19.11.2004 Autodelta publicly revealed their latest two models in the setting of the MPH04 Motor Show yesterday evening, the Autodelta 156 GTA AM 3.7 and the Autodelta GT Super

Autodelta publicly revealed their latest two models in the setting of the MPH04 Motor Show yesterday evening, the Autodelta 156 GTA AM 3.7 and the Autodelta GT Super.

MPH04 is a prestigious motor show, now in its second year, with once again the famous Earls Court exhibition centre providing the venue. This event showcases prestige models in an upmarket atmosphere, making it an ideal place for Autodelta to present their newest offerings.

The line-up here is breathtaking this year, no expense being spared to make this a European gathering with impact. Lightweight sportscars, such as the Lotus Exige and Aerial Atom, refined sports coupes from Aston Marin and Bently, super-luxury luggers like the Rolls-Royce Phantom, far-out supercars such as the new Ford GT40, or oddities like the Hummer H2, all rub shoulders with each other. Racing cars are well represented, these including an ex-Michael Schumacher F1 Ferrari F2004, and a number of title-winning, John Player Special-decaled, Lotus F1 cars.

There is a strong Italian flavour to the extravaganza. From Lamborghini, comes the Gallardo, Murcielago, in Coupe and Roadster format; from Ferrari, the ultimate supercar, the Enzo, a 612 Scaglietti, the 575 M and a 575 GTC racer, while from Pagani, the Mercedes-Benz powered Zonda C12 S is in arena 'action'. Finally Maserati are presenting the GranSport and Quattroporte, while a gorgeous Merak SS catches the eye.

This is the shop window into which Autodelta must pitch their 156 GTA AM and the GT Super. Its time for these cars, visually at least, to stand up and be counted.

Autodelta relish a challenge, and upholding Alfa Romeo's pride in the face of the world's best motor cars, it one that they're certainly up for. MPH04 is literally ten minutes down the road from their workshops, and so, positioned between Lotus and Marcos, the two new Autodelta models sit on a gently raised dais awaiting the public's critical inspection.

The two car's finish is superb. This firm's attention to detail is second to none. An quick example of which is the 'Autodelta' engraved plates that are riveted to the exhaust's quad tailpipes. The script arches around the stainless steel outlets. It's a small touch, only visible on close inspection, but nevertheless one that has been carefully thought out, and one that speaks volumes about the pride these engineers have in their craftsmanship, and their place in Alfa Romeo tradition.

The jet-black Autodelta 156 GTA AM 3.7 is squat and muscular. It's an overused cliché to say that a car is 'crouched on its haunches, ready to pounce', but in this case it's a cliché genuinely applies.

It conveys all of the aggressive stance that its track-bred sisters have portrayed as they raced to so much recent glory in the FIA European Touring Car Championship. Autodelta's creation, with its bulging wheel arches, deep spoilers and gorgeous multi-spoke 18-inch wheels, combine with the with the soft, elegant lines that have made the Alfa 156 a modern day classic.

The mix works perfectly, Autodelta have created a monster, which is still a thing of beauty, an Alfa Romeo pushed to the technological edge, without losing touch with its soul.

Side by side the two cars proudly sit. The Autodelta GT Super is making its first ever public appearance here.

The Alfa Romeo GT Coupe is a very pretty car, its Bertone-penned lines quickly received global acclaim. In fact, earlier this month it was voted 'Most Beautiful Car of 2004', in its category, by a distinguished panel of judges made up of the world's most famous designers and stylists.

This is the car then, that Autodelta had to work their magic on, their task to enhance it, with losing any of its character.

The plan has worked perfectly. Its sharper new looks blend right to the heart of this gorgeous coupe, the Autodelta treatment creating a distinctive new breed, that is at the same time, still true the ideals of the Alfa GT.

In comes supercharging, creating a real thread back to the early years of Alfa Romeo's history when boundaries were smashed down by the day, and technology raced ahead. Autodelta are much out of this mould. They see no barriers, only challenges.

People laughed when they put 328bhp through the front wheels of the Alfa 147. Confident in their own abilities, and the adaptability of the little Alfa, they put it to the ultimate public test, on BBC Top Gear, a programme that has shattered many big reputations and humbled mighty names. It sailed through.

It just so happens that the Autodelta 147 GTA AM 3.7 is also present in Earls Court this weekend, a bright-blue example proudly residing on the stand of AutoItalia magazine.

Last year Autodelta presented their first bespoke car, the 147 GTA AM 3.7, in these famous halls. One year on all the three models, that now make up the growing range, are here and holding their own against the cream of automotive design and engineering ability. It really has been some year for this small, ambitious company.

by Edd Ellison at MPH04, London

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