Alfa Romeo
Fiat denies Alfa Romeo sale to Volkswagen
We all know that Volkswagen Group is very firm with it’s plans to become the world’s No. 1 auto maker. The German auto giant already has Audi, Seat, Skoda, Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti as well as Porsche under it’s belt. It also owns Italdesign, Karmann, Volkswagen’s Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) arm as well as having a 19.9% stake in Suzuki, among others.
According to Autonews, Volkswagen has set it’s eyes on Fiat’s Alfa Romeo, despite Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn saying earlier that “Our appetite for buying in Italy is fully satisfied.” The automotive news site claims that two executives at Volkswagen have confirmed that the company is “seriously interested” in acquiring the Italian brand. An unidentified high-ranking manager at Volkswagen also revealed to Automobilwoche, an Autonews sister publication, “Alfa is a globally recognized brand with sporty genes and a great tradition. If such a treasure could be had, we must not hesitate… too long.”
However despite Volkswagen’s deep interest in Alfa Romeo, a high ranking Fiat executive revealed to Autonews that the company is not interested in selling the brand. “We have no intention at all of selling the brand to Volkswagen,” he specifically said. It was also revealed that Fiat intends to stick with the turnaround plan set for Alfa Romeo, which was announced by Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne in April.
Marchionne aims to sell up to 500,000 Alfa Romeos a year, an ambitious goal according analysts. Arndt Ellinghorst, global head of automotive research at Credit Suisse told Autonews in June, ”Maybe Alfa could get to a half million unit sales a year, but only after the brand is sold to Volkswagen.” ”Alfa plans to sell 85,000 units in the United States in 2014, therefore Fiat’s plan really means it wants to boost sales in Europe from 100,000 units to more than 400,000. I do not see how they will be able to steal so many buyers from their German competitors,” said Massimo Vecchio, head of industry research at Mediobanca in Milan.
It was also said that Alfa Romeo has been reporting losses of between 200 million Euro to 400 million Euros a year for the past ten years. Definitely a huge ambition by Marchionne if you ask me. Looks like Volkswagen may have to knock on Fiat’s door later in the future.
Alfa Romeo updates the 159 for 2011 model year
Alfa Romeo is expected to replace the sweet-looking 159 sedan sometime next year with the new Giulia but before that the company has updated the 159 for 2011 which affects both the sedan and Sportwagen or estate.
The update is limited to aesthetics including new wheels as well as a slightly revised interior. It now has consoles with a carbon finish which is applicable for range-topping TI trim level. The 159 with the TI Plus Pack also comes with a lowered suspension and 18-inch wheels while 19-inch ones are optional. Those without the TI treatment get 17-inch wheels.
The TI also comes with new leather sports seats along with black Alcantara finishing, aluminum sports pedals, multi function sports steering wheel, leather-wrapped shifter and more.
Apart from the TI trim level Alfa also added the Comfort Pack, Sport Pack and the Comfort Plus Pack into the 159 range. There are a total of five engine options including the newly-released 200hp 1.75 liter turbocharge petrol and the 170hp 2.0 liter diesel. Pricing starts from 24,360 Euros.
More images can be found after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
UK Alfa fans get turbocharged engines for the Brera and Spider
Alfa Romeo recently unveiled two new engines including the 200hp 1750 TBi petrol and a 170hp 2.0 JTDM diesel – both these engines are turbocharged. These engines were introduced into the 159 range and Alfa UK is now offering the engines for both the Brera and Spider models.
The 1750 TBi also makes 320Nm of torque which is sweet and it allows the Brera to hit the century mark in 7.7 seconds while the Spider does it in 7.8 seconds which sounds good considering the Spider is a cabriolet. Top speed is figured at 235 km/h.
The 2.0 liter JTDM diesel unit pumps out 360Nm of torque and with that the Brera hits 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds. The Spider can do 9.0 seconds before it reaches a top speed of 217 km/h, a same figure for the Brera as well.
The Brera with the 1750 TBi goes for £25,205 (S$51,600) and £24,995 (S$51,170) with the diesel while the Spider goes for £27,205 (S$55,695) and £26,995 (S$55,265) respectively. At the same time the UK division also revealed a new trim line called the Italia Independent, available with all engine options including the ones above.
The trim level includes a matt black titaniuim finish, 18-inch black alloys that hide red brake calipers as well as an Alfa 8C inspired aluminium fuel cap. Inside you will find a black leather bound steering wheel and gear knob with red stitching and black sports leather seats with Italia Independent branding on the headrests.
There are also carbon-fibre trim inserts, aluminium sports pedals and foot rest as well as an audio plus navigation unit with the Blue&Me feature. More images can be found after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
Pininfarina’s Alfa Romeo 2uettonttanta Concept breaks cover
Pininfarina has unveiled the Alfa Romeo Spider Concept at the Geneva Motor Show. Called the 2uettonttanta the concept is a revival of the classic Alfa Romeo Duetto of the 60′s. It is strictly a 2-seater and measures 4213mm long, 1797mm wide and 1280mm high.
The design company proposes a 1750cc force-inducted engine to power the 2uettonttanta. Yes the term 1750 refers to the company’s 1750 Veloce of the 60′s. However it did not mention what kind of power figures it should have. The concept looks really sexy and its one concept that should go into production but am I the only one who thinks that it looks like a cabriolet version of Toyota’s FT-86 Concept? As always, more images can be found after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
Alfa Romeo Spider Concept: 2nd teaser image released
Pininfarina has released another teaser sketch of the Alfa Romeo Spider Concept that will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show happening this week. The sketch shows us a two-seat concept with pretty sharp design lines and oversized wheels.
Both Pininfarina and Alfa Romeo are being tight-lipped about the concept so we will have to wait for the official reveal. However there is word that this new concept may spawn the revival of the Alfa Romeo Duetto. Continue reading to check out the concept’s first teaser sketch. Read the rest of this entry.
The Pandion concept by Alfa Romeo
This is Alfa Romeo Pandion concept that will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show along with a concept of a 2-seater spider, designed by Pininfarina. The Pandion concept which is designed by Stile Bertone features a very futuristic design and I have no idea what to say about the rear end. The only word I can think of is ‘whoa!’.
The concept is based on Alfa’s 8C Competizione sports car and features a 2+2 cabin. It has a single door that extends vertically as well as a transparent roof. Its weight is figured at 1,000 kilograms and it measures 4.82m long and 1.28m high. Continue reading to view more images of the Pandion. Read the rest of this entry.
Pininfarina reveals teaser sketch of the Alfa Romeo Spider concept
Design house Pininfarina has released a teaser sketch of the Alfa Romeo Spider concept that will be presented at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show on March 2nd. Unfortunately nothing further was revealed in the press release other than the fact Pininfarina is celebrating its 80th anniversary while Alfa Romeo is enjoying its 100th. More will be revealed in March, stay tuned!
Action-less promo video of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta released
Alfa Romeo has released a promotional footage of the pretty good-looking Giulietta hatchback that will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show happening in March. Unfortunately as the title of this article suggests, the video is pretty much action-less as it is mostly made up by voice overs. Continue reading to watch the video. Read the rest of this entry.
