Proton S70: Old vs New: What’s changed in the 2026 MC1 update?

First introduced in November 2023, the Proton S70 holds the number one spot in the C-segment (under RM100k) in the Malaysian market. The sedan winning formula has been the strong value-for-money proposition, sporty aesthetics, a well-equipped cabin, and good power delivery.

To further enhance the car’s appeal, Proton rolled out the new S70 last month, guided by the philosophy “Intelligence that Evolves”. The latest version focuses on what matters most to today’s value-conscious customers and promises a refined, confident and worry-free ownership experience.

For prospective buyers looking to purchase the new Proton S70, here we bring a closer look at the key differences between the old and new versions to know what upgrades make this sport sedan a more compelling choice in its category.

Variant and price

With the variant lineup remaining unchanged, the new Proton S70 continues to be offered in four variants - Executive, Premium, Flagship and Flagship X. Pricing also remains the same as before. However, with the latest model, Proton offers a full suite of ownership incentives under its Pro-series packages, alongside an RM 5,000 launch rebate across the range.

Variants	Price (on the road, without insurance)	Price after rebate (available before 31 March 2026 for the first 2,000 customers)
S70 Executive	RM 73,800	RM 68,800
S70 Premium	RM 79,800	RM 74,800
S70 Flagship	RM 89,800	RM 84,800
S70 Flagship X	RM 94,800	RM 89,800

Exterior 

In terms of exterior, the new sedan looks almost identical as the older one, with a few enhancements reinforcing its sporty yet premium appeal. Here’s a detailed comparison - 

Specs	Old Proton S70	New Proton S70
Lighting	LED headlamps with DRL-integrated turn signals and start-up animation Turn-signals integrated into eyebrow-style DRL signature Standard LED tail lamps	New LED headlamps (Geely Emgrand-inspired); start-up animation removed Turn-signals with separate bulb indicators, repositioned within headlamp cluster Same tail lamps with new start-up lighting animation
Wheels & Tyres	17-inch two-tone alloys Kumho Ecowing ES31 tyres	Revised 17-inch two-tone design with sharper, blade-like spokes GitiComfort F22 tyres
Body kit (Flagship X)	Sportier styling elements	New Proton-designed black bodykit with aggressive intake framing, a diffuser-style rear skirt, and a boot-lip spoiler with a centre cut-out
Exterior accents	Chrome & body-colour highlights	Red highlight accents on certain colour combinations

Engine

The S70 benefits from a new 1.5-litre i-GT turbo, direct-injected 4-cylinder engine replacing the earlier 3-cylinder unit. The new engine offers smoother gear shifts, more confident performance, and lower running costs, offering drivers a compelling balance of power, efficiency, and everyday comfort in its class. 

This advanced powertrain incorporates low-inertia turbocharging, friction and vibration reduction technologies and comprehensive durability testing, ensuring best performance, reliability, fuel efficiency and reduced engine’s Noise, Vibration & Harshness (NVH).

Specs	Old Proton S70	New Proton S70
Engine	1.5L Turbo 3-cylinder	1.5L i-GT Turbo 4-cylinder
Output	150 PS / 226 Nm	181 PS / 290 Nm
Transmission	7-speed wet Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT)	7-speed wet DCT (retained)
Drive system	Front-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
0-100 kmph acceleration	9.6 seconds	7.5 seconds
Driving character	Balanced daily comfort	Significantly quicker, more refined and smoother power delivery
NVH levels	Good but typical 3-cylinder character	Improved refinement due to the 4-cylinder engine

Interior

Compared to the older model, the new S70 looks cleaner with a modern black interior theme and illuminated window switches that feel more dynamic and performance-oriented. Also, the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is now available on Flagship and Flagship X trims.

Here’s a quick overview of the interior equipment kit for the top-spec variants.

Specs	Old Proton S70	New Proton S70
Dashboard	Horizontal design, full-width vents	Horizontal design, full-width vents
Headliner	Beige	Black
Infotainment unit	12.3-inch infotainment screen	12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Instrument cluster	10.3-inch digital instrument cluster	10.3-inch digital instrument cluster
Upholstery	Leatherette	Leatherette
Speakers	Six	Six
Air conditioning	Automatic with N95 cabin air filter	Automatic with N95 cabin air filter
Sunroof	Yes	Yes
Ambient lighting	Yes	Yes
Wireless charging pad	Yes	Yes
Power-adjustable driver seat	Yes	Yes

Safety

Just like the old S70, the latest model also prioritises driver and occupants’ safety. It is packed with the same standard safety bits, including six airbags, an anti-lock braking system, electronic stability control, seatbelt reminders, blind spot detection, child presence detection, pedestrian protection technology, and rear collision warning.

The top-spec trims also feature advanced safety assist technologies like autonomous emergency braking, auto high beam, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, rear cross traffic alert, and fatigue driving reminder system. 

Colours 

Models	Old Proton S70	New Proton S70
Colours	Passion Red, Teal Bayou Green, Quartz Black, Snow White, Space Grey, Marine Blue, Armour Silver	Ruby Red, Quartz Black, Snow White, Space Grey, Marine Blue, Armour Silver

Summing up 

The refreshed Proton S70 combines sporty design cues, performance-led driving confidence, and advanced technology, offering a refined yet dynamic driving experience. This update reflects the brand’s commitment to continuous improvement, with meaningful enhancements to better match evolving customer needs.

Also read: First impressions: 2026 Proton S70 MC1 - New 181PS 4-cylinder turbo makes it feel like an exciting sedan