Still very much under covers from the general public, and a car that even official Alfa Romeo dealers know very little about, the all new Alfa Romeo Spider is set for unveiling at the 2005 Frankfurt IAA Show. Based on the striking Alfa Romeo Brera, the new Spider is bound to become a runway success.

Expressing their determined new advance, Alfa Romeo has shipped a stunning red example of the new Alfa Romeo Spider across the Atlantic to the Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance, where it was on private display to a select audience last weekend.

A similar preview approach was used by Ferrari for the Superamerica model, just prior to its European debut at the Amsterdam Autorai in January, and this bold initiative clearly displays Alfa Romeo management's will to position the Alfa Romeo brand at very highest level in the US market. Supported by a fabulous array of historic Alfa Romeos and the exclusive appearance of the all-new Alfa Romeo Brera Spider model, the Alfa Romeo brand was clearly moving one notch up in its opulence at Pebble Beach.

Posters of some of the most desirable and inspiring models from Alfa Romeo's rich history, including the 33 Stradale, and the 8C 2900 B, made up the Alfa Romeo Spider indoor display at Pebble Beach. Traditional colours were thoughtfully chosen on the Alfa Romeo Spider display model, its bodywork gleaming in characteristic "Rosso", while neat black leather furnished the seats, a colour combination which would have been a popular choice on the old shape Alfa Romeo Spider which is still fondly remembered by many in the US.

Neat titanium finished roll-over hoops are positioned on either side of the car, tastefully matching the finish of the interior, whilst aerodynamically shaped bolsters serve to reduce interior wind noise whilst enhancing the rear end stance. Further detailing includes a tidy rear end lip spoiler finished in the body colour and Pininfarina badges representing the production location.

Two petrol engines will be offered on the new Alfa Romeo Spider; a 2.2-litre JTS direct injection four-cylinder and a 3.2-litre V6, with the units offering 185bhp and 260bhp respectively. It is unknown at this stage whether the engines used on the models bound for the US market will feature any changes for emission levels, and whether the four-cylinder unit will be reserved exclusively for the European market. Six-speed manual gearboxes are fitted as standard, whilst an automatic six-speed transmission will become available for the V6 version in 2007. As with the 159 and Brera models, power from the V6 engine will be delivered through all four wheels, with torque slightly biased to the rear for sporty handling.

The European debut of the new soft-top Alfa Romeo Spider will take stage at the 2005 Frankfurt IAA Motor Show, accompanied in its role as newcomer by the Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon. Completing the new family line-up, examples of the 159 saloon and Brera will also be on display. We'll be there.

ItaliaSpeed - 26 Aug 2005