There are two engines available and the entry-level unit is a 1.3-litre that produces 94bhp. It’s hard work though and needs to be revved to get any decent pace from it so it’s little surprise that it was dropped from the line-up soon after the car was launched. The other engine is a 1.6-litre with 111bhp. This manages the 0-62mph sprint in 11.5 seconds but never feels quick and is coarse when pushed.

The standard gearbox is a five-speed manual which has a shorter final gear designed to give better low and medium-speed acceleration, but it’s not very pleasant to use.

It may have a small Lotus badge on the tailgate, but the Proton doesn’t deliver when it comes to handling. While body control is adequate enough, the vague steering and lack of feel mean it’s neither a rewarding nor enjoyable car to drive. The brakes are also short on feel and doesn’t inspire much confidence at higher speeds. The ride is good on smoother roads, but gets unsettled by uneven roads and fidgets when pushed.