Alfa Romeo will present a stand decorated entirely in shades of red and metallic grey, at the 75th Geneva Salon, colours that have always been associated with the sporty, sophisticated technology of Alfa Romeo cars. A very striking display, which welcomes and appeals to visitors, where they can examine the two vehicles making their world debut: the Alfa Romeo 159 saloon and Alfa Romeo Brera coupe.

The latest fruit of the brand’s great tradition in the field of prestigious sports saloons and exciting coupes, the two cars mark the start of a new generation of cars for Alfa Romeo.

In particular the ‘Alfa Romeo 159’ project is based on innovative design methodologies, carried out by an international team that admitted no compromise, combining targets of extremely enjoyable driving, top performance and distinctive styling, that have been difficult to reconcile until now, with the highest possible standards in the fields of safety, comfort and sturdiness. The car has a completely new chassis with new suspension and a new generation of engines and gearboxes. The same design concepts have been applied to the Alfa Romeo Brera, the model that transforms the traditional spirit of the coupe into the more exciting spirit of ‘absolute sportiness’.

Two extremely interesting proposals for which Alfa Romeo has decided to narrate the great history of its saloons and coupes, with films and cars of the past. All Alfa Romeo cars have a common denominator: a constant striving for innovation accompanied by a glorious tradition in racing. In this context, the mixture of historical and recent models on the stand creates a good setting to recall cars and designers, races and engines that were part of technological progress and motor racing in the 20th century. Because the heritage of a brand like Alfa Romeo embraces all this, plus the work and professional pride of the thousands of people – technicians, blue-collars and managers – who have played their part over the years in the plants, the offices and the racing venues. Here lie the roots of that inimitable personality which makes an Alfa Romeo stand out immediately from all the other cars on the road.

At the centre of the stand are two Alfa Romeo 159s: the first is a Q4 version, equipped with the powerful new 3.2 V6 JTS 24-valve engine that develops 191 kW (260 bhp), the expression of technological supremacy – with Ruby Red bodywork that conveys Alfa Romeo’s interpretation of ‘classical sportiness’. The second saloon is equipped with the sparkling 200 bhp 2.4 JTDM 147 kW engine and sports a ‘silver’ livery that distinguishes the new generation of Alfa Romeo cars, and the same technological supremacy that is part of the brand’s history, which we find in the many saloons of the past, from which the new Alfa 159 emerges.

We move over to the area where a Q4 version of the Alfa Romeo Brera is displayed, with a 3.2 V6 JTS 24-valve engine, a jewel of engine technology, that develops 191 kW (260 bhp) at 6200 rpm, and peak torque of 322 Nm (32.8 kgm) at 4500 rpm. Around the new coupe, designed jointly by Giorgetto Giugiaro and the Alfa Romeo Styling Centre, are depicted memorable pages from Alfa Romeo motoring history, and one of these is the Giulietta SZ, seen on the catwalk at a Geneva Show. In the late Fifties, coachbuilder Elio Zagato transformed the Giulietta SV of racing driver Massimo Leto di Priolo, which had been smashed during a race. The Milanese designer took personal charge from start to finish, particularly regarding the materials used for the bodywork and the moving parts. The prototype that he built debuted in the Intereuropa Cup at Monza in 1956, winning easily. The Alfa Romeo management liked the car and commissioned a number of units. The Giulietta SZ was built in 1960 and 1961; following in 1961 and 1962 by the Giulietta SZ Coda Tronca (short tail); a total of 217 were built.

Today the baton has passed to the Alfa Romeo Brera, a symbolic handover following a tradition which has always produced beautiful cars, full of character, a magical balance between reason and sentiment, technical culture and creative design. The spotlights are also on the latest arrival, the new Alfa Romeo 147. With its harmonious, but muscular line, the new car has new exterior and interior styling, the heir to a winning model, which is now bigger, more powerful and with a more forceful personality. There are numerous changes to the engineering and the equipment, such as the amazing 150 bhp 1.9 JTD 16v M-Jet engine, the new Easy Speed robotised gearbox, the new Comfort suspension and the most sophisticated safety devices: from VDC to ASR, ABS complete with EBD and curtain-bags. Good-looking, sporty and elegant, the new Alfa Romeo 147 stimulates the instincts of whoever drives it, arousing strong emotions. Two versions are on show in Geneva: an Alfa Romeo 147 GTA Selespeed, one of the fastest, most powerful cars in its segment (250 bhp – 184 kW), and an Alfa Romeo 147 2.0 TS 110 kW (150 bhp), also featuring a sequential robotised gearbox.

Other important novelties from Alfa Romeo are present at the Show, representing the ‘cuore sportivo’ and great temperament of all its prototypes and standard production models. An example? The Alfa Romeo Crosswagon Q4, the new model that marks Alfa Romeo’s return to the world of four-wheel drives. It fits the Q4 permanent 4-wheel drive, with three differentials and a torque splitter that favours the rear axle. The Q4 system modifies the torque split between the front and rear axles constantly, according to the grip. This feature is particularly important for a sporty driving style and sportiness, and it boosts active safety. The Alfa Romeo Crosswagon Q4 is equipped with the powerful 1.9 JTD 16v Multijet engine (150 bhp - 110 kW) and it debuts at the Show in a special outfit: a new body colour, ‘Monte Carlo Blue’ and an original blue fine grain leather upholstery for the facia, panels and seats.

The Crosswagon will also accompany the Italian Alpine Skiing Team to the events of the skiing World Cup, World Championship and Winter Olympics. The Alfa logo already decorates the ski suits of the men’s and women’s Alpine Skiing teams, and the brand decided to promote another initiative by creating the Alfa Romeo Ski Racing Team. This same ‘racing spirit’ is portrayed in a number of thrilling films projected on the stand, showing Alfa Romeo’s direct involvement in the European Touring Car Championship (which becomes a World Championship this year) and the European Alfa Challenge.