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23.02.2004 ITALDESIGN WILL PRESENT A PROPOSAL FOR A NEW ALFA ROMEO FLAGSHIP MODEL IN GENEVA

Respected Italian carrozzeria, ItalDesign will unveil two new striking concept cars at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show. The hybrid 'green' Toyota themed Volta will be joined by the Alfa Romeo based Visconti which draws on the firm's Brera concept in its styling.

The following short press release issued today by Giugiaro is interesting in the fact it 'officially' mentions four wheel steering, an area that Alfa Romeo is known to be presently developing. It also mentions the new twin turbo 3.2-litre V6, discussing the power output at 408bhp and, finally, production of the Brera based Coupe.

Italdesign Volta

GIUGIARO, 23.02.2004: Visconti represents the proposal created by Giorgetto Giugiaro in the throw of freedom for an Alfa Romeo flagship with innovative architecture.

Rather than working on the 4-door 3-volume saloon classic layout, Giugiaro steered a keen eye towards the sporting appeal opting for an architecture focused around 2-volume vehicles, in that the boot appears like a mere flick of the tail.

As always, albeit stirring provocation from a styling point of view, Giugiaro has not stepped away from his personal tradition of creating concept cars that may also go straight into series production.

In truth of word, the Visconti sees inception from a specific evolution of the Premium Platform, as put in place by Alfa Romeo for the Alfa 156 new generation and for the Brera Coupé production.

Fitted with a V6 bi-turbo 3.2 direct injection petrol engine (408 hp), the Visconti is just under five meters in length and less than 1,9 meters in width.

The styling and, not least, the mechanics of the Visconti step beyond the mundane: in fact, the vehicle has been designed and created with all-wheel drive and steering.