Weird and wonderful Geneva concept cars 2012


                                                                            Toyota Diji

Fancy changing the look of your car at will? The outer skin of the Diji is one big screen, which allows the driver to make his ‘paint job’ whatever he or she likes. Toyota compares it to a smartphone, where you can download apps, wallpapers and social networking tools.

Range Rover Evoque convertible

Range Rover Evoque convertible

This was perhaps one of the more predictable concepts at the show, but the Evoque is a mini-phenomenon already and a convertible version will go down a storm with its style-conscious buyers. The only issue might be for taller drivers, because the windscreen frame gets in the line of sight.

Honda EV

With a targa-style open-top body, the electric-powered EV-STER – that’s Electric Vehicle Roadster – looks absolutely fantastic. With a visage like that it wouldn’t exactly encourage drivers to try for the 99-mile maximum range, but it’s the sort of electric car people could really want. If Carlsberg made Honda Civics…

Lamborghini Aventador J

The star of the show in many people’s eyes, the Aventador J probably wins the ‘most exotic’ prize. Essentially an even-more bonkers Aventador with the roof and windscreen removed, you could easily paint it black and see it in the next Batman film. A 691bhp V12 engine provides the muscle.

Toyota FT-Bh

Here’s Toyota’s vision of an ‘economically viable’ car with absolutely maximised efficiency. A full hybrid system like that in the Yaris gives the car, which is longer than the Yaris but 25% lighter, fuel economy of 134.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 49g/km. A super-low drag coefficient helps, and it looks 

Suzuki G70

The G70, so titled because that was its code name during development, is all about aerodynamics and low weight. The slippery bodywork cuts through the air with 10% less drag than a typical A-segment hatch, and its turbocharged 800cc petrol puts out no more than 70g/km of CO2.

Citroen DS4 Racing

Nothing crazy or left-field here – the DS4 Racing is included because at this stage it’s still officially only a concept, and it’s one of the best-looking cars at the show. Perfect proportions and matt grey paint set it off beautifully, and with 256bhp it’s set to be as rapid as it is stunning.

Smart For-us

Who among us has never felt a longing for a Smart that could carry bikes? On that note, here’s the For-us, a sort of activity-Smart with bike-storage capability – but no roof over the top. It’s based on the Fortwo but with a heavily modified rear end, and is pretty unlikely to see production.

Mazda Takeri

If only all mid-size saloons looked like this. Mazda has gone to town with its Kodo (soul of motion) design language and created possibly the best-looking future company car ever. Its wonderfully sleek lines hint at the passion that Mazda strives to put into all its cars.

Opel Rade

This ‘e-bike’ uses a 250-Watt electric motor and a lithium-ion battery to assist the rider with up to 29.5lb.ft of torque when pedalling. The electronics can chip in for between 60km and 145km, depending on the usual efficiency-crippling factors. It’ll also keep you dry where a normal bike won’t.