THE all-conquering 3-series may be BMW's car star of today, but the German manufacturer clearly has an eye on the future. Its ingenious C1, on display at the Motor Show, is being mooted as the city vehicle of the future, offering the hybrid advantages of both a car and a motorbike.

Equipped with a crumple zone, safety frame, ABS, anti-dive front suspension and safety belts, the C1 features the safety components of a car - indeed, in Germany riders of the vehicle will not even have to wear crash helmets.

Yet it also enjoys the agility and low-space requirements of a motor cycle, with a price tag to match - about £3,000 to £4,000. The C1 is powered by a single-cylinder, 125cc four-stroke engine. Production is due to start in late 1999 and go on sale in spring 2000.