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: ,

Tips For Selling Your Used Alfa Romeo

 Uncategorized  No Responses »
Nov 122011
 

1933 Alfa Monza

Owning an Alfa Romeo is a dream for many people. Just as every dream ends, the need for your current Alfa may also. Trying to sell your used Alfa Romeo can be more difficult than you might expect, especially if you are not prepared. Here are several tips to help you sell your Alfa as quickly as possible.

The first key is to honestly assess the value of your used Alfa Romeo. It may be your baby, love, or most cherished possession, but it could also be less valuable than all of the memories that you associate with it. Walk around your car, noting rust, dents, etc. Write down the exact mileage and look for sun fading on the paint. Log on to a site like Edmunds.com or kbb.com and enter all of these factors into their value formula. The last thing that you want is to have one number in mind and have that number be quite a bit more than the car’s actual market value.

Next, you need to have an understanding of the market. A used Alfa Romeo requires a niche buyer. While family sedans appeal to a great variety of people, sporty sedans do not. The market narrows if you have a convertible for sale in the winter or a hard top in the summer.

Third, is pricing your car. Once you have gotten a value from an authority site, how much do your list your car for. For the sake of having an example, let’s say your Alfa has a maximum worth of $14,995. Yes, it is very tempting to ask full value, but you will have a long wait for the right person to come by and pay that. Step one…do you have a loan? What is the pay off for that loan? Step two…add $500 to the price you must have for the car. Why? So the buyer can talk you down a little and you still get the money you want for your car. For example, let’s say you owe $10,000 on the car and want to sell it quickly. Ask $12,500. The price is not so low that people will wonder what is wrong with the car, but high enough that you are going to put money in your pocket after paying off the loan. You have room to let a buyer talk you down as much as $750 and still put a nice down payment on your next car.

Lastly, marketing your car is very important. You will want to clean you car thoroughly. Wash, wax, full detail inside and out. Even after that, a ”For Sale” sign in the window will not be enough. Advertize your car in local car magazines, newspapers, and on reliable websites. Be sure to have all maintenance records on hand to show any potential buyers. Offer a vehicle history report as well.

If you market your used Alfa Romeo correctly, you will have to deal with a torrent of gazers, gawkers, and actual buyers. This is annoying to say the least, but the right person will eventually darken your doorstep and take your baby away. It may feel as if you are losing a child, but, with money in hand, you can start looking for a new one right away.

 Posted by jcoffey at 11:10 am

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: , , ,

Tips For Buying A Used Alfa Romeo 159

 used alfa romeo  1 Response »
Oct 272011
 

Alfa Romeo 159

Buying a used car can have its pitfalls. Buying a used Alfa Romeo 159 can have a few very expensive pitfalls. Below are a few general tips when buying a used car and a few that are more specific to a used Alfa Romeo 159.

When approaching any used car, take a wide walk around it. Look for an fluid drips underneath, tires with low pressure, and any spots of rust. Open the hood and look at fluid levels and the condition of the belts and hoses. If you are able, crawl under the car and look for pitting or weak spots from rust. Look for weak or broken springs as well. Look at the inside portion of the tires for uneven wear. No one wants to replace the tires and pay for an alignment right away.

When looking at a used Alfa Romeo 159, check the clutch repeatedly. The vehicle is known to have a clutch that can be very soft and prone to an expensive failure even in low mileage vehicles. Leave the radio off and listen carefully for a whomp-whomp-whomp sound. This can be an indication of a problem with the o/s drive shaft intermediate universal joint. This issue is nearly impossible to get rid of and can drive some people nearly insane. Also, any strange noises as you turn could indicate an issue in the power steering system. If you hear a noise coming from the power steering, immediately return the car from whence it came and forget about it. If you are buying the car from a dealership, request a cambelt and water pump change before you agree to buy the vehicle. No reason to take a chance with such common repairs.

Buying a used Alfa Romeo 159 can be a great experience. Part of the fun is in the chase, looking for the right vehicle. Along the way you are bound to find a few stinkers that someone is trying to unload on some gullible fool. Use all of your senses while shopping and you should avoid being that fool.

 Posted by jcoffey at 7:01 pm  Tagged with: ,
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