Proton S70 gets two cheaper NA variants, bookings now open, est under RM60k

KUALA LUMPUR: Proton has opened order books for two new S70 variants today. The Lite and Prime swap the turbocharged engine for a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre i-GT paired with a CVT, which lets Proton quote an estimated price of below RM60,000.

Bookings are open from today, 7 September, at authorised Proton dealers nationwide.

That is a real gap under the rest of the range. The turbocharged S70 variants list from RM73,800 to RM94,800, or RM68,800 at the bottom once the early bird rebate was applied at launch.

Either way, a sub-RM60,000 S70 drops a C-segment-sized sedan into money that Malaysian buyers normally spend on B-segment cars. Proton doesn't mention the Persona once in the announcement, but that is roughly the space these two are stepping into.

Also Read: Proton's biggest month ever in Malaysia: 22,632 units moved in August 2026

What Proton hasn't said yet

Quite a lot, actually. There are no power or torque figures for the naturally aspirated i-GT, no fuel consumption claim, no acceleration time, and no confirmation of which specific NA unit is being fitted.

There's no launch date either. The sub-RM60,000 figure is an estimate, not a price, and Proton says final pricing lands at the official launch.

For context, the turbocharged 1.5 i-GT in the rest of the range makes 181 PS and 290 Nm through a seven-speed wet dual-clutch, with a claimed 7.5-second century sprint.

The Lite and Prime won't be near that, and Proton isn't pretending otherwise. The pitch here is a quieter, easier car, not a quicker one.

Proton hasn't named the engine beyond calling it a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated i-GT. The only unit matching that description in Proton's current range is the one in the Saga, which makes 120 PS and 150 Nm, though Proton has yet to confirm the code, the outputs, or whether the S70 gets a different tune to suit the heavier body.

What carries over

The body is unchanged, so the space argument holds. At 4,602 mm long on a 2,627 mm wheelbase and 1,809 mm wide, this is still a bigger car than anything else at this money, and the near-flat rear floor is a genuine advantage if you regularly carry three across the back.

Proton lists 10 features shared across both variants: cabin space, rear shoulder room, a soft-touch instrument panel, all windows with auto up/down and anti-trap, an electric parking brake with auto brake hold, remote engine start, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the Rear Side Radar System, a reverse camera and rear seat reminder. Leatherette seats, five USB ports, three drive modes and Proton's own ride and handling tune are also mentioned.

 There is no published Lite versus Prime spec split yet, so which of those features actually land on the cheaper car is still an open question.

Safety kit

Six airbags, front and rear parking sensors, and the Rear Side Radar System covering blind spot detection, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert, door opening warning and rear collision warning. Reverse camera and rear seat reminder are standard.

What isn't mentioned anywhere is forward-facing driver assistance. No autonomous emergency braking, no adaptive cruise, no lane keeping. That doesn't confirm they're absent, but it's the first thing worth asking a salesperson about.

"The Proton S70 has always been about giving Malaysians an elevated driving experience with the space, comfort and features they value in everyday driving. The introduction of the new variants expands that proposition to customers who are looking for an affordable yet well-equipped sedan that offers generous cabin space and a comfortable driving experience. At the same time, we have ensured that key features are available across the range, giving customers greater choice without compromising on what matters in everyday driving," said Dato' Abdul Rashid Musa, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, PROTON.

Proton also says the S70 has averaged more than 2,500 units a month in 2026.

Who it's up against

Priced where Proton says it will be, the S70 Lite and Prime go straight at the Honda City, Toyota Vios and Nissan Almera, and start brushing against the Perodua Bezza at the bottom end. There's some overlap with Proton's own Saga too, which is the usual risk with this kind of move.

Bookings and early bird

Order books are open now nationwide. Customers who book and register a Lite or Prime by 31 December 2026 qualify for an early bird reward, with details to be announced at launch. Terms and conditions apply.

The interesting question isn't whether a bigger sedan for less money will sell in Malaysia in 2026.

Also Read: Proton previews hybrid and smart vehicle technologies at GATE 2026