- Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Rumormill
Alfa Romeo says it achieved its objectives with the stunning 8C Competizione. Now the brand known for the quadrifoglio wants to make the same kind of splash - only bigger - and rumor has it that it will do so by unveiling an Alfa 4C at this year's Pebble Beach Concours.
Automobile reports that the 4C will be a "a compact, lightweight sports car concept," shorn of high-zoot and high-dollar goods like carbon fiber and a Ferrari engine. Instead, it will use a 250-horsepower four-cylinder and could be rear-wheel-drive. Price for the limited-to-5,000 vehicles is being estimated at €50,000 ($70,000 U.S.).
However, while the 8C was busy killin' it, the rest of the Alfa line has been busy struggling. Sales haven't exactly pleased parent company Fiat, so the fate of Alfa's (and, by extension, the the 4C) oft-planned return trip to North America is still in question. Unless and until the Giulietta and its variants prove they are winners and show Fiat the money, it looks like the message for the American Alfa will remain, "Please hold..."
[Source: Automobile]Rendered Speculation: Alfa 4C coming to Pebble Beach? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Alfa Romeo
Bertone Alfa Romeo Pandion Concept -- Click above for high-res image gallery
Even though our colleague Paul Esienstein might not agree, car shows serve a few pretty great purposes. Besides reuniting with old colleagues, pressing manufacturers' flesh and geeking out over (certain) booth babes, it's the wild and well done concept cars that get our juices flowing the fastest. Take the Alfa Romeo Pandion Concept from all-star design house Bertone. It rocks.
When we first saw the Panidon images we were less than impressed. Yeah, the shape was good, as Stile Bertone kept this far out show car classically proportioned (low, long hood, short deck, big wheels). But something didn't quite click. Then we walked past the Pandion during the press conference and did a big double take. Whoa. You know what didn't click? The doors, as they were closed in the press pictures.
First of all, reverse-hinged scissor doors are the coolest Bertone show car feature since they debuted the Lamborghini Countach's front-hinged scissor doors at the 1973 Geneva Motor Show. Not only are the rear-hinged doors cool, they're massive, sticking about ten-feet straight up in the air. In case you've read this far and haven't looked at the above photo (fat chance, we know) the doors include part of the front fender. Very, very cool says us.
Also spectacular is the rear end of this sucker. It looks as if someone tossed a softball through a stained glass window and hit pause. Hundreds of tiny shards of shattered... stuff (carbon fiber, magnesium - you tell us) appear to be frozen in mid-explosion. It's something TVR might have come up with if a second generation Sagaris had come to fruition. The rear end is different, fabulously so, and to reiterate the title of this here post, it's why we love covering these manic car shows so dang much. Be sure to check out the albino HR Giger-skeleton interior and the flippin' wheels, which replicate the smashing rear end. As they say here in certain parts of Switzerland, tres magnifique! Or, in Alfa Romeo's native tongue, countach!
Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Geneva 2010: Bertone Alfa Romeo Pandion Concept reaffirms our love of car shows originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta concept by Pininfarina - Click above for high-res image gallery
It's all about the anniversaries up here in Geneva. Alfa Romeo is celebrating its centenary, and like the show itself, Pininfarina is marking its 80th this year. And when a design house as venerated as Pininfarina is celebrating, you better believe it'll be mouthwatering.
The quizzically named 2uettottanta concept is Pininfarina's vision for how a next-generation Alfa spider should look. And we can't help but agree. The 2uettottanta represents the culmination of an age-old partnership between the two Italian firms, and pays tribute to the iconic 60s-era Duetto roadster. Power is (theoretically, at least) provided by a modest 1.7-liter turbo four, longitudinally mounted in homage to the 1750 Veloce.
We could go on about the details, but there's a press release for that. A Pininfarina concept is about design, and you can see it for yourself in the live and stock high-res image galleries below.
Photos by Noah Joseph / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Geneva 2010: Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta concept by Pininfarina
Geneva 2010: Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta concept by Pininfarina originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Geneva Motor Show, Alfa Romeo
Stile Bertone Alfa Romeo Pandion Concept leaked images - Click above for image gallery
The raging torrent of pre-Geneva Motor Show leaks is officially in full effect today as a series of images showing off Bertone's new Alfa Romeo Pandion Concept have hit the Interwebs (thanks Unica-Strada!) First of all, what the heck is a Pandion? Simple: a type genus of the Pandionidae. Mmm hmm. That'd be an osprey, sometimes known as a fish hawk. Moving on, then.
To our eyes, the Pandion isn't really what we've come to expect from Alfa Romeo, at least not styling-wise. The Italian marque's classically flowing curves are present and accounted for, but they are bisected by swaths of what appears to be clear plastic. The rear-view is especially busy - kinda like it's fashioned from hundreds of containers worth of Tinker Toys. Oh, and fans of Battlestar Galactica are sure to appreciate the Pandion's head-on view.
Stile Bertone - which until recently was led by Jason Castriota, the man responsible for such far-out designs as the Alfa 8C-based B.A.T. 11 and the Corvette ZR1-based Mantide - penned the Pandion, and we do see some influence from the styling house's past designs. We don't yet know what's underhood of the uniquely styled concept, or really anything else about it not revealed by these images. That said, see for yourself below and, as always, let us know what you think in the Comments.
[Source: Unica-Strada]Bertone's Alfa Romeo Pandion Concept leaks ahead of Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, Fiat
Alfa Romeo 159 - Click above for high-res image gallery
It's been 15 years since Alfa Romeo last sold vehicles in the U.S. market, but according to Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, we won't have to wait much longer for a chance to own a vehicle donning the Cross and Serpent. Automotive News is reporting that Marchionne insisted that Alfa will return Stateside in the next 24 months, adding: "I'm a lot more confident now that Alfa Romeo will reconstitute a product offering that is acceptable globally, and more in particular in the United States and Canada."
To make the jump to the U.S. and Canada, Alfa will reportedly need to rely on its newest sibling Chrysler for the appropriate platforms. AN sources say that the most likely Alfas to make the trans-Atlantic journey are the successors to the 159 and 166, but those vehicles could be sitting on Chrysler platforms when they make their way to production. The 159 replacement would reportedly be built in the U.S. with a scheduled 2012 arrival and it could rest atop Chrysler's "compact wide" midsize architecture. The range may eventually also spawn both a sedan and wagon. AN indicates that the 166 successor could be matched up with The Pentastar's large rear drive platform that currently underpins the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300, with the vehicle being built at Chrysler's Brampton, Ontario plant. The 147 replacement that is scheduled to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show will apparently not be coming to North America.
We're really hoping Alfas will in fact arrive on our shores within the next couple years, but we've certainly witnessed this song and dance before. There is no question that Fiat has to do something with Alfa, though, as global sales that have gone from 203,000 in 2000 to 102,000 in 2009 won't cut it for long.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]Marchionne: Alfa Romeo back in the U.S. by 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Hatchback, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Fiat
Late last year, Alfa Romeo previewed the all-new Giulietta ahead of its reveal at next month's Geneva Motor Show. While the five-door hatch is enough to make Stateside consumers weak in the knees - particularly in Quadrifoglio Verde trim - the impact in the U.S. figures to be much more substantial.
According to a new report by Automotive News, the underpinnings of the Giulietta are set to proliferate throughout Fiat's range in the coming years, and of the one million vehicles the automaker plans to build off the new architecture annually, the Chrysler group will account for around 700,000.
Fiat and Chrysler are currently working on a widened version of the platform - appropriately dubbed "Compact Wide" - and seven new models for Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep will use the new underpinnings, including the replacement for the Chrysler PT Cruiser and Dodge Caliber in 2012. And judging by Fiat's description, it's a helluva platform.
Aimed to compete with the new Audi A1 and BMW 1 Series, the platform uses 84 percent high and ultrahigh strength steel, a McPherson front and a dual-link rear suspension, both of which will use aluminum components (front and rear arms, along with the crossmember).
The platform comes in around 10 percent lighter than its predecessor thanks to the use of aluminum and magnesium, and is designed to fit a transverse engine and can be adapted for either front- or all-wheel drive applications.
On a related side note, during last week's Economic Club of Chicago luncheon in which Ralph Gilles, Dodge CEO and Chrysler Group design head, dropped a a handful of interesting tidbits about the future of the automaker, he also showed a few teasers of upcoming products. Included in the presentation were images of the new 300C and Jeep Grand Cherokee, along with the the rendering above, a new subcompact product from Dodge, almost assuredly the next Caliber. Combined with the new platform and Fiat's Multiair engines, we may finally have a credible contender in the compact arena from Chrysler. And it's about damn time.
[Sources: Automotive News, AutoBird]Report: Two Fiat-based small cars to replace PT Cruiser, Caliber in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Geneva Motor Show, Alfa Romeo, Design/Style
Alfa Romeo concept sketch by Stile Bertone - Click above for high-res image
Two down, one to go. Well...not quite. Three of Italy's most venerable design houses are set to unveil concept cars at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show that will at once both celebrate Alfa Romeo's centenary (and, by extension, their historic collaborations with each of the studios) while bidding to replace the current 159/Brera/Spider range. Pininfarina's will be a roadster, Bertone's a coupe and ItalDesign's a sedan. PF has already released a sketch of its design, but if you thought that was a tease, Bertone's (pictured above) gives even less away.
Bertone has been in flux these past few years, caught in the middle of a legal battle between members of the family. Alfa Romeo's parent company, Fiat, recently acquired the old manufacturing facility, but left Stile Bertone independent. It's that design studio - headed until recently by one Jason Castriota and responsible for such designs as the Alfa 8C-based B.A.T. 11 and the Corvette ZR1-based Mantide - that will be bringing out the concept.
Other than the novel take on the classic Alfa grille shape, expanded outwards to accommodate LED headlamps, there's not much else to tell, but we can't wait to see what Italy's finest have to offer when we get to Geneva's Palexpo.
[Source: Stile Bertone via Car Body Design]Bertone teases Geneva-bound Alfa Romeo concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Alfa Romeo, Design/Style, Luxury
Pininfarina is celebrating its own 80th birthday, as well as Alfa Romeo's 100th, by unveiling a new concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The Pininfarina Spider show car is, naturally, a two-seat roadster based on Alfa Romeo mechanicals. It's intended to pay tribute to the longstanding relationship the design house has had with the Italian automaker throughout their histories.
This would appear to be the first of the three concepts that Inside Line reported Alfa had commissioned for the show.
All Pininfarina has revealed of the Spider so far is the sketch you see here, but signs clearly point to "Sexy." The car, in the metal, rolls into the limelight on March 2nd. We'll be there with cameras in hand and "Mrs. Robinson" playing in our heads. Thanks for the heads-up, Ziga!
[Source: Pininfarina]Geneva Preview: Alfa-based Pininfarina Spider concept to make its debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Performance, Europe, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Luxury
Alfa Romeo MiTo for Maserati - Click above for high-res image gallery
If you're dropping off a six-figure Italian exotic at the dealership for service, you expect to be loaned something special in return, right? That's why Fiat supplied Ferrari with a run of special-edition 500s for use in their European service network. (Heck, they even produced some for public consumption.) Now its classy kid sister is following suite with a special loaner car of its own.
Produced in a limited run of 100 units, these specially-prepared Alfa Romeo MiTos will be dispatched to Maserati dealers across Europe. Each is distinguished from the average MiTo by its Maserati Blu Oceano paint, special plaque on the center console and "Alfa Romeo for Maserati" sill plate. The special edition Alfa also comes equipped with top-of-the-range 170-horsepower, 1.4-liter MultiAir turbo engine, 18-inch wheels and rear spoiler, along with an interior decked out in sumptuous Pelle Frau leather and all the electronic bells and whistles on offer.
After Maserati gave Alfa the 8C Competizione, it's nice that Alfa - now under the same leadership as Maserati - can give a little something back. Details in the press release after the jump.
[Source: Maserati]Continue reading Alfa Romeo prepares special-edition MiTo for Maserati dealer network
Alfa Romeo prepares special-edition MiTo for Maserati dealer network originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Europe, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Fiat
With the unification of Fiat and Chrysler, we're been expecting major changes in the corporate structure of the two automakers and their various brands. Most recently, Lancia chief executive Olivier Francois was named head of the Chrysler division, leading to reports that the two brands - similarly positioned in the sub-luxury premium segment - will be integrated into one unit. Now similar reports place the Abarth, Maserati and Alfa Romeo brands under common leadership.
Let's get ready to play musical chairs for a moment... This news comes with the appointment of Harald Wester as CEO of Alfa Romeo. In his new role, Wester replaces Sergio Cravero, who himself was recently promoted from the brand's communications directorate to serve as a replacement for the departing Luca de Meo who will change to a new role as head of product planning for the entire Fiat Group.
Wester, meanwhile, retains not only his roles as group chief technical officer, but also as CEO of both the Abarth and Maserati brands. As a result, we can expect to see a deeper level of collaboration between these performance-oriented brands within the expanding Fiat empire. Details in the press release after the jump.
[Source: Fiat]Continue reading Fiat unites Maserati, Abarth, Alfa Romeo under one CEO
Fiat unites Maserati, Abarth, Alfa Romeo under one CEO originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Performance, Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Videos, Hatchback, Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Giullietta in the flesh - Click above to watch the video
It's rare that teaser ads are anything but that - teasers. Usually, they don't show you the car, last about the length of a sneeze and are created only to virally spin out of control. See here if you're not sure what we're talking about. However, this Alfa Romeo video for its reborn Giullietta is different.
First of all, it clocks in at nearly two minutes long. Second, as you can plainly see above, Alfa shows us the entire car. It's still basically devoid of actual information, much like almost all teaser clips. But hey, you do get a good 90 seconds or so of the very pretty Giullietta. Fine by us. We'll be seeing this car come March at the Geneva Motor Show. Until then, this is probably as good as it's going to get. One more thing: will Fiat bring the Giullietta to the U.S.? Start wishing real hard right now while you make the jump to watch the video.
[Source: YouTube]Continue reading Video: Alfa Romeo Giullietta gets teased
Video: Alfa Romeo Giullietta gets teased originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Misc. Auto Shows, Alfa Romeo, UK
As far as Alfa Romeos go, the 8C Competizione is as exotic as they come. Still, some are looking for more. Originally, rumors surfaced that Alfa was working on a lightweight GTA version, but while we wait for that to pan out, Alfa tuner par excellence Autodelta is working on tuning the svelte supercar themselves.
Few details are known at this point, but a remapped ECU should squeeze out a modest 17 horsepower boost from the stock 444-hp, 4.7-liter Ferrari-developed V8. Autodelta is also working on fine-tuning the chassis, taking their 8C around some of the finest tracks in Europe to get it just right.
The result is slated to be unveiled at the Pistonheads Performance Car Show in Birmingham later this week, so stay tuned, and follow the jump for the press release in the meantime.
[Source: Autodelta]Continue reading Autodelta takes on the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
Autodelta takes on the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Alfa Romeo, Fiat
We were getting amped up for Alfa Romeo's return to the U.S. and the chance to drive Breras and Guilietta's on our favorite roads, and then Fiat head Sergio Marchionne delivers what they call a "smackdown" at the Detroit Auto Show. According to Autocar, Marchionne says that Fiat has to show it can sell enough cars in America to make the enterprise worthwhile on its own, which we take to mean he's not content with Alfa being a critically loved but money-losing division of a profitable conglomerate. If Alfa can't prove the worth of flying to America, then it will stay grounded in Europe. We have but one word to say to this news: maledizione!
[Source: Autocar]Report: Alfa Romeo's U.S. launch delayed originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Alfa Romeo, Design/Style
2002 ItalDesign Alfa Romeo Brera Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Following up on a model as achingly gorgeous as the Alfa Romeo 159 - to say nothing of its Brera coupe and Spider convertible counterparts - is no mean feat. Which could be why Alfa is turning to the considerable pool of talent at its doorstep. According to the latest reports, three Italian design houses will be displaying their ideas of what the next-gen mid-size Alfa should look like.
If the source quoted by Inside Line proves accurate, at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March, Stile Bertone will show off a two-door coupe, with a Pininfarina-penned convertible and an ItalDesign Giugiaro four-door sedan sharing the stage as potential candidates to succeed the 159/Brera/Spider line-up. Meanwhile, Alfa Romeo will be taking the wraps off the new Giulietta at its own show stand.
It's worth noting that Giugiaro was responsible for the original concept car that spurred Alfa to put the Brera into production, and Pininfarina was responsible for the car's assembly. And with Bertone also in the mix, this is one fight we're looking forward to seeing unfold on the floor of the Geneva Palexpo.
[Source: Inside Line]Report: Alfa commissions trio of 159-replacing concepts for Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Etc., Europe, Videos, Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo can't go any lower - click above to watch the video
Years ago, we read a book by Jerry Mander called Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television. While we can't remember the four arguments, we'll never forget one point Mr. Mander made. "People in advertising are either good at controlling peoples' minds, or they enjoy it." With that said, it looks like Alfa Romeo hired a bunch of people that enjoy controlling folks' minds, but aren't very good at it.
What are we talking about? Alfa is selling its sexy little 147 for less than €15,000 (circa $21,600 USD) with a tagline, "We Couldn't Go Any Lower." To prove that mantra, they decided to go ahead and lower a billboard more than 36,000 feet down into the Marinas Trench. If you don't know, the Marianas Trench is the absolute lowest point on earth, more than seven miles below sea level (actual depth is 11,034 meters, or 36,200 feet). And Alfa Romeo just dropped a billboard into it.
We don't know about you, but we had a pretty visceral reaction to this video. From the self-satisfied, spiky-haired, twenty-something Euro-boy ad men to the fact that they actually went ahead and stuck a billboard in the Marianas Trench, the whole thing feels wrong and sits wrong with us. It would be like placing a Big Mac ad on top of Mount Everest, or advertising Quarter Pounders atop Angel Falls. Of course, there is the chance that either A) The whole campaign is a well staged hoax - although they've gone to the trouble of building a whole website to chronicle the process B) They raised the billboard up after filming the video. But still... bad taste... or is that just us? Make the jump to watch the video, decide for yourself, and then drop us your thoughts in Comments. Hat tip to Oliver!
[Source: YouTube via Expedition 147]Continue reading VIDEO: Alfa Romeo proves that no place is safe from billboards - not even Marianas Trench
VIDEO: Alfa Romeo proves that no place is safe from billboards - not even Marianas Trench originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Archive for the 'ALFA ROMEO' Category
Tuesday, February 26th, 2008
Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Geneva Motor Show, Supercars, Alfa Romeo
The saga of whether Bertone will or will not be at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show to debut its Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 11 concept is over. Automotive News Europe is reporting that the Italign design house will display the vehicle you see above in Geneva, just not at the Palexpo where the auto show is taking place. Bertone’s Vice Chairperson Marie-Jeanne Bertone told AN that her mother Lilli, who is also Bertone’s Chairperson, had cancelled the company’s booth at the Geneva show. Unfortunately, it’s not yet known where within the city limits of Geneva the car will debut. We assume it will be a shady part of town and a password might be required to get in. Despite the highly unorthodox unveiling, the B.A.T. 11 looks every bit as dynamic as the original B.A.T. concepts from which it takes inspiration. Being that it’s based on the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione platform, it probably goes like stink, too. We’ll do our best to infiltrate the Swiss underground scene and bring you back some live shots.
[Source: Automotive News Europe, sub. req’d]
Posted in World Cars, Automotive News, ALFA ROMEO, Concept Cars | No Comments »
Sunday, August 5th, 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 »
Tuesday, December 5th, 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 »
Tuesday, December 5th, 2006
Details info: Alfa Romeo Spider Roadster 2d
(1983 - 1990)
Posted in ALFA ROMEO | No Comments »
Tuesday, December 5th, 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 »
