Pure Gen-ius?

This model is critical for the Malaysian maker, as the firm has only played a bit part in the hotly contested budget market, with an outdated model range. In the past, offering such cars at a low price was enough to secure sales, but today, buyers expect attractive styling and good road manners as well.

The Gen2 appears to tick all these boxes. Its styling and chassis have been developed in conjunction with Lotus, while luxury items including parking sensors and air-con come as standard - and it's all available from only ΂£8,995.

Visually, the Proton is a patchwork of other cars. Up front, the grille is similar to a Mazda 6, while the sculpted headlamps are very MG Rover. The side profile is reminiscent of the last-generation Renault Mégane, and the concave bootlid screams BMW 6-Series. However, the styling blends well to create a look which belies the Gen2's budget price.

Climb inside the cabin and it's a different story. The dash, climate control switches and door panels may look funky, but everything is made from brittle plastics. It's as if Proton blew the interior budget on design and had nothing left for materials. To make matters worse, the fit and finish are woeful. Some edges are as rough as sandpaper, while other bits come loose all too easily.

Thankfully, the Lotus-developed chassis helps to divert attention from the cabin's shortcomings - although the plastic steering wheel in your hands serves as a constant reminder.

As you'd expect with anything associated with Lotus, the Gen2 is a sporty drive. There's good body control through corners, and considering the firm set-up, the ride remains composed on all but the worst roads. Vague, unresponsive steering is the only letdown in the otherwise impressive driving experience.

The Gen2 is only available with Proton's 1.6-litre CamPro engine. This newly developed, 110bhp 16-valve unit is quite peppy but a little harsh at high revs - which is a shame as it needs to be worked hard to get the best from it.

This just about sums up the Gen2: it's a good car at an excellent price, but there are a few flies in the ointment. Unfortunately, the shoddy interior may turn out to be a big fat bluebottle that today's discerning buyer can't ignore.