> Quick view: Proton's two new entry-level S70 variants, the 1.5 Lite and 1.5 Prime, launched on 22 September 2026 with an RM3,000 "early bird reward". If you book and register the car by 31 December 2026, the Lite costs RM56,800 and the Prime RM59,800 on the road without insurance in Peninsular Malaysia. The word to watch is "register": the car has to be registered before the year ends, and Proton says it took more than 10,000 bookings for the pair in the first two weeks.

The S70 is Proton's family sedan, and until this month it came only with the 1.5 turbo engine (181PS, 290Nm, 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox). Proton's own page for the turbo S70 now lists it from RM79,800. The Lite and Prime swap in a naturally aspirated 1.5 i-GT engine with 120PS and 150Nm, paired with a CVT that uses a torque converter instead of a clutch. That brings the S70's entry price down by more than RM20,000. Proton says the S70 has averaged more than 2,500 sales a month in 2026, and order books for the two new variants opened on 7 September, two weeks before the official launch.

Everything below was read from Proton's launch statement and its S70 Prime/Lite model page on proton.com on 27 September 2026.

The prices, before and after the rebate

All prices are on the road without insurance.

  • S70 1.5 Lite, Peninsular Malaysia: RM59,800, or RM56,800 after the rebate.
  • S70 1.5 Lite, East Malaysia: RM61,800, or RM58,800 after the rebate.
  • S70 1.5 Prime, Peninsular Malaysia: RM62,800, or RM59,800 after the rebate.
  • S70 1.5 Prime, East Malaysia: RM64,800, or RM61,800 after the rebate.

Colours are Quartz Black, Marine Blue, Space Grey, Snow White and Armour Silver. On the Lite, RM3,000 is about 5% of the pre-rebate price.

How to get the RM3,000, step by step

  1. Test drive and pick a variant at any Proton authorised outlet. The dealer locator is on proton.com, and Proton's customer care line is 1-800-88-8398.
  2. Ask for the delivery estimate in writing for your exact variant and colour before paying the booking fee. The rebate depends on the car being registered by 31 December, so a January delivery could cost you RM3,000.
  3. Book, and check the sales order shows the RM3,000 early bird reward. Proton publishes the "price after rebate", which suggests it comes off the on-the-road price, but confirm how it appears on your paperwork.
  4. Get your loan approved quickly. The car cannot be registered until financing is approved and a unit is allocated to you. Submit your payslips and bank statements on the day you book.
  5. Take delivery with the plate registered before 31 December 2026. If the dealer says registration will slip into 2027, ask in writing what happens to the rebate before you continue.

What the extra RM3,000 for the Prime buys

The gap between Lite and Prime is also RM3,000. According to Proton's model page and launch-day reports from the motoring press, the Prime adds:

  • Automatic LED headlamps. The Lite has halogen headlamps with LED daytime running lights.
  • 17-inch alloy wheels instead of 16-inch.
  • Auto-folding side mirrors.
  • Leatherette seats and a leatherette steering wheel instead of fabric.
  • Automatic air-conditioning.
  • Front parking sensors, on top of the rear sensors and reverse camera both variants get.

Both variants carry six airbags, stability control, an electric parking brake with auto brake hold, remote engine start, one-touch windows with anti-trap, an 8-inch touchscreen, a rear seat reminder, and a radar pack that warns you about cars in your blind spot, cars crossing behind you when reversing, and cars approaching as you open a door. Neither has autonomous emergency braking or lane-keeping assist. Proton's statement says equipment "varies by variant", so check the spec sheet at the showroom for the car you are actually signing for.

Our take: if you drive at night on unlit trunk roads or park in tight condo basements, the LED headlamps and front sensors alone justify the Prime. If the car is mostly a daytime commuter, the Lite gives you the same engine, safety kit and cabin space for less.

Worked examples: the monthly payment

Proton advertises financing of up to nine years from 2.35% a year, subject to approval. One thing to ask first: since the Hire-Purchase (Amendment) Act took effect on 1 June 2026, new car loans are supposed to quote an effective rate on a reducing balance, but lenders have until 31 March 2027 to switch systems. So ask whether the 2.35% you are offered is a flat rate or an effective rate, because it changes the maths a lot. These examples assume 10% down.

  • Lite at RM56,800: RM5,680 down, RM51,120 borrowed over nine years. At a flat 2.35%, that is RM573.44 a month and RM10,811.88 in total interest. At an effective 2.35%, it is about RM525.61 a month and about RM5,646 in interest.
  • Prime at RM59,800: RM5,980 down, RM53,820 borrowed over nine years. Flat: RM603.73 a month, RM11,382.93 interest. Effective: about RM553.37 a month, about RM5,944 interest.
  • Nine years versus seven (Lite, flat 2.35%): seven years costs RM708.68 a month and RM8,409.24 in interest. The two extra years lower the instalment by about RM135 a month but add about RM2,403 of interest.

Insurance is not in any of these prices, so budget for that in year one. If you have an old car to trade in, Proton's Pro-Trade-In offers overtrade support of up to RM2,000.

Who it suits, and who should skip it

It suits families who want the S70's wide cabin and near-flat rear floor, where three adults can sit side by side, without paying turbo money. It also suits drivers who never liked dual-clutch gearboxes in stop-go traffic, since the torque converter CVT is built for smooth crawling. First-time buyers upgrading from a used compact get a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty with six free labour services as standard.

Skip it, or at least test drive the turbo too, if you often drive with a full car up to Genting or Cameron Highlands. 120PS moving a sedan this size with five people on board will feel modest on long climbs. Skip it as well if autonomous emergency braking is on your must-have list, because neither variant has it.

Fine print that trips people up

  • Book AND register by 31 December 2026. Booking alone does not qualify.
  • Prices are on the road without insurance, and the headline numbers are Peninsular. Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan buyers pay RM2,000 more.
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are listed as "available from October 2026". Ask whether a car delivered before then gets it through an update.
  • "From 2.35%" is a starting rate. Your approved rate depends on your credit profile and loan tenure.
  • Six free services cover labour only. Parts, oil and filters are still on you.
  • Overtrade is "up to RM2,000". The actual figure depends on the car you trade in.

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*Image: PROTON*