What is it?

Little known maker Protoscar showed its Tesla clone at Geneva - a plug-in two-seat sportscar with battery power and a half-decent range. Sure, the name's a bit silly - especially if you say it in a Geordie accent - but at least it leaves you in no doubt about what it is, we suppose. And it's a headline writer's dream, as we haven't demonstrated. What is it?

Because the whole electric propulsion thing is giving small makers like Protoscar the chance to enjoy some major publicity with some wild claims about their future wares. The Lampo will go - it is claimed - 125-miles on a charge after plugging it in for a while at a household socket. But because that will take some time (think about how long your phone takes to charge), it can be fully loaded from a more robust charging point in a few minutes. It's got two electric motors too, one mounted fore, the other aft, and 325lb.ft of torque from one rpm (i.e. instantly). It'll be quick, then, but exactly how quick we're not sure.

Show stopper or floor filler?

Actually, for a one off concept from a small maker the Lampo is remarkably well finished inside and out. The faired-in rear wheels make it look distinctive too, and it's sleek enough to warrant at least a second glance among the more exotic metal at Geneva. We liked it... we just hope it doesn't get lost somewhere in the transition to production car like so many of these things do.

Mark Nichol - 5 Mar 2009