'Pretend' drive in 156 Alfa

Alfa Romeo customers will soon be able to drive the clutchless 156 Selespeed sedan model without leaving the showroom.

It's called a "virtual reality test drive." Engineers for the sporty Italian carmaker have replaced the car's standard windscreen with a plasma-screen television.

Nothing else about the interior has changed. The instruments, gear lever, steering wheel and so on are where they have always been.

The only other difference is the car doesn't move. The steering wheel turns the front wheels to provide steering feedback, just like a regular test drive.

The simulator will enable prospective customers to drive on the road surface in the city of their choice and experience the Formula One-type Selespeed transmission.

They can even dial up a famous racetrack for a pretend blast at the wheel.

The car will make its debut on the Alfa Romeo stand at the Melbourne Motor Show next week.

Also on show for the first time in this part of the world will be the Alfa Romeo 147, the 2001 European Car of the Year.

The hatchback Alfa has been in huge demand in Europe. The carmaker sold a third of this year's planned 147 production a month after it went on sale.

Production has already moved up from 90,000 to 120,000 in an attempt to meet demand and Alfa is trying to step it up again to 150,000 units.

The 147 has been praised for its strong styling, its engines and gearboxes, its responsive chassis and its high level of standard equipment.

It is expected to go on sale in New Zealand in April/May, some months before it is launched in Australia.