Lotus Lets It Blossom
by Ross Finlay (08 Dec 99)

 
Previous Proton special editions may have been greeted with a chorus of sniffs, but the GTi is in a different class altogether. It's more of a mainstream niche model, and the little badge on the back which says "Handling by Lotus" gives only a hint of what the Norfolk wizards have done to the basic Proton Compact.

Despite what's often said, Proton doesn't directly own Lotus. The actual situation is that an 80% stake in Lotus is held by the conglomerate which controls Proton. All the same, the two companies, despite not being the same company, are obviously very close.

Lotus was involved in far more than just the extensive suspension changes which have made the GTi a really well balanced car, precise and agile on corners, while maintaining an unexpectedly good ride.

The project team based at Lotus's Hethel test track included people who really know their stuff, like former Grand Prix driver John Miles. They also gave the Proton a terrific short-throw gear change action, specified businesslike six-spoke alloys, did a fine exterior restyling job, added neat but in-your-face wheel arch extensions, and with the help of a proper, rather than ornamental rear spoiler, came up with a car which has zero lift.

Lotus also restyled the interior with Recaro seats and all the fixings, even unusual aluminium-effect upholstery. A programme of acoustic changes operated in two different directions. One requirement was to kill unwanted noises with details like extra sound insulation and a just-for-the-GTi harmonic damper. Another, featuring a specially designed twin-pipe exhaust, was to accentuate the kind of noises an enthusiast likes to hear.

However, Lotus didn't have anything like a blank cheque, and it didn't have a remit to tweak Proton's 133bhp ex-Mitsubishi engine, as used in the company's one-make race series, or do anything much to the brakes.

While not as refined as some more recent rivals, the 1.8-litre engine takes the GTi to 60mph in under eight seconds, and on to a test track maximum just on the high side of 125mph.

Ah yes, test track. Proton's East Anglian test route, including various country roads the Lotus boys use themselves, showed the GTi to be a very pleasant and unexpectedly refined point-to-point car.

The mid-point was at Hethel, where I pottered around while John Miles made polite conversation from the passenger seat. Then he took over, and on a part-puddled track showed just how chuckable this unlikely badged GTi really is.

Proton sells it at £14,499, with an unusual special offer of free first year's insurance, with a £350 excess, for buyers from anywhere in the UK except Northern Ireland, of ages between 25 and a spritely 75. Most of us at CARkeys just qualify.

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