Alfa Romeo Hot Car
Showing posts with label Alfa Romeo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alfa Romeo. Show all posts
Zagato teases Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa ahead of Villa d'Este
A couple of weeks ago, we reported that Zagato was planning to unveil a new Alfa Romeo at the upcoming Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. Now the stoic Italian carrozzeria has released the first teaser image (above) and initial details of what it has in store for us.
The TZ3 Corsa follows in the footsteps of the original Alfa TZ and TZ2, drawing on some 90 years of collaboration between the two companies and commemorating Alfa's centenary. It's based on a carbon fiber tubular chassis overlaid with a lightweight aluminum body. But instead of a show car like the Pininfarina 2uettottanta and the Bertone Pandion that bowed in Geneva, the TZ3 Corsa is a full-on competition machine, commissioned by an unidentified German gentleman racer.
The overhead view looks strikingly similar to the 8C Competizione upon which it's based, and Zagato has released a handful of images of its historic Alfa racers to mark the occasion. The most prestigious of open-air auto shows takes place this year from April 23-25, so stay tuned for more details.
.Alfa Romeo Giulietta hits the European market
Ladies and Gents, say hello to the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Then say goodbye. Because although Alfa Romeo says this car is slated to reach "all major markets," apparently that doesn't include North America.
Following its public unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show last month, Alfa has finally released full details and a whole slew of photos of the new five-door sport-hatch. And whether it makes it Stateside or not, this stands to be a pivotal, make-it or break-it product for the stoic Italian marque that celebrates its centenary this year.
Aside from this being a new Alfa – which is reason enough for many to sit up and pay attention – what you're looking at here is Italy's chief contender for the coveted Ford Focus/Volkswagen Golf segment. And quite a contender it is, from the looks of things.
The Giulietta is the second new vehicle Alfa has introduced to replace the long-serving 147 hatchback, joining the three-door MiTo in anchoring the brand's range while reviving a classic nameplate for the marque. Stylistically, it's also the third model to follow the company's newest design direction, following the lead set by the flagship 8C Competizione and the aforementioned MiTo. And while the styling may have lost some fans in its transition from supercar to supermini, it appears to translate better to the Giulietta's longer frame better.
The interior likewise draws its inspiration from the 8C Competizione, particularly around the dashboard. Despite the relatively high belt-line – especially in the back – the cabin has a much airier look and feel than the more cocooning MiTo, thanks in part to the expansive optional sunroof. It's also packed with all the features you'd expect of a new product from a major automaker, topped by an options list that includes Bose sound, TomTom nav and the Blue&Me connectivity system developed with Microsoft.
The tech isn't limited to the cabin, however. At launch, Alfa is offering the Giulietta with four engine options: gasoline-burning 1.4-liter turbo fours with 120 or 170 horsepower (the latter assisted by Fiat's MultiAir variable valve technology) and a pair of turbo-diesel, displacing 1.6 and 2 liters and producing 105 and 170 hp, respectively. The Quadrifoglio Verde – bearing Alfa's legendary cloverleaf badge – will follow, packing a 1.8-liter, direct-injection turbo four with 235 horsepower on tap, as will a new dual-clutch transmission. In the meantime a six-speed manual serves all four engine options.
Market-wise, the Giulietta presents a compelling case. Although its upscale stature, coveted badge and equipment list puts it squarely in league with premium hatchbacks like the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series, its pricing comes closer to a Golf or Focus, giving Alfa a serious contender against models in both segments.
You can read more details about the Giulietta in the press release below, and view all the high-resolution photos in the gallery. But as important a product as the new Giulietta is for Alfa Romeo and its parent company Fiat, it's also the harbinger of things to come for the brand and the rapidly expanding auto giant. The new Giulia is slated to be based on a modified version of the same platform, replacing the stylistically brilliant but dynamically flawed 159 sedan and sportwagon, to say nothing of the successor to the Brera and Spider models. Sources also expect a slew of new Chrysler models to borrow the same architecture. So whether or not the Giulietta as we see it here makes it to American shores, its platform, engines and other features almost certainly will.
Ugur Sahin dreams up Aston Martin Gauntlet concept
Some of you might remember Ugur Sahin. He's a designer, specializing in grand touring cars that make our mouths water. Starting with already beautiful designs, he somehow manages to make shapely Chevrolet Corvettes and Ferraris look even better. From the Corvette Z03 to the Ferrari Dino and Ferrari-599-based USD GT-S Passionata, he's created some of the most exotic and graceful shapes we've ever had the pleasure to lay eyes on.
The latest automaker to earn Sahin's attention is Aston Martin. His latest design, the Gauntlet, blends some of our favorite design cues into a wholly unique package that's simultaneously sensual and brutal. Study the images and you might see a bit of One-77 in the mix, along with a dash of DB AR1, or perhaps you are carried back to the old DB3S, a car that Ugur mentions specifically as inspiration for the Gauntlet.
There's also some Maserati GranTurismo mixed with a little Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione as well, but we're definitely not complaining. It's a terrific design that has us wishing that Aston is looking at Sahin's designs for the next DBS and V12 Vantage. For those who still lament the loss of the Vanquish, with its broad shoulders and studly swagger, this might be the car for you. It's definitely earned a spot in our dream car garage.
Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan to launch next year?
With the new Giulietta now out in the open, Alfa Romeo's attention is turning to its big brother. Set to replace the 159 sometime next year, the highly-anticipated nuova Giulia promises to improve on the outgoing sedan's lackluster driving dynamics.
Based on Alfa's variable C/D platform, the Giulia is tipped to get a McPherson front suspension with a twin-link rear setup. As with the Alfa 159, the Giulia is expected to be front-drive, with the trick Q4 all-wheel-drive system available as an option, hooked up to a variety of turbodiesel and MultiAir gasoline engines.
Unlike the MiTo and Giulietta, both of which are hatchback-only, the Giulia promises both four-door sedan and five-door wagons as part of the mix. The tantalizing end of the range, however, is tipped to include an in-house GTA model – with at least 300 horsepower, all-wheel drive and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission – and a lightweight, front-drive version with 350 horsepower to be co-developed with famed Alfa tuner Autodelta.
We'll have to wait to see if the speculation proves accurate – and, for that matter, if the car will take its design cues from the 8C Competizione, the Bertone Pandion or the Pininfarina 2uettottanta. But in the meantime, you're invited to tinker around with the online configurator that Alfa just launched for the Giulietta hatchback, where you'll find you can order it in any color you want, as long as it's a shade of gray.
[Source: CAR magazine]
Review : Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
Imagine you're a male (Autoblog surveys say most of you are, so this shouldn't be hard). You've been invited to the Playboy Mansion for their annual Halloween party. You arrive, grab a flute of bubbly, get introduced to the crusty remains of Hugh Hefner and after a few minutes lay eyes on the most beautiful specimen of redheaded femininity the world has ever seen. You fight your knees from buckling, walk over and give it the ol' college try. Miraculously, you hit it off. She's entertaining, interesting and a joy to see and be seen with. One thing leads to another and you make your way upstairs into one of Heff's exotically appointed love dens.
You're ready to embark on one of the most pleasurable experiences of your life when... there's no spark. No connection. No chemistry. You use every trick in the book to make things work, but to no avail. Despite her arsenal of attributes, this exquisite example of sensuality just doesn't "do it" for you.
The 8C has been around long enough that you already know what matters. It's stunning, perfectly proportioned and should only be available in one color: Competition Red. Beneath its achingly gorgeous carbon fiber exterior you'll find the same platform that underpins the Maserati Gran Turismo, along with a dry-sump 4.7-liter V8 hand assembled by Ferrari. A six-speed sequential gearbox channels the bent eight's 450 horsepower (at 7,000 RPM) and 354 pound-feet of torque (at 4,750 RPM) to a limited slip differential nestled between the rear wheels, delivering a claimed 0-60 MPH sprint of 4.2 seconds and a top speed over 180 MPH.
Open up the long, upkicked door and another side of the 8C's character unfolds in front of you. The seats, which place your posterior a few inches from terra firma, belong in MOMA. They're masterfully sculpted, assertively clinging to your back and legs, and coated in the finest cowhide old man Giuseppe can rustle up outside Modena.
The dash is another modern masterwork of minimalism, with a faultless blend of carbon fiber and aluminum adorning the center stack, tunnel, doors and steering wheel. Ah, but wait. Something's amiss in the boot-shaped land. It would appear Alfa's beancounters couldn't stomach the cost of a carbon fiber dash, transmission tunnel and two door panels. They're all fake, save the panel housing the start button, transmission modes and parking brake switch. But no matter. After you depress the cold aluminum "Engine Start" button to breathe life into the high-strung V8 ahead of you, the faux fiber is the least of your concerns.
A rousing burble rockets out the rear, followed by an electronically controlled blip before the 8C settles into a soothing, seductive idle. The world melts away as you grab the paddle shifter, engage first, let off of the brake and beginning slowly making your way onto the road.
The ride is on the rough side, as if Alfa's engineers simply figured that Hard directly translates into Handling. But we've endured stiffly sprung rides before and the 8C is a proper exotic, so we want that sense of hardened agility with a wanton disregard for chiropractic costs.
But just as we start to stretch its legs across the rolling hills of the Napa Valley, it becomes abundantly clear that the while the 8C can make it through a workout, it doesn't enjoy the exercise.
The steering wheel, which is a bit on the big side for a such a sporting ride, conveys every lump and divot into your palms, but fails to completely communicate the interaction between the tires and the tarmac. The overly taut suspension crashes along some of the more neglected sections of our drive loop, causing the 8C to skip significantly when speeds increase and corner forces test the aging underpinnings. And while the power delivery and lock, load and explode gear changes – particularly with Sport mode engaged – are enough to send your skull into the headrest, the visceral thrills aren't a product of thrust – they come from manhandling the 8C into submission, keeping all four tires in constant contact with the road and avoiding tail-out, off-road excursions when trying to jump from apex to corner exit.
What we have here is a failure to communicate. And it never went away.
The more we pushed, the more it shoved. And after 20 miles of attempting to connect, all we were left with was a disconcerting air of apprehension. The only bright spot to be found were the brakes, which proved unflappable throughout our drive, providing consistent, fade-free pedal feel time after time. But even that lone light wasn't enough to instill confidence at anything beyond six or seven tenths, begging the question: What happened?
Realizing that only 500 examples would find their way to obscenely wealthy collectors, did Fiat – Alfa's parent company – simply rush the chassis and suspension development, trying desperately to keep costs in check, while focusing solely on appearance? Maybe. But for something so inexcusably attractive, you expect performance to be on par. And it simply isn't. Making the Alfa Romeo 8C Competitizione the one redheaded supermodel we would kick out of bed.
[Source: Autoblog]
Frankfurt 2009: Alfa Romeo MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde
In the picture look at the little green clover logo adorning the front fender of the new Alfa MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde. You'll notice that the classic Alfa performance badge has received a slightly modern update, courtesy of some techy carbon fiber-style weave. Hardly the most important thing we've seen here in Frankfurt, but it tells a deeper story. Because while the MiTo QV draws its distinction from the company's deep racing history, it's the forward-thinking technology that sets it apart.
As we reported previously, Alfa is using the MiTo QV to introduce its latest development from Fiat Powertrain Technologies. The MultiAir engine uses advanced electronics and hydraulic actuators to regulate the amount of air being mixed with the gasoline inside the engine's four combustion chambers to the benefit of throttle response and efficiency. And while the 170 horsepower on offer in the Quadrifoglio Verde may fall short of the 240-horsepower GTA in the pipeline, it is here right now, and best of all, the technology is coming to America as part of Fiat's partnership with Chrysler... with or without Alfa's lucky four-leaf clover.
2010 Alfa Romeo MiTo Imola Edition to be released in Japan
We were saddened to learn that Alfa Romeo is under the impression that their cute yet handsome MiTo is too small for American consumption. But this feels like a slap in the face. Japan is getting 150 special Imola Edition MiTos, and man are they great looking. Painted in Imola Yellow, the cars also get 18-inch wheels, red brake calipers and chromed mirror caps to set them apart from regular MiTos. Inside features fancy Pelle Frau leather, Imola Yellow accents and a little plaque. The Imola Edition MiTos should hit the land of the rising sun in November of this year.
[Source: leblogauto.com]
$300k Alfa 8C Spider the most expensive Alfa Romeo in history?
If you're hoping to get your hands on an Alfa 8C Spider, well... take a number, because really – who doesn't? The open-air version of the highly coveted – and almost universally admired – 8C Competizione, the 8C Spider is a product of pure demand. But with only 500 examples set to be produced and just 35 of those destined for American shores, only a handful of eligible parties will get them. And those Yanks who are lucky enough to do so do will have to pay at least $299,000 for the privilege.
That list price alone – confirmed to Autoblog courtesy of Maserati North America (which is handling the model's distribution) – makes the 8C Spider the most expensive production Alfa ever. But with demand far outstripping supply, you can bet most of them will be trading hands at far higher prices than that – at least in the short term. That's is no mean feat considering present economic conditions.
[Source: Maserati]
Novitec takes a stab at the Alfa MiTo
Alfa Romeo's spritely MiTo hatch may have been styled to look like the flagship 8C Competizione, but the performance gap between them is big enough to fit another entire model line. The MiTo GTA, previewed in concept form at this year's Geneva show, promises to close the distance some, but until it arrives, Novitec has come up with an answer of its own, and here it is.
The heart of any good mod job lies under the hood, and Novitec has plenty of options in store. For the gas-burning 1.4-liter turbo four, Novitec offers an auxiliary control module that can be installed in just five minutes and which adds an extra 31 horsepower to bring total output up to a respectable 186 and 0-60 time down to 7.4 seconds, or 0.7 seconds faster than stock.
For diesel models, Novitec also offers a module to boost power by about 20 horsepower on either the 1.3 or 1.6-liter JTD engines. Of course, the Dutch tuning house hasn't stopped there, offering a choice of sport springs to drop the height by 40mm or a fully adjustable coil-over set-up. A full aerodynamic package, stainless exhaust and 18" wheels coated in Pirelli rubber round out the package,
[Source: Novitec]
Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA concept
There are pie-in-the-sky concept cars and then there are coming-to-a-showroom-near-you concept cars. The Alfa MiTo GTA is the latter, and from what we've seen that's a good thing, especially as Fiat's new partnership with Chrysler may herald Alfa Romeo's return to North America at long last. Although Alfa is billing the MiTo GTA unveiled here at the Geneva Motor Show as a concept, company spokesmen say it should hit production later this year. And when it does, the 230-hp turbo four – displayed separately on Alfa's show stand – should stay, but we'd expect the racing buckets with rear-anchored harnesses to give way to four seats. The jury's still out on the carbon-fiber body panels and tarmac-chomping front air dam and rear diffuser,
Alfa Romeo 159 - sharp gets sharper
Of all the cars in the world, the Alfa 159 is one of the last we would have thought needed a refresh. Unfortunately, the sedan's styling hasn't translated into a market success for the Italian automaker, so they've opted for a facelift. Thankfully they haven't messed with the near perfection of the 159's lines too much, sharpening up the already razor-sharp lines in the hope that the updated 159 will help the brand hold down the C-segment in Europe until the Giulia that's set to replace it rolls around late next year.
2009 Alfa Romeo 159
If anything comes out of the Chrysler/Fiat partnership (and we doubt anything will) we're desperately looking forward to a range of Alfa Romeo products in the States. Right behind the Brera on our imaginary wish-list is this: the 2009 Alfa Romeo 159. Due to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show next month, the updated 159 boasts two new engines – a 200 hp, 1.8-liter TBi (turbocharged and direct-injected) four-cylinder and a 170 hp, 1.8-liter JTDm diesel – with the gas-powered variant equipped with a "Q2" electronic differential and a choice of either a six-speed manual or auto 'box. Unfortunately, these leaked images and minor details are all we have, so expect all the info to follow in the first week of March.
[Source: Autoblog.it]
Alfa Romeo to launch Junior sportscar based on MiTo
While the Alfa MiTo was under development, speculation placed a number of different nameplates on the sport hatch. One of them was Junior, but new reports suggest that Alfa may in fact be preparing an additional model to carry the Junior name.
Although the MiTo was earmarked to hold down the lower end of the Alfa Romeo range with styling drawn from the 8C Competizione, in terms of body style, at least, the new Junior may in fact be closer to the halo supercar – more of a sports coupe than a sport hatch. The platform will allegedly be based on the MiTo's, sharing some of the same engine options while introducing a new hydraulic manual as well as a new dual-clutch gearbox to the range. Little else is known about the Junior, but expect similar styling to the MiTo with a lower roofline and sleeker profile.
Sister company Lancia may yet get its own version to revive the Fulvia name, and given parent company Fiat's new alliance with Chrysler, we'd hope the new small sportscar might make it over the Atlantic as part of Alfa Romeo's long-anticipated return to the North American market.
Fiat postpones Alfa's return to the States?
Dang. And everything was looking so good for a return of the Alfa Romeo brand to the United States. Too bad, it seems, 'cause the latest reports indicate that the Italian purveyor of stylish automobiles such as the Brera, 159 and the drool-worthy 149 will be pushed back to 2011 at the earliest. Fortunately for the very well heeled, the Alfa 8C Competizione has been made available through an assorted group of Maserati dealerships, though it's already sold out. Such a quick sellout indicates that there are plenty of enthusiasts anxiously awaiting the marque's entrance Stateside, but our current horrible economic climate will likely dictate otherwise.
Alfa's owner, Fiat, is having difficulties of its own as it attempts to stem the tide of falling sales figures along with rest of the industry. Apparently, the only way for Fiat to make money selling cars in America is to build them here. We wish some sort of deal could be made with Cerberus to use up some of the under-utilized factories that Chrysler currently has available. and a deal Something like this could indeed take place, but probably not until the auto market stabilizes and the Detroit 3 figure out their various positions in the new-look landscape.
[Source: Italispeed]
What's Italian for drool? Alfa 149 images hit the web
Alfa's MiTo already has us excited enough, and now along come images of the upcoming 149. Auto Express has put two shots of the pleasingly-styled hatch online. The 149, a replacement for the 147, shares some familial styling cues with the MiTo, which in turn shares some lines with the 8C Competizione. The 149 is an exceedingly handsome three- or five door that would woo us on looks alone. Performance will be there to back up the racy sheetmetal, with gasoline and diesel powerplants, variously turbocharged. At the low end, the 149 packs 120 horsepower, and it can reach as high as 250. The hotrod versions will also get a trick differential, dubbed Q2, which will aid in getting that power to the ground. The car will drop in mid 2009, and is rumored to adhere to US safety regulations, boding well for this sinewy Italian making it across the Atlantic to the North American market.
[Source: Auto Express]
Alfa Romeo 8C goes on sale now in U.S., already sold out
And with these words, the Alfisti shall rejoice: Alfa Romeo is finally back in the United States. While a full scale return by the Italian maker won't happen until 2009 or 2010, you can officially buy the Alfa 8C Competizione starting this month through one of the designated Maserati dealers tabbed to carry this rolling piece of automotive hotness. Check that, you can arrange delivery. Seems all of the 8Cs earmarked for the U.S. are already spoken for. So at least in theory, Alfa has returned. The 8C Spider open air version won't show up until 2010, but we really like the coupe enough not to be too distressed about the wait.
When the full operation ramps up, we are expecting that someone strolling into an Alfa Romeo dealership will be able to purchase not only the 8C Competizione and 8C Spider, but hopefully the hotter 8C GTA, the Brera and 159 or their replacements, the MiTo and 149, and whisperings also suggest a large rear-drive car possibly based on a Jaguar platform, along with a BMW X3 rival. Sounds a bit like Heaven. As always, we'll keep you posted.
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req.]
Alfa Romeo Brera Ti
Standing in front of the Alfa Romeo display in Paris, we found ourselves in a bit of a conundrum. The big news from Alfa was, of course, the official worldwide show debut of the MiTo, and the stand was rife with them. But we've already brought you galleries of photos of the MiTo, and even flew all the way over to Italy to drive it. (For you, of course.) But a European car show wouldn't be a European car show without some shots of an Alfa Romeo. Fortunately the Italians were kind enough to oblige with a new, hotter version of the impossibly gorgeous Brera.
The Brera Ti picks up some of the improvements developed by British rally and racing concern Prodrive (yes, that Prodrive, the ones who field Aston Martin in Le Mans, Subaru in the WRC and brought Honda back into F1). The Ti gets a stiffened suspension, 8C-style 19-inch anthracite alloys and Brembo brakes.
Alfa Romeo Brera TI
We're already distressed about not being able to buy the Brera in the U.S. Now, Alfa Romeo is giving its Brera the Turismo Internazionale treatment for the Paris Motor Show, and we want it even more. Called, naturally, the Brera TI, the car gets a number of modifications that separate it from the standard coupe: stiffer springs and dampers, 19-inch wheels with 8C-derived rims, red Brembo one-piece front calipers, and TI logos on the front fenders for the outside.
Inside, along with more TI logos, are highly bolstered and top-stitched seats, aluminum console trim or optional carbon fiber, aluminum pedals, perforated leather throughout, and the choice of a leather dash. The car goes on sale later this year with either the 185-bhp 2.2 JTS engine or 3.2-liter V6.
[Source: Top Speed]
Press release
The Paris show hosts the world première of the sporting TI specification of the Alfa Brera that is due to go on sale in autumn 2008. This version is distinguished by the TI logo applied to the front wings and will initially be available with 2.2 JTS (Manual and Selespeed) and 3.2 V6 engines and later also with other engines.
TI stands for Turismo Internazionale, an acronym that Alfa Romeo used to assign only to its best-equipped cars with the most sophisticated engineering. Such cars were derived from standard production models but, as a result of experience built up on racetracks throughout the world, were customised with mechanical and styling changes to create thoroughbred sports cars that could still be driven on ordinary roads.
The Alfa Romeo engineers adjusted the tuning of the suspension system to emphasise the car's renowned attributes of sportiness and handling still further: the springs and dampers are even stiffer, designed specially to ensure an effective grip by the 19-inch tyres, while the shape of the brand new alloy rims, inspired by the 8C Competizione, has been developed for maximum weight containment and efficient cooling of the braking system. The latter features large brake discs and Brembo red one-piece front callipers with a radial attachment. These top-quality engineering attributes mean full expression of Alfa Romeo driving satisfaction, with its time-honoured qualities of agility, precise steering and safety under all conditions.
Inside, the TI weds the sporty spirit of an Alfa Romeo with the class and elegance that is expected of an Italian product. A carefully-crafted finish and material quality was the brief of the Alfa Romeo Style Centre when developing the interior environment. The high-containment anatomical seats are trimmed with soft leather and finished with top-stitching and a metal plate bearing the TI logo. The dashboard central console and the steering wheel panel are in dark brushed aluminium or carbon fibre, as an option. The anatomical steering wheel grip and gear knob are in perforated leather. The interior environment can be made even more exclusive by adopting a leather dashboard, a sophisticated option created with hand-crafted diligence.
For maximum driving satisfaction, the instruments can also come with sporty graphics, with white lighting, while the pedal unit and foot rest are in aluminium with a special non-slip treatment.
The version on show in Paris is equipped with a lively 185 bhp 2.2 JTS engine (an up-to-date power unit made entirely of aluminium and equipped with direct fuel injection) combined with a Selespeed sequential gearbox. It also offers a long equipment list that includes a dual zone climate control system and VDC stability system with optional extras such as a radio navigation system, xenon headlights, sky window, adjustable door mirrors with memory, luggage retaining net and sensor pack.
Speculation Rendered : Alfa Romeo 149/Giulia
European customers have been eagerly anticipating the replacement for the aging Alfa Romeo 147. Tentatively referred to as the 149, the new five-door hatchback, tipped to receive a new nameplate outside the three-digit numeric designation, will be positioned slightly above the three-door MiTo hatch. As with the new MiTo, styling is expected to borrow the themes laid out by the 8C Competizione, which should translate better to the increased dimensions of the 149/Giulia over the more cartoonish looks of its smaller sibling.
Expect a range of gasoline and diesel engines, which could be topped by a 265-horsepower GTA version. Sources now suggest the 149 will be unveiled in a bit over a year from now at the Frankfurt show for market roll-out anticipated in late summer 2009, and will spearhead the new "C-Evo" platform based on the underpinnings from the Fiat Bravo and Lancia Delta.
[Source: OmniAuto.it]
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