GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: DS E-TENSE Concept revealed

We've seen eye-popping coupe concepts before from Citroen's new stand-alone DS brand, including the 2CV-inspired 2009 Revolte and the low-slung 2010 Survolt, but the 2016 E-TENSE is altogether different.

First, it's a full-size two-seat super-coupe, measuring 4.72 metres long, a full 2.08 metres wide and just 1.29 metres high. Second, DS describes its Geneva motor show star, to be revealed at the Swiss fair on March 1, as a high-performance all-electric car that delivers 300kW of power and 516Nm of torque.

DS says that allows the 1800kg, rear-drive two-door to hit 100km/h in a respectable 4.5 seconds on its way to a 250km/h top speed. At the same time, the zero-emissions sports car is claimed to offer a driving range of 360km around town, or an average of 310km.

"Our ambition was to create a high-performance electric GT," the DS press release reads. "A car that embodies refinement, technology, and DS design. A car that inspires dreams. A car that gives you the overpowering urge to get behind the wheel."

Featuring the silhouette of a grand touring coupe, highlighted by a central chrome-plated spine and an exclusive metallic green 'ametrine' body colour, the DS E-TENSE has no rear windscreen.

Instead, it employs "digital rear-view technology", which we take to mean a rear-view camera, plus trademark DS LED lighting signatures at both ends, inspired by jewellery and luxury watches and dubbed DS ACTIVE LED VISION.

The roof-integrated rear indicators are inspired by the 1955 DS, while full-LED tail-light signatures appear to spring to life whenever the car is in use.

Other key features include a 640-Watt Focal Utopia sound system with Digital Signal Processor and 20-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Supersport tyres measuring 245/35 ZR 20 up front and 305/30 ZR20 at the rear.

Inside, the E-TENSE cabin, which DS says took upholsterers 800 hours to design, is claimed to be "an example of the alchemy that occurs when French-style luxury savoir-faire is combined with superior materials".

Key interior features include "watchstrap" seat and dashboard finishes – the latter incorporating a futuristic cold steel design – plus a tulip-shaped steering wheel, 10-inch touch-screen and 12-inch digital handset.

Although the E-TENSE cabin is yet to be revealed, there is also a hobnail pattern around the toggle switches of the central console, and a handmade calfskin helmet harness designed by Moynat, which draws inspiration from the Y-shaped straps used to secure the spare tyre to the back of an automobile.

Other high-end additions include a one-off edition watch by BRM Chronographes, which can be worn on the wrist or affixed to the car’s central console.

Unfortunately, the chances of the E-TENSE reaching production appear slim, at least in its current form, given it's based around a carbon monocoque chassis, under which is double-wishbone suspension at both ends and a lithium-ion battery of unknown specifications.