The Geneva Motor Show is traditionally the place where Frank Rinderknecht and his company Rinspeed present their extravagant creations. This year, two cars were presented on the stand: a tuned version of the Fiat 500 Abarth and the iChange concept, both finished in a matching apricot metallic color. The iChange concept is another collaborative project between a number of predominantly Swiss suppliers and Rinspeed and, as usual, the Swiss engineering company Esoro was hired to serve as general contractor for the entire project, including styling.                                                         

The three-seater layout with central driving position appears as a repeat of the 2005 Senso concept but with softer styling, and the result is a heavy-handed piece of work from Rinspeed. There's a basic imbalance between the volumes of the bulky fenders and the slimness of the bodyside behind the front wheel. The main surfaces and covered rear wheel appear too simple in character, with no acceleration in curvature, nor any variation in radii around the body to add refinement to the design.

The unique aspect of all Rinspeed concepts is that there's always some part of the vehicle that transforms and this year it's a pop-up rear end that provides room for two additional passengers. It's not terribly innovative; simply a collar around the big polycarbonate canopy that rises to provide more rear headroom, an idea seen on many transportation student projects. Other innovations include no built-in instrument panel (instead there's an Apple iPhone to control the most important vehicle functions) and grey wool fabric used on the seats and steering wheel. However, the wavy trimming didn't add to the feeling of high quality and it wasn't clear what it added to the concept.

Overall, the iChange is unconvincing: it's not as wild as some previous Rinspeed concepts such as the 2004 Splash or the Senso, nor is it as innovative as the 2007 eXasis.

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The Ampera previews Opel's version of the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) that is destined for production in Europe in 2011. Essentially it's the Volt with a new nose on it that incorporates styling cues from the Flextreme and GTC Concept cars from 2007. Changes are limited to the front and rear bumpers and wheels, and we noted up close how the hood and fenders are unchanged, even though the initial impression is quite different. It's a powerful DRG impression that's quite complex when examined closely: the headlamp has an Audi-like reflector bar within it, below that the DI lamp, then a hexagonal gloss black grille and finally the foglamp at the base.

Seeing the Ampera/Volt in the flesh again, we also noticed how low slung it appears, with the wheelarches drawn almost too tightly around the wheels. And there's still has that odd double beltline that starts 3-4 inches higher than the graphical beltline outlined in chrome. This was to showcase the complex surfacing possible with polycarbonate side glass on the concept, but here it seems like an unnecessary complication for the styling, with no real purpose to it. The showcar seen here was still a mock-up model, similar to the Chevy Volt model shown in Paris, with an identical interior including all-digital instrumentation. The impression was more European, with inserts in dark grey gloss rather than white plastic as on the Volt, and an interesting red graphic that extends from the doors into the IP top surface.

The Ampera features GM's Voltec E-REV technology that uses electricity as its primary power source and a petrol engine as its secondary power source to generate electricity but not to drive the wheels directly. As GM's main offering for an electric car in Europe, the Ampera represents exactly the kind of car that customers are eager to buy. We just hope Opel/Vauxhall survives long enough to get it into production.

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According to Peugeot's interior chief designer Amko Leenarts, the new production Peugeot 3008 is an "anti-monospace for families with dads who want to feel cool". While we might not agree fully with that sentiment regarding the humdrum exterior and its cheap-looking front cladding, uninspired gapey grille and unremarkable proportions - neither compact 4x4, mini-MPV or chunky estate - the interior is undoubtedly a big step forward in terms of packaging.

Get behind the wheel of the production car - that follows closely from the Prologue concept shown at the 2008 Paris show - and you'll find a distinctly wraparound IP and very high center console and tunnel more akin to a sportscar than a people mover. The gearstick sits on top of this tunnel providing good ergonomics while the deep expanse underneath is put to use with a cavernous L-shaped storage space beneath the center armrest.

‘Surprise and delight' features often elusive to Peugeot include the optional head-up display featuring speed and satnav direction on a glass screen that slides out of the top of the IP behind the driver's binnacle at the touch of toggle switch. Further toggles in the center stack can alter the angle of the glass while an optional fixed glass panoramic roof fills the whole cabin with light.

At the rear, the car features a solid fold-down tailgate - but Leenarts stresses the 3008's was designed and made by Peugeot rather than the similar one found on the 4007 re-badged from the Mitsubishi Outlander. Further practical aspects include a double-height adjustable rear load floor and fold-flat seats.

Overall, look beyond the so-so exterior and Peugeot has at last created a compact MPV with decent interior style and flexibility.

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