So, is the Proton S70 a B- or C-segment sedan? We’ve laid out the facts and figures in our media preview report’s Great Debate section, but here’s what Proton has to say, officially.
At the media preview, Mohd Haizam, vehicle program executive for engineering and technical, named the S70’s primary competitors as the Honda City, Toyota Vios and Nissan Almera. The sedan has ‘secondary competitors’ too, and unsurprisingly, the models are the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.
“In terms of capturing the market, I believe based on the performance of this car, we can somehow capture these two markets,” Mohd Haizam said, referring to B- and C-segment sedans. When asked why Proton did not bring the Civic and Corolla for comparison at the event, deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah said that the B-segment duo was presented as they served as a hint of the S70’s price, which will be revealed on November 28.
So there you have it, a car marketed as a C-segment sedan but priced to compete with B-segment ones. This is the same trick as the one used for the X70 – CR-V rival at HR-V pricing. Of course, the Proton-Geely models are smaller than the CR-V and Civic – they’re more of an in-between product – but salesmen will be able to use the “Civic rival at City price” good value pitch.
To recap, here are the facts and figures. The S70 is based on the Geely Emgrand, which sits on the BMA platform. That’s the B-segment X50’s platform; in fact, everyone thought that the SS11 would be called S50 till we saw spyshots of the S70 badge last month. The Emgrand has a 1.5 litre NA engine/CVT combo elsewhere – 1.5L CVT is of course the ASEAN B-segment default set by the Vios/City.
But Proton has plonked in a 1.5 litre turbo engine and dual-clutch gearbox in place of the 1.5L NA CVT. Think 1.5T, think Honda Civic, right? However, this is the 1.5-litre port-injected three-cylinder engine that powers the X50 Standard to Premium, and not the 177 PS/255 Nm 1.5L TGDi unit in the X50 Flagship and X70 MC. It makes 150 PS/226 Nm, which is 32 PS/14 Nm less than the Civic’s 1.5L VTEC Turbo unit.
Dimensions wise, the Emgrand is 4,638 mm long and 1,822 mm wide, with a 2,650 mm wheelbase. That’s 58 mm longer and 74 mm wider than a Honda City, and the S70’s wheelbase is 50 mm longer too. In fact, the S70 is longer and wider than the Preve and Inspira, Proton’s previous two C-segment sedans.
But cars have grown in size, and a Civic then (FB, when the Preve was launched) isn’t the same as a Civic now. On that note, today’s Civic FE is 40 mm longer than the S70, and the Honda’s 2,735 mm wheelbase is 85 mm longer. The Civic’s WB advantage over the S70 is more than the Proton’s advantage over the City. All of the Civic, Toyota Corolla and Mazda 3 are also lower slung than the S70, giving them sportier proportions.
The S70 will come in four variants, but we’ll call it ‘3+’. Unlike the X50, there’s no Standard variant, and the sedan’s range starts from Executive. The mid-level spec is Premium and the top one is the Flagship. The Flagship X makes it four, but the only difference the ‘X’ brings is a sunroof and an exclusive Quartz Black paint option.
We’ve already detailed the Proton S70, gave you a through walk-around tour and shared our first impressions test drive notes – the only mystery left is the price. Expect a price range that covers the RM70+k to RM100k ground, which is currently Honda City/Toyota Vios territory. Full details here.
GALLERY: Proton S70 1.5T Flagship X
GALLERY: Proton S70 presentation
GALLERY: Proton S70 official images
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Oh yeah? Can Proton also compete with Toyota in term of customer service? Sadly no :( There is a reason why the Veloz is doing well despite being a glorified Alza.
If Proton S70 really better than Vios, City, Altis, Civic then price it similar or higher than those competitors.
Let’s see how many units sold later.
S50: for slightly powerful/ upsized
City/Vios: for fuel economy/resale
So much dislikes from pLoton fanboy meh :) the fanbase as much as repulsive like the brand itself
Ohh let me put some 0w-20 ointment on your wound.
Good luck for 1 year waiting list
Then proton has made the wrong move…most B-segment buyers are looking for low FC n maintenance 4-cylinders NA n CVT which is more durable for long term driving instead of high FC n maintenance 3-cylinders turbo n DCT
That opinion highly contrast to the sale figure of the X50 which is a true B segment in size and price. Also, CVT is a disaster for car above 150hp and 200nm, as evident by the near 180hp Civic. I learnt that the hard way.
You have mistaken B segment as the “basement” where people shop cheap, since Merc also has offering in this.
But you are right that Malaysian shop by price bracket, not ABC segment. People who thinks They have the Camry budget could actually end up buying a A-Class.
So pricing of the S70 will determine its rivals, regardless you call it B or C segment
Got spare part or not?
Need buy 2 for spare part?
Vios and city still win best resale value.
If so confident how about remove the tax / price preference and let the prices float with all other cars, see if can still do as well. Don’t forget proton is still given special treatment when comes to prices.
Amen, brother.
Same.story when preve launched against vios and city. This good, turbo good, space good.. yada yada yada
so this is a B-segment compact Sedan
Let’see this S70 B-segment Sales King?
so X70 also B-segment SUV target HR-V now?
Proton owai! Proton owai! Proton owai!
This definitely sounds like Poco targets Samseng, Nonor,Wuawei flagships: iPhone secondary. LMAO!
The drag race is unfair. Putting a turbo against 2 NA engine. Why didnt throw on the Almera Turbo 1.0? Seems very fishy here.
Put Almera Turbo then later lose say not fair because 1.5T vs 1.0T. The drag race is just for cars with the same price bracket.
This is exactly how they positioned Savvy to compete with Myvi but claimed its different segment when it loses badly.
Same goes to Exora that wanting to be top overall MPV sales but claimed to target in C-segment MPV only when was losing to Alza.
Too late Proton, while u guys expect people to wait for price to be announce, Honda & Toyata already give tons of rebate this month so targeted Sedan buyer already go to Japanese car.
Which is a good thing since Honda & Toyota has been milking it customers until S70 about to come out. They felt the heat even before the price reveal. Poor those who bought it earlier.
but there were bmw 2 series and mercedes a class during the media preview though..