Friday 14th September 2007

Thoughts From Frankfurt: The Italians

Mad lambos; light Ferraris and a mean-looking Fiat

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As ever, the Italian manufacturers brought their own special brand of magic to the show, with the refreshing belief that desirable cars and skimpily dressed female models is what you really need for a healthy future. Green? What’s that?

Anyway, once Garlick managed to see past the ‘staff’, it was the Ferrari stand PH headed for to see Ferrari’s latest track-biased warrior – the 430 Scuderia. Unveiled by none other than Mr M Schumacher – who apparently has had a hand in the development program – the ‘Scude’ was everything we could have hoped for in the metal. Read the original PH story here to get the full details on this spiritual successor to the Challenge Stradale, but the 503bhp Lightweight has been confirmed as having a UK price of around £170,000. Having said that, it’s as fast around Fiorano as an Enzo, apparently…

Over to Lamborghini then, and the bucket of ice cool water over your head that is initial acquaintance with the Reventon (sounds better if you say it with the correct accent we found).

The Reventon is a test bed for new Lamborghini technology but also a (very) limited production vehicle; 20 units will be made with one coming to the UK. And yes, they’re all pre-sold. Reaction seemed to vary from wonder, amusement, bafflement, horror and disgust at the Reventon’s wild slashing of form and line depending on age, background and taste.

Based on the LP640, the beast has a blueprinted V12 knocking out an additional 10bhp at 650bhp. Most of the body is now carbon fibre and there’s a unique new dashboard featuring a bizarre flight-deck style display. The Reventon also introduces a new streamlined development process for the firm. No clay models exist – the car went from CAD to reality with no stops in between.

Elsewhere, Maserati had the new Gran Turismo and the latest Quattroporte while Alfa headed their stand with a delectable 8C in black. Someone in the PH office might have once said that the looks didn’t appeal, but they were clearly wrong.

And amongst the massive Fiat 500 push – and very cute they are too – was a very cool Abarth stand. Fiat has been steadily promoting this badge ahead of a whole range of future Abarth models and the Abarth Punto on the stand was utterly outrageous. Make this Fiat, and the hot hatch world will love you. Who would have thought that possible…

 

[RIPmgmetro]

Is that 599's colour known as "Primer Grey"?

[Zumbruk]

I thought that blue Maser was a old BMW 6 series for a moment...

[jimbro1000]

On the subject of the Punto Abarth, the wide bodied car on display is supposed to be the S2000 car and we can forget any hope of this ever being a production road car. If nothing else Alfa have a block on Fiat ever using the engine outside of competition, the 4WD setup is pure competition (actually a prescribed component in the S2000 regulations) but the bodywork is another matter but I suspect only in the hands of private enthusiasts. The strange detail on that car is that it has the road wing mirrors, not the S2000 versions which sit half way back along the door and are much smaller hence a small hope that the public might actually get their mits on the outrageous wide arched design. Alfa also have their own version of the 1.4 turbo engine which promises even more power (197bhp according to the current info) which again Fiat are currently not allowed to use but the only difference appears to be the CPU so expect plenty of aftermarket conversions in this respect.

The Abarth Grande Punto is a reality though and Abarth are tooling up to produce them in numbers. The SS version will only be available through an exclusive (and very limited) dealer network but no details of where these will be is available yet although there are rumours that the first is based in Germany.

The one we are all waiting for though is the new Abarth 500 which uses the same engine but comes in a smaller lighter package. It should be the first to arrive too with promises that we will have RHD versions by the end of next year (soon after the proposed September release of the 500 in the UK). I suspect people will be importing them in LHD guise first.

[sidesauce]

The Alfa AND the girl - both gorgeous, I'll take 'em both....

[stephen300o]

sidesauce said:

The Alfa AND the girl - both gorgeous, I'll take 'em both....

I think I could definitly see past her "funny" knees

[wab172uk]

sidesauce said:

The Alfa AND the girl - both gorgeous, I'll take 'em both....

My thoughts exactly

[oagent]

Throw in the girl on the Maserati stand for good luck and im game.

[Rob_R]

stephen300o said:

sidesauce said:

The Alfa AND the girl - both gorgeous, I'll take 'em both....

I think I could definitly see past her "funny" knees

Well spotted Sir!

[Frimley111R]

With you all the way on those knees!

[flattotheboards]

RIPmgmetro said:

Is that 599's colour known as "Primer Grey"?

is it just me or does that colour not suit the 599 at all.

[FestivAli]

I was just looking at those gaps in the back of the lambo where you can see fans and that. How about chucking orange Leds (with a touch of blue) so when you accelerated or reached a certain rev point, they lit up, giving an afterburner affect (minus huge, possibly illegal flames).

If I was behind that lambo and I saw that it would be so cool.

(Teenager mode off)

Ali.

[dipwing]

The Reventon reminds me of the Stealth fighter. I like it!

[Mr_C]

the lambo is just a murcie with a different front bumper and a different back end grafted on isn't it?

Love the F430 and the bird with the Alfa 8C

[theleeman]

The Reventons may already be pre sold, but the UK one's up for sale!