Skoda Yeti concept

Stemming from the Roomster concept shown in Frankfurt 2003, the Yeti is a concept closer to production feasibility that presents the idea of an 'off-road' orientated car that is just front wheel drive, as well as furthering Skoda’s design palette.

Some of the notable design elements include: long front doors and rear doors with handles in the C-pillar for a more sporting three door look; black A and C-pillar for a DLO that spreads forwards and rearwards from the body colour C-pillar; slightly squared off wheel-arches to give a soft strength and counter the norm; and non-handed door mirrors and handles (except for the embossed 'Yeti' nameplate). The car abounds with innovative design features that consistently fit with its rugged slightly off-road feel and give credence to its core concept.

The Yeti is apparently still not a production certainty. It should be.

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Alfa Romeo 159

Opinions seemed split today about the design of the new 159. Some find it too similar to the 156 facelift of a couple of years ago, others seem relieved at the maturity of the theme. The relationship to the new Brera coupé is clear, particularly around the nose, where the surfaces and shutlines echo the Brera almost exactly. The new Alfa face, with its 3-lamp expression, focuses all the lines towards the central Alfa shield and appears to drill through you in a most intense way. Overall, the design is sharper and more masculine than the previous 156, with a sharply-creased shoulder line replacing the fade-in, fade-out swage line of the older model.

Both the Brera and the 159 were developed by ItalDesign as a pair of complimentary models and the somewhat evolutionary design of the 159 at least keeps the best aspects of the acclaimed 156, penned under Walter da'Silva's direction before he moved on to SEAT. Sure it's evolutionary, but given Alfa's precarious past that's no bad thing for now.

Hyundai HED-1

Designed at Hyundai's new European Design center in Russelsheim under the direction of Gregory Guillaume, the HED-1 is said to be a preview of the next Matrix C-MPV model. First impressions are of a flowing exterior theme using intersecting curves and concave surfaces. This basic form language reminds one a little of certain Renault concepts but it's regrettable that the forms become slightly lost within the sombre burgundy paint colour.

The interior, entered via wide-opening barn doors, uses complimentary burgundy leather with raw cowhide on the floor and contrasting white suede on the floating upper IP. The voluptuous theme compliments the exterior by using intersecting curves and subtle concave forms. Primary information for the driver is displayed behind the white steering wheel and navigated by an i-Drive type controller, while the secondary instrumentation is projected on a panel at the base of the screen. The interior is said to be inspired by urban lounge bars and features independent rear seats mounted on a sliding extension to the trunk floor.

Toyota Aygo

The Aygo is Toyota's version of a new small car to be built in the Czech Republic in collaboration with PSA. The Geneva Show sees the other two derivatives of the car launched from Peugeot and Citroen but the Toyota is maybe the most expressive of the three with a unique rear end treatment and a Yaris-like happy face.

The Aygo/107/C1 feature a host of new ideas for a very low cost baby car with an honest simplicity to the design that's most refreshing. Cost-down ideas include minimal body panels, fixed rear windows on 5D versions and large areas of exposed metal in the interior without giving a cheap-feeling impression. All three versions share a common interior with the instrument binnacle mounted directly on the steering column and add-on rev counter pods on sporty versions.

The Toyota booth also featured ten different Aygo 'Create' models from young artists who used the Aygo body as a canvas for their own take on urban current culture and provide a vibrant image for the new car.

Renault Zoé

Three-seater, three-meter cars are the next big thing in Europe and Renault would love to be there first, to continue their reputation of being 'concept pioneers'. The Zoé is just such a concept and may preview a forthcoming small model in future. The car has cute styling incorporating Renault's trademark 'bustle' at the rear, but in such a tightly-packaged car the actual offset is neatly confined to the rear shoulders and is only apparent in three-quarter views. The side view is relieved by the unusual glass treatment, sweeping up into roof, a little like a 60s Lancia Zagato. The roof sections open upwards to assist entry when the door is opened.

The front mask develops theme seen last year on the Fluence coupé concept with a large blank area at centre of the face and with the lamps and intakes grouped at the outboard corners. Note the unusual swirling graphic on the 'nostrils' underneath the headlamps. The concept also includes novel stowage areas beside the offset rear passenger.

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Volkswagen Passat

The previous generation Passat rewrote the rules for the upper-medium segment in Europe and USA with its combination of high quality specification, sober styling and a spacious cabin. Things have moved on a bit since and the new Passat changes direction with a more glitzy style than before and extra interior space. There's more exterior surface entertainment going on here too with extensive use of chrome, a body side section using negative 'flips' and LED-type taillamps. Interestingly, top versions have Xenon headlamps comprising a complex series of lenses that give a much more expressive stare than base versions.

The interior design features a floating upper IP, not unlike the previous BMW 3 Series, with a line that sweeps around the screen base into the doors. Nice details include a floating front edge to the drivers door armrest and a mixture of two colours of metallic dash inserts.

Engines are now transverse mounted to allow better packaging with pedestrian safety requirements. Like the new Golf, it doesn't quite feel like the new benchmark in this class but it's a fine car nevertheless.

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