First look: Bertone sketches all-new Alfa concept

AFTER details of its work on a new concept car for Alfa Romeo leaked earlier this week, Italian design house Stile Bertone has released a sketch of the vehicle in question ahead of its unveiling at the Geneva motor show on March 2.

Understood to be based on the 8C Competizione, the sketch reveals the aggressive front-end treatment Bertone has given the sportscar, including a new interpretation of the shield grille that integrates with the headlights – with the latter also to include LEDs.

Bertone said the concept referred to the “traditional collaboration” between the coachbuilder and car manufacturer, describing it as modern but reflective of the Alfa Romeo brand.

As GoAuto has reported, the Bertone work will be one of two Alfa Romeo concepts to be shown at Geneva next month, with Pininfarina also releasing a sketch of a two-seater roadster concept ahead of the unveiling.

Alfa Romeo is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year at a time when the brand is undergoing at strategic review within the Fiat Group.

The Pininfarina and Bertone concepts are not slated for production, but former could be a precursor to a new Spider.

Reports out of Europe this week also indicate that Fiat is far from abandoning the historic Alfa brand.

An announcement of a slew of redesigned models, including an all-new Spider, is expected soon – if not at Geneva, then when Fiat’s review process is complete around April.

Unconfirmed reports out of Europe suggest that in addition to the forthcoming Giulietta launch – the 147-replacing model that will make its world debut at Geneva – Alfa Romeo’s contracted design houses are working on several concept cars that point to not just a new Spider but redesigned versions of the 159 sedan (to come from ItalDesign-Giugiaro) and Brera coupe (from Bertone).