Proton has officially released the turbocharged version of the Geely Emgrand for the Malaysian market. Called the 2024 Proton S70, it uses the same platform and largely sports the same outline as the Geely model, albeit with some stark differences.
The 2024 Proton S70 for the Malaysian market
The key element that sets the S70 apart from its Geely cousin is its 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-3 gasoline engine. It does have the same displacement, but the Emgrand’s powerplant is naturally aspirated and has one more cylinder.
On paper, the S70 is far peppier than the Emgrand due to those differences. At maximum, the Proton model can churn out 148 horsepower and 226 Nm of torque. Power is sent to its front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The S70's turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-3 gasoline engine.
Compare that to the Emgrand, which outputs 102 horsepower and 142 Nm of torque. The locally available Geely also uses a continuously variable transmission.
As mentioned above, the S70 features a similar silhouette to the Emgrand. However, it ditches the Geely’s vertical slatted grille for one that features a combination of a mesh pattern and pins. The car likewise replaces the Geely logo with Proton’s tiger emblem for the front, and Proton lettering for the rear, for obvious reasons.
A majority of exterior features though, were carried over from the Emgrand. Depending on the variant, it likewise sports two-tone 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, and LED taillights.
A view of the S70's rear section
The turbocharged Proton sedan’s interior also borrows most of the look and feature set of the Emgrand’s cabin. It is also kitted out with a sunroof, leather seats, power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, among others.
The Malaysian company, however, opted to give it a new flat-bottom steering wheel, as well as a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen that can handle smartphone linking, as well as connecting to 4G networks. Of note, the Emgrand gets a smaller eight-inch infotainment screen for all three of its trims.
A peek inside the S70
Like the Geely we’re familiar with, the S70 has a comprehensive standard safety kit comprised of six airbags, anti-lock braking, stability control, traction control, hill-start assist, tire pressure monitoring, and an engine immobilizer.
However, the Malaysian market turbo sedan one-ups the locally available Emgrand with a suite of advanced driver-assist technologies. Higher-spec trims of the Proton S70 get autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, rear collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist and centering, and intelligent high-beam control, a 360-degree view camera among others.
Price-wise, the Proton S70 starts at 73,800 Malaysian Ringgit, which is around Php 879,500 before taxes and other fees.
It gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen
Would you want to see a turbocharged Geely Emgrand in the local market? Should Geely Philippines update the Emgrand with a turbocharged engine?
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