2026 Proton S70 MC1 shown – i-GT 4-cyl, new headlights and wheels, bodykit with red lines, Giti tyres

The slow trickle of information of the 2026 Proton S70 continues, with dealer CS Prima Auto in Georgetown posting the first images of the mildly updated sedan. The photos give us a detailed look at the few changes coming ahead of the car’s launch.

As expected, the car looks almost identical to the old one, echoing a similarly minor refresh for the Geely Emgrand in 2024. The LED headlights have been very slightly tweaked, and they are actually a downgrade from the previous model‘s, equipped with halogen reflector indicators.

These were previously integrated into the eyebrow-like LED daytime running lights, which have been retained. The turn signals take the place of the old high beams near the inner edge, so the projectors are likely doing double duty now, integrating both the low and high beams.

Also new are the Flagship’s 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels, again almost identical to the outgoing ones but with a more blade-like design for the spokes. It’s here where you’ll find another downgrade, as the Kumho Ecowing ES31 tyres have been swapped out for GitiComfort F22 rubber. This is the third tyre choice for the S70, which originally ran Goodyear Assurance Triplemax 2s before the Goodyear plant in Shah Alam was closed – a similar swap was performed for the 2026 X70 after the Continental plant closure.

Lastly, the 2026 S70 will see the debut of a new bodykit, featuring “fangs” framing the air intake, red highlights all around and a boot lid lip spoiler with a sizeable centre cutout. It remains to be seen if this will be fitted as standard on the top variants (at least for a limited time, as was the case for the current car) or offered as a cost option.

The interior is virtually unchanged from the current S70, retaining the horizontal dashboard with a full-width air vent design, broad centre console topped by a T-shaped gearlever, the 10.25-inch instrument display and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and even the black faux leather seats. Curiously, the car continues to lack a speed limiter button on the steering wheel, different from every other Proton model with adaptive cruise control. Buyers can also expect wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to be added (finally).

The biggest change is actually something you can’t see in these images – a 1.5 litre i-GT four-cylinder engine. In turbo direct-injected BHE15-EFZ guise, it makes 181 PS and 290 Nm of torque, a considerable 31 PS/64 Nm jump over the previous port-injected GEP3 three-cylinder. A seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission is set to return.

In addition, rumours suggest that entry-level variants are set to receive the Saga‘s 120 PS/150 Nm naturally-aspirated and port-injected BHE15-CFN mill, similar to what was introduced to the Chinese-market Emgrand last year. This is expected to lower the starting price, enabling the S70 to indirectly replace the Persona, which will bow out this year.

Whereas the Emgrand pairs this engine with a CVT with eight virtual ratios, the S70 will likely come with the Saga’s Punch CVT with no such function, although it may gain a torque converter for a smoother and more instant power delivery. Similar to the 2026 X70, the S70 could also be on the receiving end of some Proton ride and handling tweaks – even if it will still come with torsion beam rear suspension.

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