The Kuala Lumpur International Motor show is not so well known the world over. There is but reason to keep a tab on some of the vehicles making it to the show there. There is the Lotus Europa that was on display but on closer looks it came out that the car was not a Lotus.
The Malaysian automaker Proton had taken a Lotus, re-badged it and given it the name of Lekir Concept. Lotus and Proton have been known to have a good hook up in the Malaysian market. Lotus has been looking for some solution when their production of the Europa ends in the European market. They have therefore been eyeing this as the project to get into at the end of the Europa production run. Even though the car would be re-branded under a local name yet the sales would give Lotus its profit.
The Europa has a Vauxhall make 2.0 liter turbocharged engine that delivers 200 hp. The Lekir concept on the other hand is said to have a 1.6 liter Campro engine which is expected to be at par with a naturally aspirated 2.0 liter engine.
Details about the car are scant right now as it is yet at the concept stage. Production of the car is sure to take place soon. The Lotus Europa did not make much of a mark in all of Europe, but that does not mean that it would be a success in Malaysia even though it is marketed there under a different name.
Source: topspeed
