The Proton S70 R3 S1K Racecar Is ALMOST Ready To Race!

The Proton S70 R3 S1K Concept racecar shown earlier this year at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024 (MAS 2024).

Earlier this year at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024 (MAS 2024), national automaker Proton showed a concept racecar version of its new Proton S70 C-segment sedan for the first time.

Christened as the Proton S70 R3 S1K Concept then, it showed Proton’s clear intent at reclaiming its title in the annual Sepang 1000 KM (S1K) endurance event. Moreover, it also showed that Proton’s renowned R3 (Race, Rally & Research) division hasn’t sat idle over the years too.

Now, said racecar has already evolved from concept to a proper build, which was shown via an exciting teaser video released on the national automaker’s official Facebook page late yesterday. In it, we can see the built-up racecar undergoing a ‘shakedown’ at Proton’s Shah Alam test track.

Additionally, thanks to a LinkedIn post by a member of the automaker’s upper management, we’ve also acquired some images of the S70 R3 S1K at building stage as well. From both, there are plenty of exciting things to note, some more surprising that others if we might add.

For now, the initial build lacks a livery, but expect the final version of the S70 R3 S1K to feature the same signature colours seen in its initial MAS 2024 concept – it’s basically the same livery Proton R3 used over the years to dress its previous Preve, Saga and Iriz S1K fighters.

This image shows the S70 R3 S1K in bone-stock form prior to a teardown and rebuild by Proton's renowned R3 division. (Image: LinkedIn)

The rebuild saw R3 engineers installing things like a full-blown roll cage plus race-approved fuel cell, amongst many other additions typically warranted of any racecar build. (Images: LinkedIn)

Typical of racecars, we can see R3 engineers have primed their new S70 racer with the usual racecar bits like a full roll cage and racing fuel cell, amongst many. Notable too is an image showing a bone-stock S70 unit before it was stripped down and rebuilt with the noted additions.

The latter is perhaps the strongest indicator that this racecar is indeed based on the regular production model – a typical requirement for select production-based racing disciplines and classes like the ones allowed in the annual S1K enduro.

Screenshots of the shakedown video shows interesting bits indicating that the S70 R3 S1K has perhaps adopted R3's 1.6-litre CamPro naturally aspirated 4-cyl race engine paired with a straight-cut, H-pattern manual racing transmission.

Now, what’s interesting to note here is what engine powers the S70 R3 S1K. Naturally, many would be expecting a race-prepared version of the production model’s 1.5-litre 3-cyl turbo petrol lump, but all signs indicate that this may NOT be the case.

As a refresher, the road-going version’s powerplant, which is mated to a 7-speed DCT automatic, offers up respectably peppy figures of 148 HP and 226 NM – they’re at least enough to warrant a look by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) for a possible future patrol car!

Instead, we believe that the S70 R3 S1K racecar seen in the shakedown video is powered by an R3-built CamPro mill, likely the 1.6-litre naturally aspirated unit derived from the division's previous Iriz R3 S1K racecar. Said unit was built to meet S1K’s MTC Class specifications, offering up close to 200 HP instead.

Moreover, you’ll also notice that the transmission paired to said mill appears to be a race-specific straight-cut H-pattern manual, and not the production version’s DCT box noted earlier. This choice was likely taken to ensure both racing performance and durability.

Expect the final build of the Proton S70 R3 S1K racecar to adopt R3's signature livery and colours as seen in the MAS 2024 concept.

Whilst both the engine and transmission swap sound extreme, we’ll highlight that this is a rather common practice amongst many production-based racing disciplines, depending on what’s allowed in their rules and regulations of course.

Nevertheless, given what’s shown in the shakedown teaser video, it looks like Proton is poised to return to its winning ways in circuit racing with its new S70 R3 S1K machine. Are you folks excited to see this S70 racecar’s final build? Share your thoughts below, and on our social media pages…