A LOTUS-developed Proton Persona GTi is hoped to bring a halo effect to the rest of the range. The project with Lotus, in which Proton has an 80% stake, created a 1.8-litre, 135bhp sports car capable of 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds. Sales are expected to be about 500 a year in Britain, when it goes on sale at the end of November.

Specification includes spoilers, aluminium-look dashboard, gearstick, pedals and seat covers, sports seats and exposed rivets on the wheel arches. Pricing will be pegged at a similar level to smaller hot hatches, including the Peugeot 206 GTi. The firm also revealed at the show that it would be including GDI engines from Mitsubishi in its range in just over a year.