- Filed under: Ferrari, Alfa Romeo
Click for hi-res gallery of the Alfa 8C Competizione
When Alfa Romeo announced it was actually building the 8C Competizione, we had but to applaud. The automaker slashed its own marketing budget to finance the car's manufacturing, justifying that the halo supercar would do more for the brand's image than any television ad ever could. (Then they did it again with the Spider version.) Right they were, and we wish more automakers would think that way. The latest reports indicate that Alfa Romeo is following its own example, so while CEO Luca de Meo campaigns within the Fiat hierarchy for an even more hard-core version to wear the vaunted GTA badge, some of his subordinates are thinking a step ahead towards the 8C's successor.
The current 8C is based on an aging Maserati platform - not unlike the resuscitating Aston Martin DB7 that was based on old Jaguar underpinnings. However, strategists within Alfa Romeo want to see its successor based on the new Ferrari California, trading in the input of one sister company for another. While they realize it will be an uphill battle - one which could come down to Fiat chairman and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemelo's decision - to get Ferrari to agree to the proposal, Alfa Romeo is reportedly keen to get the project off the ground and get the second-generation sportscar ready within the next two years to celebrate Alfa's centennial in 2010.
[Source: Autocar]
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- Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Hatchbacks, Alfa Romeo
After having being introduced way back in 1998, Alfa Romeo finally stopped production of the 166 last year. Now without a flagship sedan to hold up the top of the range, Alfa is working on the development of its successor. However, the 169 (as the model is expected to be called) has been pushed back at least another three years while the automaker tries to sort out which platform it will be based on.
With an eye towards the American market, Alfa is said to be committed to making the new 169 a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, but the only rear-drive platform the Milanese automaker has in its range belongs to the 8C Competizione, which CEO Luca de Meo recently rejected as a possible donor for the 169. (Rats.) The platform that underpins sister-company Maserati's Quattroporte and GranTurismo was likewise dismissed as too costly, as Alfa Romeo looks to other automakers - chief among them Jaguar, now owned by the Fiat Group's Indian ally Tata - for a suitable rear-drive platform for Alfa's new flagship sedan.
In related news from the other end of the range, the upcoming 149, which - along with the new MiTo - will replace the aging 147, is reportedly getting a brand new platform of its own. The reports contradict earlier suggestions that the five-door hatch would be based on the Fiat Bravo platform when the new 149 is introduced in 2009.
[Source: AutoTelegraaf via Motor Authority]
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- Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Sedans/Saloons, Euro, Alfa Romeo, UK
Click above to view the Autodelta 159 J4 2.2 C in high res
European reviews of Alfa Romeo's mid-range line-up invariably yield the same conclusion: the Brera, Spider and 159 are impossibly beautiful (take our word for it if you haven't seen one in the flesh), but the performance just isn't there. That's where Autodelta comes in. The British tuning house specializes in dialing up the performance quotient on Alfas, and after pumping up the Brera and Spider with its top-of-the-line J-series packages, Autodelta has turned its attention to the 159 sedan.
The result of a year and a half of development, the 159 J4 2.2 C promises to fill the dynamic void of the standard saloon. Rather than starting with the heavier 3.2-liter V6 (which is coupled to Alfa's Q4 all-wheel-drive system), Autodelta takes the 185hp 2.2-liter JTS direct-injection inline-four and bolts on a Rotrex C30-74 supercharger to boost output by 60 horses up to 245. Autodelta has also replaced the stock plastic intake manifold with a new aluminum one to cope with the extra power and fitted new NGK Iridium IX spark plugs, a new electronic limited slip differential, new springs and dampers, bigger brakes, a quad-tipped stainless exhaust, 19-inch OZ Botticelli HLT rims with custom Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT rubber, and a full aero kit, along with trimming out some unnecessary weight and tinkering with the ECU.
Check out the press release after the jump for more details, and the images in the gallery below for all the angles.
[Source: Autodelta]
Continue reading Beauty & Beast: Autodelta J4 2.2 C supercharged Alfa 159
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- Filed under: Sports/GTs, Supercars, Alfa Romeo
Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Alfa 8C Competizione
Few cars are as eminently desirable as the Alfa 8C Competizione. So how do you make us want it even more? Well, you can chop off the roof and make it into a roadster, but Alfa Romeo already did that. How about making it even more powerful? That's hard to do - remember that, having developed the engine for its sister-company, Maserati has shoehorned the 450hp V8 into both the GranTurismo and the new Quattroporte to make more powerful S versions of both - but that's exactly what Alfa's new CEO, Luca de Meo, intends to do.
The plan involves producing an additional run of 100 supercars with more power and less weight... and you know that's the magic formula. Like the 230hp MiTo announced just yesterday, the faster 8C would wear Alfa's premier GTA badge. Although the project has yet to gain approval from the higher-ups in the Fiat group, de Meo is reportedly fighting for it. We hope he wins, and with the clout he holds in the company, we think he just might.
[Source: AutoTelegraaf via eGMCarTech]
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- Filed under: Hatchbacks, Alfa Romeo
Following earlier speculation, reports now confirm that Alfa Romeo will produce a high-performance version of its new MiTo hatchback that will wear the vaunted GTA badge. The nameplate was historically used on top-of-the-line performance-oriented Alfas, and will make a comeback with the range-topping MiTo.
Pictured above is a rendering of what the GTA could look like. Power will come from the company's 1750cc 230hp turbo four, with variable valve timing and direct injection. Little else is known at this point, but with 230hp, the MiTo GTA promises to leave the less powerful turbocharged 175hp MINI Cooper S behind in its tracks.
[Source: 4Car]
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- Filed under: Convertibles, Sports/GTs, Alfa Romeo, FIAT
Any day in which we bring you news of a new Italian sports car is a good day by any account. Today we bring you news of three new sports cars under development under the Fiat group umbrella, which we needn't point out controls most of the Italian automotive industry, including Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Maserati and Ferrari.
First up to bat is the unique sports car which, as we reported back in March, Fiat is developing for its recently revived Abarth performance brand. Reports now suggest that the Abarth roadster would take an Elise-style approach, and could even borrow underpinnings from Lotus. Power could come from the turbo four in the Punto and 500 Abarth, mounted amidships, but unburdened by a lightweight two-seater chassis.
While we wait for more news on that front, there are parallel reports of a new Lancia coupe-cabrio on the horizon. (This in addition to the rumored Aurelia flagship, anticipated for unveiling in Geneva next March.) Previewed by the Fulvia concept from Frankfurt 2003 (pictured above), the Lancia convertible could also spawn an Alfa Romeo variant. The stage is set, and we'll be keeping a sharp eye out for more news as it emerges.
[Source: 4Car]
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- Filed under: Videos, Hatchbacks, Alfa Romeo
Click above to video after the jump
That's right, more Alfa Romeo Mi.To media. Hot on the heels of the large batch of high-res pics we got yesterday comes this video of the Mi.To in motion. We see the car both being flogged on a track and driven leisurely around what we presume to be is Italy. What's most impressive is how flat the Mi.To corners through the slalom. The small three-door hatchback appears able to maintain composure with sharp inputs to the steering wheel despite its super short wheelbase. We also get a tour of the Mi.To's interior that looks to be made of high-quality materials and features some interesting design details. Bonus points for whoever can figure out what that chromed lever on the dash does. Check out the video after the jump.
[Source: Alfa Romeo]Continue reading VIDEO: Alfa Romeo Mi.To on the move
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- Filed under: Time Warp, Convertibles, Sports/GTs, First Drive, Alfa Romeo
Click to view the '61 Alfa Giulietta in our hi-res gallery
Everyone has their own idea of heaven on earth: the first snowfall, a cold beer on a hot day, a pristine azure beach... Cruising around town on a beautiful summer day in a classic Italian roadster may just be ours.
There's just something, what the French call a certain je ne sais quoi, an indefinable quality about a vintage Alfa - found somewhere in between the exhaust note and the chrome details - that has a unique capacity to make driver and passenger forget about everything else and just enjoy the drive. Don't get us wrong, we're big fans of progress. But after spending a few hours with this beautiful 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider, we're gaining a new appreciation for the phrase "they don't build 'em like they used to". Follow the jump to read why.
Photos Copyright (C)2008 Noah Joseph / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Autoblog's Day Off: 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider
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- Filed under: Euro, Hatchbacks, Alfa Romeo
Click above for high-res gallery of the Alfa Romeo Mi.To
Though Alfa Romeo unveiled the Mi.To back in March, we've only had a few images at which to stare in disbelief over how there's a part of the world that produces small cars this beautiful. Not so anymore, as Alfa has released over 40 new high-res images of the Mi.To today. Named after the place in which it was designed (Milan) and the place in which it will be built (Turin), the Mi.To is basically a Fiat Grande Punto wrapped in a skin that was inspired by the luscious 8C Competizione. As such, Alfa included a number of images in the gallery below of the two cars side by side so you can see how much supercar DNA was stuffed into the Mi.To's design. The three-door hatch will be available with three engines, including an anemic 78-hp 1.4L, a more potent 155-hp turbo 1.4L and a 120-hp 1.6L JTDM turbo-diesel. All engines will be paired with the proper transmission for small car fun: a six-speed manual. Check out all the pics in the gallery below and hope beyond hope that one day the Mi.To lands on our shores to take the premium small-car crown away from the MINI Cooper.
[Source: Alfa Romeo, Carscoop]
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- Filed under: Concept Cars, Time Warp, Coupes, Euro, Paris Motor Show, Alfa Romeo, FIAT
The 2003 Lancia Fulvia Coupe concept that tantalized showgoers at the Frankfurt Motor Show with its crisp lines that strongly evoked its namesake predecessor was presumed dead after Fiat canned the idea due to financial woes and want of a modern platform. It seems that plans for a new coupe carrying the Lancia badge is resurgent inside Fiat, though the clearly retro styling of the 2003 concept will likely fall by the wayside instead of getting mired in a retro rut.
It's rumored that we'll see a Fulvia riding atop the MiTo's chassis at this year's Paris Motor Show. Rather than relying on the work of 40 years past, the new Fulvia will share nothing but a name with its predecessor. The car may follow the current trend of other Euro coupes and incorporate a folding hardtop, but there are conflicting reports that it may also be a conventional fixed-head-coupe. We certainly wouldn't complain about giving the MiTo an appropriate coupe roofline, so please send some our way.
[Source: Autocar, Photos: ultimatecarpage]
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- Filed under: Tuners, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Alfa Romeo, UK, Special/Limited Editions
Click above for high-res gallery of the Alfa Brera S
We didn't need another reason to want an Alfa Romeo Brera, nor another excuse to ogle its breathtaking lines. But then Prodrive comes along, with all its racing and rallying know-how, and gave us the Brera S. The toughened-up version addresses some of the gorgeous coupe's performance shortfalls and makes us cry "it's not fair", because it isn't. A car so beautiful and now, thanks to David Richards and Company, so dynamically improved, should be ours, but unfortunately a little puddle called the Atlantic Ocean keeps that dream from becoming reality. So we'll just have to wait until Alfa Romeo finally makes the voyage Stateside, by which time the limited-edition Brera S will undoubtedly be all gone, and with good reason. We'll just have to console ourselves with this new batch of achingly gorgeous images, which we're glad to share with you in the gallery below.
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- Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, LLC., Alfa Romeo, FIAT
It was only in December that we mention Alfa Romeo was planning to open a factory in the United States. We followed that story with another in March when Fiat also mentioned a possibility of Iveco truck production coming to the States. It was in that same month that Fiat Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne told the Financial Times that his company was in talks with major U.S. automakers about sharing production. On Saturday, Alfa Romeo brand chief Luca de Meo told a German magazine that talks were under way with Chrysler. With Chrysler cutting domestic production, a move like this by Fiat would help both companies. The Italian carmaker, withdrawn from the U.S. market since 1995, would avoid the effects of the strong Euro on exports, and Chrysler would be able to ramp production back up on an idled plant.
[Source: Reuters]
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- Filed under: Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Alfa Romeo, FIAT
With Fiat preparing to bring some of its products to the American market, local government leaders have been hard at work courting CEO Sergio Marchionne to produce vehicles in their state or province. Marchionne declared in March that with the weak American dollar, his company would have to strongly consider local production for sales in North America.
Among those politicians who have reached out to Fiat, congressional representatives from the states of Kentucky and Georgia have met with executives from the Italian auto giant to discuss the possibility of opening plants in their districts. However the premier of Ontario seemed to take it one step further by flying to Italy to meet with Marchionne, who himself was raised in the same Canadian province. After General Motors announced the closure of two plants in the past couple of months, Ontario is keen to find tenants for the abandoned facilities. Marchionne, meanwhile, has expressed interest in producing in Mexico, allowing Fiat to extend its operations in Latin America northward to support its foray into the North American market.
As for distribution, while Fiat already networks established for its Case New Holland agricultural equipment division, as well as for its top-end brands Ferrari and Maserati. However Fiat is likely to set up separate distribution channels for Alfa Romeo and, if and when the day comes, the Fiat 500.
[Sources: Reuters and the Toronto Star via Italiaspeed]
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- Filed under: Concept Cars, SUVs, Crossovers/CUVs, Alfa Romeo
Click above to view high-res gallery of the Alfa Romeo Kamal concept
If Alfa Romeo is to make a successful return to the North American market, it will need to rely on more than its sexy Italian image. On these shores, that means two contradictory elements are needed in its line-up: sport-utes and green tech. Towards that end, Alfa's newly-appointed CEO, Fiat Group wunderkind Luca de Meo, has confirmed two new developments for the company. The first is the production of a sport-utility or crossover vehicle. The second is a start-stop engine system, possibly to be bolstered by hybrid technology borrowed from parent company Fiat.
The crossover, previewed by the Kamal concept at the 2003 Geneva show, is scheduled to debut in 2010. It is anticipated to be based on the 159 platform, which already supports Alfa's Q4 all-wheel-drive system and offers a range of gasoline and turbodiesel engines. Upon its arrival to market, the new Italian SUV will face tough competition from Germany's best compact SUVs, including the Mercedes GLK, BMW X3, Volkswagen Tiguan and Audi Q5.
[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]
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- Filed under: Sports/GTs, Euro, Hatchbacks, Alfa Romeo
Click above for new high-res gallery of the Alfa Brera S
As we reported earlier, Alfa Romeo handed over its Brera to Prodrive, which has extensively honed the hot hatch into what's being called the Brera S. Prodrive fit the new Brera S with Eibach coil springs and Bilstein dampers, and then conducted extensive testing to find the right balance of spring and damper rates for sharper handling without ruining the ride. The steering was also tweaked to take advantage of the car's faster reflexes, and 8C Competizione-inspired lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels wearing Pirelli rubber keep the car affixed to terra firma. Along with lighter wheels, hollow anti-roll bars and aluminum suspension components further reduce the car's weight below the rest of the Brera range. Exterior mods are minimal, but the exhaust has been reworked and is capped with chrome tips featuring Prodrive's logo, and there are now Prodrive-branded mud flaps up front and either 'S' or 'SV6' badges on the C-pillar. The Brera S has also been fitted with new seats that, along with the dashboard, door panels, steering wheel and gear shift, feature red stitching. There are drilled aluminum pedals for your footsies and a limited-edition Brera S aluminum plate featuring the flags of each company's home country (Italy and Britain) is located in the headrest recess. The Brera S package can be had with either the 2.2 JTS model powered by a 185bhp four-cylinder or the 3.2 JTS V6 powered by a 260bhp V6, though only 500 will be made. We'd love to have one but suspect they'll all be acquired by the time Alfa Romeo gets around to selling cars in the U.S. again. Check out the new gallery of high-res Brera S images below and the official scoop from Alfa Romeo after the jump.
[Source: Alfa Romeo]Continue reading Alfa officially launches Prodrive-prepped Brera S
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Archive for the 'ALFA ROMEO' Category
Friday, August 10th, 2007
Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione -Filed under: Sports/GTs, Videos, Alfa Romeo
When Alfa Romeo showed off the magnificent 8C Competizione coupe earlier this week, the gathered media got to look at it, photograph it, touch it and drool at the site of it. What we didn’t get to do was drive it. Alfa did, however, provide some video footage of the 8C on the road attacking the sort of twisty mountain roads that would make a daily commute actually enjoyable. Alas we can but dream, and watch the video after the jump.
[Source: Alfa Romeo]
Posted in World Cars, Passenger Cars, Sport Cars, Automotive News, ALFA ROMEO | No Comments »
Thursday, June 14th, 2007
Alfa Spider is the Italian elegance of the sporty “cabrios”.
Successor of the Giulietta Spider and of the unforgettable Duetto, Alfa Spider is the outcome of the Alfa Spider is the Italian elegance of the sporty “cabrios”. Successor of the Giulietta Spider and of the unforgettable Duetto, Alfa Spider is the outcome of the collaboration between Giugiaro and Pininfarina and it is the most charming and advanced example of the new Alfa Romeo generation.
Alfa Spider by LESTER proposed at the Geneva Motor Show, maintains the essential style and increases the muscularity. The LESTER kit transforms the frontal with a spoiler which exalts the forms of the air intake, with a design in the shape of an overturned trapezoid, and to the sculpted profiles of the bumper. The back part becomes more aggressive, with the adoption of a rear apron and with the “sculpted” sideskirts which give more force to the side outline of the car.
Posted in World Cars, Passenger Cars, Tuning Cars, Automotive News, ALFA ROMEO | No Comments »
Saturday, October 21st, 2006
Details info: Info: History:
1976-1983 Alfasud Sprint 1.3-1.5 Boxer,
1983-1987 Sprint 1.4-1.5 Boxer,
1987-1989 Sprint 1.4-1.7 Boxer
Posted in ALFA ROMEO | No Comments »
Saturday, October 21st, 2006
Details info: Alfa Romeo Spider Roadster 2d
(1983 - 1990)
Posted in ALFA ROMEO | No Comments »
Saturday, October 21st, 2006
Details info: Description:
Still looking great, the Spider is a classy offering from Alfa.
Version
2.0 16v Twin Spark
3.0 V6 24v
Posted in ALFA ROMEO | No Comments »
