PAUHauto: Lexus Pedal Power

The new Lexus Hybrid is here, but it isn't another 4x4 that escapes the congestion charge - it's a pedal bike.

Lexus had high profile successes with its luxury hybrid SUVs, but their latest model to arrive in the UK might not be exactly what you were expecting. The all-wheel drive hybrid bicycle concept combines the pedal power of the rider with a 25.9v lithium-ion battery.

Debuted at the Tokyo motor show in 2009, the bike apparently shares in the L-Finesse design language of the rest of the Lexus range, and is arriving in Britain to mark Lexus’s sponsorship of the Great British Bike Ride, a four day charity event from Land’s End to Twickenham.

A 240w electric motor drives the front wheel via a belt system, and like Lexus’s other hybrids it has regenerative brakes that use kinetic energy to charge the battery.

Featuring an 8-speed electric gear system, that, according to Lexus “references the sophisticated eight-speed shift-by-wire automatic transmission of Lexus’s LS 600h” and a carbon fibre construction similar to Valentino’s Rossi’s Moto GP bike, the hybrid bike is a seriously advanced bit of kit, but the Japanese firm has said there are no plans to put it into production.

PAUHauto: Tata Nano, World Cheapest Car

Meet the Model T for the 21st century. The Tata Nano is the people’s car designed to bring affordable motoring to India. And while its mix of sensational value, impressive space and superb efficiency has meant that Tata can’t build its amazing supermini quickly enough, it’s not just India that will benefit from a little Nano technology.

The car is coming to the UK, albeit in slightly modified form. But how it will fair on the UK’s uniquely challenging road network? Auto Express has gained exclusive access to the only Nano in Britain to find out.

The headline statistic is that the Nano is the cheapest new car in the world. Depending on where you live in India, a new example will set you back around 115,000lakh, or just over £1,500 at today’s exchange rate. Its nearest competitor in India is the Maruti M800, which is effectively a rebadged second generation Suzuki Alto, and costs roughly twice the price.

But in the flesh, the first thing that strikes you about the Nano is its unusual proportions. It’s a small car, with a length and width that are roughly the same as an original Mini. But the combination of lofty roofline and tiny 12-inch wheels at each corner really catch the eye and make even those without an interest in cars stop and stare. Put simply the egg-shaped Nano looks like no other car, particularly in this example’s shade of off-white.

Clamber into the interior and the distinctive exterior begins to make sense. The rather top-heavy appearance liberates lots of headroom for all passengers, while the fact that the engine is located under the boot floor rather than in the nose means that there’s an impressive amount of room inside.

The dash design is basic and functional, but it’s solidly built. Despite being one step up from the entry-level X model, our car featured air conditioning and a Bluetooth-equipped stereo but passengers do have to wind their own windows and lock their own doors. Despite looking like they were stolen from a 1980s bus, the seats are comfortable, adjustable and quite supportive.

In the rear, space is good, with decent legroom across the bench, while passengers have to measure over 6 ft 2 before their heads brush the roof – seriously impressive for a car that takes up so little space on the road.

In order to trim costs, the Nano doesn’t have an opening boot hatch. Instead, the luggage space is accessed by dropping the rear seat back down and loading through the rear doors. To compensate, the light weight doors open to 90-degrees making for easy access.

The lack of a rear hatch is just one of the many money saving details the Nano features. A rear wiper, with its accompanying electronics is too complex, so there isn’t one. Likewise, because the car is limited to 68mph, just three wheel bolts are used to hold each of the 12-inch rims on. Base models come with just one wing mirror and only feature door locks on the driver’s side.

But the most significant cash conscious feature is the tiny powerplant which is hidden beneath the boot floor. The engine has been specially-designed for the Nano and has just two cylinders, displaces 0.6-litres and produces 35bhp. It drives the rear wheels through a four speed gearbox.

It splutters into life with a buzzy thrum which resonates through the cabin. Select first and the Nano moves off with surprising ease – the relative lack of weight offset by the Caterham-rivalling 600kg kerbweight.

The driving position is set quite high, which gives you a good view of the road ahead through the large glazed area.

Thanks to the lack of mass, Tata elected to fit the Nano with more cost effective non-ABS drum brakes all round. And once warmed up, these work adequately to bring you to a safe stop. And, like the stoppers, the steering is unassisted. But once you get used to the extra heft, the helm is pretty direct and the turning circle is as tight as a Smart ForTwo.

The driving experience is unique. The ride is pretty good, with the suspension soaking up potholes well – a quick drive on a rutted gravel carpark confirmed that the Nano is surprisingly adept at soaking up the worst a badly made road can throw at it, perfect for India’s rural road network.

A motorway drive takes a little more nerve. The fourth gear is more of an overdrive ratio, keeping revs and noise down at high speed. In good weather, the Nano easily hits 65mph, which triggers a small yellow warning light on the dash. At 68mph, the limiter kicks in to save the engine. However, this is welcome as the draft from passing lorries is pretty eye-opening as the flyweight Nano rocks around in their wake.

Range also has a bearing on making long distance progress. The Nano manages around 65mpg in mixed driving, but filling the Nano’s front-mounted fuel tank with unleaded happens little and often due to its 15-litre capacity.

PAUHauto: Alfa TZ3 Corsa

It's a Corsa – but not as we know it! This is the TZ3 Corsa, which is Zagato’s birthday present to Alfa Romeo. The Italian coachbuilder designed the incredible machine to mark the latter’s 100th anniversary.

It honours the racing partnership between the two companies over the past century, and is based on Alfa’s 8C Competizione supercar. But the newcomer’s bespoke bodyis even more spectacular.

The covers were pulled from the TZ3 Corsa at the exclusive Villa D’Este Concours D’Elegance event on the shores of Lake Como, Italy. It features a carbon fibre tubular chassis, coupled with a tubular frame and a hand-made lightweight aluminium bodyshell.

It’s possible to make out some of the cues from the 8C in the head-turning shape, although the two models are completely different at the rear, where the roofline has been extended in the pursuit of better aerodynamics.

The TZ3 Corsa weighs only 850kg, and is powered by a 4.2-litre dry sump V8 engine – which offers several different settings that can be adjusted by the driver. It delivers 420bhp to the rear wheels through a six-speed sequential gearbox. As a result, Zagato claims 0-62mph in less than 3.5 seconds, while top speed is in excess of 185mph.

PAUHnews: Mati Sebab Tegur Buang Sampah

Lelaki mati dibelasah jiran kerana tegur buang sampah

(Petikan dari Metro hari ini 28hb April 2010, berlaku di Sentul, Kuala Lumpur)

Gambar hiasan!

KUALA LUMPUR: Seorang lelaki mati dibelasah dengan kayu besbol oleh jirannya sendiri, hanya kerana marah dengan perbuatan lelaki itu yang menegur perbuatan jirannya yang membuang plastik mengandungi sampah di hadapan rumahnya di Flat Sri Sentul, Bandar Baru Sentul awal pagi ini.

Ketua Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Kuala Lumpur, Datuk Ku Chin Wah berkata, lelaki yang dikenali sebagai Chung Sin, 51, mati di tempat kejadian akibat kecederaan parah di kepala selepas dihentak dengan kayu besbol dalam kejadian kira-kira jam 1 pagi.

Beliau berkata, kejadian itu bermula dengan perbalahan Chung Sin dengan seorang jirannya yang memuncak sehingga membuatkan jirannya yang bekerja sebagai pemandu lori itu masuk ke dalam rumah dan mengambil kayu besbol.

"Chung Sin pada mulanya menegur jirannya yang berusia 51 tahun itu kerana membuang sampah di hadapan rumahnya namun suspek terus berang dan memarahi Chung Sin," katanya kepada pemberita di Dataran Makmal Forensik Polis Diraja Malaysia, Cheras, di sini hari ini.

"Apabila perbalahan mereka menjadi bertambah panas, suspek kemudiannya masuk ke dalam rumah untuk mengambil kayu besbol, dan memukul Chung Sin hingga dia cedera parah," tambahnya.

Ku berkata, Chung Sin yang dikatakan menggunakan sebatang besi untuk mempertahankan diri terus tersungkur dan mati di tempat kejadian sebaik sahaja kayu besbol itu mengenai kepalanya.

"Chung Sin yang tidak mempunyai pekerjaan itu kemudian dibawa ke Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) oleh anak saudaranya dan jiran-jiran lain, namun beliau disahkan meninggal dunia," katanya.

Beliau berkata, ekoran kejadian itu, polis menahan seorang suspek bersama anak lelakinya yang berumur 23 tahun di sebuah rumah di sini bagi membantu siasatan.

Mayat Chung Sin kini berada di HKL untuk bedah siasat, dan kes itu disiasat mengikut Sekyen 302 Akta Kanun Keseksaan, berkaitan kes bunuh. -Bernama

PAUHauto: Exclusive Murcielago SV

Just 10 special Chinese Editions of Lamborghini’s supercar to be made

Despite China’s relatively short motoring history, there’s a growing number of multi-millionaire car collectors eager to snap up the hottest exotic metal.

And Lamborghini is keen to tap into this lucrative market. The supercar maker’s sales grew 11 per cent in the country last year, and the arrival of the limited-edition Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce Chinese Edition aims to cement the firm’s presence in the country.

Not more than 10 SVCEs will be built, each with a special flat grey and orange livery. Every car will feature a numbered plaque with the name of the owner engraved in it too.

There are no mechanical changes, so the 660bhp V12 remains, and the 0-62mph time of just 3.2 seconds and 213mph top speed are unchanged.

Also making its debut at the Beijing show is the Superleggera version of the current Gallardo which has just gone on sale in Lamborghini’s seven Chinese dealerships.

PAUHnews: Kereta Melambung

Petikan dari akhbar Kosmo 27hn April 2010.

Tiga cedera kereta dilambung air paip bocor

KEADAAN lubang besar yang terbentuk akibat paip bawah tanah yang pecah di Bangsar semalam.

---

KUALA LUMPUR - Tiga pemandu kereta cedera apabila kenderaan masing-masing melambung terkena tekanan pancutan air daripada paip bawah tanah yang pecah ketika melalui Jalan Universiti di Bangsar semalam.

Tiga kereta yang berada di laluan yang sama menuju ke arah Petaling Jaya dalam insiden 4.30 petang itu tidak dapat mengelak apabila paip bawah tanah itu tidak semena-mena pecah dan mengeluarkan pancutan air yang deras.

Akibatnya, kenderaan pertama sebuah kereta Nissan Sunny, remuk setelah terpelanting kira-kira 10 meter hingga memasuki jalan bertentangan.

Dua lagi kereta yang berada di belakang kereta Nissan Sunny itu, kereta Honda dan Proton Iswara Aeroback turut melambung terkena tekanan air itu menyebabkan kereta Honda terbalik dengan keempat-empat tayar ke atas manakala kereta Proton terbabas dan berpusing.

Tiga pemandu kenderaan itu, kesemuanya lelaki dalam lingkungan 30-an, mengalami kecederaan akibat insiden itu di mana pemandu kereta Nissan dilaporkan cedera parah di kepala dan beberapa bahagian badan manakala pemandu kereta Honda dan Proton Iswara Aeroback pula dilaporkan mengalami cedera ringan.

Penolong Pengarah Operasi dan Penyelamat Bomba Kuala Lumpur Azizan Ismail berkata, siasatan mendapati paip pecah adalah akibat tekanan bawah tanah.

Sementara itu, Pengarah Eksekutif Hal Ehwal Korporat, Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn. Bhd. (Syabas), Abdul Halem Mat Som memberitahu, paip yang pecah itu terletak di bawah projek pengalihan paip oleh pihak Kementerian Tenaga, Teknologi Hijau dan Air dan pihaknya tidak ada kena mengena dengan projek tersebut.

PAUHauto: Mercedes SL350 Night Edition

The SL has lost its shine! Mercedes is exploring the dark side of its popular roadster with a new limited-run Night Edition, featuring optional Magno matt black paintwork.

It’s not often that a new model arrives at our offices with a notice warning us not to wash it, but that’s exactly what happened here. According to Mercedes’ ‘expert paint colleagues’ in Germany, polishing the vehicle with wax, getting greasy or oily substances on the paint or going anywhere near an automatic car wash is forbidden. The special effect is created using a silky matt clearcoat which is applied as the final layer of paint on the car. This has to be mixed and developed individually for each model and colour it’s applied to.

The process is far more difficult and time consuming than that for glossy paint, but the results speak for themselves. With a rash of companies now offering aftermarket matt film wraps, this look is becoming increasingly popular. The finish on the Night Edition is a cut above that of competitors, though, and causes quite a stir on the high street. However, at £3,636 it is a very pricey option, and when tallied with the other fitted extras it pushed the cost of our test car to more than £80,000.

Further night-inspired updates include dark headlamp surrounds plus tinted tail-lamps and a bootlid brake light cover. Night Edition badges on the front flanks, 19-inch five-spoke AMG alloy wheels and silver brake calipers emblazoned with the three-pointed star logo finish off the exterior changes. On the inside of the cabin, black is once again the predominant colour. Specially designed Nappa leather seats feature Night Edition badging and silver arrow-shaped stitching.

Aluminium trim on the centre console and door panels lifts the ambience tastefully, while Mercedes’ Airscarf system with silver fans visible through the back of the headrest means there’s no excuse for not dropping the metal folding roof.

Night Edition specification can be ordered on both the 350SL and the 500SL. We drove the less powerful version, but with 311bhp from its 3.5-litre V6, performance is not to be sniffed at. On full throttle the powerplant produces strong acceleration and a tuneful note. The ride is superb, making this an ideal machine for eating up motorway miles, while in sport setting it is sharp enough to enjoy a B-road blast.

The 7G Tronic seven-speed auto transmission gels perfectly with this character, too. In self-shifting comfort mode it’s relaxing and a doddle to drive. Slot it into the sport setting, take control via the wheel-mounted paddles and the car comes alive in your hands. With the standard SL350 costing £66,560, it’s debatable whether the Night Edition is worth the extra outlay. It certainly looks the part, though – and if you opt for the V8-engined SL500, it will have the pace to match its stunning paintjob. Beware, though: that unusual finish requires careful attention to maintain.

PAUHjoke: Kebun Cempedak

Ah Bin, seorang petani sangat kesal dengan sikap budak-budak nakal yang selalu mencuri cempedak di kebunnya. Akhirnya ia mendapat satu idea. Di tengah-tengah kebunnya diletakkan papan tanda yang besar bertulis...

'AWAS! SATU DARI CEMPEDAK-CEMPEDAK INI TELAH DISUNTIK DENGAN RACUN CAP TENGKORAK!'

Keesokan harinya, Ah Bin tersenyum lebar apabila mendapati cempedak-cempedaknya itu tidak dicuri lagi.

Seminggu telah berlalu, Ah Bin pergi ke kebunnya untuk memetik cempedak untuk dijualkan. Memang jelas kelihatan tiada cempedaknya yang hilang. Akan tetapi dia sangat terkejut kerana di sebelah papan tandanya terdapat satu lagi papan tanda yang baru. Ianya bertulis...

'AWAS! KINI ADA DUA CEMPEDAK YANG DISUNTIK DENGAN RACUN CAP TENGKORAK!'

S e k i an !

PAUHauto: 2011 BMW 3 Series

Next gen BMW 3 Series uncovered!

Take a look at the BMW that’s really going to put the ‘three’ into 3-Series. These exclusive images show you just how the firm’s new compact executive is going to look – and under its striking body lies a fresh range of engines, including a line-up of super-efficient three-cylinder units.

Together with improved aerodynamics, a hi-tech transmission system and integrated cabin wi-fi, it’s all part of BMW’s plan to offer the most advanced 3-Series ever.

As you can see from these images, good looks are matched to the clever kit. Mixing influences from the original Concept CS – first revealed at the 2007 Shanghai Motor Show – with those of the latest 5-Series Granturismo, the new 3-Series’ front end is sleek and sharp.

Lines from the wide kidney grilles to the windscreen really emphasise the strength of the design around the nose, while in profile, the sculpted sides and kinked C-pillar are teamed with a chunky swage line that cuts through the door handles.

While the 3-Series will keep its famous front-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout, hardly anything else will be traditional. Essentially one half of the firm’s new 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine, a new 1.5-litre three-

cylinder unit will be available in petrol and diesel form.

Boosted by turbochargers, both will produce around 150bhp and thanks to their compact size, will offer real advantages in terms of packaging and weight distribution.

Fitted with all the usual EfficientDynamics gizmos – including stop-start and energy recuperation – the new units will make BMW’s current four-cylinder line-up redundant. The diesel is set to return 75mpg and emit less than 100g/km of CO2, for example.

Further up the range, a new 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo unit will offer the performance and soundtrack that BMW buyers have become accustomed too. However, to improve efficiency it will be available with an all-

new eight-speed automatic transmission and stop-start.

The aerodynamics will be improved by enclosing as much of the chassis as possible, managing the flow of air around the wheels and also the cooling air that enters the engine bay. By doing so, the drag coefficient will be reduced to around 0.28.

Inside, the cabin will follow themes from the latest 5-Series, but it will take a huge leap forward with wi-fi. This will allow the 3-Series owners to get up-to-the-minute traffic information from the Internet.

We’ve seen plenty of spy shots of the new generation model in near production-ready form, indicating that a launch isn’t very far away. The new car is set to be revealed in the coming months, with sales starting in early 2011.

PAUHnews: Undi Bermula Di Hulu Selangor

Proses mengundi di Hulu Selangor bermula. (Sumber dari Malaysiakini.com)

Apr 25, 10 8:18am

Proses mengundi pilihan raya kecil bagi kerusi parlimen Hulu Selangor bermula pagi ini sebaik sahaja 48 pusat mengundi dibuka jam 8 pagi ini. Pusat pengundian tersebut menyediakan 136 saluran di 47 sekolah dan dewan masyarakat. Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) menyelia proses pengundian hari ini, dengan diketuai oleh pegawai pengurus pilihan raya, Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan. Parlimen Hulu Selangor mempunyai seramai 63,701 pengundi. Nor Hisham yang juga pegawai daerah Hulu Selangor menasihatkan mereka supaya datang ke pusat mengundi awal kerana tengah hari dijangka hujan. Pilihan raya kecil ini diadakan ekoran kematian penyandingnya, Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad yang meninggal dunia bulan lalu akibat barah otak. Ia menyaksikan pertandingan satu lawan satu antara ketua penerangan MIC P.Kamalanathan dari BN dan bekas ahli parlimen Kota Bharu Datuk Zaid Polis pula menggerakkan lebih 1,000 petugas dan beberapa helikopter bagi memastikan proses mengundi berjalan lancar. Proses mengundi akan tamat jam 5 petang dan semua undi itu kemudiannya akan dikumpulkan di Dewan Serbaguna Kompleks Sukan Hulu Selangor. Keputusan pengundian dijangka paling awal dapat diketahui sekitar jam 9.30 malam.

PAUHauto: 2010 Mercedes CLS

Get a load of this! Mercedes is pulling the wraps off this stunning new Shooting Break at the Beijing Motor Show this week. The dramatic-looking machine follows in the footsteps of the two-door Concept Fascination and bold F800 – signalling a new dawn for the firm’s design.

From the B-pillar forwards, the Shooting Break reveals Mercedes’ next CLS – due to make its debut at this October’s Paris Motor Show. The ornate LED headlights, which contain 71 individual diodes, will be toned down for production. But the elegantly sculpted bumper and striking creases, which run down each flank, are all likely to be included on the final car. Also making the cut is the stylish ‘soft nose’, which not only looks great, but also conforms to the latest pedestrian impact crash test regulations.

From the B-pillar back, the show car reveals an altogether different insight into Mercedes’ plan for the CLS – with the model line-up’s first estate. The concept is the work of the brand’s president of design, Gorden Wagener. Since moving from his post as head of Mercedes Advanced Design in America in 2008, the German has made his presence felt. The new SLS AMG and E-Class set the tone for his work, which is focused on creating streamlined and aerodynamic cars.

The Shooting Break follows this format, particularly with the tailgate, which has an integrated spoiler to cut drag. However, while the side glass features a smooth coupé-style curve, the roofline is more similar to that of an estate than a car like rival BMW’s 5-Series GT – so rear luggage room is less compromised.

Wagener says that his favourite period in design is Art Deco, and that is evident from the newcomer’s retro interior. In particular, the front and rear air vent grilles, which are overlaid with aluminium, and the ornate Mercedes script on the door sills, make functional parts of the cabin decorative.

Luxury is paramount – the concept is a strict four-seater, with a large panoramic roof helping to bathe the interior with light. Everywhere you look is lavish chocolate brown and cream leather. There are some clever details, too, especiallyin the load space, which incorporates secure storage for items ranging in size from laptops to golf balls.

Mercedes hasn’t shied away from the striking design themes which were so well received in the original CLS. The pronounced curve that runs around the dash top and blends into the front doors is retained. But the car is being taken upmarket, as the quality of the switchgear on the centre console is very similar to that in the latest S-Class – even the analogue clock is carried over.

Under the bonnet, the concept previews Mercedes’ new family of direct-injection V6 engines, which will debut in the facelifted CL in the summer. Called V-generation, the 3.5-litre unit produces 302bhp and 370Nm, and features Mercedes’ fuel-saving BlueEfficiency technology.

The rear end may be more concept than reality, but company bosses are eager to build it. As BMW has done with the 5-Series GT, Mercedes is keen to increase the number of niche models it spins off each platform.

Confusingly, the E-Class Coupé and Cabrio are based on the underpinnings from the latest C-Class. The new CLS saloon will use mechanicals from the E-Class, and the Shooting Break version would extend the reach of the platform – and aim to offer the same experience as the 5 GT.

PAUHnews: Lelong Kenderaan Polis

Petikan dari Harian Metro hari ini 23hb April 2010. Kalau aku ada duit dan ada land rover "condition" bagus, nak juga mencuba!

Gambar Peronda EVO 10 ini hanya perhiasan. Tiada kena-mengena dengan berita ini.

Harap maklum! Ha ha ha!

Kenderaan polis Negeri Sembilan dilelong di IPD Rembau 15-16 Mei

SEREMBAN - Polis Negeri Sembilan akan melelong beberapa kenderaannya di perkarangan Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah Rembau pada 15 dan 16 Mei ini.

Pegawai Hal Ehwal Awam Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontinjen Negeri Sembilan ASP Saudi Abdul Rahman berkata, 78 aset yang akan dilelong termasuk kenderaan pacuan empat roda, van serta motosikal berkuasa tinggi dan ringan.

Kesemua aset berkenaan akan dipamerkan kepada orang ramai dari 8 hingga 12 Mei dari 8 pagi hingga 5 petang di IPD Rembau, katanya dalam satu kenyataan di sini, hari ini.

Orang ramai yang berminat boleh mendapatkan maklumat mengenai kenderaan serta harga melalui papan kenyataan polis di semua IPD dan balai polis di seluruh negeri atau pada kenderaan yang akan dipamerkan kelak.-Bernama

PAUHauto: Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta

It’s pronounced ‘duet-o-tanta’ – and rarely has a name meant so much for Italian sports cars. The 2uettottanta is Pininfarina’s beautiful Alfa Romeo-badged star of the Geneva Motor Show back in March.

But the complex name is more than just a ploy to draw crowds to the stands. It pays tribute to the firm’s glorious past, plus looks to the future – and Auto Express got behind the wheel during an exclusive photoshoot.

First, we should explain that tongue-twisting badge. The 2 refers to the two-seater configuration, the 2uetto to the influence of Alfa’s classic Duetto model and ottanta – 80 in Italian – to the number of years Pininfarina has been coming up with such stunners.

We drove the 2uettottanta fresh from its show debut, and there were no seatbelts fitted. But our time with the car wasn’t so much about pushing it hard on the open road – instead, we were keen just to get a taste of the car insiders say points to the look of the next-generation Spider.

Contrary to speculation, Pininfarina says the Mazda MX-5-sized newcomer is production ready. It’s also keen to scotch rumours that it’s based on the 8C Competizione, pointing out that the underpinnings are not from a current Alfa model.

Power comes from an all-new 1.8-litre turbocharged engine, while the 2,500mm wheelbase is identical to that of the four-wheel-drive Fiat Sedici and Suzuki SX4.

The bodywork’s soft curves are set off perfectly by the bold metallic paint. Red is the colour, of course, and the 2uettottanta features a blood-like shade that sparkles in the sunshine during our drive.

The form-fitting sports seats give outstanding support, and our arms are held at a perfect distance for us to clutch the small 14.2-inch-diameter retro-styled three-spoke steering wheel.

It’s a special place to sit. The driving position is low to the ground and the seatback steeply raked. Plus, with your backside suspended inches above the tarmac, it feels just as unique as an original Duetto spider.

As there’s no roof, and only a slender windscreen surround, visibility is excellent, while the car is incredibly aerodynamic.The major controls are placed logically around the steering column and on the central tunnel, as well as across the upper dash.

As you’d expect, the detailing is simply sensational, with glowing white Alfa Romeo badges on the centre of the speedometer and rev counter needles.

The gearlever is finished in machined aluminium billet, and is great to hold. Beautifully integrated into its design is the bright red start button.

But while we love the cabin’s architecture, we should mention that not everything you see here will make production. The thin, column-mounted paddleshifters for the seven-speed TCT twin-clutch box are only for show. Another little jewel that feels too finely finished to make dealers is the new design for the lever of Alfa’s DNA adaptive chassis system – it’s unlikely to stand up to daily use.

On the other hand, the seatbelt appendages, extending off the outside edges of the flying buttresses, are a really pleasing touch. They embrace you as you settle back into the seats, and are likely to make production.

Overall, the 2uettottanta’s cabin is as accommodating as the latest BMW Z4’s, and the swooping lines are not unlike those of the blue propeller car.

Under the bonnet, the turbocharged engine is very much showroom-ready – it’s set to feature in the Giulietta Cloverleaf, which goes on sale in the summer. Amazingly, this ultra-efficient 232bhp 1.7-litre four-cylinder motor delivers just as much power as the gas-guzzling old 3.2-litre V6 in the 147 GTA.

Alfa says the finished version of the 2uettottanta will use this same unit, as it targets class-leading rivals such as the Porsche Boxster and Audi TT Roadster. In the two-door – which tips the scales at a featherweight 1,220kg – it promises a 0-62mph sprint time of less than six seconds.

This impressive power output will be delivered to the rear wheels through the slick-shifting TCT box. Add that to the gorgeous barchetta styling, plus the detailing inside and out, and the 2uettottanta will make summer anywhere in the world like something from an Italian romance.