THE Chrysler Airflite concept vehicle, unveiled this week at the Geneva Motor Show, has been touted as blending Chrysler design, the styling of a coup and the practicality and function of a saloon car.

The long, clean aerodynamic lines of Airflite's striking profile combine with the spacious, creative but practical interior to produce a car that is as much museum-quality sculpture as it is personal transportation.

Senior vice president of design, Trevor Creed, said: "Airflite is the ultimate expression of functional art.

"It is designed to offer true functionality in a beautifully-designed exterior and interior package that is as exciting and as elegant as any coup on the road."

Airflite's long, tapered roof line, uninterrupted glass and body side forms of its exterior is similar to the Crossfire, (Chrysler Group's sporty, two-passenger coup) but with a wealth of new ideas.

In creating Airflite, exterior designer Greg Howell and interior designer Simeon Kim drew on influences from sources as diverse as contemporary furniture design, classic marine architecture, and the art deco Chrysler building in New York.

The result is a sedan-coup hybrid that offers five doors and full-size seating for four in an elegant vehicle.

Rear fog lamps, centre high-mounted stop light and repeater lamps set into the side vents contribute unique elements to the Airflite design.

The tail of the car is finished off with a bold chrome wing badge and seven-spoke road wheels recapture the theme used on the Crossfire and Chrysler Pacifica, two of the brand's latest products.

The most striking interior element is the dominant centre spine that connects the interior from front to back.

The floor is stepped up behind the rear seats to create a raised cargo area.

Leather seats enhance the natural look and broaden the range of materials of the interior space.

Key specifications include:

Length: 190.4in (4,838mm)

Wheelbase: 116in (2,946mm)

Width: 73.6in (1,870mm)

Height: 57in (1,488mm)

Front: 235/45R20-in; wheel size: 20x8.5in, outer diameter 28.3in.

Rear: 255/45R21-in; wheel size: 21x9 in, outer diameter 30in

Engine: 3.5L V-6

Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive