Top five show cars of 2017

In 2017 the conceptual push of car-makers towards electric vehicles (EVs) was still stronger than a tequila slammer, but it wasn't quite as insistent as in previous years – with the exception of Volkswagen.

The German company was keen to distance itself from the dieselgate scandal and a reborn Kombi is certainly one way to do it. Honda hit the target with a new compact urban car, but Bentley again blew us away – this time with its slinky sports car concept.

<a href="/editorial/details/peugeot-instinct-concept-leaked-106132/?__source=editorialArticle&driver_crosssell=editorial.in.article.link" data-article-id="ED-ITM-106132">Peugeot Instinct<br> </a>The French have always punched above their weight when it comes to show cars and the Peugeot Instinct concept car threw a mean right-hook at the 2017 Geneva motor show.

The moody styling works beautifully as a high-performance wagon, with pumped wheel arches, massive wheels and a low-slung ride height give it a touch of Too Fast, Too Furious.

The cherry on top? Barn-style doors which add a bit of drama to proceedings, together with a high-tech interior design. Autonomous driving functionality even folds the steering wheel and pedals away. Too cool for school. The Peugeot Instinct pumps a 224kW plug-in hybrid powertrain.

<a href="/editorial/details/frankfurt-motor-show-honda-urban-ev-concept-108936/?__source=editorialArticle&driver_crosssell=editorial.in.article.link" data-article-id="ED-ITM-108936">Honda Urban EV Concept<br> </a>Revealed at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show, the Honda Urban EV Concept stole the show and the German brands definitely weren't happy.

The Honda Urban EV Concept’s cheeky retro design struck a chord with the press and public alike; It's simple but some bold design cues make for a refreshing change.

A production version of the concept car is coming 2019 and although the suicide doors, futuristic steering wheel and metre-long LED infotainment screen are unlikely to remain, this show car was an unmitigated success. It was the Stranger Things of the car world, compellingly cool on so many levels.

<a href="/editorial/details/geneva-motor-show-bentley-goes-electric-106280/?__source=editorialArticle&driver_crosssell=editorial.in.article.link" data-article-id="ED-ITM-106280">Bentley EXP12 Speed 6e<br> </a>As one of the world's most conservative luxury car brands, Bentley pulled a cashmere bunny out its hat with an incredibly smooth, stylish but sporty roadster at the 2017 Geneva motor show.

The name is about as easy to remember as the first 20 digits of pi, but the Bentley EXP12 Speed 6e takes the stuffy British brand to an exciting new place, one which says: "I'm thrilling and I'll kick your Aston Martin in the nuts"

The exterior design shows off classic sports car proportions with a long bonnet, short overhangs and a road-hugging stance. Best of all, the olde-world cockpit blends perfectly with the contemporary body styling.

<a href="/editorial/details/tokyo-motor-show-next-mazda3-previewed-109520/?__source=editorialArticle&driver_crosssell=editorial.in.article.link" data-article-id="ED-ITM-109520">Mazda KAI concept<br> </a>Forget for a moment this concept from the 2017 Tokyo motor show was about revealing the next-generation Mazda3 coming 2018, and just focus on the design.

It's got more curves than Marilyn Monroe yet still retains an athletic character. Whatever they're putting in the water at Mazda's design studio, it's working.

From the smooth surfacing on the doors to the curved rump, pointy snout and minimalistic cabin, there's nary an angle which can be criticised in this car. Bring on the new Mazda3 in 2018!

<a href="/editorial/details/detroit-motor-show-volkswagen-i-d-buzz-concept-105340/?__source=editorialArticle&driver_crosssell=editorial.in.article.link" data-article-id="ED-ITM-105340">Volkswagen I.D. Buzz<br> </a>When the wraps came off the Volkswagen I.D. Buzz concept at the 2017 Detroit motor show in January, there was a sense of relief in the air.

As Volkswagen execs in North America were being questioned by the FBI over its dieselgate problems, the company's creative brains trust somehow pushed aside the scandalous wrongdoings and fashioned a striking take on a modern-day Kombi.

The design wasn't game-changing like the Mazda Kai or Honda Urban EV concepts, but it managed to combine old and new to great effect, making Baby Boomers swoon. It has sliding doors at the side, seats for up to eight people and even a camper van conversion.

The Volkswagen I.D. Buzz concept captured the imagination of the American public in Detroit – especially Baby Boomers – and deservedly so. It is set to become a production car post 2020.