The scale model at 01:00 is from the ES30 (SZ) project, not from the Protéo project as I mistakenly said in the video. Speaking of the SZ, here's a video about that story: ua-cam.com/video/ODwpWGUj7qU/v-deo.html
I did not realise you had mentioned your error in regarding the initial design by Alberto Bertelli who headed up Team A designing the SZ, as described in my comments below.
I don't know if I mentioned here before, but I have a Diploma in Industrial Design from Instituto de Diseño de Caracas (Venezuela) from 1992 🤓 It was founded with collaboration and support from the Istituto Europeo di Design in Milano (literally, a carbon copy of their class system as both directors studied there), but the important comment in this post, is this: When I was in my 5th semester and at the Rendering class, the professor requested to create a "brand new and from the scratch" car design model, I was in IN LOVE with the Proteo design (which I saw in "Quattroruote" 1991 magazine, BTW I was buying that magazine since the beginnings of the 80s) and I took the inspiration for my design from the Alfa Proteo!!! I LOVE THIS CAR!!! 🍀
Thank you for sharing your story. I don't think you had mentioned it before, but I'm glad you did now, as it's a very cool one! By the way, I am a teacher at a design academy too, so I can fully relate!
You know I always just assumed the Proteo was just a concept for the 916 GTV but today you taught me something new . Proteo red was always a good seller on 146 , 155 and 156 too . 😍
Yes, seeing the Proteo in '91 and then the GTV in '94 would naturally lead to believe that one led to the other. But things in Italy rarely are that straightforward, and Alfa Romeo is no exception :)
Thank you so much for presenting in English. If it were not for this, many, many people like me would be unable to learn about the excellent cars that you so passionately feature in your excellent videos.
Thank you very much for appreciating this, as that's precisely the reason why I've always made my videos in English: to make Italian car history accessible to the world :)
@@Matteo_Licata I think I should share this would you.... I got a great new away of always arriving wake, energised and well humoured at work: When I go by fot, I always pass by an amazing Alfa Romeo Giulia and when I drive, I always end up parked next to one... So, obviously, in my head I start screaming all the bad names I can think of to the owner of the car "you lucky filho da p*t@" and lot of c@r@lh#..... Surprisingly, it works! Alfas are such beautiful cars, I really need to get one one of these days!
It definitely is Milan fall weather... Not the best to shoot a video, but we enjoyed it anyway! I love Milano too, as I think it's the most European of Italian cities: love its bustling, cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Something is suggesting me that Alfa youngtimers is maybe your current interest. In this case, i feel the same. The styling features of Proteo were inspiring the 90s Alfa as you said, but I humbly add that those lines are still there with the Giulia.
Its gorgeous,but I did love the GTV and Spider production cars too.I just hope when Alfa Romeo makes loads of SUV's theres some money to build a sports car!
That is a gorgeous design. I think they could bring that out today and blow everyone away. It’s simple smooth lines would a wonderful change to the over-styled cars of today!
Kudos to you, my friend - you've accomplished a lot and set the bar just a little bit higher for all of your competitors - always entertaining, always informative, well written, photographed and edited. I've learned and appreciated so much since I've subscribed and followed your channel - thank you from a certified car nut!
Wow, thank you very much for your kind words, makes my day! I don’t consider other automobile-related channels as “competitors” though. We all share the same passion, and our content is different, because we are all different. I can’t have “competition” because nobody will ever make the same exact thing. UA-cam is huge, and there’s space and public for everyone :)
Awesome! Learned something new today, I did not know how technically advanced the proteo was. Makes the car even greater in my imagination! Thank you for the great content!
I'm not so sure about the headlight design, but surely a beautiful car. Ahead of its time and probably a big missed opportunity. Thanks for this interesting video, ciao 🙋♂️
Agree about the headlights the six rounded little lights just don’t work in my opinion but the matching blocks of three square headlights looked brilliant.
Absolutely stunning car! Too bad it didn't make it to production as it was originally designed. The (then) upcoming 916 series, were technical and aesthetical marvels too. The resemblances are obvious despite the fact that they were ultimately designed by a different house... Personally, when I first sat in a GTV 916, In an Alfa dealer back in 1994, I thought that the future has come, thinking of the Proteo prototype. And yes the Proteo red, has been a classic Alfa homage. Beautiful video once again, thanks. Reminding and learning!
I saw GTV 916 in 2000 the first time, I remember staring at it for ten minutes with my mouth open, the same I did for 156 in 1997 when I saw a red one in Belgrade for the first time, the one with the sport pack and that big ironing board at the back. :)
Super interesting video! Really love that concept car, I remember I felt in love when appeared! Roof design looks quite clever also, but design is just outstanding.
I'd never heard of this one-off. It is a triumph of design integrity. The glasshouse is a marvel. I confess I dislike the style of headlamp (as used on the 916). On the street they too often look like holes drilled in a bonnet that happen, by coincidence, to have lamps behind them. They just never look quite finished. But the rest of the car? Gorgeous. Somehow a lost classic. Thanks for the video.
Thank you to the Italians who have taught the world that a car can be a work of art, female, sexy, utterly beautiful and so so desirable. What country can claim this kind of success. I pray Alfa will continue into the electric eara with more of their beautiful art works.
Oh yes! I think the Tonale will open the door for Alfa electric, and despite the fact that they will never ever sound like a Busso powered Alfa, I have to accept that as part of the progress as long as my beloved brand will continue to design such beauties.
I had a mint twin spark gtv in proteo red it is indeed a beautiful colour I’m now driving a gorgeous vela blue busso V6 gtv that to is a lovely colour!
Fantastic video! I’ve never actually owned an Alfa, but the brand sadly has never fired on all cylinders at, least in this part of the world; The brand and design ethic sits alongside Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW and Porsche. One of the great motoring marques. They even manage to sell a desirable SUV (which no one other than Range Rover has ever managed to do).
Thank you, glad you liked it! Yes, Alfa Romeo's power as a brand keeps surprising me, especially given how many times the Marque made things difficult for itself over the years. Now their range is (unfortunately) limited to a relatively expensive saloon and SUV, but both are great cars well worth a punt, if they fit your budget and needs.
@@davidorama6690 For how much I'd love to see the Alfa name on F1's podium, I'm left a bit cold by the whole Alfa-Sauber thing, because it's simply a sponsorship deal... So it feels all a bit hollow to me, as it's clear there's zero "Alfa" know-how in there.
What exceptional insight into the development of the Proteo! Alfa Romeo needs to become like Ferrari and McLaren - build very limited numbers of really beautiful and innovative 'special editions' (like the Proteo), and sell them to the highest bidder.
You have a point. It could certainly have been a workable strategy for the brand's survival, a few years ago, at the time of the 8C Competizione. But Stellantis has chosen another direction, and I'm hopeful we'll get the cool cars we want.
The frontal styling does look like it was adapted to the Type 916 cars, and since they were available with the Busso, the Proteo’s influence lasted well into the following decade.
The Proteo may not have made it outside the car show circuit, but future Alfa’s benefits from the design and engineering ideas. Even the Acura Integra copied the light/front end treatment
It's beautiful, but I think the GTV and Spider of that generation are still more impressive to look at, for any car to have such a homogenous design is very rare.
very informative video, I am a great fan of Italian cars. My heart breaks when i realize that even today they have not been able to shed the image of being unreliable and not long lasting cars. Can you pls comment on this perception thanks
Actually the book on the SZ talks about design evolution. The book by Georgio Nada discusses in detail the SZ design commissioned by Vittorio Ghidella and which was done by 2 competing independent design teams at Alfa Rome. Team A produced the initial design you mention above headed by Alberto Bertelli (not for the Proteo but the SZ project), which was not favoured and Alfa Romeo chose to go with the design of Team B which became the SZ. These two teams were designing in parallel to each other. Mauro Maioli was heading Team B. Walter de Silva was apprarently upset the 24v v6 did not get used in the SZ.
Hey Ettore Fassina, the owner of the GTV here! The phone holder is a Kenu airbase pro. Works great and looks slick in the GTV's neadly designed interior :)
@@ettorefassina356 It has a reasonably strong suction cup. The GTV has a soft touch vinyl dash with a quite a course leather print. And I never had it slip. The softer the contact material the more surface area the cup has to grib on to. So all things concidered, I think you will be fine :)
I just watched this off the back of the recently release SZ and RZ video. The Proteo is beautiful, as only an Alfa can be! So, so much nice than the ugly SZ and RZ!
Very interesting concept, quite in tune with the late XX. century when electronics became a big part of automobiles. It would have been quite a competitor to the Mitsubishi 3000 GT and the Nissan 300ZX that incorporated similar technical innovations (variable 4WD and rear axle steering). The roof mechanism would have been ahead of the curve as well, with the convertible hard-top boom of the 2000s. The design was a pleasant evolution of the iconic - and very italian - wedge design that made it to production with the Alfa Romeo GTV (916). The Protéo design might be more elegant when compared with the 916 GTV, probably because the side crease originating as a shut-line of the clampshell bonnet is less steep making the rear less heavy and emphasising the length. Overall great line flow, love the evolution of the SZ 3 eyed headlight design (that later came back with the 159 and Brera). I feel this headlight design is missing in the Alfa Romeo Giulia 952 but it might make a comeback in the new Alfa Romeo SUV Tonale (which is great). Another Giulia facelift implementing this front facia would be very welcome imo. Great video, love the content #RoadsterLife - I can't stress it enough -
A CC design for the "916" is hardly surprising. I am a huge Alfa fan but I have to say of all the pretty cars they have produced the 916 was a bit of a hunchback in my book, but the Proteo was much better balanced, when most of the competition was ugly. An interesting video, thanks.
The waistline on the Proteo should have been used on the 916 (in my opinion). It also looks better than the one on the SZ, I think - I'm not keen on how it goes up slightly on the front wing. But what do I know?
Wow, that's the sort of technical package I'd expect from Bubble-era Japan, not Italy! More fool me. AFAIK, electrochromic glass only went into production cars in recent years, with Mercedes' "Magic Sky Control" in 2010.
Yes, it was very advanced for the time, kind of a statement of the Fiat Group's technological prowess. A real pity it didn't get the 1000-copies production run it was meant to.
They look similar... But they aren't exactly the same, as you correctly point out. Show-car paintwork doesn't have to withstand weather, UV light etc. To see the actual difference, we should look at a production car besides the Proteo itself, but that unfortunately has yet to happen
@@Matteo_Licata The rosso on the Proteo concept almost looks part way between the rosso proteo on the production cars and rosso competizione. Back to to the Proteo itself, such a shame it wasn't productionised, I am writing this while waiting for food at a restaurant so not able to research but what was the othe Alfa (or Alfa badged) concept roadster with similar headlight treatment, I think it was shown in red over silver??
Sorry I'm thinking of the Vivace which didn't have round lights but was before the Proteo and more obviously 164 based, it came out first I think in 1986
Another missed opportunity from Alfa IMO, technically it seemed quite advanced. Perhaps that one of the reasons it failed, that technology and construction (specially with carbon fibre panels) in the '90s seemed too expensive. A shame as it definitely could've taken the role of a premium GT car. Something like a Porsche 968/928 or Mercedes SL. Design wise, it looks like the missing link between the SZ and the GTV. As someone who wasn't around in '91 I find the 6 headlight design more modern than the final 4 one on the GTV. Some of the scale proposals remind me of the Subaru SVX, which was launched around that time. I know I mentioned it before, but you should definitely open an Instagram account to share more insights on Alfas, design and cool stories in general. It'd would be yet another way to interact with enthusiasts, plus your content is really interesting and would surely be appreciated there.
I never liked the SZ. It was a 75 in a not entirely convincingly styled shell and cost a fortune for what it was. It looked too much like a kit car to me. I was running a 75 TS at the time the SZ was launched and I thought " what's the point of the SZ except to use up the stock of 75 running gear ? ". The Proteo on the other hand was a masterpiece of both design and engineering. How sad it never proceeded further.
I get what you're saying, as it was a very common reaction to the SZ back in those days. I remember that, in Italy, the retail price of a new SZ was near 100 Million Lire, over double what a 75 V6 cost and nearly as much as a Porsche 911. It was far too much, and the weird looks didn't help at all. I believe the Proteo could have sold 1000 copies far more easily than the SZ. However, I still love the SZ for the great classic it is now, and I'd happily own one.
Unfortunately yes. Fiat was riding high in the 80s, but by 1990 it started losing ground very quickly, and by 1992 it was already losing money. Things improved from '94, when the first Punto started selling really well in Europe.
Few people liked the SZ when new, actually. Nowadays we all look at it with a different eye, so it gets much more love than it ever did (deservedly so). However, I'm sure selling 1000 Proteos wouldn't have been difficult at all, as it was (and is) a very pretty car indeed!
@@Matteo_Licata Just needed the shield grill sorting. That looks more like a pig's snout to me, made worse by the colour mismatch. Most of Zagato's styling was love it or hate it. Can't say I was ever a fan.
The shield on the Proteo looks weird because it’s been patched up recently. The original material was a soft-touch paintable plastic that, over time, has degraded.
The scale model at 01:00 is from the ES30 (SZ) project, not from the Protéo project as I mistakenly said in the video. Speaking of the SZ, here's a video about that story: ua-cam.com/video/ODwpWGUj7qU/v-deo.html
I did not realise you had mentioned your error in regarding the initial design by Alberto Bertelli who headed up Team A designing the SZ, as described in my comments below.
I don't know if I mentioned here before, but I have a Diploma in Industrial Design from Instituto de Diseño de Caracas (Venezuela) from 1992 🤓
It was founded with collaboration and support from the Istituto Europeo di Design in Milano (literally, a carbon copy of their class system as both directors studied there), but the important comment in this post, is this:
When I was in my 5th semester and at the Rendering class, the professor requested to create a "brand new and from the scratch" car design model, I was in IN LOVE with the Proteo design (which I saw in "Quattroruote" 1991 magazine, BTW I was buying that magazine since the beginnings of the 80s) and I took the inspiration for my design from the Alfa Proteo!!! I LOVE THIS CAR!!! 🍀
Thank you for sharing your story. I don't think you had mentioned it before, but I'm glad you did now, as it's a very cool one!
By the way, I am a teacher at a design academy too, so I can fully relate!
You know I always just assumed the Proteo was just a concept for the 916 GTV but today you taught me something new . Proteo red was always a good seller on 146 , 155 and 156 too . 😍
Yes, seeing the Proteo in '91 and then the GTV in '94 would naturally lead to believe that one led to the other. But things in Italy rarely are that straightforward, and Alfa Romeo is no exception :)
Thank you so much for presenting in English. If it were not for this, many, many people like me would be unable to learn about the excellent cars that you so passionately feature in your excellent videos.
Thank you very much for appreciating this, as that's precisely the reason why I've always made my videos in English: to make Italian car history accessible to the world :)
Timeless model. Very beautifull!
Alfa Romeo Has Been There And Done it ...Thank u for The Video Matteo ..will share with Friends ..Thanks Again ..
love the proteo... but, I wanna see a few more seconds of the blue GTV 916 at the end, particularly the wheels and the rubber !....
Who knows... You may get to see it in the future ;)
Watch this space!
I love those headlights! What an amazing design!
We agree! It was a step beyond what the GTV would get
@@Matteo_Licata I think I should share this would you.... I got a great new away of always arriving wake, energised and well humoured at work:
When I go by fot, I always pass by an amazing Alfa Romeo Giulia and when I drive, I always end up parked next to one... So, obviously, in my head I start screaming all the bad names I can think of to the owner of the car "you lucky filho da p*t@" and lot of c@r@lh#..... Surprisingly, it works!
Alfas are such beautiful cars, I really need to get one one of these days!
That looks like Milan weather in the fall. Rainy but I still love Milano!
It definitely is Milan fall weather... Not the best to shoot a video, but we enjoyed it anyway! I love Milano too, as I think it's the most European of Italian cities: love its bustling, cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Something is suggesting me that Alfa youngtimers is maybe your current interest. In this case, i feel the same.
The styling features of Proteo were inspiring the 90s Alfa as you said, but I humbly add that those lines are still there with the Giulia.
I do love Alfas of all ages... But I'm making more youngtimer-focused videos lately also because viewers are responding really well to them :)
What a stunning roadster!
It really is!
Its gorgeous,but I did love the GTV and Spider production cars too.I just hope when Alfa Romeo makes loads of SUV's theres some money to build a sports car!
This design still looks fresh.
It's still very attractive, indeed. Doesn't look 30 years old, that's for sure!
That is a gorgeous design. I think they could bring that out today and blow everyone away. It’s simple smooth lines would a wonderful change to the over-styled cars of today!
I agree, it looks better than many cars on sale today!
What a stunner! Even more beautiful than the 916 GTV.
Kudos to you, my friend - you've accomplished a lot and set the bar just a little bit higher for all of your competitors - always entertaining, always informative, well written, photographed and edited. I've learned and appreciated so much since I've subscribed and followed your channel - thank you from a certified car nut!
Wow, thank you very much for your kind words, makes my day!
I don’t consider other automobile-related channels as “competitors” though. We all share the same passion, and our content is different, because we are all different. I can’t have “competition” because nobody will ever make the same exact thing. UA-cam is huge, and there’s space and public for everyone :)
Thanks again for the video and for the dedication 😉
Awesome! Learned something new today, I did not know how technically advanced the proteo was. Makes the car even greater in my imagination! Thank you for the great content!
I'm glad you enjoyed it so much, thank you!
I'm not so sure about the headlight design, but surely a beautiful car. Ahead of its time and probably a big missed opportunity. Thanks for this interesting video, ciao 🙋♂️
Indeed. Thank you!!!
Agree about the headlights the six rounded little lights just don’t work in my opinion but the matching blocks of three square headlights looked brilliant.
Absolutely stunning car! Too bad it didn't make it to production as it was originally designed. The (then) upcoming 916 series, were technical and aesthetical marvels too. The resemblances are obvious despite the fact that they were ultimately designed by a different house...
Personally, when I first sat in a GTV 916, In an Alfa dealer back in 1994, I thought that the future has come, thinking of the Proteo prototype.
And yes the Proteo red, has been a classic Alfa homage.
Beautiful video once again, thanks. Reminding and learning!
I saw GTV 916 in 2000 the first time, I remember staring at it for ten minutes with my mouth open, the same I did for 156 in 1997 when I saw a red one in Belgrade for the first time, the one with the sport pack and that big ironing board at the back. :)
One more great video.
Congratulations !
Thank you!!!! :)
Thank you Matteo for your wonderful work. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and happy and healthy New Year.
Thank you very much, wish a Happy New Year to you too
Great video once again...never knew about this car, very clear it’s a big part of the 916 styling, whichever way the influence went..!
Glad you liked it!
We are very much looking forward to a visit this year to the Alfa Romeo Museum in Arrese.
It really is special, you’ll certainly enjoy it!
Super interesting video! Really love that concept car, I remember I felt in love when appeared! Roof design looks quite clever also, but design is just outstanding.
Glad you liked it! Thank you!
I'd never heard of this one-off.
It is a triumph of design integrity.
The glasshouse is a marvel.
I confess I dislike the style of headlamp (as used on the 916). On the street they too often look like holes drilled in a bonnet that happen, by coincidence, to have lamps behind them. They just never look quite finished.
But the rest of the car?
Gorgeous.
Somehow a lost classic.
Thanks for the video.
Glad you discovered something new, that's what Roadster Life is all about :)
Thank you!!!
Thank you to the Italians who have taught the world that a car can be a work of art, female, sexy, utterly beautiful and so so desirable. What country can claim this kind of success. I pray Alfa will continue into the electric eara with more of their beautiful art works.
I hope so too! I think that, as long as the cars will look real good, Alfa has a place even in the upcoming electric era.
Oh yes! I think the Tonale will open the door for Alfa electric, and despite the fact that they will never ever sound like a Busso powered Alfa, I have to accept that as part of the progress as long as my beloved brand will continue to design such beauties.
⭐
That Ninph deserves the exquisite job your video is..as usual.
Gazzie molto Matteo 👍
Thank you! Cheers!
I had a mint twin spark gtv in proteo red it is indeed a beautiful colour I’m now driving a gorgeous vela blue busso V6 gtv that to is a lovely colour!
Cool! Thanks for sharing!
Fantastic video! I’ve never actually owned an Alfa, but the brand sadly has never fired on all cylinders at, least in this part of the world; The brand and design ethic sits alongside Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW and Porsche. One of the great motoring marques. They even manage to sell a desirable SUV (which no one other than Range Rover has ever managed to do).
Thank you, glad you liked it! Yes, Alfa Romeo's power as a brand keeps surprising me, especially given how many times the Marque made things difficult for itself over the years. Now their range is (unfortunately) limited to a relatively expensive saloon and SUV, but both are great cars well worth a punt, if they fit your budget and needs.
@@Matteo_Licata Let’s hope the Alfa sponsorship purse is big enough to get the brand back on the F1 podium in 2022 where it belongs.
@@davidorama6690 For how much I'd love to see the Alfa name on F1's podium, I'm left a bit cold by the whole Alfa-Sauber thing, because it's simply a sponsorship deal... So it feels all a bit hollow to me, as it's clear there's zero "Alfa" know-how in there.
Awesome video, Grazie!
Thank you!
What exceptional insight into the development of the Proteo! Alfa Romeo needs to become like Ferrari and McLaren - build very limited numbers of really beautiful and innovative 'special editions' (like the Proteo), and sell them to the highest bidder.
You have a point. It could certainly have been a workable strategy for the brand's survival, a few years ago, at the time of the 8C Competizione. But Stellantis has chosen another direction, and I'm hopeful we'll get the cool cars we want.
Thank you Matteo. :)
My pleasure!
Amazing video!!!
Glad you liked it!!
For me the Proteo and the R.Z were two of the most beautiful designs Alfa ever made .
Love this car.
Me too!
The frontal styling does look like it was adapted to the Type 916 cars, and since they were available with the Busso, the Proteo’s influence lasted well into the following decade.
They should have built this car. Very attractive and good specification.
Indeed. I think it could have sold 1000 copies easily
This is top so special
The Proteo may not have made it outside the car show circuit, but future Alfa’s benefits from the design and engineering ideas. Even the Acura Integra copied the light/front end treatment
Great video 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Grazie!!!
Nothing looked that modern back then, nothing came close
Yep, I wouldn't be too ashamed when I'd have to drive that. :-) It's indeed SZ-like but even more beautifull!
It's beautiful, but I think the GTV and Spider of that generation are still more impressive to look at, for any car to have such a homogenous design is very rare.
Yes, I agree with you that the GTV looks better overall
very informative video, I am a great fan of Italian cars. My heart breaks when i realize that even today they have not been able to shed the image of being unreliable and not long lasting cars. Can you pls comment on this perception thanks
Well said! Old stereotypes never die, and that's very much the case here in Italy as well.
Bravo!
Grazie mille!
Actually the book on the SZ talks about design evolution. The book by Georgio Nada discusses in detail the SZ design commissioned by Vittorio Ghidella and which was done by 2 competing independent design teams at Alfa Rome. Team A produced the initial design you mention above headed by Alberto Bertelli (not for the Proteo but the SZ project), which was not favoured and Alfa Romeo chose to go with the design of Team B which became the SZ. These two teams were designing in parallel to each other. Mauro Maioli was heading Team B. Walter de Silva was apprarently upset the 24v v6 did not get used in the SZ.
Praticamente la GTV 916....
WEIRD QUESTION: does anyone know what phone holder is shown on the blue gtv dash at the end of the video?
Hey Ettore Fassina, the owner of the GTV here!
The phone holder is a Kenu airbase pro. Works great and looks slick in the GTV's neadly designed interior :)
@@djangotemme thanks, do you think it would grip well on a more recent softer dash?
@@ettorefassina356 It has a reasonably strong suction cup. The GTV has a soft touch vinyl dash with a quite a course leather print.
And I never had it slip.
The softer the contact material the more surface area the cup has to grib on to. So all things concidered, I think you will be fine :)
That would've sold so well, the SV's issue was mainly it's looks
I agree. The Proteo would have sold 1000 copies much more easily than the SZ ever could
@@Matteo_Licata Easily, there would've been a high demand
I just watched this off the back of the recently release SZ and RZ video. The Proteo is beautiful, as only an Alfa can be! So, so much nice than the ugly SZ and RZ!
Indeed. The Protéo is one of the far too many lost opportunities of Alfa’s history. I should write a book about these stillborn Alfas someday!
To not market this model was a massive mistake hope Stellantis revive the concept it would sell very well.
Yes, I agree. While I can understand the reasoning of Fiat's management, I'm sure the Proteo would have sold 1000 copies easily.
Very interesting concept, quite in tune with the late XX. century when electronics became a big part of automobiles. It would have been quite a competitor to the Mitsubishi 3000 GT and the Nissan 300ZX that incorporated similar technical innovations (variable 4WD and rear axle steering). The roof mechanism would have been ahead of the curve as well, with the convertible hard-top boom of the 2000s.
The design was a pleasant evolution of the iconic - and very italian - wedge design that made it to production with the Alfa Romeo GTV (916). The Protéo design might be more elegant when compared with the 916 GTV, probably because the side crease originating as a shut-line of the clampshell bonnet is less steep making the rear less heavy and emphasising the length.
Overall great line flow, love the evolution of the SZ 3 eyed headlight design (that later came back with the 159 and Brera). I feel this headlight design is missing in the Alfa Romeo Giulia 952 but it might make a comeback in the new Alfa Romeo SUV Tonale (which is great). Another Giulia facelift implementing this front facia would be very welcome imo.
Great video, love the content #RoadsterLife - I can't stress it enough -
A CC design for the "916" is hardly surprising. I am a huge Alfa fan but I have to say of all the pretty cars they have produced the 916 was a bit of a hunchback in my book, but the Proteo was much better balanced, when most of the competition was ugly. An interesting video, thanks.
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the vid!
The mockup designed by Bertelli was an alternative proposition (from CS AR) to ES-30 project. It does not have any connection to Proteo.
That's good to know. The museum placed it there, so I thought it was part of the story.
Another "might have been". A remarkable car. Could have positioned Alfa alongside - or even ahead - of the likes of Mercedes Benz as an innovator.
lovely Lines and awesome shape !!! They need to build it now, without stupid Gimmicks from todays Cars.
The waistline on the Proteo should have been used on the 916 (in my opinion). It also looks better than the one on the SZ, I think - I'm not keen on how it goes up slightly on the front wing. But what do I know?
Wow, that's the sort of technical package I'd expect from Bubble-era Japan, not Italy! More fool me. AFAIK, electrochromic glass only went into production cars in recent years, with Mercedes' "Magic Sky Control" in 2010.
Yes, it was very advanced for the time, kind of a statement of the Fiat Group's technological prowess. A real pity it didn't get the 1000-copies production run it was meant to.
I always thought the production Rosso Proteo colour was darker than that on the Proteo itself?
They look similar... But they aren't exactly the same, as you correctly point out. Show-car paintwork doesn't have to withstand weather, UV light etc. To see the actual difference, we should look at a production car besides the Proteo itself, but that unfortunately has yet to happen
@@Matteo_Licata The rosso on the Proteo concept almost looks part way between the rosso proteo on the production cars and rosso competizione. Back to to the Proteo itself, such a shame it wasn't productionised, I am writing this while waiting for food at a restaurant so not able to research but what was the othe Alfa (or Alfa badged) concept roadster with similar headlight treatment, I think it was shown in red over silver??
Sorry I'm thinking of the Vivace which didn't have round lights but was before the Proteo and more obviously 164 based, it came out first I think in 1986
@@benzinapaul7416 Yes, 1986 Turin motor show. But the Vivace was a push-mobile, a non-running showpiece without a drivetrain.
@@Matteo_Licata yes but a showcase for the 164 a year ahead in many details.
1;27 and the GTV and spider influenced themselves from the 1981 Pininfarina's Audi Quartz
Well, the Quartz had been designed by Fumia too, so it's natural that there's a relationship between these cars :)
Another missed opportunity from Alfa IMO, technically it seemed quite advanced. Perhaps that one of the reasons it failed, that technology and construction (specially with carbon fibre panels) in the '90s seemed too expensive. A shame as it definitely could've taken the role of a premium GT car. Something like a Porsche 968/928 or Mercedes SL.
Design wise, it looks like the missing link between the SZ and the GTV. As someone who wasn't around in '91 I find the 6 headlight design more modern than the final 4 one on the GTV. Some of the scale proposals remind me of the Subaru SVX, which was launched around that time.
I know I mentioned it before, but you should definitely open an Instagram account to share more insights on Alfas, design and cool stories in general. It'd would be yet another way to interact with enthusiasts, plus your content is really interesting and would surely be appreciated there.
It would be great if this car came out today as an EV.
I never liked the SZ. It was a 75 in a not entirely convincingly styled shell and cost a fortune for what it was. It looked too much like a kit car to me. I was running a 75 TS at the time the SZ was launched and I thought " what's the point of the SZ except to use up the stock of 75 running gear ? ". The Proteo on the other hand was a masterpiece of both design and engineering. How sad it never proceeded further.
I get what you're saying, as it was a very common reaction to the SZ back in those days. I remember that, in Italy, the retail price of a new SZ was near 100 Million Lire, over double what a 75 V6 cost and nearly as much as a Porsche 911. It was far too much, and the weird looks didn't help at all. I believe the Proteo could have sold 1000 copies far more easily than the SZ. However, I still love the SZ for the great classic it is now, and I'd happily own one.
A one-off that had potential, but was torpedoed by the finances of the company at the time
First step.. the financial situation.. so many car brands fail, so miserably when they can't afford a great design.
Unfortunately yes. Fiat was riding high in the 80s, but by 1990 it started losing ground very quickly, and by 1992 it was already losing money. Things improved from '94, when the first Punto started selling really well in Europe.
💡💡💡💡💡💡💡
thats one wierd gtv
Sad it didn't go into production. Much prettier than the SZ, which I've always hated (sorry).
Few people liked the SZ when new, actually. Nowadays we all look at it with a different eye, so it gets much more love than it ever did (deservedly so). However, I'm sure selling 1000 Proteos wouldn't have been difficult at all, as it was (and is) a very pretty car indeed!
@@Matteo_Licata Just needed the shield grill sorting. That looks more like a pig's snout to me, made worse by the colour mismatch.
Most of Zagato's styling was love it or hate it. Can't say I was ever a fan.
The shield on the Proteo looks weird because it’s been patched up recently. The original material was a soft-touch paintable plastic that, over time, has degraded.
@@Matteo_LicataMatteo, thanks for the clarification.
Alfa sz, gtv, brera, diat foupe.
Lancia hyena all there.