Proton re-badges the Lotus Europa

Proton has dropped the biggest hint yet that it intends re-badging the Lotus Europa for sale in the domestic Malaysian market with this so-called concept car called the Lekir.
Revealed at the Kuala Lumpur auto show, the low slung two door coupe receives a series of exterior styling changed aimed at differentiating the Proton from its two year old Lotus sibling.
According to information released by Proton, the Lekir is powered by a turbocharged version of the 1.6-litre four-cylinder Campro engine developed in a co-operation between Proton and Lotus. In 110bhp naturally aspirated form it is used in the Proton Gen2, Waja, Satira Neo and Persona. No official power figures have been released for the new turbocharged version but Proton’s Managing Director, Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin, hints at 150bhp.
By contrast, the Europa’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four pot engine puts out a more energetic 272bhp, giving it 0-62mph (100km/h) acceleration in 6.1sec and a 143mph (230km/h) top speed.

Parent company to Lotus, Proton has regularly looked at re-badging the famed British car maker’s models to spice up its own image. But up until now has resisted the urge to turn the Elise, Exige, Europa or Evora into one of its own. That may change with the Lekir.

Further images after the jump . . .