The 39th edition of the Tokyo Motor Show, running from 21 October to 6 November, is Asia's most important motor industry showcase, with the participation of 239 exhibitors and among them, the world's top car and motorcycle manufacturers. Obviously Alfa Romeo will be one of them, present with a clean-cut stand design in which alternating, stylistically elegant lines and spaces highlight the flowing, aerodynamic design of the many cars on show.

This in a few words is the spirit of the Alfa Romeo stand at the Tokyo Show. A high-impact display area designed to welcome and involve visitors, one where they can get to know and experience what have always been the Italian manufacturer's hallmarks: 'sportiness and elegance' originating from cutting-edge technology and a unique heritage within the world motoring scene.

Ambassadors of this philosophy will be the Alfa GT, Alfa 147 and the latest generation Alfa Romeo cars born out of the 'Alfa 159' project, all equipped with Euro 4 engines. But the real star on the stand will be the fascinating Alfa Brera, a car that will be presented in Italy to the international press at the end of October and be on sale from the end of 2005.

But first, a word about the two new Alfa 159 saloons on show. One will be a Q4 (4-wheel drive) version, equipped with the powerful new 3.2 V6 JTS 24 valve engine that develops 191 kW (260bhp) and also features a 'Ruby red' body colour that admirably expresses Alfa Romeo's concept of 'classic sportiness'. The second saloon– on show in a silver-coloured livery – also has one of the three new JTS engines available in the range: this time the 2.2 JTS unit with a maximum power output of 136 kW (185 bhp) at 6500 rpm and a torque of 230 Nm (23.4 kgm) at 4500 rpm.

One thing both the Alfa 159s have in common is a wealth of standard features, for instance, the facia, seats and panels upholstered in Frau® full-gain “pieno fiore” leather in either grey, black or beige. And then the three-zone climate control, aluminium panels, electric seats, Cruise control, 7 airbags, VDC stability control with hill holder, radio map navigator with telephone and voice control, xenon headlights and 18" alloy wheels in a classic sports design (either with perforations or spokes, depending on the version).

At the Japanese show the spotlight will also be on the Alfa GT, the model created together with Bertone. The new car launches an original styling, rich content and superb performance – a brand-new sports concept combined with elegance and comfort. The car on show will be equipped with a 2.0 JTS Selespeed, 165 bhp power unit that can reach a maximum speed of 216 km/h and acceleration from 0 a 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds. In addition to scintillating performance the model also has a wealth of standard features like, 6 airbags, Cruise control, VDC, two-zone climate control, 17" alloy wheels, radio with MP3 reader, Bose® hi-fi system, sporty leather seats, ski compartment, leather-trimmed steering wheel fitted with radio controls and dual chromed exhaust outlet. And of course customers can personalise their car thanks to a wealth of options: from xenon headlights to a sports pedal set in aluminium or 18" alloy wheels and Frau® “pieno fiore” leather upholstery.

There's also space at the Tokyo Show for the Alfa 147. With its harmonious yet always muscular line this Alfa Romeo compact will be on show with updated styling, several new mechanical features and a sporty 1.9 JTD, 150 bhp engine, plus more advanced systems in the safety field – VDC, ASR, ABS complete with EBD and 6 airbags as standard throughout the range. Two versions will be on show at Tokyo: the first, an Alfa 147 GTA – one of the fastest, most powerful cars in its category (250 bhp - 184 kW) – equipped with a Selespeed sequential gearbox. Alongside this there will also be room for another Alfa 147 2.0 TS, 110 kW (150 bhp) with Selespeed gearbox, proposed in an IT (International Tourism) sporty trim. In the Seventies Alfa Romeo only used the IT designation for cars with first-class content. Today, these two glorious yet simple letters reappear on a specific line that can be requested on Alfa Romeo models.

So the Tokyo Motor Show is the right occasion to get to know Alfa Romeo's extensive range and, above all, to admire the extraordinary Alfa Brera. A car that transforms the traditional coupé spirit into something even more electrifying – the 'absolute sports car'. The show car will be a Q4 version equipped with a 260 bhp, 3.2 V6 JTS engine.

Alfa Brera: sportiness and elegance captured in a unique, exclusive design

Harmony of lines and volumes combined with Alfa Romeo's renowned excellence in terms of mechanicals and engine technology to create an attractive, powerful, solid car. This, in short, is the spirit of the Alfa Brera, the new coupé sure to set hearts on fire and ensure maximum driving pleasure. But then the designers had only one objective in mind: to combine sportiness with on-board roominess and quality of life.

As the fascinating Brera prototype had already been received enthusiastically by press and public alike, it represented an excellent springboard to achieve this result.
 

The Brera already had several prestigious international awards to its name: the Best of Show Award assigned by Autoweek magazine at the Geneva Show; Best of Show in the prototype category in the Villa d’Este Elegance Award; 2 category awards in the 2002 Bibendum Challenge, voted as “one of the most elegant in the world”, and it was also singled out as “the most fascinating car” in the 2002 Paris-Montecarlo Super Car Rally.

Fascinating styling

Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, this is a state-of-the-art coupé model, a muscular compact that rules the road thanks to its unmistakable personality. First of all this fascinating '2+2' is generously sized: 1830 millimetres wide, 4413 long, 1372 high, and with a wheelbase of 2525 millimetres, even though the way it tapers at the front and rear still conveys the idea of a really compact model. But this design feature in no way impairs the elegance of the Brera's fluid line either up front or behind, a design enhanced by integrated bumpers and converging wedge-shaped light units.

Externally the line is a succession of classic reminders, a design in which the brand's traditional styling cues are re-elaborated in a modern key. Just a quick glance reveals this. For instance, a backlight reminiscent of the legendary Giulietta Sprint. Or again, the rear section that again proposes the distinctive lines of Alfa Romeo's latest models. Even the front end brings back memories: the bonnet sports a reminder of the Fifties when this section was dominated by the shield set in the centre. Lastly, the larger rear light units and four exhaust outlets contribute to reinforcing the impression of a really powerful sports car, as do the wide-tread tyres and sporty alloy wheels (standard on the entire range). In short, the Alfa Brera represents continuity with the past while offering increased interior space and roominess. Certainly the driver's seat in a car with a strong character is the fulcrum around which the interior is designed. The Alfa Brera is no exception, as could be expected from a car created to offer outstanding performance coupled with high visual-impact styling.

Sophisticated and welcoming interiors

The Alfa Brera is available in two outfits, both with a wealth of electronic and telematic equipment, and both guaranteed to provide a highly sophisticated, welcoming environment, thanks to the choice of original shapes, attractive colours and top-quality materials used for the panels, facia and seats. The fact is that the new model's interiors are the epitome of distinctive sportiness. An impression also reinforced by the innovative solutions adopted like, for instance, the extensive fixed glass roof that increases luminosity inside and a sense of roominess, apart from giving the car a more dashing line. And then the seats with integrated headrests that convey a truly sporty look but without detracting from comfort, the level of which is among the best in the category.

Outstanding engines

Heart, and at the same time the real strength of every Alfa model is the engine. Hidden away under fascinating lines and strong personalities are, in fact, a range of superb, technically advanced, top-performance engines. The same is true for the Alfa Brera, offered in two JTS petrol engine versions (a 185 bhp 2.2 unit and a 260 bhp 3.2 unit) coupled with a sporty 6-speed gearbox. In short, a car capable of thrilling performance levels but that's also suitable for everyday use.

First class dynamic performance and safety

Fascinating styling, great character and outstanding engine technology. In addition to these distinctive features Alfa Brera has others, but among these, first and foremost is top-class dynamic performance and safety. In fact, while 'driving pleasure' has always been one of the brand's outstanding qualities, 'travelling pleasure' becomes a must when, in addition to that Alfa character, the car has to guarantee top-level comfort. This is why the Alfa Brera is equipped with Multilink double wishbone suspension. A solution that ensures excellent dynamic performance and at the same time superb comfort. This way drivers can enjoy this car's true sports-car performance to the maximum but without giving up any of that top-level comfort guaranteed by the suspension. Lastly, the Alfa Brera can boast a sporty set-up; Q4 four-wheel drive on the 3.2 V6 engine version; and the most advanced electronic systems to control the car's dynamic performance (the advanced VDC system with non-intrusive sports set-up, complete with ASR and MSR). Safe, powerful and with original styling, the Alfa Brera breaks new ground in the sports coupé field, a niche in which the Italian manufacturer has a long tradition and has always been a world leader.