Proton is slowly but steadily deploying the new 1.5-litre i-GT four-cylinder petrol engine into more of its models. The deployment started with the 2025 Proton X50 in turbo form, followed by the 2026 Proton Saga in naturally-aspirated form.
Now, a spyshot of the Proton S70 MC has emerged, in which Proton’s C-segment sedan could very well be the next candidate to receive this updated engine.
Seen here is the updated Proton S70 MC finished in Ruby Red, wearing new alloy wheels and donning updated headlights. Yes, changes to the latter two are subtle, but when compared to the outgoing S70, the changes can be seen.
Read Also: First Drive: 2025 Proton X50 – How’s the new 1.5L 4-cyd engine like?
For example, the lines that extend into the spokes of the wheels are now shorter as opposed to the outgoing S70. Ditto for the headlights, which now get revised turn indicators that cut across the inner part of the headlights. Thankfully the projector LEDs are maintained, at least on this car.
Visual changes aside, the headlining feature of the updated Proton S70 MC would be the discontinuation of the 3-pot engine in favour of the X50’s 4-pot unit.
Codenamed BHE15TD, this new engine outputs 181 PS and 290 Nm, 31 PS and 64 Nm higher than before. Versus the Honda Civic, the S70 MC is 1 PS down, but offers 50 Nm more torque than the Civic.
What should remain unchanged is the transmission: the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic should be the same as before. Whether or not Proton offers a naturally-aspirated version of the S70 to replace the now-discontinued Proton Persona remains to be seen.
