09.03.2004 NEW FOUR WHEEL DRIVE CROSSWAGON LEADS OUT ALFA ROMEO'S LINE UP IN GENEVA

Sportscar marque Alfa Romeo have presented their range in Geneva on a spacious, cleanly designed stand, a fourteen car line up dominated by the four wheel drive Crosswagon which is receiving its World Premiere at the Swiss show.

The Crosswagon represents Alfa Romeo's return to four wheel drive traction after a decade's absence and their first move into the growing 'crossover' segment. Two of the new models are being shown. One takes centre stage mounted on a raised plinth, flanked by two giant TV screens playing off-road action footage. It is complimented by an angle-mounted working cutaway of the chassis with its new three Torsen C-System four wheel drive, while a second Crosswagon is on display in the stand's hospitality area.

Next up come the sporty concepts placed in prominent positions, the 8c Competizione, the Autodelta GT M-Jet and 156 Sportwagon. The stunning 4.2-litre V8 8c Competizione is showing its interior for the first time and the cockpit has been winning admirers all week.

The Autodelta-branded GT M-Jet turbodiesel concept was first seen in Bologna last December, while N-Technology have now turned their attention to the 156, offering a stylish makeover to the Sportwagon. Sweeping new aggressive spoilers are enhanced by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, widespread use of technology drawn from their European Touring Car Championship winning racers, and a more opulent interior.

Elsewhere the GT Coupe, first seen as a concept a year ago in Geneva and now rolling off the production lines, sits on a raised platform below a giant TV screen extolling its virtues. The 147 is represented by a 1.9 M-Jet 16v version and the fearsome 250bhp 3.2-litre V6 GTA. The current range, which now all feature the larger corporate grille first used on the 147, is completed by a 166, two 156's, one saloon and one sportwagon, and finally the GTV and Spider.

Finally the marque's glorious history is represented by an immaculate original Giulietta which sits in a mock up 'garage' emblazoned with large black and white prints featuring images from the period.

There is a general upbeat mood from Alfa Romeo in Geneva. With the entire range now cosmetically freshened up, new models such at the GT Coupe coming on stream, the Crosswagon heralding the return of four wheel drive as well as entry into a new segment, and the 8c offering exciting pointers to the future, there is a quiet confidence being exuded.