Motor Show: Rinspeed Zazen

The zaZen is - distantly - based on the Porsche 997-series 911 Carrera S and features the same 355bhp flat-six (giving 0-60mph acceleration in 4.8 seconds) but has been completely, and spectacularly, rebodied and built by Swiss engineering specialists Esoro.

Collaborators on the project include BayerMaterialScience, which developed the plastics and polycarbonates used for the body panels and the full-length one-piece transparent roof dome.

The cabin has transparent plastic shell-seats, made by Recaro, with a gel-type padding in place of upholstery and it is decorated in mango-orange leather, fabric and oiled wood, with natural materials such as tea-dyed flax and lacquered jute for the steering wheel, gearshift and handbrake lever. The transparent surfaces, including the roof dome, use liquid-crystal technology to turn opaque at the flick of a switch.

Holographic brake lights and a polyurethane clear-coat finish, sealing in millions of tiny Swarovski crystals, complete the exterior effect. This 'fine rainbow shimmer' is said to have been inspired by 'Himalayan glaciers... the colour spectrum of the snow-covered K2,' according to paint suppliers Lesonal. The crystals were added by Tyrolean firm Seelos, suppliers of custom-finished cars to clients such as the Sultan of Brunei and Saudi Arabian royalty.

The zaZen name, says designer Frank M Rinderknecht, reflects the Buddhist concept of Zen: 'A special form of perception. You only get there if you are prepared to give up preconceived ideas.'

For all the philosophy, the zaZen is very much a driveable reality, with high-performance Dunlop Touch tyres on 20" lightweight rims designed by Rinspeed and adjustable-coil suspension with 'infinitely' variable ride height.

The zaZen will be a purchasable prospect - for the world's wealthiest petrolheads, anyway - and will even be offered in a form able to run on natural gas.

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