Alfa Romeo To Enter Chinese Market

 industry news, new cars  No Responses »
Dec 092011
 

Fiat has announced that it will be producing its famed Alfa Romeo brand for the Chinese market in partnership with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co Ltd. The joint venture was also announced by Zeng Qinghong, the president of the Chinese automotive group. The joint manufacturing effort will be called Guangqi Fiat and is scheduled to start production in July, 2012.

The venture will begin by producing Fiats, but Qinghong said, “Besides the Fiat brand, after talks between the two shareholders, we will introduce the Alfa Romeo brand to the venture company.” His comments were given during the Guangzhou auto show. The partners are still discussing a timetable for the production and sale of Alfa Romeos in China.

Guangqi Fiat will have an initial capacity of 140,000 units. The joint venture was developed with the intent of offering multiple auto brands and an array of products being manufactured at any one time. Chrysler Group, currently managed by Fiat, has openly said that it was going to aggressively seek a means to build more vehicles in China. The Guangqi Fiat organization could be a convenient venue for them to do so.


The Chinese auto market is seen to be the largest under served venue in the world at this time. The problem that Alfa Romeo will face is that it will be a johnny-come-lately to the luxury segment of that market. Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW have already established themselves and growth in the luxury segment has been slowing. Fiat and Chrysler may have success with their smaller family cars, but it could be a struggle for Alfa.

 Posted by jcoffey at 6:19 am  Tagged with:

Alfa Romeo Highlights From 2011 L.A. Auto Show

 auto show, new cars, rumours  No Responses »
Nov 252011
 

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne spent his visit to the 2011 L.A. Auto Show alternating between proudly displaying Alfa Romeo offerings and denying rumors that the storied brand was up for sale. He did both with his trademark smile and the good humor that usually marks his press interactions.

First the rumors that Alfa Romeo and/or Ferrari were going to be sold in part or whole. ”Oh please,” he said ”I think we’re going to hold tight and fight.” The rumors have been swirling as Fiat as a whole has been struggling to remain profitable. Also, Ferdinand Piech, CEO of Volkswagen, has made it abundantly and publicly clear that he would love to acquire Alfa Romeo. Piech is going to have to wait for a very long time according to Marchionne.


Now, for the centerpiece offering that Alfa had at the show. The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept was rehashed in L.A. The car is expected to go into production at the end of 2012 and will be marketed as a 2013 model. It is going to feature a 1.8L four cylinder engine strapped to Alfa’s six speed TCT twin clutch automatic. That will put 200 horsepower at its owner’s command. The 4C will weigh in the neighborhood of 1,875 lbs. Alfa is accomplishing the low weight with a composite body and aluminum frame. MSRP is targeted at $60,000. This is meant to be the new flagship car for Alfa Romeo.

It is good to see Machionne in good humor and deflecting rumors of a sale, especially to Volkswagen. It would be almost disgusting to see a company known for underpowering everything it builds take over Alfa. From the looks of the 4C concept, Alfa Romeo should see sales increase in the near future. Maybe that will quiet all of the rumors.

 Posted by jcoffey at 12:12 pm  Tagged with: , ,

This Is How Novitec Does A Giulietta

 new cars  No Responses »
Nov 182011
 

2012 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Novitec

In the olden days of racing, Alfa Romeo was king. Long before Enzo Ferrari thought of making his own cars, he tuned an Alfa. That is a bygone era. Today Alfa is better known for hatchbacks than supercars and Ferrari is a sister company instead of a competitor. Fortunately, not everyone is happy with that. Novitec and a few engineers at Alfa believe it is not a sin to make power available to the masses.

Let’s have a look at the engine upgrades first. Novitec has installed its proven Powerjet 2 tuning modules in the turbocharged gasoline Giulietta. This module features a simple plug-and-play installation that boosts the 1.4 TB 16V model to 141 hp, up from the standard 120 hp. When you look at the power output of the 1.4 TB MultiAir engine, the Novitec manipulations produce 195 hp. Any complaints so far? The 1.8L can produce peak torque of 284 ft/lbs and 261 hp. This helps propel the car from 0-60 in 6.5 seconds.


The tuning doesn’t just stop in the engine compartment. What good is a fast car if it doesn’t look sleek and handle well? Novitec added 18, 19, or 20 inch wheels. The Big Daddy 20 inchers are available with a silver or matte-black finish and completely fill the fender wells for a lowered look that adds aggressiveness to the stance of the Guilietta. In addition to the wheel changes, there are sport springs to consider. The Novitec versions lower the ride height by 1.25 inches. Then there is the stainless-steel coil-over suspension with adjustable ride height and damper rates. The adjustable suspension can lower your car between 1.25 and 3 inches, which gives the car a firmer setup.

The Novitec makeover goes on to add aerodynamic pizzazz by adding spoiler corners, a centrally mounted cup spoiler, side skirts, and a rear fascia with diffuser that is designed to allow for the upgraded Novitec exhaust system, which gives the car a throatier, more aggressive sound.

Novitec and Alfa Romeo are doing their best to shed the ho-hum attitude that many have toward the Guilietta. It may be a hatchback, but with the right tuning, it can be an aggressive performer.

 Posted by jcoffey at 10:59 am  Tagged with: ,

New All Aluminum Alfa Romeo Engine

 mechanical, new cars  No Responses »
Nov 062011
 

Alfa Romeo 4C Concept

Earlier in 2011, Alfa Romeo announced plans to begin producing an all new turbocharged four-popper that is estimated to deliver an awesome 300 horsepower from a tiny little 1.8 liter. The engine is scheduled to make a 2013 debut in several of Alfa’s platforms.

So far, the engine has been mentioned in conjunction with the incoming 4C sports car and the much rumored 6C sedan that is to be based on the Chrysler 300 platform. The engine will is designed to be used in a traditional mounting configuration or the more contemporary transverse set up. Some of the features that will be offered by the new power plant are direct injection, dual variable valve timing, and the ability to comply with future emissions standards both in Europe and the U.S. That is good to hear, since Alfa keeps delaying its re-entry of the American market.

”This is an extremely important step for Alfa Romeo, as we continue to reposition our brand and prepare it for global distribution. The United States remains our primary objective as we prepare for a 2013 introduction of our models,” said Harald J. Wester, Fiat’s Chief Technology Officer and head of the Alfa Romeo and Maserati Brands. ”The dedication of group-wide resources to develop specific powertrain solutions for the specific needs of Alfa Romeo is a reflection of the renewed thrust we are placing on the development of this brand. This is a first step in a series of initiatives to be implemented in the near future which will reconnect Alfa Romeo to its historical roots as a premium Italian sports car brand.”

Alfa Romeo officials are touting the new engine as ”setting a new performance standard in its category”. Some potential customers may be a little skeptical given near legendary quality issues the brand has faced. Alfa and Fiat have been working diligently to correct and reverse that image. Perhaps this is the engine that will put them over the top.

 Posted by jcoffey at 7:28 am  Tagged with: , , ,

Alfa is on the top once again – this time with Alfa 4C

 new cars, photos  1 Response »
Jul 032011
 

I am so glad to see Fiat Company (Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino), which besides Fiat, includes such famous brands as Lancia, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Ferrari. It is known for surprising the world with its exclusive design, which could not be originated anywhere, but in Italy. This time it has a concept car that will go into production, by the name of Alfa Romeo 4C, the latest signifying that the car will come equipped with a 4 cylinder engine.

In deed, some Italians would agree with me, that one would not be a real petrolhead, unless having owned an Alfa. Happily, the new

4C concept, answers to all the demands of the fans. It debuted in the spring and it is sure to turn heads and practically   make considering an Alfa for ownership mandatory.

This Alfa comes equipped with the central displacement of the engine! The fans of the brand remember that the last time such combination was used about 40 years ago. It was the highly seductive and unreachable coupe Tipo 33 Stradale, which had an atmospheric two-litre 8 cylinder engine capable of producing 230 hp and only 700 kg of the dry weight. And what does the new Alfa 4C has this time?

Judging from its size, it is in the same alley as Mazda MX-5 roadster. However this is where all the similarities end: is weighs about 850 kg due to the abundant use of the carbon fibre. And yet it uses not an atmospheric 8 cylinder engine, but a turbo 4 cylinder powertrain 1750 TBi (and this is where the 4C comes – signifying 4 cylinders.) And yet is has the 7-gear preselect robotic transmission TCT, as well as the double-lever suspension front and McPherson for the rear, similar to Alfa 156.

Alfa Romeo claims the couple to be able to achieve 100 km in less than 5 seconds and to top 250km/hour. More so, the brand plans to start producing 4 cylinder coupes, as soon as the beginning of New Year, for as low as 40-50 000Euros.

What a great model to celebrate Alfa’s 101 years of motoring, and to present the new car at the Festival of Speed, held 1-3 July. And it

has all it takes:  the performance, Italian unmistakable style and technical excellence, plus offering the classic formula of a mid-engine two-seater, rear-wheel drive coupe.

 Posted by Leonard at 4:34 pm
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