In contrast to a lot of Proton’s current new mannequin launches, the Proton S70’s gestation interval is comparatively quick. First official particulars and pictures surfaced on November 1, and final week, we attended a media preview in Shah Alam to rise up shut with, and behind the wheel of Proton’s newest sedan on the corporate’s take a look at observe. We could also be on the tail finish of 2023, however the S70 will probably be launched earlier than the yr closes.
For now, we’ll share all that we all know concerning the S70, barring a couple of components nonetheless underneath wraps akin to equipment and pricing. I see many debates concerning the phase of the S70, and I’m not shocked that there’s a (heated, as all the time with Protons) dialog on this, as a result of it’s not simple – even the media had been discussing this on the occasion.
The Nice Debate
So, is the S70 a B- or C-segment sedan? Nicely, it’s based mostly on the Geely Emgrand, which sits on the BMA platform, and the automobile has a 1.5 litre NA engine/CVT combo elsewhere – 1.5L CVT is after all the ASEAN B-segment default set by the Toyota Vios and Honda Metropolis.
In reality, everybody thought that automobile codenamed SS11 could be known as ‘Proton S50’ until we noticed spyshots of the S70 badge final month. The anticipated pricing of the S70 can also be squarely throughout the Metropolis-Vios house, and the 2 class stalwarts had been chosen as rivals within the media preview acceleration take a look at.
It’s a B then. However Proton complicates issues (by design, I’m certain) by giving the sedan the ’70’ identify. Formally, Proton is looking this a C-segment sedan, and ’70’ ties in with the X70, a C-SUV. The carmaker has additionally plonked in a 1.5 litre turbo engine and dual-clutch gearbox rather than the 1.5L NA CVT that powers the Emgrand in China and the Philippines. Suppose 1.5T, suppose Honda Civic, proper?
What about dimensions? Glad you requested. We don’t have Proton’s figures but, however the Emgrand is 4,638 mm lengthy and 1,822 mm broad, with a 2,650 mm wheelbase. That’s 58 mm longer and 74 mm wider than a Honda Metropolis, and the S70’s wheelbase is 50 mm longer too. In reality, the S70 is longer and wider than the Preve and Inspira, Proton’s earlier two C-segment sedans.
It’s a C then. However automobiles develop in measurement, and a Civic then (FB, when the Preve was launched) isn’t the identical as a Civic now. On that be aware, at the moment’s Civic FE is 40 mm longer than the S70, and the Honda’s 2,735 mm wheelbase is 85 mm longer. The Civic’s WB benefit over the S70 is greater than the Proton’s benefit over the Metropolis. All the Civic, Toyota Corolla and Mazda 3 are additionally decrease slung than the S70, giving them sportier proportions.
We’ll depart it as much as you to put the S70, because it’s a little bit of a mishmash. Exterior of automobile man circles, Proton calling their new sedan C-segment will allow salesmen to make use of the “Civic rival at Metropolis worth” good worth pitch, identical to what they did with the X70.
Turbo-DCT from X50
We already know that the S70 may have turbo energy as a substitute of the Emgrand’s commonplace 1.5L NA unit, however now we will affirm that the turbo engine in query is the 1.5-litre port-injected three-cylinder engine that powers the X50 Commonplace to Premium, and never the 177 PS/255 Nm 1.5L TGDi unit within the X50 Flagship and X70 MC. Like within the non-Flagship X50, the 1.5L MPI unit’s output is 150 PS/226 Nm within the S70.
For these maintaining depend, the Civic’s 1.5-litre four-cylinder VTEC turbo engine makes 182 PS and 240 Nm, which is 32 PS and 14 PS greater than the S70.
Moreover the purpose {that a} turbo engine would make the S70 a extra convincing C-segment sedan, it additionally makes good enterprise sense for Proton because the engine is already made in Tanjong Malim for the X50, whereas Geely’s 1.5L NA will not be utilized in any present Proton. Utilizing the engine in two fashions offers Proton higher economies of scale, and on this case, the buyer advantages too. Ditto the seven-speed wet-clutch DCT.
Native enter, deluxe Emgrand
Not a lot – it’s what it’s – however there’s some native enter. Within the swap from left- to right-hand drive, the S70 venture noticed the event of 453 new elements with the involvement of 283 native suppliers, Proton says. The sedan has 145 knocked down (KD) elements and 24 in-house Proton developed elements. In fact, the engine is made in Malaysia. A complete of 260,000 man hours had been utilised.
Nonetheless, the goal is to achieve 70% native content material in a few years, deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah revealed on the media preview. That’s nowhere close to the over 90% native content material of Perodua fashions from launch, and non-national fashions most likely supply extra from Malaysia. This isn’t of concern to the client, after all, and we solely noticed one Geely emblem on the fleet of pre-production automobiles – on the sunroof.
The obvious change from the Emgrand is the S70’s grille, which mixes the ‘Infinite Weave’ and ‘Ethereal Bow’ cues from previous Geely-Protons to type an elaborate but neat grille with pins. The aspect edges of the grille are blacked out to emphasize the Ethereal Bow (decrease border), and Proton’s new spherical tiger badge floats within the center. To us, it’s a good-looking face and one which’s a lot better wanting than the Emgrand, which has vertical traces in its grille.
Every little thing else is as per the Geely, together with G20 BMW 3 Sequence-style ‘aspect intakes’, the two-tone 17-inch wheels, the marginally jarring protrusion of chrome from the A pillars and the flowery rear LED full-width signatures.
Talking of the back lights, they carry out a present while you unlock the automobile and look like naturally ‘smoked’ even in daylight. We’re additionally questioning why the sensible entry button on the driving force’s door deal with is in chrome, and never hidden away in physique color. There’s no button on the passenger aspect by the way in which, and it’s a downgrade from the contact sensor on Proton’s SUVs.
If the outside is essentially Emgrand bar the grille and rear Proton badge, the inside is a deluxe model of the sedan in comparison with what’s out there within the Philippines, and to a lesser diploma, China. The default gear lever is a standard tall stick, however Proton is providing the stubby ‘T-design’ digital shifter from the X90, which appears far more superior and premium.
Extra elements sharing with present Protons (which aren’t from the unique Emgrand) might be seen within the steering wheel from the X50. Additionally, the sedan’s cabin is peppered with a smooth materials that has a songket-inspired sample. You’ll find this S70-exclusive trim on the dashboard and door armrests – it’s a pleasant contact.
A very powerful side of the native enter is none apart from the well-regarded ‘Proton experience and dealing with’. The carmaker says that the S70 is tuned for Malaysian roads and the R&D group spent 75,000 man hours and drove a mixed 1.2 million km of growth miles. Usually, Chinese language automobiles are softly sprung and comfort-oriented to swimsuit the native palate, however Malaysians drive sooner and require extra management, extra dynamics.
A number of equipment, on the prime
The S70 will are available in 4 variants, however we’ll name it ‘3+’. In contrast to the X50, there’s no Commonplace variant, and the sedan’s vary begins from Government. The mid-level spec is Premium and the highest one is the Flagship. The Flagship X makes it 4, however the one distinction the ‘X’ brings is a sunroof and an unique Quartz Black paint choice.
Is the S70 nicely outfitted? Sure, however the entry-level Government is sure to look vastly totally different from the Flagship/Flagship X automobiles that had been on responsibility on the media preview. A lot of the outside and inside bits that make the S70 look fancy (LED headlamps, rear LED signatures, 17-inch wheels that look nearly massive sufficient, digital meter panel, infotainment touchscreen) should not current within the Government. A low entry worth will get extra eyeballs.
All variants have the identical 1.5T 7DCT powertrain, six airbags, lane change help and an digital parking brake (we’re not 100% certain if auto maintain can also be commonplace throughout the board, nevertheless it ought to be). The Government comes with material seats, halogen headlamps, 16-inch wheels and an 8.0-inch head unit. To get LED headlamps (projectors) and back lights, you’ll have to purchase the Premium, which additionally provides on leatherette upholstery, auto air-con and a reverse digital camera.
LED headlamps have been commonplace on the Perodua Myvi since 2017, and even a RM40k Axia will get them, so the bottom S70 is nowhere close to C-segment when it comes to tools. We’ll see what the worth hole is between variants, nevertheless it appears just like the Premium is the place the vary actually begins. Even so, there’s no ADAS on the midpoint.
Proton is as soon as once more reserving driver help for the Flagship. The excellent ADAS suite contains Autonomous Emergency Braking with Ahead Collision Warning, Adaptive Cruise Management with Cease & Go, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention, Lane Centring Management, Visitors Signal Data, Clever Excessive Beam Management, Lane Change Help (blind spot), Door Opening Warning, Rear Collision Warning and Rear Cross Visitors Alert. By the way in which, ADAS will not be out there on the Emgrand, so that is one more Proton-exclusive characteristic.
The Flagship additionally will get a tyre stress monitoring system, the 17-inch two-tone alloys you see right here, the cockpit’s twin display screen setup (10.3-inch meter, 12.3-inch infotainment with Hello Proton), wi-fi charger, powered driver’s seat (not one of the B-segment gamers have this) and 360-degree digital camera with 3D show.
As talked about, the Premium X’s solely further piece of equipment is the sunroof, however the vary topper does get an unique Quartz Black paint choice. Black isn’t a typical color for Protons – will this automobile be equipped to the federal government? The Flagship X will also be had in Snow White, House Gray, Marine Blue and Teal Bayou Inexperienced – the latter is a new-to-Proton color impressed by our tropical seashores.
The signature inexperienced and Marine Blue, that are the colors you see within the studio pics right here, are reserved for the Flagship and above. The darkish blue automobile has a five-piece bodykit consisting of a entrance lip, aspect skirts, rear bumper extension and a boot spoiler. Proton didn’t point out the bodykit in its presentation although, so we’ll have to attend for the launch for extra particulars. No R3 logos on the equipment, by the way in which.
First impressions
It could possibly be simply me, however there’s all the time a distinct type of buzz once we’re seeing a Proton/Perodua for the primary time. Extra anticipation and extra stress too, as a result of it looks like nationwide automobiles are nicely, of nationwide curiosity – everybody talks about it, everyone needs to find out about it, not simply automobile folks. We genuinely wish to see the automobiles do nicely, but additionally have the responsibility to report as it’s.
Kudos to Proton for having a few automobiles that it sees because the S70’s rivals on the preview. So assured they’re that it wasn’t simply the Vios and Metropolis current (that’s the worth vary P1 is aiming for) – we had been all shocked to see the BMW 2 Sequence Gran Coupe and Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan parked alongside for static comparability! Absolutely not ‘Asia’s reply to BMW’ once more? Extra on that later.
Our first impression of the S70 is an effective one. This can be a three-box sedan that’s good-looking in a barely old-fashioned manner, and it jogs my memory of the third-generation Subaru Legacy (B4 RSK!). Proton might need simply modified the grille of the Emgrand, nevertheless it’s a change for the higher – the S70 appears extra premium than the Geely. SUVs rule the market nowadays, however many guys nonetheless like sedans, and we expect that the S70 will seize the creativeness of many bros on the market.
Step in and also you’re greeted by a throughly up to date cockpit with three of the most well-liked components checked – horizontal sprint format (all the time emphasised by full-width look AC vents), a excessive centre console, and two screens (meter and central). The latter offers off a high-tech, superior really feel that goes nicely with (and is integral to) the minimalist design. Loads of X90 components, however the S70’s cockpit is far more trendy.
Look nearer and also you’ll discover a pleasant native contact – the passenger-facing piece of trim under the AC vents is smooth to the contact and has a pleasant songket-inspired sample. This materials is repeated on the door armrests. This and the sprint prime each move the knock-knock Malaysian showroom take a look at – the sprint prime, which has stitching on the sting, feels strong. Additionally good is the stitched sample on the door playing cards, which jogs my memory of Asics’ Tiger Stripes.
This constructive really feel doesn’t circulation into the centre console and doorways; the latter is roofed in scratchy onerous plastic and the door handles, whereas properly built-in design-wise, has a lacquer-like silver end that feels low-cost. So, general perceived high quality is a combined bag, and sitting within the BMW 2GC after the S70 merely emphasised the gulf in premiumness.
To be honest, onerous plastics are widespread within the B-segment, which the S70 will probably be priced in opposition to. But it surely’s Proton who’s calling it a C (Civic cabin feels extra premium in contact and really feel) and introduced a BMW alongside. As talked about, we just like the design and superior really feel, and the IP is high quality.
We pushed the S70 alongside a brief course in Proton’s Shah Alam proving floor and likewise had it in a drag race with the Metropolis and Vios. It didn’t take lengthy to infer that the S70 is tuned for consolation slightly than sport, as a sub-RM100k household sedan ought to be – it’s simple to drive with gentle and easy steering, and first experience consolation ought to be good, based mostly on its calm, composed response to a dip within the course.
We didn’t attempt the sedan on tough surfaces, however based mostly on development and Proton’s well-proven capabilities in experience and dealing with, the S70 ought to be a well-damped, forgiving experience. Anticipate some lean on steady-state cornering from this comparatively tall sedan, however nothing too disconcerting.
It is determined by what your expectations are, however when you hear 1.5T DCT and suppose ‘VW TSI DSG’ or ‘Civic-beater’, be ready to be dissatisfied. There’s a major delay between your proper foot asking for full throttle and the powertrain getting the message, a lot in order that the Metropolis constantly beats the S70 off the road.
However give the Proton sufficient street and it’ll ultimately overtake and draw back from the Honda, because it ought to, being turbocharged. The Vios? Fairly a distance away from the opposite two, actually. Away from the drag strip’s standing begin, the in-gear acceleration of a turbocharged automobile could be helpful in minimize and thrust every day driving.
Talking of the every day grind, we seen that the S70’s transmission swaps gears fairly leisurely for a dual-clutch unit, and its engine is extra audible than the Vios at idle and low speeds, whereas sounding coarser. In relation to isolation, Toyota is tops – even the previous-generation Vios/present Yaris is extra refined on the transfer. Personally, I really feel that the dearth of powertrain refinement is at odds with the premium messaging.
Shifting to the again seat, we will report that the bench is properly formed and the seat base top is ample. The size is of the seat base is nearly proper for my 175 cm body. The S70’s rear headroom betters the Metropolis and Vios – it was my first time within the Toyota and I used to be shocked that they signed this off, and I’m not even that tall.
Probably the most layman manner of measuring rear house is legroom, and also you’ll count on the ‘C-segment’ automobile to romp dwelling. As a substitute, if stretching your rear legs is a vital consideration, the Metropolis and Vios have extra acreage. Thoughts you, the S70 isn’t cramped by any means, however rear legroom is in need of the ASEAN B-segment’s abnormally excessive bar. Additionally, if the driving force’s seat is about to the bottom place, there’s not a lot room underneath it for ft to tuck into.
Anyhow, it’s first rate on the again, and passengers get to get pleasure from AC vents (they appear surprisingly ‘bare’ although), a centre armrest, and two USB ports (1x A, 1x C). As with the entrance doorways, there are stitched stripes on the door playing cards and songket-patterned smooth materials on the aspect armrests. Boot quantity is 500 litres and there’s an area saver spare wheel underneath the ground.
So, how does the S70 evaluate with its rivals, you ask. The reply is determined by who you think about its rivals to be, as mentioned above in The Nice Debate. Proton is looking the S70 a C-segment sedan, however fact be instructed, the Honda Civic has it beat in contact, really feel, drive and desirability. As such, there’s no want to debate the BMW 2GC.
Nevertheless, the S70 could possibly be priced to cowl the RM70+ok to RM100k vary, which is at present owned by the Metropolis and Vios. In opposition to these two, there’s definitely a case for the Proton, which is loads of automobile for the cash – you’ll get an even bigger physique, a turbo engine, a lot of toys and a few feel-good options which are first-in-class akin to electrical seat adjustment. The S70 is an honest drive and it appears good out and in, too.
It should be famous although that a lot of the good things you see listed here are reserved for the Flagship – full verdict when we’ve got the pricing. Now, learn my final level within the model of the late Farit Ismeth Emir from RTM. SUVs are dominant at the moment, however right here’s a query to guys of their 30s and 40s: if it was completely as much as you, do you actually need an SUV over a sedan? We didn’t develop up wanting these smooth roaders, did we? Fikir-fikirkanlah.
For now, what do you consider the Proton S70 as it’s, and vis-à-vis the Honda Metropolis and Toyota Vios? Be a part of Hafriz as he takes you on an in depth video tour of the S70 under. Sure, he does complain concerning the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto assist.
GALLERY: Proton S70 1.5T Flagship X
GALLERY: Proton S70 presentation
GALLERY: Proton S70 official photos
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