The Bologna Motor Show, Italy (1-11 December) is hosting the unveiling of Citroën's latest concept car, the new C-AirPlay. Though a B-segment car, it is shorter than the C2 while being powered by a 110PS petrol engine – useful, given the expanse of glass the concept features. With development overseen by Briton Mark Lloyd, the C-AirPlay proposes a fresh look at city cars that emphasises sensuality.

Glass 'portholes' in the doors enhance the sense of speed, while the interior features an asymmetric IP, whose taut organic sculpting seemingly relates to the Go chair by product designer Ross Lovegrove. This shares red silicon trim with the one-piece bench seat, which also integrates switchgear for the mirrors and windows. The truncated length reduces the number of seats to two, its city-bias enhanced by paddle-shift controls on the steering wheel and Stop & Start engine management for heavily trafficked streets.

Mitsubishi Concept-CT

Mitsubishi will unveil the Concept-CT at the North American International Auto Show in January as a new study in B-segment (sub-Golf) packaging, an unusual size in a show that has recently been notable for the scale of its exhibits. Designed at the Mitsubishi Motors design center in Cypress, California, the concept is 'Compact-Technology' and features a hybrid powertrain feeding energy to the four in-wheel electric motors, technology more usually found at the Tokyo Motor Show. The system, dubbed MIEV, aids interior packaging, the Concept-CT seen by Mitsubishi as the next step in hybrid-powered vehicles.

Before that hits the road, however, Mitsubishi will launch the Spyder version of the Eclipse coupe to take on the open Nissan 350Z, while adding another couple of seats over its rival.

Nissan Versa

The new Nissan Versa will be introduced to America’s currently diminutive B-segment in the second-quarter of next year, and is a model that sits beneath the Sentra to become Nissan’s new entry-level product. The long wheelbase ensures a spacious interior that uses higher quality soft-touch materials, while the hood hides a 1.8 liter four-cylinder engine that produces 120PS. The Versa (short for ‘versatile space’) will be available as both four- and five- door, with prices starting from around just $12,000 due to low Mexican labour rates.

Externally, the Versa relates to the Murano SUV at the front, and is complemented by a clean rear, on a car whose concept is more commonly found in Europe. It will also be available in Mexico, China, and is currently on sale in Japan where it is known as the Tiida.

Thailand is the world's second largest market for pick-ups after the United States. It is in the nation's capital, Bangkok, that Ford has decided to unveil their 4-Trac concept at the Thailand International Motor Expo. Using the 'Built Ford Tough' philosophy, the 4-Trac blends ruggedness and sophistication to increase its appeal as workhorse and family car respectively. Outside, aluminium panels keep corrosion to a minimum, the body fronted by a dominant three-bar grille bearing a large blue oval. At the back, the cargo area has storage units inspired by off-shore racers, and is accessible from within the cabin. The 4-Trac concept is presented in lustrous red paint with a 'rescue' theme, with numerous tie-down points and foldable tow-hooks and a winch at the front.

Another car launched at in Bologna was the Oltre Fiat show car, a straight-edged off-roader that has already been chosen for use by the British and Italian armed forces. Tipping the scales at a hefty seven tonnes, the show car measures a generous 4870mm long by 2200mm in width, and is based on the Iveco LMV (Light Multirole Vehicle). The design is focussed for optimum off-road performance, its silhouette defined by the straight wheelarches and generous cabin length, while details include recessed door-handles that don't get knocked when crushing the countryside. 500mm of ground-clearance allows it to wade through water up to 1.5m deep when a snorkel is attached. It is powered by a 3-liter four cylinder engine, producing 185PS and torque of 456Nm. Top speed is 130km/h.

Ferrari has displayed the FXX at the Bologna Motor Show, an extreme version of the Enzo supercar. Neither homologated for road nor competition, the 29 models destined for production are instead to spend their lives on the track as part of Ferrari's client/contructor collaboration, whereby selected customers provide feedback for the development of future models. The purchase package also includes participation in 14 track events across the globe. Revisions include TFT displays replacing rear view mirrors, 19” slick tires, massive 398mm ceramic brakes and exhaust pipes usurping the rear lights. Developing over 800PS, the FXX weighs 1155kg – 70kg less than the 490PS F430 Challenge also launched in Bologna – and recently lapped the Fiorano circuit in 1m 18s, just 20s slower than Michael Schumacher when testing his F1 car. The package costs over $1.5million – excluding taxes.

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