A facelifted Proton S70 MC1 is on the horizon, and details are emerging about the updated sedan, including a fresh 1.5L i-GT turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a Ruby Red exterior, and revised lighting and wheels. The information comes from a Proton S70 Malaysia Facebook post, following earlier sightings of a test mule and Proton’s confirmation that the refreshed model is in the works.
Design changes align the S70 with updates first seen on the fourth-generation Geely Emgrand, which received its own facelift in mid-2024. Notably, the S70 MC1 adopts redesigned headlamps with integrated turn signals, and the wheels resemble those used on the Emgrand. The exterior color will shift from Passion Red solid to a new Ruby Red metallic shade, giving the car a refreshed visual footprint.
Under the hood, Proton plans to fit the S70 MC1 with a new 1.5-litre i-GT turbocharged engine sourced from the updated X50 platform. This engine is part of a broader family update that also touches the X70 and X90, with the X50’s turbo delivering around 181 PS (178 hp) and 290 Nm of torque. By comparison, the current S70 uses a 1.5-litre turbo inline-three producing about 150 PS (148 hp) and 226 Nm. The transmission configuration has long been a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic driving the front wheels, and that setup is expected to carry over into the facelift.
There have been rumors that Proton may introduce a naturally aspirated engine option for the S70 MC1 to lower entry pricing and potentially fill a gap created by the Persona’s expected discontinuation. In the Chinese market, the Emgrand’s 1.5-litre NA engine paired with a CVT offers a different efficiency-oriented setup (126 PS and 152 Nm), suggesting Proton could explore similar variants for the S70 family.
Social media chatter indicates the S70 MC1 could debut next month, but official confirmations have not yet been issued. As more information becomes available, expect official details from Proton to clarify engine options, trim levels, pricing, and expected market timing.
Bottom line: the S70 MC1 represents a strategic refresh aimed at modernizing design cues, expanding engine options with a more potent 1.5L turbo, and introducing a new Ruby Red paint choice to keep the lineup competitive. The big questions going forward are whether Proton will add an NA option to broaden the entry price range and how closely the S70 MC1 will align with or diverge from the Emgrand’s latest specifications. What do you think—will the engineered performance gains justify the price bump, or should Proton prioritize a broader, more accessible variant differently?
