-segment sedan, the Geely Emgrand-based Proton S70’s Malaysian market launch is just around the corner, as spy shots of the car have surfaced online recently. Previously, the car was first seen being tested on public roads without any camouflage, wearing a full-set body kit, and a trunk lip at the back, along with a sunroof on top.
Just a couple of days ago, even higher-resolution images of the car have also been shared online, showing the Proton S70 in even more detail. However, unlike the Proton S70 seen testing on public roads, these ones look to be the entry-level or mid-spec variants, as there are no body kits to be seen, nor a sunroof.
The C-segment sedan can also be seen featuring a set of LED projector headlights, along with eyebrow-esque daytime running lights (DRLS). Like other Proton models, the Proton S70 is proudly fitted with the brand’s infinite weave grille. At the side is a set of dual-tone alloys, whose sizes are yet to be known at this point in time.
The Proton S70’s donor model, the Geely Emgrand is built on the Chinese carmaker’s BMA platform and is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine. However, considering that the S70 is meant to be a C-segment sedan, we could probably expect it to come with the more powerful 1.5-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder TGDi engine found in the X50 and X70 SUVs. Still, there is a possibility that the entry-level S70 Standard variant might get the naturally-spirated 1.5-litre engine to keep its price competitive.
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The Proton S70 was previously rumoured to be called the S50 for quite a while, however, spy shots of the car surfaced online seem to have proven everyone wrong. Looking at Proton’s naming system, the “-70” suffix does suggest that the sedan is indeed a C-segment model, just like the X70 SUV.
When it launches in Malaysia, the Proton S70 will be the national carmaker’s first all-new sedan since the Geely partnership. The last time Proton introduced all-new sedans to the market was back in 2016, with the launch of the second-generation Persona and third-generation Saga. The two models have since received multiple facelift exercises to keep them relevant and modern.
Proton’s last C-segment offering – the Proton Prevé, which is the model the S70 is meant to replace, received its first and final update back in 2018. Production for the car ended in the same year, while it was later discontinued in 2020.
Can the Proton S70 help Proton gain back some ground in the C-segment market, and with its expected competitive pricing, can it also give the Japanese B-segment offerings such as the Toyota Vios and Honda City a run of their money? Only time can tell.
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