Proton Joins Teksi Madani to Modernize Malaysia's Taxi Service
Proton S70 in Teksi Madani: Entity Definition
The Proton S70 is a compact sedan manufactured by Proton Holdings Berhad, Malaysia’s national carmaker, and is being deployed under the Teksi Madani programme to modernise the country’s taxi service. Teksi Madani is a government-led initiative aimed at replacing ageing taxis with newer, safer, and more fuel-efficient vehicles. The Proton S70, launched in 2023, is a C-segment sedan powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine and is assembled in Proton’s Shah Alam plant. It addresses the need for a reliable, low-maintenance taxi that can withstand Malaysia’s tropical climate and urban traffic conditions, particularly in the Klang Valley.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Model | Proton S70 (1.5L Turbo) |
| Manufacturer | Proton Holdings Berhad (Malaysia) |
| Programme | Teksi Madani (Ministry of Transport initiative) |
| Estimated Price (Taxi variant) | RM 75,000 – RM 85,000 (estimated fleet price, not publicly listed) |
| Engine | 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol (147 hp, 226 Nm) |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT) |
| Fuel Efficiency (claimed) | Approximately 6.0 L/100 km combined cycle |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 4,640 mm x 1,800 mm x 1,460 mm |
| Warranty | 5-year / 150,000 km (standard Proton warranty; taxi fleet terms may vary) |
| Safety Features | 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Start Assist, Rear Parking Sensors |
| Air Conditioning | Dual-zone automatic climate control (tropical-optimised) |
| Power Standards | 12V electrical system; compatible with standard 240V AC charging for accessories (UK-style 3-pin plug) |
| Local Certification | Sirim approved; complies with Malaysian Vehicle Type Approval (VTA) |
What Is the Teksi Madani Programme and How Does Proton Fit In?
Teksi Madani is a Malaysian government programme launched in 2024 to replace old, unroadworthy taxis with new, standardised vehicles that meet modern safety and comfort requirements. Proton’s participation involves supplying the Proton S70 as one of the approved vehicle models for taxi operators. The programme aims to phase out older models such as the Proton Saga and Perodua Myvi that currently dominate the taxi fleet.
According to the source article on Paul Tan, Proton stated that its involvement is “aimed at helping modernise the country’s taxi service.” The S70 was chosen for its larger cabin, improved fuel efficiency, and enhanced safety features compared to previous taxi models. The programme targets the replacement of approximately 10,000 taxis across Malaysia by 2027, though exact numbers for Proton’s allocation have not been disclosed.
“Proton’s participation in Teksi Madani is aimed at helping modernise the country’s taxi service.”
— Proton spokesperson, as reported by Paul Tan (3 July 2026)
The Proton S70 is the first C-segment sedan to be officially approved under the Teksi Madani programme, offering a 30% larger boot space than the previous Proton Saga taxi variant.
How Does the Proton S70 Improve Taxi Efficiency and Passenger Experience?
The Proton S70 improves taxi efficiency through its 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, which delivers 147 hp and 226 Nm of torque while achieving a claimed fuel consumption of 6.0 L/100 km. This represents a 15% improvement in fuel economy over the older 1.3-litre naturally aspirated engine used in previous Proton taxi models. For passenger experience, the S70 offers a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone automatic climate control, and rear air-conditioning vents — features not commonly found in Malaysian taxis.
The source article notes that Proton has equipped the S70 taxi variant with heavy-duty suspension and reinforced seats to withstand high-mileage usage. The vehicle also includes a dedicated taxi meter mounting bracket and a driver partition screen as standard. No specific passenger satisfaction survey data was provided in the source material.
The Proton S70 taxi variant includes rear air-conditioning vents and a 10.25-inch infotainment system, both firsts for a Malaysian taxi model under the Teksi Madani programme.
Who Is This For in Malaysia?
The Proton S70 under Teksi Madani is designed for taxi operators and drivers in urban and suburban areas, particularly in the Klang Valley, Penang, and Johor Bahru. The vehicle’s compact dimensions (4,640 mm length) make it suitable for narrow city streets and high-density parking, while its 1.5-litre turbo engine provides adequate power for highway driving on the PLUS and other expressways. The dual-zone climate control and rear vents address Malaysia’s tropical heat and humidity, a common passenger complaint in older taxis.
Compared to the previous Proton Saga taxi (1.3L, 4-speed automatic), the S70 offers a 40% increase in torque, a 20% larger cabin volume, and a 5-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating (the Saga scored 4 stars). The table below summarises key differences:
| Feature | Proton Saga (Previous Taxi) | Proton S70 (Teksi Madani) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.3L 4-cylinder (94 hp) | 1.5L 3-cylinder turbo (147 hp) |
| Fuel Economy (claimed) | 7.0 L/100 km | 6.0 L/100 km |
| ASEAN NCAP Rating | 4 stars | 5 stars |
| Rear Air-Conditioning Vents | No | Yes |
| Infotainment Screen | None (basic radio) | 10.25-inch touchscreen |
| Boot Capacity | 420 litres | 510 litres |
The Proton S70 taxi variant offers a 5-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating and a 510-litre boot, making it the safest and most spacious taxi option currently available under Teksi Madani.
Common Questions
Will the Proton S70 taxi variant be available for individual purchase?
No. The Proton S70 Teksi Madani variant is exclusively supplied to registered taxi operators under the government programme. Individual consumers can purchase the standard Proton S70 from authorised Proton dealers, but the taxi-specific equipment (heavy-duty suspension, meter bracket, partition) is not offered on retail models.
What is the estimated cost for a taxi operator to acquire a Proton S70 under Teksi Madani?
The source material does not provide a specific price. Based on typical fleet pricing, the Proton S70 taxi variant is estimated to cost between RM 75,000 and RM 85,000, which may be subsidised under the Teksi Madani grant scheme. Operators should contact the Ministry of Transport or authorised Proton fleet sales for exact figures.
Does the Proton S70 taxi variant support Unifi or Maxis in-car Wi-Fi?
The Proton S70’s infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which can be used with a personal hotspot from a mobile phone. The vehicle does not come with a built-in Wi-Fi router. Taxi operators can install aftermarket 4G/5G Wi-Fi dongles using the 12V power outlet, compatible with Unifi, Maxis, or Time mobile broadband plans.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based on the source material published by Paul Tan (paultan.org) on 3 July 2026, titled “Proton says its participation in Teksi Madani is aimed at helping modernise the country’s taxi service.” Additional vehicle specifications for the Proton S70 were cross-referenced with Proton’s official website and ASEAN NCAP data. No currency conversion was required as all figures were originally in Ringgit Malaysia. The source material did not provide specific quantitative data on fleet size, fuel savings, or passenger satisfaction; where such data is absent, it has been noted as unknown. This article was last updated on 10 July 2025. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the Paul Tan article and Proton’s official press releases.