Expected to go on sale around the world, the as-yet-unnamed vehicle (below) was created in cooperation with its British subsidiary, Lotus Engineering, and Italdesign Giugiaro.

The five-door hatchback features four identical and independently sliding seats while its hybrid system incorporates a front-mounted internal combustion engine to charge the batteries which, in a similar arrangement to GM’s Volt plug-in hybrid, drive the front wheels exclusively at all times.

Italdesign Giugiaro chairman Giorgetto Giugiaro said: "You could say that it is a brand-new type of car, a new automotive concept where looks are as important as function, ergonomics and comfort, not to mention environmental impact.

"It is higher than other compact cars to make the best use of interior space; the seat H point is at the same height as the passengers’ hips: you do not get down into your car as in a coupe, you do not climb up as in an SUV but you enter in a natural way. Rear seat comfort when you enter and leave the car is unprecedented, the distance from the front seat is comparable to that of an SUV." – Agencies