Alfa Romeo Brera TI to Debut at the Paris Show

The French motor show will see the world debut of the sporty TI version of the Alfa Brera that is due to go on sale in autumn 2008. TI, which stands for Turismo Internazionale, is an acronym used by Alfa on its series models to denote high-end specification trim packages that include mechanical and styling changes. The Brera TI will initially be available with two gasoline engines, the 185HP 2.2-liter JTS and the 260HP 3.2-liter V6. The latter is paired with Alfa’s Q4 permanent four-wheel-drive system. -Continued

Mechanical upgrades on the Brera TI are limited to the reworked suspension which gets stiffer springs and dampers and a set of more powerful Brembo brakes with larger discs and red one-piece front calipers.

On the outside and apart from the TI logo applied to the front wings, the sport package also includes a set of bespoke 19-inch alloy wheels inspired by the 8C Competizione wrapped in high-performance tires. Inside, the TI gets a pair of front bucket seats 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 while the steering wheel grip and gear knob are in perforated leather with red-stitching. Furthermore, Alfa offers customers the option to dress the entire dashboard in leather.

Alfa Romeo GTV with Ford Mustang V8 Powertrain – Why?

Here’s a lesson from chapter 11 of the ‘Book of Mullets’ on how to destroy one of the European automotive legends, the awesome mid-70’s Alfa Romeo GT Veloce. First of all, exchange the Alfa’s nimble 4-cylinder engine for a gaudy 5.0-liter V8 Ford Mustang drivetrain. Who needs a well balanced coupe when you can have the V8 power of a Mustang? Now that you’ve made the engine swap, time to go ahead and show everyone that bad taste has no limits. Wonder where we should start from; the side exhaust pipes, the reversed rear wing posing as a front spoiler, the hoodscoop, the mid-80’s Mustang alloy wheels or the faux Ferrari tail-lights? -Continued

Via: Cardomain

Alfa Romeo GT Coupe Redesigned by Fan to Resemble 8c Competizione

We’re not aware when and if at all, Alfa Romeo will update its GT Coupe, but in the case that the Italian automaker does decide to present a facelift version of the compact 4-seater coupe in the near future, this rendering from ‘Autoblog.it’ reader Luciano seems to hit the spot. Inspired from Alfa Romeo’s latest models, the 8c Competizione and the MiTo, Luciano completely redesigned the front end of the GT Coupe replacing the rectangular headlights with the sexier oval-shaped lights found in Alfa’s exotic supercar. Admittedly, we prefer Luciano’s version of the Italian coupe over the original design. Hopefully someone at Alfa might agree with us.

Via: Autoblog.it

2010 Alfa Romeo 149 Rendering

In 2009, Alfa Romeo will replace the aging 147 sport hatchback with an all-new model that will share the same platform with the Lancia Delta and Fiat Bravo. Above is a rendering made by the guys over at Progetto940 who were apparently inspired from the 8c Competizione and its “mini-me” version, the MiTo. We also see some Seat Leon at the car’s rear-end, but overall, the artist’s impression of the 149 has a certain appeal. Questiuon is, will the actual 149 look like anywhere close to the rendering? Well, your guess is as good as ours.

Via: Autoblog.it , Source: Progetto940

2011 Alfa Romeo Giulia: New Name and Looks for Alfa’s 159 Successor

In its latest issue, Italian car magazine Quattroruote has an article on Alfa Romeo’s new mid-sized sedan that will replace the 159. According to Quattroruote’s sources, the 159’s successor will revive the famed Giulia nameplate as the Italian company is replacing its current system of numeric model names for more personal ones.

Unfortunately, Alfa won’t be reviving the original Giulia’s rear-wheel-drive layout as the Italian sedan will be based on a modified version of the Lancia Delta / Fiat Bravo platform. Like the 159, the new Giulia will be offered in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions. In terms of styling, Quattroruote’s artists suggest that like the Mito, the Giulia will feature a front end inspired from the 8c Competizione. -Continued

Via: Motorspain , Source: Quattroruote

Alfa Romeo 169 Design Proposals

If we are to believe Alfa Romeo’s product plan (see here), the Italian automaker will introduce the replacement for the unsuccessful 166 dubbed the 169, sometime in 2009. But until then we can show you a few design proposals for the 169 that were created by the students of the Polytechnic School of Design (SPD) in Milan, Italy as part of the Car Design Master Course that was closely supervised by Fiat’s Centro Stile Alfa Romeo.

A total of 15 international students participated in the program creating nine different propositions: Ryu Seung-Wook (Korea), Gabriel Feyer (Brasil), Kostantinos Paradeisou (Greece), Ian Bunjak (Slovakia), Iulian Bumbu (Romania), Murat Atvur (Turkey), Adam Denning (USA), Mark Salerno (Australia), Tulay Engin (Turkey), James Edmund van der Merwe (South Africa), Artem Popkov (Russia), Franco Grassi (Italy), Alessandro Fiorentino (Italy) and Aleksej Ivaskievic (Russia). -See the Alfa 169 design proposals after the jump

Via: Virtualcar

What’s Your Favorite “Ugly” Car?

There’s ugly and there’s ugly; a Pontiac Aztec or a BMW 7-Series E65 are just plain hideous whichever way you see it while a 1990’s Alfa Romeo SZ or its roadster sibling, the RZ, are ugly in an alluring kind of way that’s hard to be explained in words. The best description that we’ve ever heard about the Zagato penned “beast” is from a 1990 issue of Car Magazine that stated, “Ugly as a sin and just as tempting.” Now that you know what our favorite “ugly” car is tell us what’s yours by leaving us a comment here. (More images after the jump).

BMW and Fiat Planning Small Car Alliance, Alfa Romeos could be sold through MINI in the U.S.

BMW Group and Fiat Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the possibility of co-operation in the areas of architectures and components for their MINI and Alfa Romeo vehicles. As part of the deal, BMW will support Fiat in launching the Alfa Romeo brand in the North American market, or to put it simple, MINI U.S. dealers would have the chance to also sell Alfa Romeos. If all goes well, the final deal is expected to be signed off by the end of the year. -Continued

"We are currently examining with the Fiat Group possibilities for the joint use of components and systems in MINI and Alfa Romeo vehicles in order to achieve economies of scale and thus cost reductions within the framework of our Strategy Number ONE", said Friedrich Eichiner, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Corporate and Brand Development.

Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat Group said: "The proposed co-operation with BMW is a significant cornerstone of our strategy of alliances. We are delighted to work with such an esteemed and respected partner in the automotive industry with the clear objective of improving the competitive position of both parties," Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat Group and FGA, said in Turin.

Alfa Romeo 147 Ducati Corse on Sale in the UK

The special edition Alfa Romeo 147 Ducati Corse that was created in celebration of Ducati’s its 2007 MotoGP world championship title win with Australian rider Casey Stoner, has arrived in the UK. The 147 Ducati Corse is available in two versions, the five-door priced at £17,995, and the three-door priced at £17,495. Both versions are equipped with a 170Hp 1.9-liter turbo diesel engine tied with Alfa’s Q2 limited slip differential. With this engine the 147 goes from 0-62 mph in 8.0 seconds, and to a top speed of 134 mph or 215 km/h. -Continued

Exclusive to the 147 Ducati Corse are the bespoke 18” alloy wheels wrapped in 225/40 R18 tires, red painted brake callipers, satin effect electrically adjustable and heated wing mirrors, a rear spoiler, and appropriate Ducati badging. Buyers can choose from three individual external colors – Etna Black, Ghiaccio White and Giulietta Red.

Inside, the special edition Alfa 147 features aluminum sports pedals, Ducati Corse sports dials with a red background, sports seats upholstered in black leather with red stitching, cruise control, dual zone automatic climate control, as well as a car radio with audio CD player, MP3 reader, and an auto-dip rear view mirror.

Alfa Romeo 159 Spotted in Michigan

A European-spec Alfa Romeo 159 sedan was snapped by the guys over at Automobilemag travelling on the back of a truck on the I-94 highway in Michigan. Even though it has been said that Alfa Romeo is planning to return to the States in 2009 or 2010, your guess about what the car was doing in Michigan is as good as ours.

In any case, the particular model spied in Michigan was equipped with Alfa’s 150Hp 1.9 JTDm 16v turbo diesel engine. According to Alfa Romeo, the 159 1.9 JTDm is capable of going from 0 to 62mph (100 km/h) in 9.4 sec while featuring a combined fuel economy rating of 39.2 mpg.

Via: Automobilemag

Alfa Romeo CEO Wants Limited Run 8C Competizione GTA

As usual, Alfa Romeo folks were quite talkative during the media launch of the new MiTo hatch earlier this week. Following yesterday’s announcment on the 2009 Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA with the 230Hp 1.8-liter Turbo engine, Dutch magazine “Auto Telegraaf” brings us more good news.

Talking with Alfa Romeo’s CEO Luca De Meo, the driving Dutchmen learned that the Italian carmaker is considering to celebrate its 100th birthday in 2010 with the launch of a limited edition GTA version of the luscious 8C Competizione that would be lighter and more powerful than the standard coupe that’s fitted with a Ferrari sourced 450Hp V8 engine. -Continued

Luca De Meo said that if the project gets the green light from the Fiat Group’s board his intent is to produce a limited edition run of no more than 100 units.

Via: Autotelegraaf

Alfa Romeo Confirms MiTo GTA with 230Hp 1.8 Turbo

During the European media presentation of the MiTo in Italy, Alfa Romeo’s executives confirmed earlier reports of a top-notch sport version that will out power its strongest European rivals like the 197Hp Renault Clio RS, the 192Hp Opel Corsa OPC even the 211Hp MINI Cooper John Cooper Works.

According to a colleague of ours that attended the presentation, the Italian automaker's execs said that the MiTo GTA will be equipped with a turbocharged 1,750 cc (1.7-liter) turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine developing around 230Hp. -Continued

Power will be transferred to the front wheels with Alfa’s Q2 electronic system that simulates the effects of a limited-slip differential by making full use of the braking and stability control systems, promising to offer better traction and improved handling. Although Alfa’s execs didn’t reveal any more details, the 230Hp MiTo GTA should be able to sprint from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in the low 6 second region. The MiTo GTA is expected to make its market debut in Europe towards the end of 2009.

Alfa Romeo GT Cloverleaf Series

Alfa Romeo’s Cloverleaf or as Alfistas prefer to call it, the Quadrifoglio badge, is making a comeback to the UK in the form of a special edition series GT Coupe which goes on sale on 1 July. Available with two petrol and two diesel engines, the Alfa GT Cloverleaf models come equipped with bespoke 18-inch alloys, red brake callipers, satin-effect front grille and door mirrors.

Moreover, three versions sport a subtle Cloverleaf badge on the boot lid, while the 1.9 JTDM Q2 170bhp version features the Cloverleaf inside a white triangle above the front wheel arch. Buyers will be able to choose from three individual exterior colours: Carbonio black, Alfa Red and Atlantico blue. Inside, the Cloverleaf series models get leather sports seats, aluminium sports pedals, sport dials with a red background and a high-end Bose sound system. -Continued

Prices start at £18,890 for the 1.8-liter petrol engine version and go up to £21,980 for the range-topping 170Hp 1.9JTDM 16V that features a Q2 limited slip differential.

ALFA GT CLOVERLEAF	1.8TS	2.0 JTS	1.9 JTDM 16V 150bhp	1.9 JTDM 16V Q2 170bhp
PRICES £	18,980	19,980	20,980	21,980

Video: Alfa Romeo MiTo Sport Hatch

The MiTo is Alfa's first car to be built after the breathtaking 8C Competizione, which by the way, inspired the Italian carmaker’s designers to the point that the subcomact sport hatch looks like a mini version of the supercar. With dimensions of just 4.06 meters long, 1.44 meters high and 1.72 meters wide, the MiTo’s most prominent rival will be the MINI Cooper. You can either click here to see our MiTo gallery that consists of 45 high-resolution images along with the specs or follow the jump and check out the video that includes driving footage as well as exterior and interior studio shots. -Continued

Autodelta Alfa Romeo 159 J4 2.2 Compressor with 245Hp Revealed

Following last week’s announcement, Autodelta officially unveiled today the Alfa Romeo 159 J4 2.2 C which becomes the company’s third member of the bespoke J-series range, joining the Brera J5 3.2 C and Spider J6 3.2 C in the Autodelta line-up. Available for order from July 1st, the 159 J4 2.2 C features a 2.2-liter engine equipped with a Rotrex C30-74 supercharger and a specifically-developed bespoke ECU system that boosts output from the standard 185Hp to 245Hp while peak torque is raised from 230 Nm to 290Nm.

Strangely, Autodelta has yet to reveal performance figures but expect a sub-7,0 sec time for the 0 to 100km/h (62 mph) sprint. To complement the power increase, Autodelta has enhanced the 159 chassis dynamics by reworking the suspension that incorporates new dampers and springs and by adding a limited slip differential (LSD) that works on the front wheels. The J4 2.2 C also features uprated brake discs, which are additionally perforated at the front and rear, while the car sits on 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in high-performance Dunlop Sp Sport Maxx GT tires (245/35 ZR19). -Continued

Despite these additions, Autodelta supports that the J4 2.2 C is actually 5kg or 11 lbs lighter than the standard production Alfa 159 2.2 JTS thanks to the ultralight OZ alloy wheels and the new exhaust system and suspension components.

Design-wise, Autodelta has developed an tasteful bodykit that includes front splitter, rear apron and side skirts, with the front and rear apron sections designed to fit the standard bumpers of the production Alfa 159.

Via: Autoblog.nl , Source: Autodelta