04.11.2002 BRITISH INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW FULL MODEL-BY-MODEL REPORT
| The British International
Motor Show at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England, saw
UK debuts for the new 250 bhp 3.2-litre Alfa Romeo 147 GTA, the Fiat Stilo
"SW" estate, the new Ulysse MPV and the show-stopping 600 bhp 6-litre V12
Ferrari Enzo F1-based supercar.
>>> Alfa Romeo
|
| >>> Alfa Romeo |
| Star of the Alfa Romeo stand
was the new 250 bhp 147 GTA, the second of the GTA line to hit production.
The 153 mph top speed and 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds 147 GTA Alfa claim will
be the world's fastest hot hatch when it starts rolling off the production
lines next month.
Unfortunately Alfa only managed to send one example and this was mounted on a round static stand where, unlike at the models debut in Paris last month, show visitors were unable to examine the new model close up. The GTA family was made up a 156 GTA saloon and a GTA Sportwagon. With the 156 GTA only having just arrived in the UK the Birmingham show represented an "unofficial" debut for the 147 GTA's big sister. The blue GTA Sportwagon in particular drew large admiring crowds. The small but well presented stand was made up with other 147 and 156 models including both JTS and JTD engined versions, a metallic silver leather-trimmed Spider in 3.0 V6 6-speed guise and a 166 rounded off the road cars. Completing the display was Fabrizio Giovanardi's European Touring Car Championship winning 156 GTA, an interactive "CONNECT" console while the new 140 bhp 1.9 JTD Multijet engine first seen in Paris was also displayed. |
| >>> Ferrari |
| Ferrari's new Enzo supercar
has stunned visitors in Birmingham for the British International Motor
Show. One of the 660 bhp 6.0-litre V12-engined cars was brought to the
show and displayed on a large revolving angled turntable. All week the
F1-technology based successor to the F40 and F50 has drawn large crowds
to its stand.
The black Enzo, one of the two that were shown in Paris at the model's official world premiere at the end of September, sat on its own dedicated stand, and with Ferrari choosing to skip the show, it was the only representative of the marque here. The Enzo, which commences deliveries in January, is expected in the UK later next year, around 20 examples already having been pre-sold to British buyers. |
|
| >>> Fiat |
| The Fiat Stilo SW and the
new Ulysse MPV have made their British debuts at the British International
Motor Show. The Stilo Stationwagon, known in the UK as the "MP" ( "multi-purpose"
) Fiat hope will prove to be a popular seller, as multi-purpose estates
are currently very much the in-fashion concept at present. With its class
leading load space and sliding and folding seats the Stilo MP will hit
the UK next spring.
Missing a great opportunity to push the Stilo range Fiat showed only one Stilo MP in Birmingham, and this sole metallic grey model was mounted well out of reach on a large revolving stand, rendering it unavailable for detailed public examination. Also arriving in the UK next spring will be the new Ulysse MPV, which received its world premier at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. Two Ulysses were shown, one mounted on a large revolving stand and a second static model being opened for close up viewing. Four Stilo saloons in guises ranging from the 1.8 16v to the range-topping 2.4 20v Abarth complemented the sole Stationwagon, while the long serving Barchetta, Seicento, Punto, Multipla and Doblo made up a solid but very dull display. |
|
| >>> Lamborghini |
| A sole Lamborghini Murcielargo was in Birmingham. With Lamborghini electing to skip the UK show, the yellow example was mounted on the BBC "Top Gear" TV programme's stand, and was somewhat tucked away on a slightly cramped stand. |
|
| <<< return to news index |
