2004 Alfa Romeo ItalDesign Visconti Concept

At just over 5 meters long and 1.9 meters wide, the Visconti is too big to be a direct replacement of the 156. Rather, the large platform looks to part of the brand's future. The Visconti has been created to target a larger, more luxurious segment of the market. Giugiaro was very clear that his Visconti concept car was the first hint at the development of Alfa Romeo and Fiat's

The Visconti has been created to target a larger, more luxurious segment of the market. (Photo: Fiat Auto)

new "premium" platform. What we're seeing here is the makings of the next generation of large Italian sedans which could also include Lancia under the Fiat group umbrella. With the success of the 156 as a midsize sedan that can truly tackle the corners (as demonstrated with normal and the GTA variant) it is critical that Alfa Romeo get the large car right. I have no doubts that they'll manage to find the perfect blend between performance and luxury.

From a styling standpoint its basic configuration shows yet another approach on the coupe-sedan take. In the same way that Benz created a sleeker, lower three-box design with the CLS or Bugatti with its EB116 concept, the Visconti uses the same line of approach in combination with an elongated rear glass panel to achieve the sportier look. Up front is the Alfa family face with the added grace courtesy of Giugiaro's personal pen. While the angled headlamps, triangular crest grille and

The Alfa concept packs two surprises which could possibly end up in other models, all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering. (Photo: Fiat Auto)

offset "whiskers" are present, the manner in which they've been arranged is thoroughly unique. Other details such as the chrome line that trails the length of the hood hints at the brand's elegant past, contrasted by the large glass panoramic roof that points to the future.

The Visconti concept is different than most Alfas in the fact that it is all-wheel driven. This leaves me wondering whether the upcoming 157 and 167 will be front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel driven, opening doors to dozens of different variants. The concept car also packs the added surprise of four-wheel steering, an unusual but beneficial feature. Whether or not 4WS will be used in production is unclear.