|
The Pininfarina stand at this year's Geneva Motor Show presents the Alfa Romeo Spider and Coupé GTV, both designed and - as of September 2000 - produced by Pininfarina in its Grugliasco and San Giorgio plants.
The two new models perpetuate a long-standing and mutually profitable partnership between Alfa and Pininfarina, which has accumulated vast experience in the production of Alfa Romeo sports cars over the years. We need only remind you of the Giulietta Spider of which Pininfarina produced 27,000 units in 1954-64, or the Duetto, which evolved into the Alfa Spider, of which some 150,000 units were manufactured in 1966-92.
Lithely imposing, the Alfa Romeo Spider and GTV create an instantaneous impression of power and sportiness. Up to February 2001 over 69,000 have been produced and marketed in Europe. Though they share a common platform, these two models present very different personalities that are perhaps best expressed by the designs of their tail-ends. On the GTV, the high-set stubby tail is no mere styling feature since it fulfils a specific aerodynamic function. On the Spider, by contrast, the more slender, raked tail is a better base for the sophisticated manual or electric hood that stows away under a rigid tonneau cover.
The Alfa Spider and GTV currently offer a choice of 2.0 TS 16V and 3.0 V6 24V engines.
|
