With over 5,000 bookings collected so far, the recently launched 2024 Proton S70 looks to be one of Malaysia’s hottest cars in 2024.
More than just a simple badge engineering of the Geely Emgrand, the Proton S70 uses a different powertrain compared to its Chinese donor, crucially the 150 PS/226 Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder and 7-speed DCT transmission, the same as 1.5T variants of the Proton X50.
Also read: The hottest sedan in Malaysia? Here are all the prices and specs of the 2024 Proton S70 variants
However, the Proton S70’s manual mode works by toggling the gearshifter right (+, for an upshift) and left (-, for a downshift) instead of an up and down in the Proton X50 and many other vehicle models.
Why is this?
At the ongoing S70 media test drive, CEO of Proton Edar and Deputy CEO of Proton, Roslan Abdullah explained, “Basically, that is the design that came over from the Geely Emgrand, which is similar to the Proton X90 and also Volvo models.”
Also read: Priced from RM 74k, the Proton S70 launches in Malaysia; 1.5T 3cyl, Level 2 ADAS
Given the Geely-Volvo partnership, it makes sense that Geely adopted the same manual mode gearshift pattern seen on Volvo models such as the Volvo XC40 and XC90 before that, to name a few.
It is also worth noting that all newer models underpinned by the Geely-developed B-Segment Modular Architecture (BMA) platform share the same gearshift pattern, this includes the Proton S70 and other models such as the Geely Icon, and Lynk & Co 06.
So, whilst the Proton S70’s shift pattern is adapted from the Emgrand, it’s safe to say Volvo first inspired it. Stay tuned for more exciting news on the Proton S70.
Source: Manual mode in the 2024 Proton S70 – Why is it left and right instead of up and down?