Geneva Motor Show 2008

Geneva 2008 had more than a hint of the 1970s, with a host of sleekly exotic concepts on show from the world's most famous design houses. It all recalled the aesthetic excesses of this largely ignored era - ironic, perhaps, given that decade's association with a fuel crisis and subsequent supercar purge.

Click here to see our highlights from the show

Yet the contemporary designer is into packaging and efficiency, and not just shock value. We’re entering the age of the four-seater supercar, as fuel cells edge closer to production and the physical restraints of the internal combustion engine are finally cast aside.

Bespoke designs also proliferate, as manufacturers eke and tweak every last ounce of personality out of their designs. The upscale city car is also undergoing a revival, as legislation clamps down on big-engined bruisers and canny commuters realise they can slip under the net without compromising quality or comfort; expect every major player to follow Toyota’s lead and announce an ultra-compact machine by decade’s end.

11 March 2008 | Cars