If the motor show is the native habitat of the concept car, the Geneva motor show is its favourite scratching post. Kissed by the gleaming spotlights, preened by feather duster-wielding stand hands, concept automobiles are designed, and dressed, to impress in the show environment.
Concepts are vehicles through which manufacturers can float far-out ideas and possible future technological directions. The response from the public and the media sometimes even determines which elements make it to production and which meet their end in the design studio recycling bin.
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Of course, it’s precisely because they are unshackled from the need to attract customers and turn a profit, that concept automobiles are such fun. Geneva 2017 had concepts of all shapes, sizes and types, from those only some sensible wheels and a smaller rear wing away from an imminent production automobile to ones that appear to be the result of a complete mental breakdown on the part of an overworked designer. There were supercars, SUVs, electric urban mobility solutions, you name it, the Geneva show stands contained a concept automobile to oblige.
Below we round-up our pick of the concept automobiles exhibited at Geneva 2017. together with some details on what they were all about…
Bentley EXP 12 speed 6e
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Bentley revealed a stunning two-seater convertible sports automobile at the show this year – and rather than the luxury automobile company’s usual substantial petrol engine under the bonnet there’s actually an all-electric powertrain. It’s supposed to showcase both the latest tech lined up for Bentley’s next models and the potential for a new sports automobile in the range.