The Alfa Romeo Protèo is a concept car exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show in 1991: a two-door coupé cabriolet with a folding roof, a 3.0-litre quad-cam 24-valve V6, four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering. The prototype is on display at the Alfa Romeo Historical Museum in Arese.
Alfa Romeo Protèo at a glance
| Shown | 1991 Geneva Motor Show |
|---|---|
| Body | two-door coupé cabriolet with folding roof |
| Engine | 3.0 L (2,959 cc) 60° V6, quad-cam, 24 valves |
| Power | 260 PS (191 kW; 256 hp) |
| Gearbox | 5-speed manual |
| Top speed | 250 km/h (155 mph) |
| Platform | shortened Alfa Romeo 164 floorpan |
| Drive and steering | four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering |
| Design | first sketches by Alberto Bertelli, December 1989 |
| Colour | dark metallic red, later offered as Rosso Proteo |
This page is based on English Wikipedia only, so the figures could not be cross-checked against a second source.
History of the Alfa Romeo Protèo
Many of the Protèo’s design cues were influenced by the Alfa Romeo 916 series GTV and Spider, whose design began in July 1988; Alberto Bertelli’s first sketches for the concept date from December 1989. The name comes from the Greek deity Proteus. The concept was presented with dark metallic red paintwork that was later included in the Alfa Romeo range as Rosso Proteo.
Design and features
- Chassis: a shortened floorpan from the 164 with four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering.
- Engine: a 2,959 cc quad-cam V6 with 260 PS, coupled to a five-speed gearbox.
- Roof: a folding roof turning the coupé into a cabriolet.
Alfa Romeo Protèo versions
- Protèo (1991): a single concept car.
More Alfa Romeo concept cars are in our Alfa Romeo collection, for example the Alfa Romeo 164 whose floorpan it uses and the Nuvola.
Alfa Romeo Protèo questions and answers
What is the Alfa Romeo Protèo?
A 1991 concept coupé cabriolet with a V6, four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering.
What does Protèo mean?
The name comes from the Greek deity Proteus.
What is it based on?
A shortened floorpan from the Alfa Romeo 164.
Where is it now?
At the Alfa Romeo Historical Museum in Arese, Italy.
Sources
- Alfa Romeo Proteo, English Wikipedia: design, engine, history
