It’s not very often that the Swedish car maker, with the world’s greatest reputation for safety, upstages everyone from Audi to Porsche at a motor show, but that’s exactly what happened when it took the wraps off its coupe concept at this month’s Frankfurt show.

In fact, so great was the reaction to the sleek two-door sportscar — a modern reimagining of the company’s classic 60s P1800 — that Volvo’s board is now deep in discussion over whether or not a very limited and therefore exclusive production run is possible.

Designed by famed Italian coachbuilder Bertone, whose past styling credits include the Aston Martin Jet 2+2, the result is a vehicle that combines the past with the future direction of Volvo’s design and Bertone has already been contacted by Volvo about its ability to handle a limited production run.

Whether or not the car does become a reality, it is a certainty that it won’t come with the engine that featured in the show car — a two-litre gas engine with both a supercharger and turbo charger plus a plug-in hybrid powertrain to deliver over 400bph — won’t make the jump from concept to forecourt.

Most likely, Volvo will use a more run-of-the-mill, tuned four-cylinder turbo gas engine, which may or may not be linked to an electric motor. But when a car’s that good looking, speed is of less importance. If it’s going too fast no one will be able to stare longingly at it.