As a disclaimer, I’m not a car expert. I’m a customer. My first car was the Perodua Kenari. Then, I upgraded to the Proton Saga FLX. That has been my car for the last 10 years.
What I immediately noticed
The sales agent showed me the features of the car key. I could turn on the engine remotely, unlock the doors, and oddly enough, bring down the windows. I have zero clue how I’d even use that. At that point, a tiny voice appeared in my head. “I hope the inside is not full of gadgets I don’t need.”
The driving experience
Turning the car on and getting it ready to drive was alien to me. I had to learn a whole new system to prep myself for a drive. I learn quick, so it wasn’t a big issue. Then this happened. I put in drive, the car moved forward and I steered it to the right. The steering was super uncomfortable. There was zero feedback. This means I could easily, with zero effort, steer the car right or left. It sounds good right? Well… It disturbed my sense of driving. I couldn’t tell how much force I needed to steer the way I wanted. Worse, it felt like I could pull the steering wheel from its socket if I wanted to.
Taking the corner
I signaled, took a corner, and my eye caught a 3D model of the S70 spinning in place on the screen display. It threw me off and for a split second, I was distracted, as I was taking the corner— merging into the main road.
I asked the sales agent, “What was that 3D model about?” He told me it was the 360 camera activating.
The voice in my head grew louder. “Why would I need that?”
The gear knob
We finally circled back to the showroom. And we had to park.
I was looking forward to this. I pride myself on reverse parking. I can reverse park better than a forward park. I wanted to see what the Proton S70 can do. I had positioned myself diagonally from the space. A perfect angle.
I took into consideration the width and length of the S70’s body. My hand reached for the gear stick, but I felt a knob. I looked at the knob and realised, I had to do two flicks forward to put it in reverse. It looks nice but as a driver, the experience is horrible.
The Proton S70 is in reverse, ready for my command. Or so I thought. The display lit up, and I could see two different views. The rear camera view, predicting my angles based on my steering, and the 360 camera view, displaying how close the two cars are at my sides.
There was a lot of input. I lost touch with my perfect reversing skills. I had automatically relied on the display, and I was filled with shame. I failed a perfect reverse park.
I had to realign TWICE. It was then, I realised, the type of car I liked.
I was set to buy the Proton S70 until I drove it
Before this, I never gave much thought to what cars I liked and why I liked a specific brand. I love Malaysia and Proton will always be my car brand.
Now, I realised, why I loved my Proton Saga. And hated the Proton S70. The Saga allows you in the driver’s seat. You are the driver. The car is at your command. The better you are at driving, the better it performs.
The S70, does none of that. It babysits you into a driving experience that only it decides. It punishes your years worth of driving skills and experience.
I couldn’t feel the car in my hands and the road at my feet. It was like having two drivers wrestle for control on the road. One driver is me, and the other is the “intelligence” Geely’s Proton boasts about.
I appreciate the analog car experience over digital
After driving the S70, I had a renewed sense of love and appreciation for my Saga.
Getting back into the car, steering its wheel, and driving off… I realised that I appreciate the analog experience of a car. I want to turn on the ignition, not press a button. I want to park forward or reverse with my skills and driving sense alone.
I want to take the corner using my heightened road sense, forged from decades worth of driving. I want a bloody gear stick and a proper hand brake to command my car with confidence.
I realised that these things add up to a wholesome driving experience for me. (The S70’s hand brake was a simple flick button. Just like the flick button to turn down your car windows. It feels advanced. But when you think about it, it’s a downgrade in a proper car experience)
I want my car to feel like the best damn car in the world. I don’t want a babysitter for a car.
Another thing I realised
While driving the S70, I never cared that I was driving a beautiful car(the reason I wanted it). I was too distracted by the car not letting me drive at my level.
The vanity lasts until you drive. After that, the experience is all that matters.
Conclusion
I imagine the product owners of the Proton S70 had zero clue what their target audience wanted.
To cover its average driving experience, they added a bunch of gadgets to ‘wow’ potential customers into buying it. There is zero thought into how all these gadgets would work together in promoting a seamless, fulfilling, driving experience with the driver in command.
[UPDATE]
I went for a 2nd test drive. Here’s why.
Last week, a Proton exhibit opened up at my usual shopping place. I approached the sales agent, and asked about the Persona. Yes, I’m still thinking about upgrading to a new car.
Learning from my previous experience, I asked a bunch of questions about the car. The conversation progressed towards my horrible experience with the S70. And this happened.
“The power break isn’t your usual handbrake. There’s more to it in terms of safety.” the salesman argued. He went on to explain the features which I complained about above.
To be honest, my initial experience was due to a lack of understanding. The previous salesman didn’t talk much about the why. Just the what.
This new salesman had no trouble explaining the logic behind the tech from Proton’s POV. And it made good sense. This salesman changed my mind about some of my complaints.
I felt quite foolish about hating this beautiful sedan. Here’s a quick list of things I’ve changed my mind on and why.
- The push start button
- The reasoning was a matter of safety. Proton wanted to avoid any case of broken keys and children turning on the car without adult supervision. The button can only be activated with the key nearby while keeping your foot on the brake. I think wearing a seatbelt was also a criterion.
- The hand brake
- I mistook this as an ordinary hand brake. There is a major difference. The Electric Parking Brake activates when the car is stationary. And it’s not obvious for children to play with, avoiding harm. This is very useful. I’ve forgotten to pull the handbrake sometimes. Btw, it isn’t made by a cheap flick button. My bad.
This aside, I still dislike the various digital inputs. The 360 camera, rear camera, etc.
In my 2nd test drive with this new sales agent. I ignored the digital inputs, enjoyed the drive, and did a PERFECT reverse park!
I may get the S70, but I’ll probably go Premium or Executive. (I prefer an analog dashboard and less tech interference.)
