Over on the Lancia stand the Thesis executive saloon-based Grandturismo concept car, built by Carcenaro with imput from Lancia Centro Style dominates the display. The prototype which was shunned by Lancia on its Paris Motor Show debut, looks much better in the flesh than images convey, and the embracing of the prototype represents a shift in Lancia's priorities.

Luciano Burti then took out the Ferrari F2002 which Michael Schumacher drove this year to a fourth consecutive F1 constructor's title, to the delight of the Italian crowd in the packed grandstands.

The Simba is an all wheel drive mini off road vehicle, which reintroduces Fiat to four wheel drive and opens up a whole new market segment. In Fiat's own words the Simba is designed to be "equally at home in the Savannah or a city traffic jam" and builds on the tradition of the highly successfull 1980's Panda 4x4. It is the first of many variants expected to be based on the "New Small" in order to maximise the ranges' application and build a modern, youthful and fun image for this vital new model.

This image draws into the Brera's design and introduces current Alfa Romeo styling cues. The aggressive triangular headlamp recesses which stand out sharply on the Brera prototype have beeen toned down and intergrated into the overall front end, while a lower spoiler draws from the 147GTA and the whole car sits on the current "telephone-dial" style GTA range wheels.

Fiat, desperate for some good news after a dreadful year are facing the show in an upbeat fashion. They will roll out several new concepts. The most interesting will be the Simba, a "mini off roader" expected to be heavily based on the "New Small". Then the Doblo Sandstorm, which is a concept off road rally car, in true Paris-Dakar style. The new exhibits are rounded off by the new Barchetta, which has received a heavy interior and exterior makeover, the Punto Natural Power ( dual methane and petrol powered ) which will go on sale next year, and the Punto Student, a car designed with major feedback from students. 

Alfa Romeo weigh in with the fearsome 156 GTAm, a 3.5-litre V6 engined road car based on the racing 156 GTA which won this year's European Touring Car Championship in the hands of Fabrizio Giovanardi. Built by N-Technology, Alfa's competition department, it produces an estimated 300 bhp. Finally of significance are the Itadesign Brera and Carcenaro/Centro Style Grandturismo which receive official recognition by taking pride of place on the Alfa Romeo and Lancia stands respectively. 

The version is equipped with two independent fuel systems. The car normally runs on methane and only starts up using petrol, when it switches immediately to the other system. In this way, the petrol fuel system remains efficient and is only required when gas pressure in the cylinders drops to near zero. It is, however, always possible to switch from one system to the other deliberately by pressing a button on the facia. 

Punto Student is a concept car designed by the young for the young. The project workshops were attended by students from Trieste University and Turin Polytechnic who were given questionnaires and interviews to find out their driving preferences. When responding, they had to specify the qualities of function, aesthetics and symbolism their ideal car would possess and also the best way to buy it. 

The Punto Student can be distinguished on the outside by Tech opaque painted body parts and on the inside by soft-touch paint on the facia and door panels. The real difference between this car and conventional versions lies in two systems of immense appeal to students: a revolutionary infotelematic centre and a very powerful Hi-Fi system.

On the outside, the new parts emphasise the dynamism of the model's design and sporty shape. Inside, the new Fiat Barchetta allows you all the thrills of a genuine sporty drive without compromise and without uncertainty. Fiat claim a comprehensive safety equipment package, complete with ABS, airbag and foglights - and a sophisticated Hi Fi system that includes RDS/EON, CD and MP3 file player, electric aerial, 4 speakers and double subwoofer (80 Watts). The subwoofers are located behind the seats to ensure outstanding reproduction even with the top down. 

The stylish open-topped sports car also features Titanium-coloured panels, air outlets and door handles. The cloth used for the seats and door handles and the embossing on the facia are also brand-new. The new Fiat Barchetta range comprises three versions and is due to go on sale next spring.