FACTfile - Alfa Visconti (concept) - Page2

The launching pad:
the Alfa Romeo Premium Platform

The launch pad for the Visconti was the Premium Platform, developed by Alfa Romeo as the basis for the next-generation 156 Sedan, Sportwagon, Coupe and Spider, a quartet of cars all drawing life from the pencil of Giugiaro as evolution of the Brera concept car. Given the flagship characteristics with which the Visconti takes the scene, Giugiaro lengthened the wheelbase of the Premium Platform by 20 millimeters, stretching it out to 2,825 mm, with two almost identical overhangs, 1,064 mm to the front and 1,066 mm to the rear, thereby attaining a total length of 4,955 mm. The width has been restrained to just under 1.9 metres, whilst the height stretches to 1,474 mm, the right compromise between flowing line and flagship ease of accommodation. Innovative, yet feasible. Despite the provocative design, Giugiaro has not wandered from his tradition of creating concept cars that are ready for production.

Also at the level of concept cars, research into proper functionality even imposed compromises which the Designer regrets. "I would have preferred to accentuate more the V at the rear window base, but this aesthetic would have reduced slightly in size the boot flap, thus making it more difficult to load bulky luggage or packages."

A new approach to the Alfa grille: the Visconti has the ninth evolution of the Alfa Romeo grille, it grows bolder in size and dominates, even more than in the past, the front end, due to both the size of the vehicle and its flagship role. In this interpretation, the powerful outline of the Alfa brand identity includes, as on the more recent Alfa series, by small chromed strips, which here, however, are thicker and farther apart from each other.

The circular brand logo is surmounted by a chromed eyelid that stretches across the engine bonnet pushing through a slender trimming - chromed as well - that runs up to the windshield base. There are six air intakes on the front-end, two at the guard base, two in proximity to the lower part of the grille (which also house the fog lights), plus two on headlight inside rims.

However, more than just a question of aesthetics, these seemingly in excess air intakes are the result of the expertise gained during the industrial development of the Brera, which, in its preliminary definition, did not ensure enough airflow for a turbo-engine car. Unlike the traditional 4-door three-volume sedans featuring a tapering engine bonnet, the Visconti has a short and compact front grille, which, rather than offering grandeur, transmits a sense of power lying in wait to leap. Also pushing through this front volume layout was compliance with pedestrian-impact new standards, scheduled for enactment in 2005, which call for more vertical fronts and raised bonnets.

Fresh and simple body side, with an elaborated tail-end full of surprise The body side is incredibly fresh. The traditional outline that connects ideally the two wheelhouses is merely a sheet metal pleat, barely noticeable. The roof seeks to maintain the most harmonious route possible, making almost imperceptible the "elbow" needed to allow the back window to be rolled down.

Without doubt, the low-lying and spinning tail-end is the most unusual aspect of the Visconti. Indeed, from a three-quarter front view, the car looks just like a two-volume car. Moving to view from the side, starting however to emerge - between the powerful relief of the high wide shoulder of the rear wheel-arches - is a real and proper boot, albeit presenting a downward curved line. Accordingly, it is from the rear three-quarter view that the boot shows itself not just to be a hint of shadow, but a generous volume of space, allowing 458 liters of carrying capacity.

From a historic standpoint, the low, muscular and cut-off tail reflect a dash of the "Fifties" capturing the style of cars such as the Pescara 6C. Dominating the full view from rear are the mighty all-embracing light units, which, with a circular motive designed inside, weave their way from the body side.

Along with the styling, beyond dream mechanics. From a mechanics stand point, the Visconti uses a V6 3.2 liter JTS direct injection bi-turbo petrol engine, with 405 bhp and 680 Nm. The six speed automatic gearbox provides for permanent all-wheel drive with rear wheel steering as well, whilst vehicle stability is ensured - other than by the VDC, an Alfa Romeo interpretation of the ESP - by use of stabilizer rod active control.

Comfort is assured by air suspension, which also enables the electronic control of the height from the ground, whilst Brembo CCM ceramic composite disks pave the way towards exceptional braking performance.

Why the Visconti name? For an upper lineage Alfa Romeo, Giugiaro wanted to reflect in the name a symbol of the Milan marque: the "biscione" that characterizes the marque. In fact, the Visconti ducal coat of arms is represented by a shield bearing a serpent with a babe in its mouth, surmounted by a crown. The Visconti family recollects that - back in year 800 - one of their ancestors had killed in the vicinity of Milan a serpent that poisoned infants just by breathing on them. The other half of the Alfa Romeo logo, the red cross set against a white background, stems on the other hand from the banner of the city of Milan.

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