A secret prototype depicting a large flagship Alfa Romeo saloon has been caught by a Spanish enthusiast during transportation outside the Barcelona-based IDIADA automotive research centre. The position of the car in the enclosed transporter also suggests room for a second car underneath.

The well-finished saloon, which suggests a launch at next month’s Geneva Motor Show, outlines a sleek 4-door model with a dynamic coupé line of just under 5 metres in length. Proportionally it defines a layout for a large front-mounted longitudinal engine and subsequent rear-wheel drive arrangement. The overall dimensions resemble those of the Maserati Quattroporte, which ties in with the strategy for the two brands to jointly develop Alfa Romeo – Maserati flagship cars.

Not too many details can be obtained from the grainy camera phone photos, but the side flanks have been kept clean, with a lot of emphasis placed over the bulging wheelarches. The leading edge of which wrap under the car and have been generously finished in what appears to be a type of bright metal. The rear doors include an extra shield-shaped bulge, similar to the treatment found on the flanks of the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti however in reverse form. This accentuates speed and power to the rear of the car, again suggesting rear-wheel drive.
 

At the front, the large wheelarches provide a rather narrow space between themselves and the bonnet height, accentuating the car’s low-down stance. The front wheelarches in fact almost stand proud of the rest of the bodywork, with the bonnet itself forming a very dynamic V shape towards the traditional Alfa Romeo grille. We can therefore expect a new and interesting solution as to how this trademark feature is integrated with the rest of the bodywork. The front overhang is minimal, and an aggressive touch to the generous front intakes can be just about made out, which stem out and downwards from the large central shield, standing proud of the spoiler below.

From the rear, the concept draws clearly on the Alfa 159 and Brera theme, with similar optical units although sharper in form towards the middle, and rounder at the outer edges as on the Alfa 147. The tail has a gentle concave curve, resulting in a sharp boot lid effect. The general roofline is hidden, although details and the proportions suggest an elegant fastback style, with the roof chasing down gently towards the rear similar in theme to the historic 6C 2500 Freccia d’Oro model.

An interesting solution to the rear bumper integration is the inclusion of a chiselled edge, typical of Alfa Romeo styling from the 1980s as seen on the flanks of the much-loved Pininfarina-designed Alfa 164. The rear is furthermore finished off with a symmetrical exhaust terminal design, with branches on either side of the fender. The whole design is finished off with large turbine-style 9-branch alloy wheels, which visually lighten the bodywork of this luxury sports saloon.

Despite being spotted in the flesh, the prototype contradicts recent presentations from Alfa Romeo which suggest such a car would only come on stream in the second quarter of 2009. However, the prototype could provide an answer to the multiple sighting of short-wheelbase Maserati Quattroporte mules which have been testing for the past two years alongside the new Maserati Spyder and Coupe. More news is certainly bound to break in the lead up to the Geneva salon, as to what could be one of the show’s most exciting presentations.