26.10.2004 Alfa Romeo have presented a compact line-up at the Salão de São Paulo this week, headlined by the Bertone-styled GT Coupe, as they showcase their wares at Brazil's leading motor show

Alfa Romeo have presented a compact line-up at the 2004 Salão de São Paulo this week, as they showcase their wares at Brazil's leading motor show.

Three models, a GT Coupe, a 147 and a 156, are arrayed out in a spacious section of the large Fiat Automóveis stand at the bi-annual show in Sao Paolo, the huge industrial Brazilian city.

Brazil is home to Fiat Auto's biggest manufacturing operation outside Italy, and cars such as the Fiat Stilo, Doblo and Nuovo Mille (Uno) are some of the market's biggest players.

This successful market penetration and experience allows Fiat to be in a strong position to push the Alfa Romeo brand, and provide an effective aftersales operation.

The Alfa Romeo name has a strong reputation in South America, and the future is regarded as being potentially bright here for the 'sporty' brand. In particular Brazilians remember the marque's myriad racing successes, and bygone eras when factory-built cars raced to victories on this continent.

Leading the way here in Sao Paolo is the Alfa GT. Designed by Bertone, and first previewed in Geneva last year, the 156-based Coupe marked a return to this segment for the marque after more than a decade's absence.

With its 'family' look, the GT has been widely praised as a stylish coupe, and has in particular been highly acclaimed for its roomy genuine four seat interior.

The metallic-painted model here, fitted with the optional Selespeed transmission, takes pride of place at the head of the display, positioned below a huge Alfa Rome logo mounted on aluminium uprights.

Next up is the long-running Alfa Romeo 156 saloon. The model on show, finished in bright 'Alfa' red, is powered by the punchy 2.5 V6 24v engine.

The 156 was given a timely makeover by Giorgetto Giugiaro last summer, updating a design that has become an accepted style icon. Refreshing such a classic design was never going to be an easy matter, but the Italian master stylist carried it out with great aplomb.

Tauter, more aggressive detailing has updated its shape without losing any of its beauty, while the addition of a large front grille gives the new car a neat 'corporate' took. The Alfa 156 carries itself with a grace that its rivals, like the downright ugly Chris Bangle-penned BMWs, can only dream of.

The third model here is the cute Alfa 147. However this one is an original, not the new model presented last month at the Paris Mondial de l'Automobile. A previous winner of the 'European Car of the Year' award, the little Alfa, still looks as good as the day it was introduced.

The show Alfa 147 is being presented in four door format, fitted with stylish 'telephone dial' wheels, and the optional Selespeed transmission.

by Iinuma Wesley in São Paulo