Exploring the Geneva Salon

Entering the annual motor show is almost like stepping into the inner sanctum of a motor manufacturer's design studio or advanced engineering center.

Concept cars are now de rigueur at every international motor show, but the Geneva Motor Show is always something special. Small, with compact stands, it has a vibrancy that seems to be missing at many shows that are spread over acres of real estate. It makes the impact of new designs and technology all the greater. Because of this, it is always a difficult and controversial decision to focus on a single design, a piece of technology, or a styling concept as being the most significant to be revealed.

This year it was arguably the Volkswagen Phaeton, although much was known of it before its unveiling. But little was known of the Alfa Romeo Brera concept car from Italdesign Giugario. It stood out at Geneva because of its aesthetics and technology and because it was designed for ease of transition into production; however, there is no confirmation that will happen, despite conjecture that the concept might be a future Alfa Romeo GTV. Its technology includes a carbon-fiber body; front-mounted, 4.2-L V8 engine placed well back in the chassis; six-speed, rear-mounted sequential gearbox; all-wheel drive; and Michelin PAX tires. But it is the car's styling that really singles it out. The Brera is highly distinctive, with tapered front-end styling, broad front fenders, taut body lines, and a panoramic roof. It is a 2+2, measuring 4388 mm (173 in) long overall, with a 1894-mm (75-in) width and a 1289-mm (51-in) height. It wears the traditional Alfa Romeo grill and has six head/parking lights. The doors pivot upwards instead of opening conventionally, and its side windows are fixed. When open, the door stands 360 mm (14.2 in) away from the body. It is operated via a patented rotating and push knob system.