The Goodwood Festival of Speed, one of Britain’s most popular motoring events, is again sponsored by Alfa Romeo with a mouth-watering display of their past and present models. First and foremost, attention is directed towards two exciting UK public debuts. The new Alfa Romeo Spider is starring on the Alfa Romeo stand, following its international public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March where it was named “Cabrio of the Year 2006”. This prestigious title was awarded by the Cabrio Committee made up of 23 motoring journalists from 12 different countries. With its safety, power and seductive styling, the Alfa Spider marks a step forward in the convertible field, a specific segment where Alfa Romeo has always played a leading role.

The all-new Spider, designed by Pininfarina and Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, continues Alfa Romeo’s family of affordable open top sports cars which began with the pretty Giulietta Spider in 1955, and includes the iconic Duetto which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. This tradition has always embodied a free and highly emotional expression, and therefore has a highly important standing in Alfa Romeo’s lineage. With its electric soft top, sumptuous two-seater interior, top quality materials and sensual design, the Alfa Romeo Spider represents an expressive choice of motor car.

The all-new Alfa Spider will become available in the UK from the beginning of 2007, where it will be offered in a choice of two outfits (standard and SV). The UK market will also have the option of two direct injection JTS petrol engines (185bhp 2.2 and 260bhp 3.2 V6 Q4), combined with a sporty mechanical 6-speed gearbox. The new Spider guarantees the temperament expected from the Alfa Romeo brand and excellent performance due to its high double wishbone suspension at the front and a Multilink system at the rear.
 

To commemorate the 40th anniversary an immaculate 'boat tail' Spider is also being presented this weekend on the official Alfa Romeo stand, which, as well housing the two Spiders, includes the Alfa 147, 159, 159 Sportwagon and GT Coupé within its spacious confines.

Also making its UK debut at Goodwood is the stunning Alfa Romeo 8C Spider concept, designed by Alfa Romeo Centro Stile under the direction of chief stylist Wolfgang Egger. This particular concept car was unveiled at last year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California, where Alfa Romeo was the featured marque. More recently, the 8C Spider was presented at the prestigious Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance in Cernobbio, Italy. There, on the picturesque shores of Lake Como under glorious sunshine, the blood-red prototype won the Design Award for concept cars after much appraisal from the visitors present. This weekend at Goodwood sees the Alfa 8C Spider being driven up the Goodwood hill, demonstrating its 400bhp supercharged V8 engine and RWD transaxle setup.

In total seven historic vehicles from the Alfa Romeo Museo Storico, based in Arese on the outskirts of Milan, are being displayed within the bustling Goodwood paddocks. One of the most noteworthy cars on display is the phenomenal 500bhp 33 TT12 which won Alfa Romeo the World Manufacturers’ title in 1975, winning seven out of eight races. This car has been reunited with its former star drivers Arturo Merzario and Nino Vaccarella during the weekend. Completing this year’s Festival of Speed theme, “Racing for Glory, a Century of Grands Prix”, Alfa Romeo have also shipped over the 425bhp 1951 Alfetta 159 single seater in which Juan Manuel Fangio won the 1951 World Championship. This car is also being presented alongside the P2 Gran Premio which won the First World Championship in 1925, leading to the introduction of the laurel wreath around Alfa Romeo’s world famous emblem.

Alfa Romeo’s impressive presence at Goodwood this year shows the recent commitment towards building the brand’s significance in the UK car market, an initiative bolstered by their new line-up of exciting luxury sports models, all of which are being presented.

by James Granger at Goodwood