Dual-power Fiat concept

Having revealed the show stopping iChange concept car ahead of next week's Geneva extravaganza, Rinspeed's announcement that it would showcase another 'green' model was met with excitement.

Sadly, the second world debut, dubbed the E2, is not quite as radical a proposition as the shape-shifting iChange. Instead of altering its appearance depending on the driver's needs, the E2 alters its power output and fuel economy.

Behind the lurid paint job sits the recently launched Abarth 500 junior hot hatch and in 'Highway' mode the E2 puts out 160bhp so it's no different to Fiat's creation really.

However, press the 'Commuting' button and power is reduced to a lowly 60bhp. The point? Well, the lower power is due to an engine calibration that is much more fuel efficient, with Rinspeed quoting an improvement from 40mpg to more than 70mpg.

Could this be the future of tuning? Rinspeed's boss, Frank M. Rinderknecht, reckons it's the way forward: "Many drivers are not willing to miss out on driving fun and don't want to drive something that announces to the world that they do without. But the number of people who want to use our energy supply responsibly not in the least because they want to protect our environment will grow quickly."

Shane O' Donoghue