Geneva Motor Show: Dream machines lift the gloom as car makers get back on track

There are some outrageously designed and empowered dream machines for us to look at in awe and wonder.

Some of them will be on our roads imminently (for the few who can afford).

Many others are so costly they are for the super rich and are all the more adorable as a result.

Yet the presence of such a wide range of exotica from big prestige names gave us all a lift.

And maybe, just maybe, they momentarily helped distort the reality of a stagnant Europe and widespread concerns for the world economy overall.

But there were sufficient mainstream cars here to truly reflect the real-world, and majority, concerns ranging from running costs, emissions and the need for more people to get around.

There is also a wider anticipation of what buyers want when it comes to connectivity and infotainment in their cars.

Amid predictions of even closer integration of vehicles and digitisation, we were shown an array of new systems that, even at this early stage, is mind boggling.

And, of course, there is the inexorable push towards the car - sorry the technology - taking more control as it anticipates and reacts more quickly than its driver.

Yes, it was show time on several fronts.

And while overall this wasn't what you would call exuberant, it was a lot more engaging than last year's more muted, if worthy, event.

There was just that sense of there being more adventure.

'New, revised, updated, more powerful, the best yet.' All phrases and claims for the models from Lamborghini, Audi, Mercedes, Ferrari, Bugatti, Bentley, Porsche and more. Ford got in on the act with an extraordinary looking GT - here next year.

These people are not spending a fortune and building cars for the fun of it.

They see, sense and anticipate demand for the out-of-the ordinary from people who have money.

However, for just a few seconds even these exotica took a back seat as we looked at, and into (don't touch), a Rolls-Royce of extravagance unusual even for that marque.

The Serenity Phantom-based concept has an interior of Chinese silk, smoked cherrywood, mother of pearl, bamboo and arctic white leather.

It took 6,000 hours to weave the silk. It has been bought by a Far-Eastern gentleman.

'New, revised, updated, more powerful, the best yet.'

The same words flowed over the cars that you and I may be driving come next month, the summer, next year.

These are the hatchbacks, saloon and crossovers (oh! yes, plenty of crossovers) with more efficient petrol and diesel engines.

There are more hybrids, plug-ins and electric cars.

Indeed there is more of everything.

Including hope and confidence.