The facelifted GTV and Spider, the new Coupe GT and the 156 Sportwagon GTA based "Concept X" crossover vehicle will be the stars of an exhibition area made up of special chambers that are made out of aluminium and glass and take the form of big curvy hi-tech containers where various activities can take place. 

The set is complemented by a big overhead structure made out of aluminium, glass and steel elevation rods that serves as pressroom and VIP lounge and also a completely open gallery for exhibiting the Alfa Romeo range. 

Joining these newcomers will be the new Sports "TI" branding, a designation for models with spoiler kits and a mildly enhanced interior. A 147TI will be on show, as the first of the range to receive this upgrade. Also on display will be the 155mph 250bhp 3.2-litre V6 Alfa 147GTA which made its debut last autumn in Paris.

The 360 Modena's 3.6-litre V8 has been upgraded to develop over 400 bhp in the Challenge Stradale, while the aluminium chassis and body have been stripped out to lower weight considerably. The Challenge Stradale also offers revised aerodynamics, re-worked suspension, uprated brakes and an F1-style sequential gearshift. The 360 'Stradale Challenge' will be flanked by the 360 Modena and Spider, which in Ferrari's words, "Symbolises the close links between competition and the world of Granturismo, will transfer the experience of the international Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophy Championships, and Granturismo races, to the street".

The Stradale Challenge will be joined on the Ferrari stand by the new 6.0-litre V12 Enzo supercar. The 360 Modena and Spider, 456M GTA, 575M Maranello and Michael Schumacher's F1 World Championship winning F2002 complete the line-up

The numbers are in-house identification codes for the new supermini and  new Punto-based compact Multi Purpose Vehicle. The two new arrivals mark Fiat's drive to lead the city car segment and its determination to play a starring role in the fast-growing new subsegment of compact MPVs.

Both will be fitted with the new 1.3 Multijet 16v engine, this second generation common-rail diesel engine developed in partnership with GM receiving its world premiere here.

The Lamborghini Gallardo will be a mid-engined four wheel drive sportscar which aims to take head on and eclipse the Ferrari 360 Modena, and is powered by a brand new 5.0-litre DOHC V10 engine which puts out 500bhp. Power transmission will be available through either a manual 6-speed gearbox or a sequential-style unit operated via steering wheel paddles. Production of the V10 has begun on an all new line at the Sant'Agata factory's engine factory. 

The Gallardo have an aluminium spaceframe chassis over 4 metres long, built using techniques developed by owner's Audi who are leaders in this field. This input should keep the weight down to below 1400kg, a positive result for a car that incorporates four wheel drive. Maximum speed is estimated to be around 300km/h while the 0-100km/h dash will be covered in around 4.3seconds.

Alongside the Gallardo will be the Roadster Murcielago "Concept", first seen at January's Detroit Motor Show. The 6.0-litre V12 Murcielago will complete the line up.

The second area with its travertine marble floor houses two Lancia Phedras, both in the Emblema specification, equipped with a powerful 3.0 24v and 2.2 JTD 16v. Not far from the MPVs, you can see a Thesis 3.0 24v and a 2.4 JTD, again in the most prestigious specification. Show visitors can also see the Lybra Emblema 2.4 SW in the area that divides the Lancia flagships from the new model. 

The area devoted to the Ypsilon has been carefully thought out. In the background you can see the Lancia buildings and prestigious street scenes opening onto an Italian piazza with an innovative floor made out of river pebbles embedded in resin. Here the public can stroll amidst shop windows and galleries as though they were walking along an exclusive street in Rome or Milan. Or they can stop off at the exclusive, private Terrazza Martini located on the first floor of the Lancia building and enjoy a privileged view over the stand. A fountain of water reminiscent of the famous Trevi fountain plays next to the Terrazza Martini to recreate the feel of being in a Roman street café. 

Visitors can also get an exclusive look at the first prototype of the Maserati Trofeo alongside the 250F driven by Juan Manuel Fangio and the 300S of Stirling Moss.

The Italian marque claim the new carbon fibre central chassis structure reaches the highest structural rigidity level available in the segment, 18.000 Nm/mm in torsional rigidity, 9.000 Nm/mm in flexional rigidity, for a dry weight of 1280 Kg, while the roll bar, elliptical in section, is built out of carbon and chrome-molybdene alloy. 

The 7.3-litre Mercedes Benz AMG engine borrowed from the C12 S offers its 555HP and 750Nm power through the ABS/Traction Control safety systems already used in the Zonda S. The forged aluminium wheels are shod with 255/35/19 and 345/35/19 front and rear tyres respecitively and have been specially developed for the Zonda by Michelin.