15.09.2003  STRONG LINE UP FOR ALFA ROMEO IN FRANKFURT LED BY STUNNING SPORTSCAR CONCEPT

The 8c Competizione is joined by the facelifted 166 saloon which is receiving its World Premiere here and the GT Coupe which has been officially presented. The restyled 166 now receives the 'family' style nose, originally first seen on the 147, and its addition has instantly transformed the slow selling executive saloon. Perhaps more than any other model to undergo the treatment, the prominent grille blends in perfectly with the large Alfa's styling. The 166 also receives a range of new engines including the GTA-bred 3.2-litre V6.

The GT Coupe, based around the mechanicals of the 156 saloon with a 147-drawn interior, has been officially presented here. With a range of engines including a JTD-powerplant, the leather interior option has particularly impressed the crowds, who have been able to examine the car close-up for the first time.

The recently facelifted 156 saloon, which is now rolling out of the dealers, is making its first major motor show appearance, several versions of the Giorgette Guigaro tweaked saloon are on display. The strong line-up from Alfa Romeo is completed by versions of the 147, GTV and Spider, while the marque's motorsporting heritage is represented by an N-Technology prototype 147JTD which stormed to victory in the diesel class at the Nurburgring 24 Hours earlier this summer.

by Edd Ellison in Frankfurt