Announced almost exactly two weeks ago, the naturally-aspirated version of the Proton S70 – a part of the forthcoming MC2 facelift lineup – has finally been launched. With this comes official pricing for the bottom Lite and Prime, which make the segment-straddling sedan cheaper and function an indirect alternative for the soon-to-be-discontinued Persona.
True to what was leaked previously, the Lite retails at RM59,800 on-the-road without insurance, while the Prime goes for RM62,800. With the RM3,000 launch rebate until December 31, this drops to RM56,800 for the Lite, making it only seven thousand ringgit costlier than the Saga Premium, with the Prime then costing RM59,800.
These figures include a five-year unlimited warranty and 6 times free labour for servicing. Proton can also be offering nine-year financing with rates of interest as little as 2.35% every year and RM2,000 in overtrade support, in addition to upgraded insurance with included special perils coverage, windscreen coverage, passenger personal accident coverage as much as RM15,000 per person, and upgraded flood relief as much as RM2,000.
This pricing structure makes buying a Proton today akin to climbing a ladder. The NA S70 slots right in between the Saga (RM38,990 to RM49,990) and S70 turbo (RM74,800 to RM89,800, now that the bottom RM68,800 Executive has been discontinued), and the national carmaker will happily sell you its more profitable SUVs beyond that time.
Proton calls this the 1.5 i-GT, despite the fact that there’s already such a model on sale, the turbo (technically 1.5TD). This one as a substitute uses a NA port-injected version of the 1.5 litre four-cylinder – the BHE15-CFN taken straight out of the Saga, making 120 PS at 6,100 rpm and 150 Nm of torque between 4,000 and 5,000 rpm.
That’s 61 PS and 140 Nm lower than the turbo automotive, but 11 PS greater than the outgoing Persona’s Campro VVT. As per the Saga, the S70 Lite and Prime do without the turbo models’ sound-insulating engine cover, leaving the messy wiring and Lynk & Co-branded coil packs exposed.
The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission has also been jettisoned in favour of a brand new CVT that’s different from the Saga’s Punch unit, because it looks set to feature a torque converter for smoother step-off acceleration. Proton claims this mixture has undergone over 5,400 hours of dynamometer testing and 412,000 km of local on-road testing.
The stepless transmission is nearly definitely the Wanliyang (WLY) unit present in the Chinese-market fourth-generation Geely Emgrand; other countries get a six-speed automatic paired with a direct-injected engine. It appears to retain the China automotive’s simulated eight-speed mode, something the Saga’s CVT doesn’t offer.
Nonetheless, while the Emgrand utilises a standard mechanical gear lever and an up-down sequential gate, the S70 NA continues to make use of the turbo’s electronic selector. This not only means you’ll must toggle the shifter twice to pick reverse or drive, but you’ll also must awkwardly flick it it left or right to row through the “gears” manually.
Beyond that, the S70 Lite and Prime are as per the old Executive turbo variant, except for a black grille without the silver trim. Identical to that automotive, you don’t get a full light bar on the back, with the Lite even being downgraded to halogen headlights. Oddly enough, the automotive retains the unique, pre-MC LED indicators (the MC1 was downgraded to bulb units).
Also missing on the Lite are the silver triangle bumper corners and front spoiler, that are as a substitute finished in gloss black. You’ll must step as much as the Prime to regain auto LED headlights (still with bulb indicators) and auto-folding door mirrors, plus an upgrade from the Lite’s 16-inch turbine-style alloy wheels to snazzy 17-inch multi-spoke rollers – the latter hitherto reserved for the Flagship.
Inside, the Lite and Prime maintain the Executive and Premium turbo’s analogue gauges and smaller eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, the latter now offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The operating system is the updated one from the Saga, replete with that automotive’s interface (with the vehicle within the menus being modified to an S70, obviously).
Unlike the Executive, a reverse camera and auto up/down windows (Executive is auto down only) are also fitted as standard. On the rear, the NA version still gets rear air vents and a USB-A and USB-C port, however the headrests are fixed and there’s no centre armrest or headrest, identical to that Executive.
Other standard features include keyless entry with distant engine start, push-button start, a urethane steering wheel, manual fabric seats and reverse sensors. The Prime adds single-zone auto aircon, faux leather upholstery and steering wheel wrap and front parking sensors.
Safety-wise, the S70 Lite and Prime include six airbags, stability control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, rear collision warning, a door opening warning and a rear seat reminder. Sadly, none of them offer driver assists, not even autonomous emergency braking – a glaring omission considering the cheaper Saga Premium has it.
We should always indicate that while the S70 Lite and Prime shall be a part of the MC2 family, only the turbo models are expected to receive the complete, in-house-designed facelift, including latest head- and taillights, bumpers and even the X50‘s quad tailpipes. It could thoroughly also feature an all-new interior, again following the footsteps of the X50.
In order that’s the long and wanting the brand new naturally-aspirated Proton S70, bridging the gap between the Saga and the S70 turbo. Over to you now – what do you’re thinking that of the costs and specs, and would you get this over the 2 existing models? Tell us within the comments.
GALLERY: 2026 Proton S70 1.5 i-GT Lite
GALLERY: 2026 Proton S70 1.5 i-GT Prime
This Article First Appeared At paultan.org
