While the city of Detroit is preparing itself to host the next major auto show on the global calender in January, Hyundai is looking to the future and preparing a concept for the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Their latest concept is called i-oniq and it is the work of Hyundai’s European research and development center in Russelsheim, Germany.

This latest concept is described by its chief designer Thomas Burkle as a “fluidic sculpture.” Burkle said, “two strong arched curves define the silhouette of i-oniq, creating a playful contrast between the sharp character lines and soft but muscular features.”

More information on this concept will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show.

Earlier this week at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Infiniti released teaser sketches of their upcoming Nissan Leaf-based Infiniti electric sedan concept.

As if that wasn’t enough to stir the press, Nissan’s global communications chief Andy Palmer informed the media of an upcoming Infiniti mid-engine electric sports car as well. The car will use many of the technologies found in the Nissan Leaf Nismo RC, which was on display at the New York Auto Show earlier this year. Elements in the Leaf Nismo RC that may be applied include a full carbon fiber tub and a rear-wheel drive layout.

As far as powertrain is concerned, the concept coupe is likely to use a range extender application where although the wheels will be driven by electric motors, a hyper-compact petrol engine will be a source of energy generation (similar to the Chevrolet Volt).

Last but not least, Red Bull Racing, the Formula 1 team sponsored by Infiniti, will likely lend its experience with KERS (kinetic energy recovery system) for the concept’s development as well.

Expect to first see the Infiniti electric sports car concept at the next Geneva Auto Show. The production car is aimed for 2014, released alongside of the upcoming Infiniti electric sedan.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Some believe that if you are a true petrol-head, you have to have owned an Alfa Romeo at least once in your life. Taking a look at their history, its easy to see why. This Italian brand has produced some of the most gorgeous automotive designs ever, like the Montreal, GTV6 coupe and the 8C Competizione.

Now Alfa fans will soon have another model to lust after, the 4C. Previewed at the Geneva Motor Show in concept form, now it seems that Alfa Romeo will be unveiling a near production model at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show.

To start us drooling, Alfa Romeo has released a teaser picture of the new 4c. The head-on shot reveals that it’ll look very much like the concept version, which is no bad thing.

Mechanically, it will use a 1.75-liter, turbo-charged, four-cylinder motor that is capable of producing 230-hp. Since the car is expected to weight just over 1,900 lbs., it should be a rapid car.

European sales for the 4C are expected to start next near, although US-sales will like commence in 2013, along with a full range of other Alfa Romeos. We cant wait.

GALLERY: Alfa Romeo 4C Concept

At the recent Geneva Motor Show, Rolls Royce surprised everyone by showing an electric version of their Phantom luxury sedan.

This super-green version might have been good for the environment, however it had its limitations, like taking 24-hours to fully charge from a household outlet (or eight-hours by using an induction charging system developed by Rolls Royce), and having a range of just 125-miles.

Rolls Royce customer’s didn’t give this green concept a warm welcome, and thus RR CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös decided to put a lid on this idea. He is reported to have said that no more examples of the electric Phantom will be made, and no customer has asked for one.

The reason he thinks the idea didn’t work is because most wealthy clients live on the outskirts of towns, and its limited-range would not work for them.

A hybrid version however is not out of the question, and Müller-Ötvös thinks that might be in the cards for the future. This way the company can go green, without range limitations.

[Source: Pistonheads]

Ever wondered what the Chevrolet Corvair might have looked like if the Italian’s had designed it? The answer would have looked like the Testudo concept.

Designed by a young Giorgetto Giugiaro at Bertone, the car was first revealed at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show. Its styling shows that many car companies took notice and incorporated some of its design language into their future models.

The Testudo – Italian for turtle, was based on the humble underpinnings of the Corvair Monza, so while it may look like it is doing 200 mph standing still, in reality, its 2.4-liter air-cooled, flat-six only developed 81-hp. So speed was not its forte, but it can probably handle quite well thanks to its fully independent suspension setup that featured telescopic dampers and anti-roll bars.

This one-off prototype is fully functional. Giugiaro once even used the car to pick up his wife, Maria Teresa, from Fiat, where she worked in their design studio. He recounts being swarmed by the employees, most of whom missed their trains home because they were admiring the car.

The Testudo however was badly damaged while filming a promotional film for Shell, and resulted in the car just sitting in Bertone’s warehouse for decades. The car was thankfully restored in the ’90s when designer Luciano d’Ambrosio joined the firm. The car made its first public appearance in 30-years when it showed up at the 1996 Pebble Beach Concours event.

The car is now on sale and will be presented by RM Auctions at the Villa d’Este Concours event on May 21. It is predicted to pull in about $1-million. We will have to wait until the event to find out what it finally changed hands for.

[Source: RM Auctions]

While many have expressed their displeasure with Toyota‘s re-design of the FT-86 sports car, fans can rest easier knowing that the changes were made in the name of function rather than form.

According to Autocar, the biggest change comes from the A-pillars, which have been moved back a few inches to create a flatter windscreen. “We had feedback from drivers who felt that the angle of the A-pillars created a type of ‘tunnel vision’”, Akihiro Nagaya, Toyota’s design chief, told the magazine. “This could sometimes make the car hard to place on the road, particularly at higher speeds. The theory behind this car remains that of the ‘86’ [the original Corolla AE-86], which was easy and pure to drive, so we had to change it.”

Nagaya also noted that the car was anywhere from 50-70 percent accurate as to the final shape of the FT-86.

GALLERY: Toyota FT-86 II Concept

[Source: Autocar]

Before the official opening, we managed to get some live shots of the BMW VisionConnected Drive. Although BMW hasn’t announced any details beyond a cryptically worded statement, reading “The design and technology of this spectacular roadster are aimed at making the vehicle an integral part of a networked world,” the car looks absolutely awesome in the flesh.

Check back Tuesday for full details as the Geneva Auto Show gets underway.

GALLERY: BMW VisionConnected Drive

Mazda‘s Minagi concept, a vehicle that will doubtlessly be seen on the roads as the Mazda CX-5, got its first reveal today, even if only half the vehicle was visible. Check back tomorrow for more detailed pictures as the car gets official reveal at the Geneva Auto Show.

GALLERY: Mazda Minagi Concept

See video of the Minagi after the jump:

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Famed Audi tuner MTM will be debuting their take on the Audi R8 supercar at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show on Tuesday, and you’d have to be blind to miss it, with its fully polished chrome bodywork that took some 700 hours to complete.

The MTM car isn’t all show either. With a 777 horsepower twin turbo engine good for 217 mph, you’ll be able to make a getaway before anyone can call you out on your corny taste.

Gallery: MTM Audi R8