from http://www.autonewseurope.com/
Is this a preview of a future exotic Alfa?
Italdesign-Giugiaro's Alfa Romeo concept 2+2 coupe is a likely star of the Geneva auto show. Despite its distinctive Alfa Romeo look, the car is more of a Maserati underneath.
Designer Giorgetto Giugiaro was given complete freedom to design this high-performance coupe, but Fiat Auto contributed heavily to the mechanicals.
The car's unconventional layout mounts the engine behind the front axle and puts the transmission and rear differential at the rear of the car - just like the new Maserati Spyder and Coupe.
In addition, the concept coupe's 48-valve V-8 engine has the same 90-degree angle as the engines in the new Maseratis. The coupe's engine has 10cc more displacement than the Maseratis' 4,244cc. The coupe uses the same six-speed electro-hydraulic sequential command transmission that Alfa calls Selespeed, Ferrari calls F1 and Maserati calls Cambiocorsa.
It's not a coincidence. Fiat is considering launching a new high-performance Alfa sports car with Maserati mechanicals that would be aimed at North America, Japan and Germany.
Giugiaro's new Alfa is not compact in size at 4390mm, 1890mm wide and 1290mm high. But its cabin is only intended for two adults in front and two children behind.
Like other exotic Italian cars, the coupe features scissor doors that open vertically.
Said Giugiaro: The doors are the only show-car detail that "we designed and engineered - including a pre-feasibility study - with production in mind."
Is this a preview of a future exotic Alfa?
Italdesign-Giugiaro's Alfa Romeo concept 2+2 coupe is a likely star of the Geneva auto show. Despite its distinctive Alfa Romeo look, the car is more of a Maserati underneath.
Designer Giorgetto Giugiaro was given complete freedom to design this high-performance coupe, but Fiat Auto contributed heavily to the mechanicals.
The car's unconventional layout mounts the engine behind the front axle and puts the transmission and rear differential at the rear of the car - just like the new Maserati Spyder and Coupe.
In addition, the concept coupe's 48-valve V-8 engine has the same 90-degree angle as the engines in the new Maseratis. The coupe's engine has 10cc more displacement than the Maseratis' 4,244cc. The coupe uses the same six-speed electro-hydraulic sequential command transmission that Alfa calls Selespeed, Ferrari calls F1 and Maserati calls Cambiocorsa.
It's not a coincidence. Fiat is considering launching a new high-performance Alfa sports car with Maserati mechanicals that would be aimed at North America, Japan and Germany.
Giugiaro's new Alfa is not compact in size at 4390mm, 1890mm wide and 1290mm high. But its cabin is only intended for two adults in front and two children behind.
Like other exotic Italian cars, the coupe features scissor doors that open vertically.
Said Giugiaro: The doors are the only show-car detail that "we designed and engineered - including a pre-feasibility study - with production in mind."
