Volvo will display of four of its concept cars, ranging from 1972 to 2005, at the 75th Geneva motor show, which is open to the public from March 3-13.

Fresh from its show debut in Detroit in January, Volvo's latest concept car, the 3CC, will be seen by the European public for the first time at the Geneva show.

The 3CC is a small, zero emission electric powertrain. Its electric power comes from 3,000 lithium batteries identical to those used in modern laptop computers, in a thin sandwich floor which could be adapted to house the most appropriate powertrain in the future, whether it is petrol, biogas or a hybrid electric.

The Volvo Safety Concept Car (SCC) - debuted in 2001- features see-through A-pillars, B-pillars that curve inwards so they don't obstruct over the shoulder rear vision, and a sensor to scan the driver's eye and then automatically adjust the position of the centre console, steering wheel, seat, gear lever and pedals to ensure the driver has the best possible visibility and control.

The Volvo Environmental Concept Car (ECC) of 1992 previewed the new design direction which was first seen when the Volvo S80 was launched in 1998.

The VESC (Volvo Experimental Safety Car) was first unveiled at the Geneva show 33 years ago in 1972. It previewed features such as airbags to protect both front and rear occupants, anti-lock brakes, acoustic reversing warning system and an extra-sturdy body optimised for impact protection with an integrated roll-over cage and side impact protection.

Many of these safety solutions were later seen in the production version – the Volvo 240.