Alfa Romeo's stand in Bologna has been designed with three concepts in mind: technological perfection, passion and spirit - three elements that have always distinguished motor racing competitions.

Alfa Romeo Automobiles’ attractive new stand at the Bologna Motor Show highlights the partnership it formed in 2006 with Ducati Corse, a winning combination that perfectly embodies the flair and history of Italian motor-racing. The partnership is set to continue during 2008. Apart from celebrating the thrilling events of the latest racing season, the show is also the perfect opportunity for the premiere of the Alfa 147 Ducati Corse.

The Bologna stand has been designed with three concepts in mind: technological perfection, passion and spirit - three elements that have always distinguished motor racing competitions where the roar of the engines can be heard loud and clear in the crowded and jubilant trackside grandstands.

Either side of the two main areas are a series of terraces where visitors can sit and log on to the internet thanks to the wi-fi connection provided by Telecom Italia and Alice. To maintain the hi-tech feel, large plasma screens will be placed around the stand showing clips of the latest Alfa Romeo models, the brand new internet portal and the sporting feats of the Ducati racing team.

Alfa 159 Sportwagon TI for the Superbike World Championship

In the zone, themed “Alfa Romeo and Ducati Corse”, visitors will be able to admire one of the Ducati SBK 2007 bikes and the pastel black Alfa 159 Sportwagon TI which was used as the safety car for the 13 rounds of the SBK Superbike World Championship. The Alfa Romeo safety car also appeared on the track during the warm up laps and before each race of the World Superbike Championships, including the Superstock 600 European Championship, Superstock 1000 FIM Cup and the World Supersport Championship. It must be remembered that during 2007, Alfa Romeo was the official sponsor, official car and safety car for the SBK Superbike World Championship . This prestigious championship was covered by 94 television broadcasters and received almost 2800 hours of air time during the season. The event is also becoming increasingly popular with the public, attended by over 1 million spectators on the track and watched by over 2 billion people at home, something which very much reflects the sporting values of Alfa Romeo.

The Alfa 8C Competizione

At the centre of the stand, in front of the two zones dedicated to the Alfa Romeo and Ducati Corse partnership, is the area reserved for the Alfa 8C Competizione: the exclusive Gran Turismo of which just 500 are to be produced. The model on display in Bologna will bear the striking black livery. The undisputed star of the exhibition, a lucky few will be able to try it out for themselves. 50 members of the MyAlfa site will be invited to experience a thrilling lap on the track outside the Motor Show 2007 alongside an experienced tester.

A product of the Alfa Romeo Styling Centre, the Alfa 8C Competizione has a sculpted, finely modelled body that provides the perfect dressing for the excellent Alfa Romeo engine and mechanical components underneath. With its beautifully flowing lines the car looks like a “moving work of art”. The model is partly a reference to the glorious history of Alfa, and partly a projection of its values of technology and emotion. The inspiration drawn from the past is obvious, even with the evocative name which harks back to the great racing tradition of Alfa Romeo. During the 1930s and 40s, “8C" was used to distinguish racing and road going cars fitted with the powerful eight cylinder engine produced by the famous designer Vittorio Jano. The term “Competizione” is first of all a tribute to the “6C 2500 competizione”, a sports coupé driven by Fangio and Zanardi in the 1950 edition of the famous Mille Miglia race. Above all, the Alfa 8C Competizione stands for innovation, in the form of mechanical and engineering excellence, increased competitiveness and non-stop technological research. In line with Alfa’s legendary tradition, the Alfa 8C Competizione is fitted with a brand new 90° V-type 8-cylinder engine with total displacement of 4691 cc. It has been designed with a precise objective – to generate extraordinary performance without losing any of its fluidity and adaptability in any situation, on the track or in city centre traffic. The engine’s maximum performance translates into power of 450 bhp at 7000 rpm, peak torque of 470 Nm at 4750 rpm (maximum engine speed of 7500 rpm).

A special Alfa Spider for Casey Stoner

The first zone reminds us of the outstanding 2007, a year in which Alfa Romeo was a star of the two-wheeler world with Ducati Corse in the Moto GP. Also present on the podium, of course, is the powerful Ducati Desmosedici GP7, the bike on which Casey Stoner earned the title of 2007 World Champion. Alongside the motorcycle is a special Alfa Spider which the company will present to the Australian champion as a reward for his outstanding achievement. With its characteristic Alfa-red body, the car’s styling is inspired by Stoner’s helmet and the world of racing, with the indispensable laurel wreath marking his 2007 victory. The bonnet, wing mirrors, side panels and steering wheel, even down to the crowns behind the head rests – everything has been enhanced with original designs that make this vehicle a one-off. Fitted with a powerful 3.2 260 bhp engine and Q-Tronic transmission, the car guarantees an outstandingly dynamic performance thanks to the quadrilateral front suspension and Multilink at the rear, the sporty set up and advanced Alfa Q4 traction control system. Obviously, this special Alfa Spider is right-hand drive, so it can be driven on roads in Australia, the young champion’s native country.

"Designer" Alfa Romeo alcohol testers

Something else of interest: handy “designer” Alfa Romeo alcohol testers will be distributed at the stand. The aim is to raise public awareness, particularly amongst the young, of the strategic importance that safety, prevention and driver education now has for any advanced society. This is why the company is taking the lead in launching initiatives that support this ambitious social objective. In connection with this idea, Alfa Romeo is supporting the 3rd Italian Safe Driving Championship organised by Andrea De Adamich, sponsored by the Italian Ministries of the Interior and Transport, and the contribution of the government’s Department for Youth Policy and Sports. Last July, Alfa Romeo launched a publicity campaign on the risks of drinking before driving. It featured a corkscrew shaped to look like a human with a red stain next to it. A strong, direct visual image that was complemented by the pay-off: “The pleasure of a good glass of wine. The pleasure of driving. Alfa Romeo supports both. But never together". Broadcast in Italy and across Europe via the free press and the Promocard circuit, Alfa Romeo’s reminder to drive responsibly was launched during the summer, a time when most drink-related accidents involving young people occur.

Alfa 'Unica'

In this evocatively-designed setting, the public will also be able to discover the “Alfa Unica” customisation programme available for the cars on show, the Alfa Brera 2.2 JTS Selespeed and the Alfa 159 saloon 2.4 JTDM Q4. An expression of Italian car manufacturing at its best, the “Alfa Unica” allows you to personalise your car to an even greater degree. “Alfa Unica” has stemmed from the Alfa 8C Competizione project and covers three themed areas: "Vintage”, "Collezione" and “TI”. The first series is a modern, elegant interpretation of the Alfa Romeo tradition, evidenced by the body colours and the upholstery finished with painstaking care. The "Collezione" series offers customers a chance to explore the world of fashion and elegance, as can be seen from the fine materials, metal inserts and lacquered multilayer paint on the bodywork. Finally, the “TI” series pays tribute to Alfa Romeo’s sporting tradition, in which sport and racing has always been essential for the development of cutting-edge technologies. It has a lowered suspension, enhanced braking system, alloy wheels and high-performance tyres.

Alfa GT Sport

The new Sport Special Series of the Alfa GT model will also be present on the stand. The car is fitted with a powerful 1.9 JTDM 150 bhp engine. The vehicle’s exterior has tough, compact lines enhanced with several aesthetic features such as specially designed 18” alloys, double chromed exhaust and satin-finished mirrors, grille and whiskers. Even inside, the Alfa GT Sport Special Series reveals its sporty character, as can be seen from the aluminium pedals and serigraphed kick panel. Black can also be seen on the leather seats with micro-perforated central insert and Alfa logo on the head rest, the leather steering wheel and the background of the instrument panel.