Car companies like to tempt and tease us before they show us the goods in full at motorshows, but Italian design house I.D.E.A is being a little too shy. It's released an outline image of its hybrid saloon, but details are so scarce they might not have bothered.

The press release we received simply said: 'I.DE.A. Institute returns to the Geneva Motor Show with a four-seater sedan powered by a hybrid engine. This latest concept car is Italian to the core: its shape, its look, its elegance and name are instantly recognised as being synonymous with Italian styling and beauty.'

That's it. No technical information or figures about economy and emissions. Heck, we don't even know if it's Ford Focus or Jaguar XJ in size. What we can tell you is that if the rest of the car looks as good as the side profile, we're in for a treat.

I.D.E.A has a bit of form with concept cars as the ERA Concept proved back in 2008 - when the company showed off this two-seater sportscar to celebrate its 30th anniversary. As for its latest concept, you'll have to check in on our full Geneva motorshow coverage as it happens on Tuesday.

Alisdair Suttie - 26 Feb 2010