By now you’ve probably seen the Proton S70, if you haven’t, we’ve detailed its full specifications and variants along with a live gallery here. Anyway, today’s topic is about the powertrain.

We know that the sedan gets the 1.5-litre, port-injected 3-cylinder petrol unit found in the non-Flagship variants of the Proton X50, which outputs 150 PS and 226 Nm.

This has sparked inquiries about Proton's decision not to opt for the more potent 177 PS/255 Nm direct-injection 1.5 TGDi engine, like those used in the X50 Flagship and X70 models.

Proton deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah sheds light on the choice, stating, "When we develop this car, we have targets to meet, in terms of fuel consumption, performance, and handling. Going through these targets, we have realized that the [port injection] 1.5T is sufficient in meeting our targets for this vehicle."

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While the 1.5T engine appears suitable for the S70 based on Proton's calculations, Roslan hints at the possibility of exploring different engine specifications in the future. He remarks, "That’s why we chose the 1.5T, and any other options [would be] a plus for us in the future."

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On the more affordable end of the S70 price spectrum, when asked about a cheaper engine, such as the naturally aspirated 1.5-litre unit found in the Geely Emgrand, Roslan explains, "We believe that the 1.5T engine, along with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, will provide a better driving experience."

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He cites concerns about the suitability of a naturally aspirated engine for the C-segment, especially considering Malaysia's hilly terrain. Additionally, Roslan highlights that the base 1.5 NA is prepared for turbocharging and the aftermarket will otherwise offer turbocharging options.

"If we don’t [offer the turbocharged engine], the aftermarket will offer turbos. Instead of giving away the [turbo segment] business, it is better we sapu (tackle the market) first,” he said.

On the topic of a potential hybrid for the Proton S70, the company replied, “Not at the moment.”

Also read: Proton Deputy CEO on the Proton S70's launch: We have enough SUVs in the market