TANJUNG MALIM: The Proton S70 C-segment sedan was revealed today at a line-off ceremony at the national carmaker’s Tanjong Malim plant.
Proton CEO Dr Li Chunrong said all Proton outlets would begin accepting customer bookings from today, with a fee of RM500.
"Endowed with intelligent safety technology, connectivity and a 1.5L turbocharged engine with dual clutch transmission (DCT), we have high hopes it will help return us to the top of a market segment that was previously led by models such as the Proton Wira, Waja and Prevé,” said Dr Li Chunrong.
"The Proton S70 marks a new chapter for Proton as we return to the family sedan market," he said of the Preve replacement model.
Following in the footsteps of the X70, X50 and mild hybrid X90, the S70 is the fourth all-new Proton model to be jointly developed together with Geely.
Proton did not disclose whether the S70 will use only the more powerful 1.5-litre direct-injected turbocharged engine that outputs 177PS at 5,500rpm and 255Nm of torque from 1,500 to 4,000rpm, or like the X50's non-Flagship grades - a 1.5-litre multi-port turbocharged engine producing 150PS at 5,500rpm and 226Nm of torque from 1,500 to 4,000rpm.
Both engines are mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with manual mode.
It is also unknown whether the S70 will have a mild-hybrid electric powertrain like the X90, which has a 48volt electric motor synergy (EMS) system.
The S70 is also the second all-new Proton model to be offered in 2023 and prior to its official launch, customer previews will be held in several major state capitals from Nov 11.
“Today’s line-off ceremony is another important step for Proton in our efforts with DRB-Hicom and Geely to establish Tanjong Malim and the Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV) as a national automotive hub," said Li.
"Since 2019, the company has invested more than RM1.8 billion in upgrading the facilities here by building a new engine assembly line, a new stamping shop, as well as new assembly lines. This bodes well for the company’s future as we look to grow our range of offerings to include more New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) and eventually, electric vehicles as well.”
The line-off ceremony was presided over by Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry secretary-general Datuk Hairil Yahri Yaacob.
