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The star of the 2000 Turin Motor Show is the new
Alfa Romeo 147, an all-new three and five door hatchback set to be the new
benchmark in its class.
The spotlight is therefore focused on this new
model in a full-blooded presentation that is in character with this brand's
models - beautiful designs with seductive lines that express energy and
vitality, evoking traditional strengths in ways that are always modern and
original.
The high-impact presentation deploys a powerful
play of light, smoke and sound as the backdrop to two Alfa 147s - the Selespeed
in iridescent Nuvola Blue and the 1.6 Plus in Sterling Grey.
To see them visitors need to enter a cylindrical
theatre where images, words and beams of light are projected on the walls. The
Selespeed seems suspended in mid air, rotating on a transparent plinth wreathed
in smoke. The 1.6 Plus, on the other hand, can be seen through a window in the
wall of the cylinder above the other car. It, too, stands on a rotating plinth
and moves round in steps lit by flashing lights that only allow it to be seen
from certain angles, highlighting the front, sides and back one after
another.
The rest of the Alfa Romeo range is displayed
around the theatre. There is a single vehicle for each model, all in the same
colour: a metallic light grey that expresses a mature, controlled sporting
character and enhances the lines of the bodywork. The only exception is the
Alfa Sportwagon, two examples of which are displayed, the 2.4 JTD and 1.8 Twin
Spark, one in Arctic Green.
The Alfa 156 saloon range is represented by the
2.0 Selespeed with robotised gearbox. Alongside it you'll find the Alfa 166 2.5
V6 24V Sportronic. Both are displayed in the new 'Distinctive' trim with even
more sumptuous equipment. The launch of the Alfa Sportwagon represented an
opportunity to rationalise and enhance the entire Alfa Romeo range, a process
that began with the saloon some months ago and has now been extended to our
flagship as well.
The line-up continues with the Alfa 145 and Alfa
146, the former being shown in its sporting Cloverleaf version, while the
latter is a 1.9 JTD. Completing the display, there is an elegant Alfa Spider
2.0 Twin Spark and powerful GTV 3.0 V6 24V, both in 'luxury' trim.
As is by now traditional, the Alfa Romeo showcase
also presents the branded accessories and items designed to complement its
models. This refined line can be purchased from Alfa Romeo dealers or over the
Internet at www.alfaromeoboutique.com, which can be accessed from anywhere in
the world.
Lastly, an important part of the stand is
dedicated to some of the great Alfas of the past. A fitting choice since June
24 will mark Alfa Romeo's 90th birthday.
Please note: All specifications, models and
versions in this release are for the Italian car market.
The Alfa 156 at the Turin Motor
Show
Some 250 thousand Alfa 156s have been delivered to
new and existing customers in 80 countries in less than two and a half years.
This success confirms the enormous strengths of an exciting model that brings
together the heritage of the many Alfa Romeo 'medium' sports cars that have won
themselves a place in history, while reinterpreting their virtues in the light
of the very latest automotive technology.
The Alfa 156 range was rationalised a few months
back to build on this success. The result is an even more richly appointed
range that offers customers greater choice and outstanding value for money.
The interior is the same for all models in the
same way as for the Alfa Sportwagon, with a choice of grey, green and blue
shades and diagonal weave or vertically-striped velour upholstery. The
dashboard is titanium-coloured with the sole exception of the 2.0 Selespeed,
which has a carbon-coloured version.
There are two trim levels for the Italian market,
the 'Progression' (for the 1.6 Twin Spark, 1.8 Twin Spark and 1.9 JTD engines)
and the 'Distinctive' (for all versions).
The main standard equipment on the former includes
climate control and two front and side airbags. The 'Distinctive' trim adds to
this with remote door locking, rear electric windows, fog lights, alloy wheels
with oversize tyres, centre armrests front and rear, a car radio with CD
player, and wooden steering wheel and gear knob with matching centre console
trim.
A wide range of optional equipment is available to
customise the Alfa 156, including three Sport 'packs' that each represents a
different way of motoring, all unmistakably Alfa Romeo, while also offering
significant savings to the customer.
The first offers black 'Blitz' fabric upholstery,
Momo leather steering wheel and gear knob, instrumentation with red graphics on
a black background, front armrest, third head-restraint and third inertia reel
seatbelt, rear armrest with ski tunnel, an aerial and wiring ready for a GSM
phone, body-coloured side skirts and 16" alloy wheels with 205/55 WR 16 tyres.
The second 'sport pack' differs from the first in its seats alone,
which are Recaro sports models, while the third
offers a Momo leather interior. The latter is available in five colours
(Ireland Grey, Leather, Red, Light Grey and Blue) and can also be chosen as a
standalone optional extra.
The range flagship the Alfa 156 2.0 Selespeed
'Distinctive' is displayed on the stand. But the Alfa 156 also offers a choice
of seven other versions: the 1.6 and 1.8 Twin Spark, 2.0 Twin Spark, 1.9 JTD,
2.5 V6 24V, 2.5 V6 24V Q-System and 2.4 JTD.
The Alfa Romeo Sportwagon at the Turin Motor
Show
The Sportwagon, Alfa Romeo's interpretation of the
station wagon, will be one of the vehicles taking centre stage on the Alfa
stand at the 68th Turin International Motor Show.
First shown to the general public at the Geneva
Motor Show and on sale in Italy since March 25, the Alfa Sportwagon combines
the strengths of a sports thoroughbred (aerodynamic lines, excellent
performance, outstanding manoeuvrability) with the versatility of an estate,
offering split folding rear seats and a luggage compartment able to meet the
transport requirements of people who lead a dynamic, sporting life.
It is, in other words, a new type of car, offering
enough space for everything to have a place while at the same time enabling the
driver to always enjoy the sparkling performance and brilliant roadholding for
which the vehicle was designed.
On the road, the Alfa Sportwagon has all the
character of the great Alfa Romeos, responding deftly and naturally to any
manoeuvre or change in direction with an assured stability that makes the
driver confident he or she can control the vehicle in any situation. When it
comes to practical strengths and versatility, the Sportwagon offers a whole
host of intelligent, functional solutions. Starting with the tailgate, which is
hinged very far forward on the roof, making it exceptionally easy to gain
access from the back and side.
It is released by simply clicking on the remote
control built into the starter key and lifts to reveal a 'designer' luggage
area with separate compartments and nets to hold the load in place, dividing
everything up to suit the shape of the objects carried. The luggage compartment
base itself is equally versatile and can be turned upside down to form a
waterproof tray for ski boots or wet swimwear.
One would expect such an innovative car to be on
the leading edge of technology as well. The Alfa Sportwagon meets and exceeds
these expectations, offering the features of an elite vehicle designed for
informed motorists who attentively follow the latest automotive developments.
Features that include two JTD engines (1.9 and
2.4), Selespeed and Q-System gearboxes (coupled with a 2.0 Twin Spark and 2.5
V6 24V engine respectively) and the sophisticated Boge-Nivomat self-levelling
rear suspension.
The latter ensures that the vehicle always stays
at the same level irrespective of the weight carried, enabling it to maintain
the same excellent performance standards (roadholding, stability and comfort)
under all conditions of use.
When it comes to safety, the Sportwagon offers the
features typical of every Alfa model: controlled crumple-zones, side impact
beams in the doors, Fire Prevention System, adjustable head-restraints and
three-point seatbelts for all seats, including the centre rear seat, for which
it is optional. Its real strong point, however, takes the form of the six
airbags that protect the driver and passengers in the event of an impact.
The Alfa Sportwagon is in fact the first car from
Fiat Auto that increases the protection offered by four traditional airbags (in
the front for driver and passenger and in the sides), adding two window bags
(available from the summer) that descend over the windows to protect the heads
of those in both the front and rear.
The new model offers a wide and varied range of
choices. Six engines (four petrol and two 'Common Rail' turbo diesels), able to
develop power outputs of from 77 to 140 kW (105-190 bhp), and torque of 14.7 to
31 kgm (144-304 Nm), taking them to top speeds of between 188 and 230 km/h.
There are thirteen body colours. A single interior
for all models, offering a choice of different upholsteries: diagonal-weave
fabric, vertical-striped velour or leather (optional). All the engine options
share the same titanium-coloured dashboard with the exception of the 2.0
Selespeed, which has a carbon-coloured version.
The Alfa Sportwagon is available in two trim
levels on the Italian market: the 'Progression' (for the 1.6 Twin Spark, 1.8
Twin Spark and 1.9 JTD engines) and 'Distinctive' (for all engines). The
'Progression' offers front and side airbags plus climate control. While the
'Distinctive' adds to this with remote control door and tailgate opening,
electric rear windows, fog lights, alloy wheels with oversize tyres, centre
armrests front and rear, a car radio with CD player, and wooden steering wheel
and gear knob with matching centre console trim.
In addition, every version of the Alfa Sportwagon
comes as standard with the luggage compartment equipment that is essential on a
sports thoroughbred. Meaning there isn't just a load cover but also a
reel-mounted vertical net that extends between the backrest and roof, plus a
vertical net around twenty centimetres high that allows you to divide up the
space available in a rational manner.
A number of options are not only available
individually, but also in 'packages' where each item is selected with a common
purpose as well as to enhance the Alfa Sportwagon's distinctive sporting flair.
The first comprises carbon-coloured trim,
instrumentation with a black background, rear armrest with ski tunnel, a
leather steering wheel and gear knob, Blitz fabric upholstery, an aerial and
wiring ready for a GSM phone, painted side skirts, 16" alloy wheels and 205/55
WR 16 tyres, a third rear head-restraint and third rear inertia reel seatbelt.
The second differs from the first in offering sports seats and Blitz fabric
upholstery but dispenses with the rear armrest and third inertia reel seatbelt.
Lastly,
the third offers the same features as the first
but combines them with Momo leather seats. The customer has a choice of five
different colours.
Two Alfa Sportwagons are displayed on the stand:
the 1.8 Twin Spark and the 2.4 JTD.
The Alfa Romeo 166 at the Turin Motor Show
The Turin show would not be complete without Alfa
Romeo's flagship, a vehicle that combines the comfort, style and elegance of an
executive saloon with the safety and distinctive driving pleasure that sets
every Alfa Romeo in a class of its own.
Leading edge technology ensures total control of
the vehicle under all conditions. Technology that includes the very latest
developments, such as Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), which is now available as
optional equipment on the Alfa 166 3.0 V6 24V.
This innovative system intervenes in situations
that are close to limit conditions, when the stability of the vehicle is at
risk, and helps the driver control the car. VDC is a sports driving system, as
befits a vehicle distinguished by excellent roadholding, that leaves the driver
all the pleasure of controlling the car when conditions are normal and only
intervenes just before a situation becomes critical.
To achieve this result, VDC continually checks the
grip of the tyres in both a longitudinal and lateral direction and intervenes
in the event of loss of traction to restore their directional stability. The
system uses sensors to monitor the rotation of the car body around its vertical
axis (slew speed), the car's lateral acceleration and the steering wheel angle
chosen by the driver (which indicates the direction chosen). It then compares
this data with the nominal parameters processed by a computer and uses a
complex mathematical model to determine whether the vehicle is within its
traction limits as it travels round a bend or whether the front or rear is
about to break away (understeer or oversteer).
It then generates a slewing motion opposite to the
motion causing the instability to return the car to its correct line
(determined by the computer), braking the appropriate wheel (offside or
nearside) individually as required and bringing down the power output from the
engine (by controlling the butterfly valve). The special strengths of Alfa's
system are due to the way it acts very gently on the brakes and engine,
ensuring uninterrupted sports performance and driving pleasure.
The system also features an ASR off control that
provides skid control by only acting on the brakes and not the engine for limit
driving that is even more thrilling and enjoyable, all made possible by the
dynamic performance of the Alfa 166 and its front wheel drive.
All this technology is dedicated to offering
travel in total safety and relaxed peace of mind. The latter is also achieved
by two more systems: a Cruise Control that automatically keeps the car at the
cruising speed set by the driver, and an Integrated Control System for the
climate control, trip computer and car radio (which can be extended with a
Hi-Fi system, GSM phone and satellite navigation system).
The Alfa 166 offers a choice of five engines, each
and every one of which is a strong, reliable performer that respects the
environment. Four petrol engines: the 114 kW (155 bhp) 2.0 Twin Spark 16V, 151
kW (205 bhp) 2.0 V6 turbo, 140 kW (190 bhp) 2.5 V6 24V and 166 kW (226 bhp) 3.0
V6 24V. A single diesel, the 100 kW (136 bhp) 2.4 JTD.
The silent gearboxes deliver fast, smooth changes.
The 2.0 V6 turbo, 3.0 V6 24V and 2.4 JTD have a power sixth non-overdrive top
gear. The 2.5 and six-cylinder 3.0 are also available with the Sportronic
gearbox, a sophisticated adaptive automatic system that allows the driver to
choose between completely automatic and sequential manual operation.
The interior of the Alfa flagship is naturally
equipped to the very highest standards and offers a wide selection of materials
and colours. Indeed, you can choose from three different interiors: 'elegant'
(with warm beige shades), 'classic' (in which light grey dominates) or 'sports'
(which combines dark grey and black). Alongside these, there are optional Red
Style leather interiors (reserved for the 2.0 V6 TB and 3.0 V6 24V 'Super'
versions) and Blue Style interiors (available for all other versions).
The number of versions available for the Alfa 166
range in Italy has been extended in the same way as the 156 range was some
months ago. From April it now offers two trim levels, both presenting a rich,
comprehensive array of equipment, further increasing the value for money
offered by this outstanding vehicle and making it even more competitive in its
market segment.
These two trim levels are known as 'Progression'
and 'Distinctive'. Compared to the single trim level previously offered for the
range, the former adds sun blinds as standard, while the 'Distinctive' enhances
every version with a wealth of luxury equipment, including sun blinds,
electrically-controlled reclining heated seats with memory and Momo leather
upholstery, a wooden steering wheel, satellite navigation system (including
map), CD Changer, GSM phone, electric rear-view mirror and heated folding door
mirrors, light alloy wheels (205/55 16") for the 2.0 Twin Spark, 2.4 JTD and
2.5 V6 24V with manual and Sportronic gearbox.
The Alfa 166 2.0 V6 TB, 3.0 V6 24V and 3.0 V6 24V
Sportronic come with 205/55 16" alloy wheels as standard irrespective of the
trim level chosen (those on the first two versions have a diamond finish) as
well as a rain sensor.
These two new trim levels now give customers twice
as much choice with fully 14 versions of the Alfa 166. The 2.5 V6 24V
Sportronic 'Distinctive' is displayed on the Turin stand.
The Alfa Romeo Spider and GTV at the Turin
Motor Show
To close, here are the two niche models in the
Alfa Romeo range, the Alfa GTV and Spider, two vehicles distinguished by their
captivating style, refined technology and true sports car character.
The coupé displayed is the powerful 3.0 V6
24V, which develops a maximum power output of 162 kW (220 bhp). Combined with a
six-speed gearbox with non-overdrive power sixth and aerodynamic kit, this
engine achieves a top speed of 250 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in
just 6.7 sec.
The Alfa GTV range also offers a choice of other
engines with different architectures and intended uses, but which all offer
uncompromising Alfa Romeo performance: the 106 kW (144 bhp) 1.8 Twin Spark 16V,
114 kW (155 bhp) 2.0 Twin Spark 16V and 147 kW (200 bhp) 2.0 V6 petrol turbo.
Alongside the GTV there is, as always, the Alfa
Spider, a model that combines all the pleasure of open-top driving with high
travelling comfort. The Spider presented at Turin is powered by a classic Alfa
Romeo engine with a classic displacement, the 114 kW (155 bhp) 2.0 Twin Spark
16V. Propelled by this engine, the Spider reaches a top speed of 211 km/h.
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is 8.4.
The Alfa Spider range is completed by three other
engines, the 106 kW (144 bhp) 1.8 Twin Spark 16V, the 147 kW (200 bhp) 2.0 V6
petrol turbo and the 141 kW (192 bhp) 3.0 V6 12V.
There are two trim levels for the Alfa GTV and
Spider. 'Standard' (only available with the 1.8 engine in Italy), which has
fabric seats and panels, front seatbelt pretensioners, driver's side airbag,
electric front windows (automatic on driver's side), two remote-control heated
door mirrors, central locking, check control for closing of the doors and boot,
and a three-spoke steering wheel with height and reach adjustment. And that's
not all, there's also an automatic climate control system with pollen filter,
power steering, ABS, a third stop light, headlight height adjuster, wiring
ready for a radio complete with aerial and loudspeakers, a fabric roof and
electronic key.
The 'luxury' trim that the public will be able to
admire on the Alfa GTV and Spider on display at Turin adds a number of details
to this equipment that varies with the engine chosen. On the 2.0 Twin Spark,
2.0 V6 TB and 3.0 V6 12V, for example, there are 16" light-alloy wheels
(different designs for the Alfa Spider and Alfa GTV) and Momo leather seats and
door panels (black, red or leather). In addition, the Alfa GTV 3.0 V6 24V comes
with an aerodynamic kit (front and rear spoilers) and red brake calipers.
The optional equipment available includes the
special 'Blue style' and 'Red Style' interiors and an electrically-controlled
seat, available on the Alfa GTV only.
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