08.10.2002 75TH PARIS INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW FULL REPORT
| Full report from the Paris
Motor Show. A significant event for the Italian automotive industry the
event has seen the world premieres of the Alfa Romeo 147 GTA and Fiat Stilo
Stationwagon, while Ferrari's 600bhp Enzo supercar has received its official
presentation. Other interesting debuts include the stylish Lancia Thesis
based "Grandturismo" concept car while Maserati has unveiled the Coupe-based
Trofeo race car and announced a seven race series for these cars.
>>> Alfa Romeo
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| >>> Alfa Romeo |
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| A hectic stand has been
presented here by Alfa Romeo. Dominating the display is a red 147 GTA mounted
on a tilting and revolving platform. A second silver example is positioned
on a raised platform for detailed examination. The 147 GTA has received
its world premiere here and the two cars are backed up by huge posters,
signs and a giant TV screen playing footage of the 153mph hot hatch..
A red 156 GTA is also present while Fabrizio Giovanardi's race winning example completes the GTA line up. The new 140 bhp 1.9 JTD diesel engine, making its public debut here, is mounted in cutaway form. Rounding off the exhibits are a 147 5-door saloon, 156 2.0 JTD, 166 2.4 JTD GTV Coupe and the infotelematic CONNECT system mounted on a stand that allows visitors to examine its functions. >>> 147
GTA
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| >>> Ferrari |
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| Undoubtedly one of the stars
of the forthcoming Paris Motor Show will be the new Enzo Ferrari supercar
which makes its European public debut. The Enzo is the long awaited successor
to the F40 and F50 line. Ferrari believe that they have built a pure supercar
which pushes the boundary's onwards, and a car worth of carrying their
founder's name. The 6-litre V12 "Enzo" produces 660bhp and Ferrari claim
it is a pure transfer of F1 technology to road use.
Fresh from their crushing domination of this years Formula One Grand Prix World Championship, Ferrari will bring one of the successful F1 cars which have carried Michael Schumacher to this year driver's title. |
| >>> Fiat |
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| Fiat are offering a comprehensive
display of vehicles in Paris. The large stand includes every model in the
current range but the structure is somewhat bland and disinteresting, while
the choice of colours the models are presented in does nothing to capture
the imagination. Topping the display is the Stilo Stationwagon which has
made its world premiere here. A silver model is mounted on a large horizontal
revolving platform, while two models positioned alongside are available
for public examination.
The new Ulysse MPV is also given pride of place, two models are present, one positioned on a revolving stand, the second available for visitors to look over. The Abarth range here is made up of a Stilo Abarth, Seicento Abarth and Punto Abarth, which are joined by a rally prepared Stilo Abarth Rally. All four cars, placed together, are finished in yellow. The rest of the stand comprises of a Seicento, Punto, two Stilo saloons, Barchetta, Multipla and a Doblo in people carrier form. >>> Stilo
Abarth Rally
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| >>> Fiat Commercials |
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| One of Fiat's few current
successes is the light commercial division and a number of current vehicles
were on display in a separate hall given over to commercial vehicles. With
the popularity of Fiat models for conversion use ( the Ducato is the most
adapted vehicle in Europe ) the theme of the display was dedicated uses
which included workshop and refrigerated examples.
Pride of place went to the new Ducato van, launched earlier this year. The large stand included a range of JTD diesel engines, two Doblos, a Scudo and lastly a Punto van. |
| >>> Lamborghini |
 |
| Lamborghini have brought
two Murcielargos to Paris, one in black and one in yellow. The are lined
up one behind the other on the simple stand, joined by a cutaway of the
Murcielargo's V12 engine.
>>> Murcielargo |
| >>> Lancia |
 |
| Lancia have created a stylish,
neat stand in Paris, one of the better laid out displays here, and certainly
streets ahead of the bland and dull Fiat stand and the somewhat cramped
and disorganised Alfa Romeo offering.
Headlining the stand is a centrally positioned Thesis saloon, mounted on a horizontally revolving stand. A second model is available for detailed public examination. A Phedra MPV, finished in the same metallic maroon colour as the Thesis' is availble for viewing while a Lybra Intensa and Y make up the display. The theme of the stand is Lancia's traditional values and craftmanship. A tailor and a violin maker, using traditional techniques are located in two workstations on either side of the revolving Thema and add to the upmarket feel the stand aims to convey. |
| >>> Maserati |
 |
| Maserati will release details
of the Cambiocorsa Trofeo series for Coupe-based race cars. The protoypes
have undergone development testing during the summer, the bulk of the work
being carried out by Ferrari F1 test drivers Luca Badoer and Luciano Burti.
The Cambiocorsa Trofeo represents the Marque's return to the motorsport
arena.
Models and drawings of Maserati's Quattroporte large luxury saloon, due for release at the end of next year will be displayed, while the new Coupe, introduced earlier this year receives a major European public showing alongside the Spyder. >>> Coupe
& Spyder
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| >>> others |
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| One of the star of the concept
cars was Carcenaro's Lancia Thesis based "Grandturismo". This stylish concept
has been created in association with Maggiori and Lancia Centro Style and
received the thumbs up from visitors and press alike.
Also present was Italdesign's head turning Alfa Romeo badged "Brera" which made its debut earlier this year in Geneva. Pagani also brought two of their new Zonda 7.3 models fitted with a larger and more powerful AMG-tuned Mercedes-Benz engine. >>> Carcerano
Grandturismo
One of the halls is given over to a collection of historic to modern cars from the Prince of Monaco's private collection. These range from Michael Schumacher's 1999 Formula 1 winning Ferrari to a Fiat Jolly, complete with sun canopy. |
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