There used to be a time when one of the Italian car design giants like Pininfarina, Zagato or Italdesign announced a new model, it was a mad mad supercar with a crazy design and a V-million engine. Not anymore though! These days most of the designs coming out of their offices are small, mostly hybrid city car ! And here’s a new one designed by Giugiaro for Malaysian car maker Proton. Giorgetto, you are better than that mate!

To be unveiled at 2010 Geneva Motor Show, this car is a city hatchback which is about 3.5 meters long and can accommodate five people. It has been designed just economy and environment friendliness in mind so as you’d expect it’s horribly ugly and is boring just looking at it! And as mentioned it’s powered by a hybrid powertrain. In fact there is nothing Italian about it.

Good for Proton though, they have a long history with Lotus and now apparently they are teaming up with Italians as well. But I wonder why, despite all these connections, they still can’s make a fine and cool car?!