 |
 |
| <<< latest news |
| The Fiat Stilo Stationwagon, a model on which troubled Italian car manufacturer Fiat are pinning so much hope, received its world premiere earlier this week at the Paris Motor Show. Three of the estate models are being displayed on the Fiat stand. A metallic silver Stationwagon is mounted on a large circular revolving stand, while two others, another similar coloured one and a third car in metallic grey are available for detailed examination. | ||
|
||
|
|
| The 2001/2002 Master's Transportation Design course students at the Pauda Design College have recently worked on a project assigned to them by Alfa Centro Style, by Andreas Zapatinas, now replaced by Wolfgang Egger. The topic "Sportiva Evoluta" invited the students to create a concept that conveyed the elegance and charisma of the marque, an open brief that allowed the students to express their ideas. | ||
|
||
|
|
| The Lancia "Grandturismo"
concept car, designed by Carcenaro, Maggiori and Lancia Centro Style, based
on the Thesis saloon, has made a low key public debut away from the limelight
at the Paris Motor Show.
Situated on the Carcenaro stand along with models of the "New York" ( currently being shown at the 'Avantgarde in Italian Car Design' exhibition in New York ) and the "Triagmos", the lack of association with the Lancia stand ( in separate halls ), it is not the launch that many had hoped for. |
||
|
||
|
|
| The Alfa Romeo 147 GTA,
making its debut at the Paris Motor Show, has proved to be one of the exhibition's
most popular new models. The 3.2-litre 24v V6 powered 153mph hot hatch
is represented by two models.
A bright red Alfa 147 GTA is mounted on a large, angled, rotating stand in a prominent position at the front of the Alfa Romeo area. The second, a silver coloured model, is statically placed and available for detailed examination by the public. |
||
|
||
|
|
 Rumour
emerging from Italy suggests that the next generation Alfa GTV project
could be scrapped with a GTA-badged version of the forthcoming Alfa 156-based
coupe filling the niche created. The Alfa 156 coupe, commonly referred
to as the "Sprint", due out in December next year, is being considered
in GTA format alongside the initial 2.0-litre version. With the initial
interest in the 153mph 147 GTA soaring and Alfa expecting to revise sales
targets "significantly" upwards, the "Sprint" will need to make use of
the 3.2-litre 24v V6 engine to keep it from becoming overshadowed by the
small segment car.
The next generation GTV coupe, is due in September 2004 with the Spider arriving the following June. Unlike the current models the new ones will differ "significantly" and any decision will not affect the Spider. Internal differences amongst the design team for these projects has seen several high profile departures already. Meanwhile GM is believed to be concerned with Alfa's ability to pay for the "Premium" structure that these, and the new Alfa 166, will be based on, given Fiat Auto's huge current debt problem. As Fiat slashes costs, the Alfa 156-based coupe becomes more attractive as it will be built in-house and is expected to be turned out in significant numbers. |
 Alfa
Romeo head, Daniel Bandiera, has claimed that the new Alfa 147 GTA, launched
at the Paris Motor Show last week, will have a top speed of 153mph, making
it the world's fastest hatchback. The 3.2-litre 24v V6 engined GTA-version
will top the current fastest hatch, the 143mph Ford Focus RS by ten miles
per hour.
The Alfa 147 GTA, which uses the 3.2-lire engine first seen in the Alfa 156 GTA which came on stream earlier this year is expected to hit the showrooms in December. It will now be offered only with a manual six-speed gearbox, the "Selespeed" option will become available further down the line. |
|
|
|
| The "Italian Avantgarde in Car Design" exhibition which opened in New York last weekend is proving a hit with the American public. Running until 6th October, thirty two significant Italian cars have been brought together in a specially designed display at the prestigious "69th Regiment Armoury" in Manhattan. The cars ranging from a 1924 Isotta Fraschini 8A to a brand new Ferrari 575M, are displayed along a historical critical itinerary that associates them with the key periods in culture. Full report from exhibition >>> | ||||
|
||||
|
|
| While Maserati are unveiling the Cambiocorsa Trofeo at the Paris International Motor Show and announcing details of the race series for these Coupe-based race prepared cars, that signifies the marques long awaited return to the motorsport arena, a Cambiocorsa Trofeo, driven by F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher, was run out at Indianapolis ahead of today's US Grand Prix. | |||
|
|||
|
|
| <<< return to index |
