Next month’s Geneva Motor Show will be stocked with new concept cars from various parties – automakers, design houses and educational institutions. One of the latest concept cars announced is the Cisitalia 202 E, a modern reinterpretation of the original 1947 Cisitalia 202.

The Cisitalia 202 E (Evolution), which will be presented as a full-scale model, was designed by students currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Transportation Design at the Istituto Europeo di Design (European Institute of Design/IED) in Turin, Italy. CECOMP constructed the show car, with Pirelli, OZ Racing and ABET Laminati providing assistance. It is based on the original Cisitalia 202, which was designed by Pininfarina in 1946.

At first glance, the Cisitalia 202 E doesn’t look much like the original, but a closer inspection reveals similarities like the grille shape, bulging rear fenders and fastback design, though the car is definitely much modernized from the original 1947 version.

Pininfarina debuted the original Cisitalia 202 it at the Villa d’Este Gold Cup show in Como, Italy, followed by an appearance at the 1947 Paris Motor Show. Unlike the prevailing automotive designs of the time, the 202 was composed of a flowing, single surface, in which the fenders, hood, headlights and body all flowed as one. A total of 170 largely handcrafted models were built between 1947 and 1952.

This will be the ninth Geneva show at which IED students present a concept car. Last year, the students designed the Scorp-Ion, a futuristic sports coupe meant to encapsulate the spirit of Fiat’s Abarth brand. At the 2010 show, IED presented the EYE concept, a project collaboration with Tesla Motors.

While IED has been busy recreating a Pininfarina classic, Pininfarina has been building a new concept of its own. Called the Cambiano, Pininfarina’s concept appears to be a sporty car which its makers claim has been "conceived with great attention to the environment". The firm has released a teaser video and several teaser photos but hasn’t yet revealed any detailed information.

IED will present the Cisitalia 202 E on March 6, the first media day of the Geneva show.

Italian auto design house Bertone will introduce a new concept car at the Geneva Motor Show. Named Nuccio after Nuccio Bertone, the long-time chief of the company who passed away in 1997, the car will not only honor Nuccio, but it will also pay homage to Bertone’s design heritage in recognition of its 100th anniversary.

Judging by the teaser sketches that have surfaced, the Nuccio looks to be a reinterpretation of classic wedge-shaped, mid-engined supercars from the 1970s best exemplified by the Lancia Stratos HF Zero … and it could be one of the most interesting concept car debuts of the year.

Bertone has been responsible for the design of various legendary cars, including the Lamborghini Miura, Lamborghini Countach and Alfa Romeo Giuletta SS. Even in light of such iconic models, the firm is probably every bit as famous for the concept cars that never made it to production.

Few if any of Bertone’s concepts are more famous than the ultra-low, wedge-shaped 1970 Lancia Stratos HF Zero. The wild, futuristic HF Zero prototype helped Bertone establish a working relationship with Lancia, essentially getting the firm’s foot in the door for a more realistic Stratos project. The far more conservative production Lancia Stratos would go on to experience success on the competitive circuit, but the Stratos HF Zero prototype became a star in its own right when it debuted at the 1970 Turin Motor Show.

Even today, the HF Zero, which stands just 33 inches off the ground, looks futuristic and otherworldly and is the type of concept that makes sports car fans’ hearts beat fast. Bertone’s current general director Michael Robinson credits this car with inspiring him to abandon his architectural aspirations in favor of car design. The one-off prototype was sold by RM Auctions last year for 761,600 euros (more than US $1 million), and Bertone itself has deigned it one of its "10 masterpieces," a distinction shared with icons like the Lamborghini Miura and Countach. In short, it’s a timeless concept car that continues to inspire and tantalize minds more than 40 years later.

It sounds like the Nuccio will be a Stratos HF Zero for a new generation. Bertone released two teaser sketches of the concept, and it definitely looks like a modernized HF Zero. The new concept shares the super low ride height and seamless hood-windshield of the HF Zero. The teaser picture also depicts the use of orange paint, which was the color of the 1970 concept.

The Nuccio, however, looks to be significantly updated and modernized. The body is more curved and sculpted, and there appears to be LED bars in the front and rear. A pretty drastic rear diffuser sits in back and, combined with the low, aerodynamic shape, it should keep this thing planted to the ground like a bullet train.

Bertone will reveal the Nuccio at the Geneva Motor Show, which begins on March 6. From there, it will take it on a world tour with stops at the Beijing Motor Show in April, the Museum of Turin in May, Laguna Seca USA in August, and Florence, Italy in September.

Chrysler showed an interesting concept without much fanfare at Detroit’s NAIAS this week. The 700C is being evaluated by Chrysler as the design direction for the next generation minivan. It’s a bold effort to give some style to the boxy people mover market and public opinion will now decide if the angled B-pillar and huge wheels will see production.

Our understanding is that the 700C was a last minute addition to the show, and was produced entirely without supporting literature or showcards so that people could make their own mind up on the design and its benefits.

‘Eternita,’ the winning entry for this year’s Ferrari World Design Contest

This year’s Ferrari World Design Contest award has gone to three students from Hongik University in Seoul, South Korea. Students from 50 universities worldwide put pencil to paper to compete for the award, with the Korean students being chosen over close contenders from IED of Turin, Italy and London’s Royal College of Arts.

The Seoul students, Kim Cheong Ju, Ahn Dre and Lee Sahngseok, won with their entry dubbed "Eternità," proving to be the finest design of a Ferrari thoroughbred hypercar. The design not only focused on exterior lines and elegance, but also addressed reducing fuel consumption through alternative propulsion systems. The winning students completed their application with several designs represented in 2D and 3D form, including a 1:4 scale model.

Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo personally presented the Korean students with the winning award. "I saw at first hand the many genuinely innovative ideas that these talented youngsters sent us and could feel the enormous passion and commitment that had gone into them," he stated. "I am certain that some of these suggestions will come to light in the Ferraris of the future."

Two special prizes were also awarded to the Hongik students for the best "Autodesk Design" award, and to Jiangnan University (China) for the "Most Unexpected Technological Solution" award.

Conceived by Italian designer Cristiano Giuggioli, the “Kobra” is an electric motorbike that allows a smooth ride on both highways and inter-city roads. Featuring an ergonomic form, the sporty motorcycle generates power from an eclectic engine to reduce carbon emissions and make cities a better place to live in. Backing the electric engine with advanced robotic technology in the actuation field, the motorbike adapts its body according to the height and weight of the rider. Moreover, the regenerative braking system recharges the onboard battery whenever the rider uses the break during the drive. I’m sure, now you won’t mind putting the foot on break too frequently.