Chevrolet Volt

Chevrolet Volt

The Chevy Volt is not an all-new concept that we haven’t seen before – Paris was merely its European debut. But it still warrants a mention because it is a genuinely production ready electric car being built by a major mainstream manufacturer.

The Volt really does go on sale in 2010. It uses electric power only to drive the wheels, but has an onboard petrol engine to act as a generator when the built-in battery runs out of juice. So while the theoretical electric-only range is around 40 miles, the Volt can keep on going using the petrol engine as a charger. Clever stuff.

Citroen GT

Citroen GT

Citroen stole the show with this car. The GTbyCitroen, created in partnership with Polyphony’s GranTurismo PlayStation game, is an utterly jaw-dropping future supercar, all curving surfaces, ducts, vents and high-speed detailing. Just look at that outlandish over-sized tail section – incredible to think the same manufacturer also builds the C1.

Which is, of course, almost exactly why we will never see anything like this for real. Would anyone actually buy a Citroen-badged supercar? We think not – no matter how cool looking. Makes the whole exercise rather pointless. Unless you happen to own the games console, as the GTbyCitroen really does appear in Polyphony’s game.

BMW X1

BMW X1

We’re a little puzzled by the BMW X1. One of so many new “crossover” concepts to appear at the show – the crossover is rapidly mutating from niche to not interesting – even BMW didn’t seem to be making much of a fuss over it, despite the concept model looking every bit the production possibility. Casually positioned in one corner of BMW’s stand, if it wasn’t for the ludicrously gold paint, the X1 is easily overlooked. Especially as the styling is far from radically diverting – it looks like a miniaturised X5 that’s been run over. Perhaps, given the current economic climate, the German carmaker is having second thoughts…?