Auto Design

In addition to the all-new Alfa Romeo Giulietta, designed in house, there were three more Alfa Romeo dream-cars to look and scrutinize at the Geneva Motor Show opening early this March.

The two-seater roadster 2uettottanta by Pininfarina; the dramatic high performance V8, 2+2, Bertone Pandion and the luxury Alfa Romeo Sofia, four-door saloon by I.DE.A. Institute.

The trio of Alfa Romeo dream-cars has been proposed by the Italian coachbuilders as their own contribution to the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Alfa Romeo and to enhance the role of the Italian coachbuilders, and designers, in creating the Alfa Romeo myth, as well as to visualize what the future might bring to the brand.

The design-study that won general acclaim and was considered “star of the show” was the Pininfarina roadster, a cute and elegant sport car which very modern and trend setting style succeeded in linking the image of the light and nimble Alfa Romeo of the future with the memories of a the great life-style of the Dolce Vita of Federico Fellini and Marcello Mastroianni.

It cannot be by chance that all three coachbuilders have come up with proposal of cars designed to go back to front-engine-rear-drive. Indeed Pininfarina’s 2uettottana goes even further with its design that enhances the long engine hood, which suggests a superlative in-board layout for a compact, yet powerful, four cylinder turbocharged engine that could easily deliver anything between 200 and 250 HP.

Pininfarina’s director of design Lowie Vermeersch says that the self-assigned briefing was to offer their “vision of the Alfa Romeo Spider of the future. A design looking forward but with links to the mythical icons of the past.” The dimensions and architecture of the 2uettottanta are consequent with the goal of a pure sports car, with real wheel drive, superlative performance and great dynamics. Hence, its fast proportions and the surface treatment inspired to air flowing over the skin.

Although the modelling of the surface is very subtle and sophisticated, the visual impact is impressive for the essential simplicity. There is a clear feeling of lightness and dynamism at the design suggests this car “move in the air in total harmony”.

It is not by chance that the latest dream-car by Pininfarina is a very realistic design rather than a show-car too far into the future or into the unlikely.

In all respect the 2uettoottanta, which design has originated from the work of Donato Pacella and Nazareno Epifani, with contribution from Eero Kankainnen, restates what a real Alfa Romeo must be: compact, nimble, simple and light. Almost a piece of race-engineering for the enthusiast driver. Rather than just another “premium car”. This is well communicated by the interior design too.

In contrast with too many “over loaded” examples from too many motor-shows, in the 2uettottanta is minimalist, essential and yet very attractive.

At the show, and after that, everyone says Alfa Romeo has got to build again car like the Pininfarina 2uettotta, and I an only join the crowd.

At this time, there are no plans, of any sort, to take it to production stage. It will all depend on what Sergio Marchionne decides to do. Will he convince his shareholders to invest serious money in the revitalization of Alfa Romeo? Alternatively, will Fiat sell Alfa Romeo to the VW Group, as repeatedly reported?

The love-hate relation between Fiat and the Italian coachbuilders has rarely been even.

The giant Fiat has always plaid the role of the big fish who lives on the small fishes and indeed the recent troubles met by Bertone and Pininfarina would have not be as big if only Fiat had done his part with the due fairness.

The notion that Alfa Romeo could live a brilliant and better new life under the ownership of a group like is wide-spread and shared by many insiders in Italy and there are strong indications that the final decision is only waiting for the last details, and the right time, to be made and announced.

Pininfarina 2010 AR 2ueottottanta Photo Gallery