The Proton S70 was launched towards the end of last year, bringing a new sedan model to the brand’s line-up, and has collected some 1,200 bookings as of its launch at the end of November 2023.
Healthy demand is in order for the sedan, though what about those who would like something of a similar size but which is more utilitarian? There already has been the Arena, otherwise known as the Jumbuck in markets such as Australia. Here, visual rendering whiz Theophilus Chin has given his take on what an S70-based ute could look like.
Starting at the rear of the Arena, which is the business end of any ute – Theophilus has looked to the wider Geely group for inventory, taking the tailgate and tail lamp assembly from the unibody Radar RD6 pick-up truck. ‘Proton’ lettering on the Arena rendition takes the place of Radar branding on the real-life model that offers its design elements, and the Arena similarly gets a faux diffuser beneath its rear bumper.
Moving along its cargo tray, the panel sculpting that is slightly squared on the Radar RD6 is substituted with the more conventionally rounded set from the S70 sedan, and in staying true to the Arena’s original form, this S70-based rendition is also made in a two-door, single-cab layout.
Further towards the front, Theophilus’ Arena rendition essentially carries over the front end of the S70, and in doing so, also mirrors the parallel between the Arena and the Wira, with which the real-life ute shares its frontal styling. Theoretically, shared underpinnings could mean that an S70-based ute would possibly bring the same powertrain choices offered on the sedan.
Speaking of which, the S70 in real life, being based on the Geely Emgrand, takes on the Geely BMA platform which brings it the powertrain from the Proton X50. Whereas the Emgrand gets a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine and CVT combination in other markets, the S70 in Malaysia is specified with a 1.5L port-injected three-cylinder engine with 150 PS and 226 Nm, paired with a dual-clutch transmission, and so that would, in theory, be the natural powerplant for this Arena.
Now, for that question – how many of you would buy one?
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this matches the Multipla for sheer ugliness. Dear God. Proton please ignore this post haha
Nobody interested on Deodorant Chin piece of crap drawing
Another useless article.
IF raining these NEW Areana when doing U-turn the car will BUANG. Next the syiok Sendiri Guy will sketch the wheelbase longer with his CAD toy
Sedan based utes are common in Australia. They even race them. Yes they can be tail happy but they are not a hazard when operated with common sense. There’s even a high performance version called the HSV Maloo with a 6.2L LS9 making almost 600hp. And all of them are rear wheel drive.
If the price is right, I would buy one if it comes with a decent proven engine with good handling and safe brakes!! This car, as is, is quite special. Looks is a matter of taste. Sadly, Proton is unlikely to be brave enough, me thinks.
suitable, Rakyat’s farmer car.
Oh look, another low class article brought to you by the low class rendering by the boring Theo.
To answer the question, No, I wouldn’t buy it. So would most of the Malaysians, the the sale of Arena is anything to go by.
Just make a proper pickup truck. Not half assed S70. Why bother make ugly car again? Haven’t we passed the line of proof of concept? Make a decent truck. Dont just cut cars and tell us it is a pickup truck. We are better than this. If not, might as well cut every malaysian car in half. And call it jumbuck. Go la, imagine myvi cut in half, alza cut, x50 cut, x70 cut, preve cut, suprima cut, beautiful right? Prcatical right? Brave my ass. Daring my ass.
If 4 seater I will buy immediately. 2 seater not practical. useless
Price right and sell it to Australian market. It will sell well there, not in Malaysian market.
Dear Paultan,
Stop making an article from all these rendering nerd la.
It’s useless & pointless
Pickup lebih sesuai Dari platform x90… Single cab or double cab… Single jadi pilihan Aku..
nk tau harga
U pay higher toll rate
A lot is misunderstood about Ute’s function as an affordable workhorse first introduced by Subaru. Or some other companies before that. It’s meant for light carrier and cost efficient loading with fuel efficiency of a sedan. If it actually makes sense. Not in Malaysia, it may not sell well. The people are not so keen on it. Rather prefer the full back covered. I personally would find it a good choice given that it helps to load items and saves passenger space when always on the road alone. Lighten the burden to half and save more on fuel consumption. But maintenance,… Hmm… What’s the cost now ? That’s a major concern.
Dont know why the comments so negative. It’s just a what if? As for me, I would 100% buy it if the price is right. Looks cool imo.