Uploaded November 2021 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Over the long history of #AlfaRomeo, there's been plenty of cool cars that never got their chance to shine beyond the fleeting lights of a motor show. In this case, the 1991 Geneva motor show. #ProteoRed
Although onlookers at the 1991 Geneva show couldn't yet know, it's now evident to our eyes that the Protéo's final design, especially the front end, was influenced by Enrico Fumia's "916" GTV and Spider, which were in development in the same period and would be launched in 1994.
Based on a shortened and reinforced #Alfa164 floorpan, but with exterior panels made of carbon fiber, the Protéo was equipped with a prototype version of the upcoming 3.0-liter quad-cam 24-valve "Busso" V6 coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission. It produced a healthy 260 HP and could propel the Protéo up to a claimed 250 km/h. The permanent four-wheel-drive system, which wasn't yet called "Q4," but "Viscomatic," used a Ferguson viscous coupling to automatically split the torque between the axles depending on driving conditions.
Although the Protéo never made production, its drivetrain did, except for the four-whee-steering system, that is. Moreover, the concept car's elegant dark metallic red became a staple of Alfa Romeo's color chart throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.
This is the story of the Alfa Romeo Protéo.
The exclusive merchandise you can buy to support my channel: teespring.com/stores/roadster-life
My automotive books:
Six Appeal - The Story Of The Alfa 6
amazon.com/dp/1793931046
Alfa Romeo Giulietta - The Story 1977 - 1985
ENGLISH: amazon.com/dp/1983393746
ITALIAN: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B098GVJ7RK
Alfa Romeo Arna - The Full Story 1980 - 1987 amazon.com/dp/1656632500
Over the long history of #AlfaRomeo, there's been plenty of cool cars that never got their chance to shine beyond the fleeting lights of a motor show. In this case, the 1991 Geneva motor show. #ProteoRed
Although onlookers at the 1991 Geneva show couldn't yet know, it's now evident to our eyes that the Protéo's final design, especially the front end, was influenced by Enrico Fumia's "916" GTV and Spider, which were in development in the same period and would be launched in 1994.
Based on a shortened and reinforced #Alfa164 floorpan, but with exterior panels made of carbon fiber, the Protéo was equipped with a prototype version of the upcoming 3.0-liter quad-cam 24-valve "Busso" V6 coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission. It produced a healthy 260 HP and could propel the Protéo up to a claimed 250 km/h. The permanent four-wheel-drive system, which wasn't yet called "Q4," but "Viscomatic," used a Ferguson viscous coupling to automatically split the torque between the axles depending on driving conditions.
Although the Protéo never made production, its drivetrain did, except for the four-whee-steering system, that is. Moreover, the concept car's elegant dark metallic red became a staple of Alfa Romeo's color chart throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.
This is the story of the Alfa Romeo Protéo.
The exclusive merchandise you can buy to support my channel: teespring.com/stores/roadster-life
My automotive books:
Six Appeal - The Story Of The Alfa 6
amazon.com/dp/1793931046
Alfa Romeo Giulietta - The Story 1977 - 1985
ENGLISH: amazon.com/dp/1983393746
ITALIAN: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B098GVJ7RK
Alfa Romeo Arna - The Full Story 1980 - 1987 amazon.com/dp/1656632500
