Proton Unveils S70 R3 for 2024 Sepang 1000km race

KUALA LUMPUR:  Proton has officially pulled the wraps off its latest racing contender, the S70 R3, set to compete in the upcoming 2024 Sepang 1000km endurance race.

The vehicle, first hinted at during the Malaysia Autoshow in May 2024 and previewed in a development video on the company's social media channels earlier this month, has now been showcased in its final form ahead of its racing livery application.

Established in 2003, Proton's R3 division—standing for Race, Rally, Research—has been the automaker's factory-supported motorsports arm. Over the past two decades, R3 has successfully campaigned various Proton models both domestically and internationally in racing and rally events.

The division has also leveraged its motorsport experience to develop performance-enhancing components and limited-edition models for consumers. More recently, R3 has expanded into the lubricants market, offering performance oils under its brand.

The S70 R3 continues Proton's tradition of developing motorsport versions of its models—a lineage that predates the formation of R3. Past racing iterations have included models like the original Saga, Wira, Satria, Waja, Satria Neo, Preve, Suprima S, Iriz, and the current Saga.

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With the introduction of the S70 R3, Proton and its R3 division are venturing into new territory by campaigning a car co-developed with Geely, just a year after its market debut.

With less than seven weeks remaining until the race weekend scheduled for November 22-24, final preparations are in full swing to ensure both the cars and the R3 team are ready for the challenge ahead.

Proton holds the record as the most successful original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in the 15-year history of the Sepang 1000km event, boasting six wins. The R3 team is the most successful team with five victories, including a hat-trick from 2017 to 2019.

"Having not competed in the last three Sepang 1000km races, Proton is excited to be back on the starting grid in 2024. The Proton S70 R3 marks a new milestone for the brand as we take a model developed together with Geely into the heat of competition for the very first time. A lot of challenges had to be overcome to get to this point with a number of modifications made to the standard car to ensure it met the regulations set, but thanks to our dedicated team at R3, we have managed to meet our goal of being ready for the race in November," said Roslan Abdullah, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Proton.

The Proton S70 is the company's first entry into the C-segment sedan category since the Preve, which debuted in 2012. Launched on November 28, 2023, the S70 has become the undisputed sales leader in its segment for the year, with nearly 15,000 units registered by the end of September 2024.

Equipped with a 1.5T engine paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), the S70 also features Proton's signature voice command function and 13 Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) at level 2.

Following extensive development work by Proton and Geely's engineering teams, the S70 is widely recognized for offering exceptional driver engagement in its class.

"Despite being a new car, Proton is taking the challenge to field two units of the S70 R3 in the race instead of using a proven older model as a backup. We are determined to prove the abilities of the newest Proton sedan model on the racetrack and while we expect competition from teams who have actively competed the last three years, it is our belief the lessons learnt in racing will translate to us building better cars for our customers in the future," added Roslan Abdullah.

With Proton's rich motorsport heritage and a strong commitment to innovation, the return to the Sepang 1000km race with the new S70 R3 promises to be a significant milestone for the Malaysian automaker.

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