20.12.2003 STRONG ITALIAN REPRESENTATION AT THE THAILAND INTERNATIONAL MOTOR EXPO

As one of the two leading motor shows in Thailand, the Thailand International Motor Expo 2003 (TIME 2003) concludes the year with a raft of exciting new cars that have been eagerly awaited by the Thai market. The sporty Italian marques, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Maserati have been strongly represented at the December show.

Alfa Romeo presented a series of models that were receiving their Thai debuts. Headlining the stand was the GT in Selespeed format, Alfa's new coupe joined by the recently facelifted 166 executive saloon and Spider convertible. The GT Coupe will be available in Thailand early next year in right-hand drive, pending the successful conclusion of compatibility tests with the new JTS engine using local petrol. The 2+2 coupe differentiates itself from the 156 and 147 with sleek exterior shape, a large chrome grille and a leather-clad interior, which includes the dashboard and sport seats. 

The use of a leather-covered dashboard is also extended to the 166 which comes to Thailand now equipped with 3.2-litre V6 GTA engine. The new grille, larger headlights, and multi-spoke alloys add the much needed aggressiveness to the 166. Apart from the new front grille, the Spider hits Thailand with a new dark tan interior colour which contrastsed very well in the eyes of show visitors with the display model's maroon exterior. Thai market prices of these new models have not been confirmed but the GT Coupe is expected to fall between the 156 and the GTV.

To further drive demand for the pre-facelift, locally assembled 156 Selespeed, it is now available with a Thai-specific Sport Pack option. The extras include 17” alloys (Telephone dial or GTA-style), white rear lights, white side indicators, rear spoiler, side skirts, GTA-style headlights, mesh front grille, Momo gearshift knob and handbrake lever. All these options are Thai market specific.

Elsewhere at TIME 2003 the Ferrari Challenge Stradale has been one of the show's stars, the jet black striped version displayed alongside a 360 Modena. The Maranello pair were joined at the show by sister company Maserati's Coupe GT and Spyder. The Ferrari Challenge Stradale show car was in high-specification format offering red leather sport seats, full glass windows and racing stripes. Carbon fibre side mirrors and door panels, along with carbon brake discs are the immediately visual beginning of a long list of changes made to allow the Challenge Stradale to become as light and fast as possible. Available only with an F1-style transmission the Challenge Stradale, a no-compromise Ferrari, was an instant hit with the Thai public at the show.

text & photos by Wisrute Buddhari