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A L F A N E W S
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169
[Mar.06]
The new Alfa flagship, codename Progetto 941, should be
positioned in a higher segment than the current Alfa 166,
with the objective of stealing sales from cars such as the 4
door coupes Mercedes CLS and the upcoming Porsche Panamera.
The 169 should arrive in 2008, and will share platform with
the next Maserati Quattroporte . RWD should make the
marketing playing field a bit more level for Alfa in its
assault on big german saloons, and the 169 should be one
of the centerpieces for Alfa Romeo’s return to the US.
Engines would probably be 3.2 V6 290bhp, 4.2 V8 400bhp, 3.0 V6 diesel 250bhp, and maybe a GTA 5.0 V8 with 520bhp!
A
go for the 8C Competizione!
[Mar.06]
The 8C Competizione was designed and developed by Alfa Design Centre and
first presented as a concept at the 2003 Frankfurt Auto Show.
A production-standard 8C will be presented at the 2006 Paris show in
September. A limited run of 500 cars will be built — split
between a coupe and spider — with a
price tag of at least
€ 120.000,-. The 8C will
most likely introduce a new 4.7 litre engine developed by Ferrari and Maserati, producing
at least 450bhp. Expect top speed
over 300 km/h and 0-100 in 4.5 sec. The name is
classic Alfa going back to the pre-war 8 cylinder (8C) models, and Competizione comes from the
1950-model 6C 2500 Competizione Sports Coupé.
[8C
Competizione
1]
[8C
Competizione
2]
[8C
Competizione
3] [8C
Competizione 4]
[8C
Competizione 5]
Brera
Spider! [Jan.06]
The new Spider will be presented at the Geneva Motor Show in
March 2006. First options will be the 185 bhp 2.2 JTS or the
260 bhp 3.2 JTS, the latter with 4Q (4 wheel drive). The
Spider is a generously sized two-seater with its 183x439x136
cm measurements. A number of various interior colour
combinations along with two different soft top shades will
be available. [Brera
Spider 1] [Brera
Spider 2] [Brera
Spider 3]
Brera in TopGear
road test [Jan.06]
"You’re illuminating the lives of others by showing them
something of extraordinary beauty." Read the complete
Brera test drive at
www.topgear.com
159
Sportwagon [Jan.06]
The new Sportwagon will be presented at the Geneva Motor
Show in March 2006. 2 or 3 versions will be available
depending on country. 12 bodywork colours, and 5 interior
selections. 6 engines will first be offered; 160 bhp 1.9 JTS,
185 bhp 2.2 JTS, 260 bhp 3.2 JTS and 3 diesel versions; 120
bhp 1.9 JTDM, 150 bhp 1.9 JTDM and 200 bhp 2.4 JTDM. All
with either 6 speed manual or automatic. [159
Sportwagon
1] [159
Sportwagon 2] [159
Sportwagon 3] [TopGear’s
Jeremy Clarkson 159 review in The Times]
Alfa
with Microsoft infotainment system
Fiat Auto Group and Microsoft Corp. will unveil their
jointly developed infotainment system Blue&Me™ at the 2006
Geneva International Motor Show. Beginning in March,
motorists can connect their personal mobile devices with the
integrated solution in four brand-new models: the Fiat
Grande Punto and the Alfa Romeo Brera, 159 and Sportwagon
models. Later in the year, Blue&Me will be also available in
Lancia cars and the Fiat Light Commercial Vehicles. The new
system comes at a very competitive price. The Windows Mobile
for Automotive-based infotainment package comes with
Bluetooth and USB connectivity, which allows drivers to
listen to music from their personal integrated media player.
It also features a hands-free phone kit that can be
controlled completely by voice control. The system is the
result of the partnership that Microsoft and Fiat Auto
initiated two years ago — an extremely short time in which
to bring such a device to market.
149 [Nov.05]
Now that the 159 saloon is complete, Alfa stylists are
turning their hand to the replacement for the 147 due in
2007. The style has already been through customer clinics,
but the engineering choice is between a modified version of
the next Fiat Stilo/Lancia Delta platform or a shortened
Alfa 159 base. If this early computer image proves correct, it will be
heavily based on the 8C Competizione first shown in
the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show. A GTA is expected!
WTCC:
Alfa takes a bow [Nov.05]
Alfa Romeo have confirmed that they will be bowing out of
the World Touring Car Championship following the last 2005
race in Macau, albeit with a potential view to entering
again in 2007. It is then likely that Alfa Romeo may move
down to the forthcoming 149 which is due to be unveiled by
the end of 2006, although the team claim that they may still
plough their resources into a privateer team next year so as
to maintain a presence in the championship. [www.teamnordauto.com]
8C
Spider [Aug.05]
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California presented the Alfa Romeo 8C Spider
in August 2005. The original Alfa 8C Competizione was presented
at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2003. Both cars will use a
modified version of the 400 bhp Maserati 4.2 litre engine,
now with 440bhp! Both the 8C Competizone and the 8C Spider
are both concepts for now, but strong rumours says they will
hit the showrooms in 2007 – although in a limited number
only. [Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance]
159
is here! [Jun.05]
The 156 replacement – the 159 – was presented at the Geneva
Motor Show in March 2005 and go on sale in Sept./Oct. The
159 is a bit larger than the 156 and will be delivered with
Alfas rear biased permanent 4 wheel drive Q4, and with 6
speed or Selespeed transmission. Engines are a 160bhp
1.9 JTS, a 185bhp 2.2 JTS and a 260bhp 3.2 V6 JTS plus 3 JTD diesels.
The 159 Sportwagon will be presented at the Frankfurt Motor
Show in September 05 and be for sale early 2006. A GTA version
with a 400bhp bi-turbo Q4 will most likely be launched late
2007. [159
1] [159
2] [159
3] [159
4] [159
5] [159
6] [159
7] [159
8] [159
9] [159
10] [www.alfa159.com]
[TopGear’s
Jeremy Clarkson 159 review in The Times]
Disco
Volante 2005
[Apr.05]
The American Giovanni Rizzo, a graduate student at the Transportation Design
class at Pasdena Art Center,
has recreated the classic Alfa Romeo concept from 1952 – the Disco Volante
[flying sourcer in Italian]. Only 3 of the original was ever build –
one coupe and two different Spiders.
[Disco Volante Spider 1952]
[Disco Volante 2005]
[Disco Volante 2005]
[Disco Volante 2005]
Brera is here
[Mar.05]
Alfa Romeo Brera – the new sports 2+2 coupe flagship and GTV
replacement – was presented at the 75th Geneva Motor
Show in March 2005. 3 models headed the launch; a 2.4 JTD
200bhp turbo diesel, a 2.2 JTS 185bhp and the 3.2 V6 Q4 [rear biased permanent 4 wheel
drive] with 260bph. The original Giugiaro/ Italdesign Brera concept,
first shown in 2002, received an exceptional amount of
interest and also won the concept car of the year award. The
production version seems very close to the original although
it is both longer, higher and a bit more narrow than the
concept car. The scissors-style doors have gone, but the
tinted glass roof has been kept. Production starts in
September and prices will be around € 32.000 for the 2.2 and
€ 39.500 for the AWD 3.2. Following models
will be: 200bhp JTD (Mar.06), 250bhp 3.0 JTD (May.07),
400 bhp biturbo 3.2 V6 Q4 (Oct.07). A Spider version
will also be available.
[Brera1]
[Brera2]
[Brera3]
[Brera4]
[Brera5]
[Brera6]
[Brera7]
[Brera8]
[Brera9] [Brera
Concept1]
[Brera
Concept2]
[Brera
Concept3]
[Brera
Concept4] [www.alfabrera.com]
[www.machinewarriors.com]
GT
collects two more awards
[Nov.04]
Alfa Romeo’s stunning new coupé, the Alfa GT, has triumphed over
stiff competition to win two important European accolades
for its outstanding design. As well as winning the
prestigious Design Trophy awarded by the French publication,
L’Automobile, the Alfa GT has triumphed at the annual awards
for the L’Automobile Più Bella del Mondo (The Most Beautiful
Car in the World), winning the votes of an international
jury of leading designers, artists, engineers and architects
in Milan, Italy. The judges recognised the skill with which
the stylists at Bertone and Centro Stile Alfa Romeo had
drawn on Alfa Romeo’s extensive heritage, in particular the
1900 SS, the Giulietta Sprint, the Alfetta and Giulia Sprint
GT, yet had produced a car that has its own unique style and
character. The sought-after annual Design Trophy awarded by
French publication L’Automobile also celebrated the Alfa
GT’s styling, with its readers voting for the Italian coupé
ahead of competition that included the new Mercedes CLS and
the Citroën C4.
Autodelta
156 GTA 3.7 V6
[Sep.04]
London-based Alfa Romeo tuners Autodelta has now also upgraded
the standard 156 GTA. The Autodelta GTA is
powered by a bored-out version of the existing 3.2 V6 unit,
with engine capacity now up to 3750cc, delivering 328bhp at
7300rpm and capable of reaching 175mph! Autodelta’s own
styling and manufacturing dept. Creativestudio, has given both
the 156 and
147 a new, distinctive and even sportier look. It will be strictly customer built
and each one will have its own plaque carrying the serial
number. More on
www.autodelta.co.uk.
[Autodelta
156 GTA] [Autodelta
147 GTA 1]
[Autodelta
147 GTA 2]
Next
gen.
GTV and Spider based on Brera concept
[Aug.04]
Next generation Alfa GTV will be based on the Giugiaro/Italdesign concept Brera, which
was first presented at the Geneva Motor Show 2002. The original Brera is a classic 2+2 seat
configuration with the bodywork entirely made of carbon fiber
composite and an all-new Alfa 4litre V8 engine with at least 400 hp.
The GTV will probably be somewhat modified and it will first appear at
the Geneva Motor Show in March 2005 and go on sale towards the
end of that year.
Rumors has it that a Spider version will be
presented in Geneva 2006. Italdesign has had a love affair with Alfa Romeo since it was
established and their recent creation was the spectacular Alfa Romeo Scighera
in 1997.
[Brera
Concept 1]
[Brera
Concept 2]
[Brera
Concept 3]
[Brera
Concept 4]
[Scighera]
Crosswagon
2004
[Mar.05]
Alfas new version of the Sportwagon is named Crosswagon and
was presented at the March 2004 Geneva Motor Show. It will have new bumpers and side skirts, and be 60 mm
higher than the original Sportwagon. Four wheel drive and the
1.9 M-Jet diesel engine will be only engine option with more
alternatives to follow. Crosswagon will go on sale in Italy in
October 04. [Crosswagon
1] [Crosswagon
2] [Crosswagon
3]
Visconti
concept
Italdesign will present their new Alfa Visconti concept at the
Geneva Motor Show March 2004. If everything goes as planned
for Giugiaro and Italdesign, the Visconti will be Alfa’s new
flagship car with it’s 3.2 litre 400bhp V6 twin turbo
engine. According to Italdesign, the concept is practically
ready for production and has been designed for all wheel drive
and steering.
No return to the U.S. for Alfa
Alfa Romeo has shelved the plan to drive its sleek sportscars
back into the U.S. market in 2007. Head of the brand
Daniele Bandiera said they will rather focus on growing in
Europe and Asia.
New
GT
The GT Coupe was designed by the Bertone Style Centre and represents a
brand new concept of sportiness that blends comfort and elegance the
Italian way. With a length of 4.48 m, width of 1.76 m and a
height of 1.39 m, the GT is aggressive and compact. The car owes its performance to a mechanical
layout that has borrowed the very best features from the 156,
including three power units, the 140 bhp 1.8 T.Spark, the 165
bhp 2.0 JTS and the 150 bhp 1.9 JTD MultiJet 16V. Those who want the
very best in terms of performance and sportiness can choose the GTA
version equipped with the 240 bhp 3.2 V6 24 valve engine and
equipped with 6 airbags, Bose Hi-Fi with CD/MP3-player, cruise contol,
dualzone aircon,
xenon lights nav system, 17" wheels etc. [GT
1]
[GT
2]
[GT
3]
[GT
4]
[GT
5]
[GT
6]
[GT
7]
[GT
8]
[GT
9]
Kamal
SUV concept revealed at Geneva
The Kamal concept presented at the Geneva International
Motor Show 2003 is a little shorter that the 156 Sportwagon, but high
enough (1620mm) to be clearly a SUV in its concept. The vehicle is
designed by the Arese Style Centre and was shown as an exterior-only
model. The rugged yet voluptuous design shows a likely future
direction for Alfa Romeo and would be a logical addition to their
current range, and could share parts with the 147 and 156. Kamal is
powered by 3.2 litre V6 with 250bhp driving all four wheels. [Kamal1]
[Kamal2]
[Kamal3]
A
comeback for the TI
The TI – Turismo Internazionale – is back. The letters used to be assigned to
Alfa’s best-equipped cars. Standard production models which underwent
both styling and mechanical changes to create thoroughbred sports car
for the ordinary road. They now designate a sporty kit that will be
available for the whole Alfa range. The code stands for quality and a guarantee
that changes such as wider tyres, alloy
wheels and sideskirts have been made in the factory. The TI interior
will be identified by
sporty configuration seats, leather-trimmed steering wheel and
gear knob, an aluminum sill plate and
black facia and ceiling. [147 TI]
[156
TI]
156 GTAm
to be given the green light?
The "m" version of the 156 GTA displayed at the Bologna Motor Show
in December 2002, will probably be given the green light for a 500
unit run. Built by N-Technology – Fiat’s competition department – the 156 GTAm
transfers racing technology from the 2002 156 GTA SuperTouring race
cars (which swept all before them in the European Touring Car
Championship) into a car designed for the road with an
increased version of the 147/156 GTA 3.2-litre V6 engine. The cylinder
displacement has been increased to 3548cc and power is
raised from 250 to 300 hp. The body wings and bonnet have
also been changed to composites for less weight. The light alloy
wheels are 8 x 19" fitted with 235/35ZR19 tyres. The sports ride
set-up is also new with height-adjustable shock absorbers by Bilstein
with Eibach springs, and the front brakes come with bigger Brembo
calipers and 330 mm discs. [GTAm1]
[GTAm2]
[GTAm3]
New
Alfa design studies
The Master’s Transportation Design students at Pauda Design College
have been working on a project assigned by Alfa’s design dept. Centro Style.
Among the many suggestions, the Alfa "Corsa" and "Eva"
was chosen. The Corsa concept is back wheel drive 2+2 coupe – quite
like the
Ferrari 360 Modena from behind – while "Eva" is an extreme 2-seater
with design details from the 50’s Formula 1 Alfas.
[Corsa11]
[Corsa2]
[Corsa3]
[Eva1]
[Eva2]
Alfa
wins the 2002
ETCC [European Touring Car Championship]
For more than 30 years the GTA logo has been used to identify Alfas
prepared for racing. Nordauto’s close link with Alfa has resulted in the
Nordauto GTA Racing Team competing with the new 156 GTA in the European
Touring Car Championship (ETCC). After a superb performance in 2001 – (1st
and 2nd place in the Drivers Championship, and
1st in the Team Championship), Alfa Nordauto have done it again! First
place for both driver and team in ETCC 2002. The Alfa team did great
all through the 2002 season with 13 wins out of 18! The domination was
in fact so strong that FIA midway in the season decided to
make new rules to "optimise the equality
of performances between the cars". Front-wheel drive cars (Alfa Romeo)
was loaded by 15 kg ballast and rear-wheel drive cars had the weight reduced by 15 kg. Alfa Rules! [www.teamnordauto.com]
147 GTA
The 147 GTA made its public debut at the 75th Paris Motor
Show in September. The 147 GTA is fitted with the 3.2-litre 24v V6
engine from the 156 GTA. Along with this powerplant it has a revised
suspension set-up, upgraded braking and improved safety systems, GPS
navigation and 17" alloy wheels with 225/45 tyres.
[147 GTA1]
[147 GTA2]
[147 GTA3]
[147 GTA4]
Spider
Special Editions 2002
2 different versions of the Spider has been introduced. The
Edizione Sportiva and
Edizione Elegante. They both have newly designed
leather seats and 17" rims [with 225×45 tyres], and white
side blinkers. The Sportiva also has air vents situated behind the
front wheels. [Read
more…]
Art
Center College of Design showes Alfa design
Art Center College of Design recently hosted its Spring 2002 Graduation
Senior Show, featuring work from ten graduating students in the
Bachelor of Science – Transportation Design program. Among the designs
presented was the Alfa Romeo GT Sedan "Elessa" by Tom Matsumoto and
the Alfa Romeo GT "Xapher" by Jae Shin. Shin felt that Alfa needed a
front engined, rear wheel drive, two seater. His goal was to make a
one of a kind car, – just like the Viper and the TT. The "Xaphers"
front design is very aggressive and the overall design is very
romantic which hints at the flavor of Italy. Tom Matsumoto proposed
the "Elessa", – a GT sedan, which would have a strong impact as well
as make profitable sales. The "Elessa" is beautifully proportioned,
with a fluid and sculptural form. A triangular grill, character line
on the body side and a thin long tail lamp signal that this is
unmistakenably Alfa Romeo.
[Elessa]
[Xapher]
[Art Center College of Design]
New GTV?
The Transportation Design students
at the Art Center College of Design in
Pasadena presented their works recently.
Among the concepts was sketches of what could be the next generation
Alfa Romeo GTV. The drawing is
by student Taehoon Kim, and is
simply breathtaking!
Art Center College of Design is one of the
world’s leading in Transportation Design.
Probably more than half the world’s cars
are designed by former students.
GTA Versions
The introduction of
the GTA version [like the BMW M versions] in each model range has started
with the
147 GTA, 156 GTA and the Sportwagon GTA. The GTA will include lowered suspension, newly
designed 17 inch wheels with 225/45 tires, enlarged brakes,
Xenon lights, head airbags, better quality dashboard
with GPS navigation and telematic system. The classic
Alfa V6 now has 3.2 liters displacement, and 24 valves, and
the output is 250 bhp. The interior will have a general mild
upgrade and feature sports seats and steering wheel.
The 166 GTA is expected late 2003 and GTV/Spider GTA will be developed for the next
generation, and are scheduled for a 2004/5 release.
Auto Express
recently did a review of the Sportwagon GTA and says:
«Quite simply, it’s possibly the sports car bargain of the decade – and an
estate to boot» Not bad 🙂
For those of you understanding Norwegian, both the magazines
Vi Menn
and Drive have taken the 156 GTA for a spin, and give top ratings!
[156 GTA1]
[156 GTA2]
[Sportwagon GTA]
3. generation Sportwagon
The Transportation Design students the the Italian L‘Instituto d’Arte
Applicata e Design di Torino showed their work in July 2001.
The project was based on Alfa sportconcept and the planning of the
3. generation Sportwagon with backwheel drive. See the works by
Giorgio Pirolo,
Simone Canepa,
Fabio Miniati, and
Michele di Lillo.
147 with extra muscle
UK company Autodelta have launched 2 turbo-versions of the Alfa
147 called "J12" and "
J12 Evo" – in
the same series as the J10 Spider/GTV and
J11 156. Autodelta has modified Alfa’s EOBD version III T-Spark
engine (1.6 and 2.0 liter), which has been used by Alfa since the end of 2000. "J12 Evo" –
the 2.0 liter – will manage 0-100 km/h at 5.7 sec. and 240+ km/h. Also read more
about the Alfa 147
Cup
Fiat and GM joint venture
In March 2001, General Motors and Fiat Auto formed a joint venture.
Because of this, the next-generation 156, Sportwagon and Spider will
be based on GM’s Epsilon II platform rather than one of Fiat/Alfa’s
own platforms. Alfa’s re-entering the US market will start with
showing off the Spider at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2005 and
sales will start the same year in dealerships shared with Saab and
Cadillac.
Autonis – Germanys first cadesign award
I’ve of course always thought that most Alfas looks great, and now
more than 50.000 readers of the German mag AutoStrassenverkehr
do agree. "Die Schönsten Autos 2001"
was chosen in 12 categories and among 339 different models.
Alfa Romeo won TWO categories: The compact class
– Alfa Romeo 147, and the stationwagon
class – Alfa
Romeo Sportwagon.
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