02.12.2003 THE SPORTING SUV ALFA ROMEO KAMAL CONCEPT RETURNS AT THIS WEEK'S BOLOGNA MOTOR SHOW

The Alfa Romeo Kamal concept makes its debut in Geneva earlier this year

Alfa Romeo introduced the Kamal 'crossover' concept at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, the marque's first progression towards this segment. Underlying the growing importance of the SUV arena, the Kamal was displayed in the most prominent position of a large stand and was an undoubted attraction of the Swiss show.

Very much in the style of the Maserati Kubang GT Wagon, the Kamal is an attractive concept which presents an agressive stance enhanced by sweeping, sporty lines. The front draws cues from the classic 1900 Zagato with its retro grille and foglamps, while the rear, with its hinging glass window, is pure Alfa 147. As seems obligatory in Fiat Group concepts now, a huge glass 'sky' roof rolled back front the front screen.

Sitting on 20in wheels shod with specially developed Pirelli Scorpion tyres the Kamal formed the centrepiece of a well designed display. Backed up by multiple screens playing well presented video footage with an audio background, the Kamal's viewing area offers show goers a staggered, raised seating seating area from which to dwell on the concept.

Now the Kamal concept will be seen in the flesh again, returning this week to centre stage at the Bologna Motor Show, forming part of an upbeat and forward looking display from Alfa Romeo.

In Sanskrit 'Kamal' indicates the colour red. In Arabic, the same term stands for 'perfection' or the 'synthesis of opposites'. Different languages, and different meanings which balance and mutually complement each other in the same word. An evocative force to describe the fascinating concept car from Alfa Romeo, making its début in Italy.

It is called the Kamal, and it marks an authentic conceptual and stylistic leap forward in the international car scene. New horizons and brand new segments are opening up, and Alfa wants to play an important part.

At this point it is easy to imagine the enormous effort that the Alfa Romeo Business Unit has poured into one ambitious goal it set itself: to present the concept of 'elegant sportiness', which has always been a distinctive feature of the Brand, in a completely new form, that is unique in its way.

Through a complex, refined interplay of allusions, the Kamal reminds us of Alfa Romeo's glorious traditions in the sports car sector, while at the same time it also includes attractive ideas that look to the future and new developments in the SUV - MPV segments in particular.

A mix of style and design that represents a distinctive crossover of cultures. The model is a fusion of different vehicle types. It combines the off-road performance of an SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) with the driving satisfaction and handling characteristics of a compact Alfa Romeo. At the same time, it offers a versatile, functional passenger compartment typical of a Multi Purpose Vehicle due above all to clever use of space and a wide range of seat configurations. Everything comes packed into an unmistakable Alfa shape designed by the Arese Style Centre. The car would be just as at home on the intricate streets of a European city as it would on a desert track of frontier landscape.

In other words, the Kamal arouses emotion, it makes driving enjoyable, it makes you want to live life to the full and satisfies a desire for unfettered travel that knows no boundaries of age or sex.