2027 Proton S70 RS unveiled – column shifter, larger head unit, sportier styling

Proton has unveiled the 2027 Proton S70 RS, with RS standing for Refined Sportiness, giving the sedan a bolder and sportier identity. Guided by the theme “Performance with Style”, the 2027 Proton S70 RS builds on its already respectable performance figures with a range of exterior and interior enhancements. No official pricing or information on whether the model will be offered as a limited-production variant has been announced yet.

According to Proton, the design direction centres on elevating the S70 from sporty to sports-focused, with sharper detailing, contrasting accents and purposeful proportions giving the sedan a more assertive stance.

Starting with the front, the grille has been redesigned and now features rectangular chrome elements, complemented by a red ‘S’ emblem. With the grille now larger, the front bumper has also been redesigned to look sportier, featuring a black front splitter with red accents that run across the blacked-out sections on either side.

Moving to the sides, the sporty black side skirts with red accents and another red ‘S’ emblem catch the eye. However, these are quickly overshadowed by the 17-inch, Alfa Romeo-inspired five-spoke alloy wheels finished in black, accompanied by red brake callipers. The door handles and side mirrors are also finished in black.

At the rear, the Proton S70 RS features a redesigned bumper and diffuser, accompanied by quad exhaust tips for an even sportier appearance. There is also an additional ‘RS’ emblem positioned beside the ‘S70’ badge. The rear spoiler, meanwhile, appears to be carried over from the 2026 Proton S70 MC, which was launched earlier this year.

Inside, the RS treatment goes beyond simply adding red stitching and RS logos to the upholstery. The Proton S70 RS features a dual-tone black and red colour scheme across the seats, dashboard and door cards. Even the seatbelts are finished in red. Among the more notable changes are a larger central infotainment touchscreen, a floating centre console and ambient lighting along the front passenger-side dashboard.

The gear selector has also been relocated behind the steering wheel, similar to the arrangement found in the Proton X50 facelift. Dubbed the Automatic Column Shifter by Proton, this frees up space on the centre console, allowing the addition of a rotary Commander Dial within easy reach of the driver.

However, Proton has yet to reveal the specific functions of the rotary dial. Given the RS variant’s sporty positioning, it could potentially be used to select driving modes, which are currently accessible only through the infotainment screen in the standard Proton S70.

Under the bonnet, the Proton S70 RS retains the i-GT 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) that drives the front wheels. With a maximum power output of 181 PS and 290 Nm of torque, the four-door sedan can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.5 seconds.

According to Proton, further details of the S70 RS will be shared through media collaborations, social media content, and on-ground events as the model approaches its official launch.