17.12.2003 STRONG LINE UP OF SPORTY ROAD MODELS CONCEPTS AND RACERS FROM ALFA ROMEO IN BOLOGNA

Alfa Romeo presented a large display at last week's 28th Bologna Motor Show, featuring a mix of road and race cars, emphasising the sporty image that the marque is seeking to present.

The new GT Coupe was the headling model in a display that ran to thirteen road, race and concept cars spread out over a stand which also featured live transmissions from Radio Monte Carlo, computer games consoles from Sony, a giant TV screen showing race action and a GT Coupe which offered a Selespeed transmission driving experience.

Two of the new GT Coupe's, both finished in a dark metallic grey, sandwiched the 8c Competizione concept on the main floor area which was overlooked by a stepped seating area. The 4.2-litre V8 Kompressor 8c Competizione, which was first revealed in Frankfurt three months ago, was making its Italian debut and drew attention all week.

The display featured a sporting area which housed the brand new N-Technology-built Autodelta-badged Coupe concept, powered by a race-tuned version of the new 1.9 M-Jet diesel and the 156 GTA which Gabriele Tarquini drove to this year's European Touring Car Championship driver's title.

These two track-bred models were overlooked by a giant TV screen which played action footage from the ETCC season. A third race car, a 147 GTA European Challenge racer, was mounted opposite on top of a pair of kiosks featuring Sony computer game consoles.

The model line-up also featured the 156 and Sportwagon 156 which were given a facelift this summer, the Spider and the 147 GTA Selespeed, making its world debut with Selespeed transmission now available for the first time.

Finally, a GT Coupe in Selespeed format, offered a driving experience via a TV screen mounted in front of the windscreen and the Kamal SUV concept, first seen at the Geneva Salon in March, rounded off the display.