Proton has officially revealed the car it will field in the 2024 Sepang 1000km race, aiming to extend its record of six victories in Malaysia’s premier endurance event. The Proton S70 R3 was first teased at the 2024 Malaysia Autoshow in May, with a development video shared on social media in early October. Now, Proton has released images of the final version of the car, though its racing livery is yet to be applied.
Proton R3, the automaker’s motorsports division, was established in 2003. Standing for Race, Rally, Research, R3 has successfully competed both domestically and internationally, honing their expertise in motorsports to enhance their road cars. R3 has also developed performance parts and limited-edition models for customers, with its recent ventures expanding into performance lubricants under the R3 brand.
The Proton S70 R3 is the latest addition to Proton’s long history in motorsports, which dates back before the formation of R3. This legacy includes models like the original Proton Saga, Wira, Satria, Waja, Satria Neo, Preve, Suprima S, Iriz, and the current version of the Saga. The S70, co-developed with Geely and introduced to the market just a year ago, represents a significant step forward for Proton’s motorsports division.
With less than seven weeks before the Sepang 1000km race on 22-24 November, Proton and the R3 team are finalizing preparations to ensure they are race-ready. Proton is the most successful manufacturer in the event’s 15-year history, with six overall wins. Meanwhile, R3 has claimed five team victories, including a streak of three consecutive wins from 2017 to 2019.
“After a three-year absence from the Sepang 1000km, Proton is excited to be back on the starting grid in 2024,” said Roslan Abdullah, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Proton. “The Proton S70 R3 marks a new milestone for the brand, as we take a model co-developed with Geely into competition for the first time. Overcoming challenges to meet race regulations required several modifications, but thanks to the dedicated R3 team, we are ready for November.”
The Proton S70, which debuted on 28 November 2023, is the brand’s first C-segment sedan since the Proton Preve (launched in 2012). With nearly 15,000 units registered by September 2024, the S70 is the top seller in its segment. It is powered by a 1.5T engine paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) and features Proton’s signature voice command system and 13 ADAS Level 2 technologies. The car has also garnered praise for delivering the most engaging driving experience in its class, following extensive development by Proton and Geely engineers.
Despite the S70’s relative newness, Proton has committed to fielding two units of the S70 R3 in the race, foregoing the option of using older, proven models. “We’re determined to showcase the capabilities of our latest sedan on the racetrack,” Roslan added. “While we expect strong competition from teams that have raced continuously over the past three years, we believe the lessons we learn will ultimately help us build better cars for our customers.” 
