Toyota MTRC

The Motor Triathlon Race Car (MTRC) is one the most adventurous new concepts unveiled at Geneva today. The tandem two-seater explores a motorsport concept for the year 2022 and is designed for use on both high-speed circuits and offroad terrain.

The exterior comprises two design elements: - an inner fuselage shape and a series of surrounding hard mechanical forms that visually protect the occupants. The MRTC is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and displays some novel technology developed in conjunction with Sony and Michelin. The tyres can sense the road ahead and extend and contract the tread profile to suit, while the whole vehicle continuously adjusts ride height over a 200mm range.

Designed by ED2 in Nice, France, the MTRC is aimed at “drivers who enjoy video games, the internet and mobile phones” - so that’s most of us then... NH

Rolls Royce 100EX concept

This magnificently large, two door cabriolet is one of the unexpected stars of the show, not least because it has been 46 years since the last EX (experimental) Rolls Royce was produced.

Created to celebrate 100 years of Rolls Royce, and to prepare the market for the forthcoming production car of a similar type, the 100EX is based on a slightly shortened version of the Phantom’s aluminium space-frame and is powered by a 9 litre V16.

The most striking aspect of the car is from the front where the traditional upright Rolls Royce grille has been reclined slightly and leads seamlessly into the polished aluminium surface of the grille surround and bonnet. Dramatic forward opening doors lead into an interior which features materials inspired by luxury yachts.

Designed in California at BMW Group’s Designworks, the 100EX is, in the words of interior designer Charles Coldham, “1930s extravagance in feeling, not in form” - just the perfect car for the film stars of Hollywood then. SL

  Read our full Design Review...

Opel Trixx concept

The Opel Trixx city car shows Opel’s thinking for a contender in a new ‘3 metre’ class of car that’s fast emerging in Europe. The Trixx is notable for a host of new packaging ideas, which really move this format of vehicle forward as a future sub-segment even if the exterior styling seems a little ‘forced’ as the designers come to terms with new and challenging proportions.

Key packaging breakthroughs centre around the “Flex 3” seating layout with a staggered format for three occupants and three electric pantograph doors to access the highly-flexible interior. The engine radiator is packaged on top of the engine – hence the big air inlets on the hood – while the rear has no tailgate, just a drop down rear window and opening rear glass roof to extend the trunk capacity upwards.

Other neat features include an inflatable baby seat behind the driver and a motorcycle-inspired steering column assembly. Dimensions are: length 3040mm, width 1660mm, height 1570mm, wheelbase 1940mm. NH

  Read our full Design Review...

Bertone Jet 2 concept

Unveiled at Geneva today, the Jet 2 is a tribute to the original Jet created by Nuccio Bertone in 1961, based on the Aston Martin DB4 GT. This new concept is based on the Vanquish but with a 210mm increase in wheelbase to accommodate two small rear seats in this new “Shooting Wagon” concept. The idea behind the car was to create a bespoke vehicle that respects all current homologation hard points, yet wraps the donor car in a unique set of clothes for a few connoisseur customers, just as Bertone did in the fifties and sixties.

The interior, by ex-Ghia designer David Wilkie, is an extraordinary celebration that evokes past Astons with completely contemporary yet subtle textures and colour combinations, such as willow green with aubergine leathers, light pear wood inserts and metallic-look fabrics. Sounds odd, looks absolutely wonderful. NH

Renault Modus

The Modus is a preview of a forthcoming production micro MPV which will be to the forthcoming Clio what the Scenic is to the Megane. Based on a platform shared with the Nissan Micra and forthcoming Clio, the Modus claims to have more interior space than a conventional European B-class car, thanks in part to its almost-MPV height of 1590mm.

More baby Scenic than grown up Twingo, this five door, one and a half box car's most contentious feature is its side feature line. This line runs down, forwards of the DLO, to a soft point in the front wing and then sweeps downwards and back to run through the door handles to the rear of the car.

The interior features landscape photography printed onto the seats, door inners and carpet (following the original Twingo seat's cloud prints?). It also has exceptionally versatile sliding rear seats and evidence of Renault's 'Touch Design' in its detailing.

Modus isn't as ground breaking as the Espace, Twingo and Scenic were, but looks set to be a defining vehicle for this emergent micro MPV class. SL

Nissan Qashqai concept

This is the first concept to be completed in Nissan’s new design studio in London, opened last year. Named after an Iranian nomadic tribe, the Qashqui aims to combine the sleek lines of a sporting compact car with the attitude of a serious 4x4. The arch graphic of the roofline is now a signature Nissan design theme, while the 4x4 capability is hinted at by use of 20” wheels, ample ground clearance and prominent wheelarches.

The interior takes an asymmetric theme for the dashboard, developed in very subtle shades of olive grey-greens, with a highlight crimson band to provide a richer contrast element. The red band has an embedded graffiti motif in it inspired by London streets, while the 4 seats can each fold away flat or vertically to provide further versatility.

Dimensions are: length 4310mm, width 1860mm, height 1570mm, wheelbase 2650mm. NH

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