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An
Autodelta driver also makes these demands, but pushed to a
further level; understated charms combined with aggression,
sleek, yet with the exclusive handcrafted Autodelta
tradition instantly recognisable. To achieve these core
requirements Autodelta’s designers have evolved the “F1
look” that they first introduced on the Autodelta GT Super
in 2004 and then the Autodelta 147 GTA AM Super (2005). With
this dashing styling treatment, the front bumper arches
upwards to meet the traditional “heart” grille, that most
famous of all Alfa Romeo symbols, and one which sets an Alfa
Romeo apart from the crowd. This remains the most
distinctive feature of the car that Autodelta’s designers
seek to amplify, but never challenge. The new front bumper
at the same time has been optimised to provide maximum
delivery of air to the new supercharger oil cooler via the
introduction of extra cooling slots on the bumper’s flanks.
At the rear, the customary Autodelta splitter enhances the
curving rump of the Brera. The subtle but distinctive looks
of the Brera J5 3.2 C are finally completed by 19-inch OZ
Racing Ultraleggera wheels and Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres;
OZ Racing and Dunlop tyres are also development partners in
the Brera J5 3.2 C project.
To commemorate the important milestone of
their 20th anniversary, Autodelta will also
launch a special edition model during the year, which will
be limited to just 20 units. Further details of this
exclusive car will be announced shortly. The late spring will see the launch of the
Autodelta 159 J4, a model that will complement the Brera J5
3.2 C, and at the same time the 2.2 JTS direct-injection
engine will be commercialised with forced induction
technology, meaning that Autodelta will then be in a
position to offer supercharging right across the new Alfa
Romeo petrol model range.
This year will also see them launch high-performance options
for the JTDM (1.9/2.4) engine range, allowing the many
owners with turbo-diesels to experience Autodelta upgrades
on their models for the first time. A great amount of time
has been spent on research and development over the last
year and they are very confident that they have products
that will be a genuine market leader.
Autodelta are pleased to announce that its
technical development partners, OZ Wheels, Dunlop, Rotrex,
and Ragazzon will continue to work with them in the
development of the outlined models and other on-going future
projects.
Autodelta 1987 – 2007
Back in 1987, a gifted young engineer with a
deep-seated passion for Italian cars - in particular Alfa
Romeo - achieved his ambition to open his very own tuning
business in West London. That individual was Jano Djelalian,
and the inspiration for the name of his new company came
from the illustrious Alfa Romeo works racing team of the
sixties - Autodelta.
Operating from small premises in Alperton,
near Wembley, Jano rapidly earned a reputation for "going
the extra mile", routinely maintaining and tweaking the Alfa
Romeo models of the day, including Alfasud, GTV6, 33, 75,
164, Spider, and before long, the extraordinary SZ Zagato
coupe.
Around this time Jano began experimenting
with ways and means to squeeze even more out of the existing
Alfa Romeo power plants. Encouraged by a growing band of
loyal and enthusiastic customers, he set about modifying
pistons, valves and liners, exhaust manifolds, brakes, even
boring the engines - all with phenomenal results.
Word soon spread that Jano and Autodelta were
able to do things to an Alfa Romeo in terms of performance
and handling that simply could not be ignored -- a fact that
didn't escape the attention of the media. Writing in
Italian Cars,
motoring journalist Roberto Giordanelli was moved to quip
"Autodelta has managed to turn the SZ from a thug into a
terrorist."
Having initially concentrated on mechanical
modifications, Jano next focused on the visual. Calling upon
his early design training, he set about creating a variety
of body kits intended to be aerodynamic as well as
distinctive. Alfa Romeo drivers the world over seized upon
this opportunity to personalise their cars Autodelta-style,
so much so that a manufacturing division was set up
dedicated to interpreting the concepts and producing these
special parts, as well as a detachable hardtop for the Alfa
Spider.
With all this activity, it didn't take long
for Autodelta to outgrow its original location. Demand for
Autodelta upgrades custom-made to Jano's exacting
specifications, went far beyond the UK, necessitating the
appointment of official Autodelta agents throughout Europe
and the Far East. Inventory and warehousing of Autodelta
products for domestic and export markets, plus the need to
accommodate sophisticated equipment for research and
development, and equally important, the means with which to
carry out round-the-clock servicing and upgrades on site,
determined that considerably larger facilities were called
for.
By 1997, Autodelta's turnover had expanded at
such a rate that it was necessary to transfer to its present
purpose-built headquarters situated in Park Royal, within
easy access to motorways M1, M4, M25 and M40, mainline
railway and London Underground stations, and Heathrow
Airport. They also introduced their first bespoke model, the
GTV J10, which was followed by the J11 (156) and J12 (147).
In 2003 Autodelta introduced their first model in a
new-generation of bespoke models, the 328 bhp Autodelta 147
GTA AM, which heralded the arrival of a widening range of
hand-crafted, individually-tailored models which soon
spanned the Alfa 156 GTA AM, GT Coupé Super and now the
Brera J5 3.2 C; while today bespoke versions of the Alfa
159, 159 Sportwagon and Spider are all in the pipeline. Last
year Autodelta undertook an ambitious and significant step
by opening a new styling studio in Italy, a project which
will pave the way for their arrival of their full range
products and models on the Italian market.
For further information
on Autodelta visit
www.autodelta.co.uk
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