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Full disclosure: since the age of 12, I’ve inexplicably been a devotee of all things Citroen. As such, I was a bit excited that a DS revival would appear at the 2009 Geneva motor show.

Having seen the concept earlier this afternoon, I can say this: ceci n’est pas une DS.

Contrary to what emblems and press materials may say, this simply isn’t a DS – in any sense of the term. Although they may have been quirky, the DS’s design was lightyears ahead of other cars. Indeed, upon your first encounter with a DS (or its stripped-down sibling, the ID), you can’t help but lose yourself while admiring its sultry shape.

Such instant infatuation doesn’t occur with the DS Inside. Walk inside Citroen’s dimly-lit room, and you’re presented with a car that resembles the love child of a C3 Pluriel and a Mini Cooper S. Although it’s less ugly in person than what press photos may suggest (thanks in no small part, I presume, to Citroen’s strategic lighting), it carries none of the visual gravitas of the original car. When the DS was launched in 1956, crowds excitedly gathered around it for hours on end. Today, people simply meandered out of its private viewing room with no visible sign of emotion.

Perhaps it is a bit unfair to compare this, the smallest version of the forthcoming DS range, to the legend, but that’s a comparison that will forever be performed so long as the DS nameplate is applied. I’m fearing that this may be a tremendous marketing blunder on Citroen’s part – couldn’t this car simply be sold as a designer-edition C2 or C3?

Although I hope the two future DS sedans will be as revolutionary as the first, I’m now fearing for the worst. To Citroen? Bonne chance.

Although big, bold, and brash automobiles all but rule the Geneva motor show, we can’t ignore the smaller rides – especially when they happen to be fun, fresh, and funky. Here are five of our favorites from this year’s show.

2009 Fiat 500

What’s to like? We can’t praise this one enough. It’s an adorable, affable little car, but it doesn’t let its retro-chic shape prevent it from offering a suave interior and a surprisingly refined drive. There’s also a version for every taste – a convertible for sun worshipers, a diesel for hypermilers, and a 160-hp Abarth “esse-esse” model for the hot hatch fanatics.

Will it come Stateside? Possibly. Should the Fiat-Chrysler deal actually transpire, the 500 is on the short list of cars that would cross the pond.

Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA

What’s to like? The normal MiTo is already a shapely, sporty hatchback, but the GTA kicks things up a notch. 240 hp, sport-tuned suspension, and racy styling are all pluses in our book.

Will it come Stateside? Our Magic 8 ball says to “ask again later.” Not only is the MiTo’s arrival in the U.S. hinged upon the Chrysler-Fiat marriage, but there’s also a lot of speculation as to the GTA’s future itself – after all, it’s still a concept at this point.

2009 Suzuki Swift Sport 100th Anniversary Edition

What’s to like? Although the name might trigger flashbacks of a Geo Metro twin, the present Swift – sold almost everywhere but America – is a slick-looking hatchback. The Sport 100th Anniversary Edition model looks even better – adding a monochromatic paint treatment, a custom body kit, and large aluminum wheels makes the miniscule Swift look a lot like a shrunken VW GTI.

Will it come Stateside? Not likely, as Suzuki plans on keeping the SX4 as its smallest North American offering at this point. A shame, as the Swift actually seems to be a competent, attractive, and (possibly) inexpensive ride.

2010 Volkswagen Polo

What’s to like? It’s like a fifth-generation Golf, but at three-quarters scale. Everything you may like about VW’s “larger” hatchback – styling, interior, powertrain – is here, albeit in a resized form. Still, it comes off as one of the most upscale subcompacts we’ve seen in a while.

Will it come Stateside? Most likely, as VW’s expressed interest in playing in the growing subcompact segment in the U.S. Whether we’ll receive this car or the last-generation model remains to be seen.

Daihatsu Trevis

What’s to like? The Mini Cooper may be retro, but Daihatsu seems to capture more of the original’s spirit with its Trevis. It’s slow (power comes from a 1.0-liter I-3) and small, but hey – so was the first Austin Mini. The look is so convincing, we’ve had to do a double-take several times as we’ve passed these on the street (one, painted in British Racing Green with white hood stripes, really had us confused.

Will it come Stateside? We’re fairly certain Daihatsu’s parent company – Toyota Motor Corporation – has bigger fish to fry than re-launching the brand in the U.S.