Alfa Romeo CEO Antonio Baravalle officially introduced the new Alfa Spider and 159 Sportwagon to a large and excited media audience this afternoon in Geneva. The arrival of the new Spider, based on the Brera coupé, and the new 'estate' format version of the Alfa 159 sedan, comes exactly a year after the Brera and 159 were launched to widespread public and press acclaim here.

The Alfa Romeo press conference started with loud music and huge circular covers enveloping the new models being hoisted upwards. "For the second year running we are proud to present two new cars here in Geneva," began Baravalle as he took to the podium. "Today we are here with two new premières: the Alfa Spider and the Alfa 159 Sportwagon. The Alfa 159 Sportwagon is a really beautiful, exciting Alfa Romeo and there is plenty of choice for customers - up to seven engines, five interiors, twelve colours. We have also come up with a competitive proposition in terms of price."

Baravalle then introduced details of new rental packages that will allow the lifecycle of the Alfa 159 Sportwagon to be carefully managed, as well as confirming that the 200bhp 2.4-litre JTDm, and automatic gearbox option, will both shortly become available.
 

Baravelle confirmed that the new on-board infotainment system called 'Blue & Me' which has been developed on a Microsoft platform, and which has been officially launched here in Geneva, would become quickly available right across the Alfa Romeo range.

He then switched his attention to the second première for Alfa Romeo at this motor show, the Alfa Spider, and the one that the media had packed in to be introduced to. He reminded the assembled visitors that the original Spider is 40 years old, and he guaranteed that the new model being unveiled here in Geneva will live up to the long-standing traditions and is set to be a real 'driver's car'. Baravalle mentioned the close role of Pininfarina in developing both this new car, and its one famous tradition of association with Alfa Romeo throughout the decades. The Spider has an "extremely comfortable and sophisticated interior" he said, coupled to high-powered, effective engines. Alfa Romeo will target 20,000 Brera and Spider sales this year, with the latter accounting for around 7,000 of these.

by Edd Ellison, James Granger & Hendrik Nuyens in Geneva