A striking new Alfa Romeo convertible could become a one-of-a-kind creation for a wealthy collector, even as the automaker’s plans for a new Spider remain uncertain. Milan-based coachbuilder Castagna Milano has unveiled digital renderings of a two-seat convertible based on the limited-edition Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA, featuring an aggressive design, extensive carbon-fiber construction and a claimed weight of just 3,130 pounds.
Castagna Milano Designs a Unique Alfa Romeo Convertible
Castagna Milano is not waiting for Alfa Romeo to decide whether to introduce a new Spider. Instead, the coachbuilder has presented its own interpretation of an open-top sports car using the modern Giulia Quadrifoglio platform and the more exclusive Giulia GTA as its starting point.
The project currently exists only as computer-generated images, but Castagna has expressed a willingness to build a single example for a wealthy collector. If realized, the car would be a highly exclusive, two-seat convertible with proportions and styling unlike those of the standard Giulia.
The Castagna name traces its origins to an Italian coachbuilder established in the mid-1800s, known for its work on the Orient Express and the groundbreaking ALFA Aerodynamica prototype of 1914.
The modern Castagna Milano company was founded in the 1990s and specializes in customized Fiat 500 models, including an unconventional pickup. Its proposed Alfa Romeo convertible represents a considerably more ambitious undertaking.
Alfa Romeo Styling Inspired by Classic Concepts
The convertible’s design appears to take inspiration from Alfa Romeo’s iconic BAT concepts of the 1950s. Its wedge-shaped profile and prominent, straight character line running along the sides also recall the more modern Alfa Romeo GTV Spider.
At approximately 185 inches long, the proposed convertible matches the length of the Giulia on which it is based. However, the redesigned body accommodates only two occupants, giving the car a different overall appearance from the four-door sedan.
A new, elongated hood accounts for much of the vehicle’s proportions. To achieve the desired shape, the designers have moved the dashboard and front seats backward by a full 13 inches.
The resulting layout creates unusual proportions for a car of this size, giving the proposed convertible a particularly striking stance.
Carbon Fiber Body and a Seamless Glass Canopy
Much of the body would be constructed from carbon fiber if the project advances beyond the digital-rendering stage. The design also calls for entirely new glass panels, including the windshield and side windows.
The windshield, side windows and fabric roof are designed to form a single, uninterrupted oval canopy. A patented method of bonding the windshield over slimmed-down A-pillars helps create the continuous glasshouse effect while improving visibility.
The combination of the extended hood, repositioned cabin and flowing canopy gives the proposed Alfa Romeo a distinctive appearance that separates it from the standard Giulia GTA.
What Engine Could Power the Alfa Romeo Convertible?
Performance specifications for the proposed convertible have not been released. However, the donor Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA provides a reference point for the project’s potential powertrain.
Alfa Romeo built just 500 examples of the Giulia GTA, alongside the more extreme GTAm version. The GTA uses a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 engine also found in the Giulia Quadrifoglio, but its output rises to 532 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque.
The original Giulia GTA also benefits from weight-saving measures, including carbon-fiber body panels and Lexan polycarbonate resin in place of glass. These changes helped reduce its weight by approximately 220 pounds compared with a regular Quadrifoglio, bringing it to about 3,350 pounds.
Castagna Targets an Even Lower Vehicle Weight
The proposed convertible is claimed to weigh just 3,130 pounds, making it lighter than the Giulia GTA on which the project is based.
The projected weight reduction comes from removing the roof, rear seats and other components. However, the figure remains an estimate for a vehicle that exists only as digital renderings.
With its two-seat configuration, carbon-fiber bodywork, distinctive canopy and projected weight advantage, the proposed convertible offers a different interpretation of the Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA. The company is willing to build just one example for a collector, although the project has not been confirmed for production.
