The Alfa Romeo Nuvola is a concept coupé that Alfa Romeo first showed at the Paris motor show in 1996. Its name means “cloud” in Italian and also hints at the racing driver Tazio Nuvolari. It was built as a design manifesto and a technology demonstrator. This page covers the key facts, the concept, the specifications and the questions people ask most often.
Alfa Romeo Nuvola at a glance
| Manufacturer | Alfa Romeo |
|---|---|
| Type | Concept car, two-door two-seat coupé |
| First shown | Paris motor show, 1996 |
| Engine | 2.5-litre (2,492 cc) twin-turbo V6, 60 degrees, longitudinal |
| Power | 300 PS (221 kW) at 6,000 rpm |
| Transmission | Six-speed manual, four-wheel drive |
| Where it is | Alfa Romeo Historical Museum, Arese |
The figures are for the concept car as described in the English article. It was never put into production.
History
The Nuvola was intended as a future design manifesto and a demonstration of new technology. The idea was a rebirth of the coachbuilt car: Alfa Romeo would supply rolling chassis to be bodied by independent coachbuilders, possibly sold through Alfa Romeo dealers.
The car was penned by a group of young designers from the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, which was headed at the time by Walter de Silva. It featured LED lighting and bumpers integrated into the shape of the bodywork. The prototype is now on display at the Alfa Romeo Historical Museum in Arese.
Design and features
- A modern space-frame chassis with a separate body, designed to take almost any body style.
- A polyester body on a welded tubular steel space frame.
- A front-mounted engine with four-wheel drive, and LED lighting.
Variants
- Nuvola (1996): the concept coupé described here, shown in Paris.
See also: the Alfa Romeo collection and the Alfa Romeo P2.
Alfa Romeo Nuvola questions and answers
What does Nuvola mean?
“Cloud” in Italian, with a hint at the racing driver Tazio Nuvolari.
Was the Nuvola ever sold?
No. It was a concept car and a technology demonstrator.
Where can it be seen?
In the Alfa Romeo Historical Museum in Arese, Italy.
Sources
- Alfa Romeo Nuvola, English Wikipedia: concept history, design group, specifications, museum
- Alfa Romeo Nuvola, Russian Wikipedia: concept car presented at the Paris show in 1996
- 1996 Alfa Romeo Nuvola, Wikimedia Commons: photo and licence
