Geneva Motor Show 2010 concept cars

Citroen Survolt, part I

Citroen created the Survolt concept as a reaction against the electric cars currently heading towards production. Where those cars actively eschew style, the Survolt gathers it up and flaunts it. Where electric cars serve as transportation appliances, the Survolt delivers sports car looks, or possibly a bad hallucination.

(Credit: Wayne Cunningham/CNET)

Citroen Survolt, part II

Citroen doesn't specify what sort of electric powertrain might drive the Survolt. It also doesn't seem to realise that electric cars don't need big exhaust ports in the middle of the bumper.

Check out our Citroen Survolt photo gallery for more information.

(Credit: Wayne Cunningham/CNET)

Hyundai i-flow, part I

Hyundai calls the design language of the i-flow "fluidic sculpture" and insists that its future models will embody this style. Industry speculation has it that the i-flow's design is an exaggerated form for the upcoming i40 coupe-sedan.

We would just like to see the fender-mounted rear-view video cameras find their way onto the upcoming Sonata-replacement, the i45.

(Credit: Wayne Cunningham/CNET)

Hyundai i-flow, part II

The i-flow explores some interesting powertrain technology. Hyundai specifies a two-stage turbocharger on a 1.7-litre diesel engine, complemented by an electric drive motor, achieving 3L/100km. An interesting new technology uses the heat from the exhaust to generate additional electricity, up to 250 Watts worth when the concept is traveling 80km/h.

(Credit: Wayne Cunningham/CNET)

Hyundai i-flow, part III

The display running across the dashboard can be controlled through either touch or gesture. The dashboard itself was created using a spray-on material called Elastoskin from supplier BASF.

(Credit: Hyundai)

Opel Flextreme GT/E concept, part I

During GM's financial woes, Opel was almost sold off to a Canadian/Russian consortium. The Flextreme GT/E Concept is supposed to represent an re-energised company exploring new design language, which Opel describes as "sculptural artistry meets German precision".

(Credit: Wayne Cunningham/CNET)

Opel Flextreme GT/E concept, part II

The floating C-pillar is a unique aspect of this car's design, but more interestingly, the Flextreme GT/E Concept employs the same series hybrid powertrain used in the Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera. Opel says this concept proves that the Volt's petrol-electric powertrain works in a larger car.

(Credit: Wayne Cunningham/CNET)

Peugeot SR1, part I

Unlike some of the other cars in this concept round-up, the Peugeot SR1 concept looks really desirable. As with the other cars, Peugeot says the SR1 telegraphs new design style for the company's cars. The SR1 is meant to modernise the grand tourer class, working as a sporty car for weekend getaways. Peugeot notes that its traditional lion badge was redesigned for this concept and will be used in new production cars.

(Credit: Peugeot)

Peugeot SR1, part II

The SR1 uses the hybrid powertrain, called HYbrid4, which Peugeot has shown off in previous concepts. The first production application of HYbrid4 will be in the 3008 compact people mover from 2011 onwards. HYbrid4 drives all four wheels using a 160kW petrol engine for the front and a 70kW electric motor at the back.

(Credit: Peugeot)

Peugeot SR1, part III

The instrument cluster is set far forward in the dashboard in a driver-focused manner that prevents the front-seat passenger from looking over and checking the speed. There is a single rear seat that comes up between the two front seats.

(Credit: Peugeot)

Mercedes-Benz F800 Style, part II

According to Mercedes-Benz, it does not make concept vehicles. So, the F800 Style is referred to as a research vehicle, and allows the company to try out new designs and technologies. (Sounds like a concept car to us.)

The F800 Style follows on from the F700, shown at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show. This research vehicle uses a historical design for the front grille, while downsizing the current oversized wheel arches of the current S-Class.

(Credit: Wayne Cunningham/CNET)

Mercedes-Benz F800 Style, part II

Mercedes-Benz designed the F800 Style to use either a plug-in hybrid powertrain or a fuel cell drivetrain. For the former, the car would be able to go around 30km under electric power alone, with maximum range of 600km when utilising both petrol and electric motors.

(Credit: Wayne Cunningham/CNET)

Mercedes-Benz F800 Style, part III

Interesting technologies in the cabin include a new kind of user interface employing a camera and touch pad on the console. The camera watches the driver's hand on the touch pad, with a translucent version projected low on the windshield. Drivers can see what part of the touch pad they are using without having to look down to the console.

(Credit: Wayne Cunningham/CNET)

Mercedes-Benz F800 Style, part IV

Another innovative and scary-sounding technology builds on Mercedes-Benz's current adaptive cruise control, which can bring the car to a complete halt when the traffic up ahead stops. Called Traffic Jam Assist, this new technology not only slows the F800 Style down to match the speed of the car ahead, but at speeds below 40km/h it also follows the car ahead as it turns, freeing the driver from actually having to steer at low speeds.

Check out our F800 Style gallery for more information.

(Credit: Wayne Cunningham/CNET)

GQbyCitroen, part I

Last year Citroen revealed a concept car, GTbyCitroen, designed by the makers of the Gran Turismo racing franchise, Polyphony Digital. This year, Citroen signed up the help of men's lifestyle magazine GQ to help the company's designers in making a male-focussed, ecologically-sensitive sports car for the 21st century.

(Credit: Citroen)

GQbyCitroen, part II

The tortuously named GQbyCitroen is powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain featuring a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. If you avoid testing out its claimed zero to 100km/h time of 4.5 seconds and electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h, you might be able to emit just 80g of CO2 per kilometre.

(Credit: Citroen)

GQbyCitroen, part III

To bolster its metrosexual credentials, the GQbyCitroen's interior trim is fitted out by Savile Row tailors E. Tautz.

(Credit: Citroen)

Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta, part I

The drop-dead gorgeous 2uettottanta — pronounced duetto-tanta — was crafted by design house Pininfarina to celebrate Alfa's 100th anniversary and its own 80th birthday.

(Credit: Alfa Romeo)

Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta, part II

The company's quiet about the car specifics, like engine, transmission and the likelihood of production. While it's clearly inspired by previous Alfa convertibles, modern elements, like LED lights, are an integral part of the car's design.

(Credit: Alfa Romeo)

Alfa Romeo Pandion, part I

Not to be upstaged, rival design house Bertone revealed a more avant garde concept to celebrate Alfa's 100th birthday.

(Credit: Alfa Romeo)

Alfa Romeo Pandion, part II

Despite its 21st century garb, the drivetrain is an electric-motor-free zone. The Pandion's powered by the same 4.7-litre V8 that does service in the delectable Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione.

(Credit: Alfa Romeo)

Alfa Romeo Pandion, part III

If the revealing side windows aren't enough for you, the Pandion dispenses with a traditional rear bumper. In its stead is an array of "crystal-like blades" that jut out at various angles and are of different lengths and widths. We certainly wouldn't want to be crashing into that...

(Credit: Alfa Romeo)

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