Proton to Refresh S70 Lineup with Enhanced RS Variants

Proton has announced an upcoming refresh of its S70 1.5TD range in Malaysia on 13 November 2026, with equipment upgrades valued at RM15,000 across new RS Premium and Sportline variants. Official market pricing and full specifications will be released at the official launch in approximately one month.

Manufactured by Malaysian carmaker Proton, the enhanced turbocharged models will replace the outgoing S70 1.5TD Premium, Flagship, and Flagship X line-up. Malaysian buyers seeking naturally aspirated models can select the continuing Lite and Prime variants, which do not receive these RS equipment upgrades.

Key Facts

The refreshed Proton S70 RS line-up comprises the RS Premium and range-topping Sportline variants, introducing exterior styling, cabin technology, safety equipment, and powertrain refinement upgrades. Both variants retain the i-GT 1.5TD turbocharged engine paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, generating 181PS and 290Nm of torque.

**Proton values the comprehensive exterior, cabin, technology, and safety upgrades on the refreshed S70 RS range at RM15,000.**

What Are the Powertrain and Performance Specifications?

Both Proton S70 RS variants retain the i-GT 1.5TD turbocharged engine paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, delivering 181PS and 290Nm of torque. The powertrain achieves a claimed zero-to-100kph acceleration time of 7.5 seconds and a rated fuel consumption figure of 5.7 litres per 100km.

Refinements to the engine include a toothed timing chain engineered to operate with reduced noise compared to a conventional timing chain. Drivers can also tailor vehicle response using the built-in Adaptive Driving Mode according to specific road conditions and driving preferences.

**The Proton S70 RS produces 181PS and 290Nm from an i-GT 1.5TD engine, accelerating from 0 to 100kph in 7.5 seconds.**

What Are the Differences Between the RS Premium and Sportline?

The Proton S70 RS Sportline variant adds distinctive styling and premium cabin appointments over the RS Premium model, while both variants share identical mechanical underpinnings. Exterior additions on the Sportline comprise Quartz Black accents, red brake callipers, side skirts with an 'S' emblem, and a rear diffuser with quad exhaust finishers.

Both variants receive a redesigned front grille and bumper, sculpted bonnet, revised rear bumper, automatic LED headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, dark grey 17-inch alloy wheels, an LED rear light bar, and Walk Away Auto Lock. Inside, the Premium features an all-black interior, whereas the Sportline incorporates a dual-tone cabin with red stitching, red seatbelts, 256-colour rhythmic ambient lighting, an illuminated centre console, exclusive door scuff plates, security and solar tint, and a front digital video recorder (DVR).

**The Proton S70 RS Sportline exclusively features Quartz Black exterior elements, red brake callipers, quad exhaust finishers, and a dual-tone cabin with 256-colour ambient lighting.**

What Cabin Technology and Connectivity Features Are Included?

The Proton S70 RS cabin introduces a 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen with a 16:9 widescreen layout, replacing the previous 12.3-inch unit. It supports wireless Apple CarPlay, built-in navigation, music streaming via Spotify, JOOX, and SYOK, TikTok video playback, weather updates, and split-screen multitasking, with wireless Android Auto integration arriving by January 2027.

Physical controls for air-conditioning functions, such as fan speed, temperature adjustment, and rear defroster operation, remain intact on the dashboard. A new Commander Dial on the centre console controls audio volume, ambient lighting, desktop selection, and drive modes. Shifting the gear selector to a column-mounted design frees centre console space to accommodate an illuminated 10-litre storage cubby. The cabin also includes an 8.88-inch TFT instrument cluster, six-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, wireless phone charging, five USB ports, and six speakers.

Voice commands via 'Hi Proton' support both Bahasa Melayu and English for operating windows, air-conditioning, music, and navigation. In addition, the Proton Link 2.0 application offers Huawei Watch integration, enabling remote vehicle management for the engine, air-conditioning, door locks, windows, boot, horn, and headlights.

**The refreshed Proton S70 RS features a 14.6-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and scheduled Android Auto support arriving in January 2027.**

What Driver Assistance and Safety Features Are Fitted?

Both Proton S70 RS variants are equipped with Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) providing 15 active safety functions. The suite includes Autonomous Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Intelligent Cruise Control, Lane Centering Control, Lane Departure Prevention, Blind Spot Detection, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

The full 15-function ADAS suite also comprises Front Departure Alert (FDA), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Traffic Sign Information (TSI), Intelligent High Beam Control (IHBC), Lane Change Assist (LCA), Door Opening Warning (DOW), and Rear Collision Warning (RCW). Additional safety equipment includes a 540-degree high-definition camera system, tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and six SRS airbags.

Structural integrity is supported by a body frame constructed with over 60% high-strength steel and 6% hot-stamped steel. Testing conducted in October 2023 awarded the original Proton S70 a five-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating.

**The Proton S70 RS includes a 15-function Level 2 ADAS suite, a 540-degree camera, six airbags, and a five-star ASEAN NCAP rating.**

How It Compares for Malaysian Users

The Proton S70 refresh reshapes the line-up for Malaysian buyers by replacing the outgoing 1.5TD Premium, Flagship, and Flagship X models with the RS Premium and RS Sportline. Malaysian customers opting for the entry-level naturally aspirated Lite and Prime variants will not receive the RS styling and technological upgrades.

The table below outlines how the refreshed RS variants compare with the outgoing turbocharged models and existing specifications:

**Proton has replaced the previous S70 1.5TD Premium, Flagship, and Flagship X with the RS Premium and Sportline, while keeping the naturally aspirated Lite and Prime unchanged.**

Common Questions

How much does the Proton S70 RS cost in Malaysia?

**Proton has not yet announced official pricing for the refreshed S70 RS line-up, stating that prices and full market specifications will be revealed on launch day in approximately a month.** However, Proton values the styling, technology, and safety equipment upgrades at RM15,000.

Does the Proton S70 RS support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

Yes, the Proton S70 RS supports wireless Apple CarPlay through its new 14.6-inch infotainment head unit. However, wireless Android Auto connectivity is scheduled to become available later, with Proton confirming rollout by January 2027 alongside built-in music streaming apps and navigation.

Will the naturally aspirated Proton S70 variants receive the RS upgrades?

No, the naturally aspirated Proton S70 Lite and Prime variants will not receive the RS upgrades. Proton is keeping those entry models unchanged, reserving the styling refresh, 14.6-inch screen, Level 2 ADAS additions, and toothed timing chain exclusively for the turbocharged RS models.

Sources and Methodology

This article references reporting by CarSifu detailing Proton's official announcement of the refreshed S70 RS range. All specifications, variant details, equipment upgrades, and launch timelines are sourced directly from the original report published on 13 November 2026, with monetary values retained in Ringgit Malaysia without secondary conversion.

**All technical specifications and upgrade valuations are taken directly from CarSifu's coverage of the Proton S70 RS refresh.**

Original report: CarSifu

This article is based on the source report above and was last updated on 13 November 2026.