Alfa Romeo News

Alfa Spider spy shot rendering
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By Paul Gover · 09 Apr 2013
It's part of a full-scale Alfa model revival that begins with the gorgeous 4C supercar that's already confirmed for Australia.The Spider, according to the artists at Carparazzi, is ripe for 21st century revival.

Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition video
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By Viknesh Vijayenthiran · 08 Mar 2013
The 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C sports car has finally made its public debut in production trim, but the 4C shown in Geneva isn’t a regular model but a special ‘Launch Edition’ that will be built in a limited run of just 1000 cars.
The 4C Launch Edition will sell in Europe for 60,000 euros (approximately $75,980 AUD), however there's now word on what pricing might be for Australia if it made it here -- and Alfa Romeo has already indicated we could wait years before seeing the 4C in any form.
The Alfa Romeo 4C is a mid-engine, two-seat sports car built around a carbon fibre monocoque structure. Power comes from a turbocharged and direct-injected 1.75-litre four-cylinder engine, which is rated at 176 kilowatts and 350 Newton metre of torque, and paired to it is a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Those numbers might not seem all that impressive at first, but remember that the 4C weighs about 952kg. With a curb weight this light, it’s no surprise that the car will cover the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.5 seconds or less and easily reach a governed top speed of 250 km/h.
Alfa Romeo says owners can also expect the car to support up to 1.1 g of side acceleration on corners and 1.25 g of braking force. The brakes, by the way, are from Brembo and feature four-piston aluminium callipers on the front axle.
The 4C Launch Edition is identical to the regular 4C that will eventually be offered, except that it comes in the choice of two available colours: Carrara White or Alfa Red. It also comes with special badging, a dark finish on the rear diffuser, full LED headlights with blacked-out surrounds and special alloy wheels measuring 457mm up front and 483mm in the rear. The interior also gets some special touches, including Alcantara trim, a numbered plaque and contrast stitching.
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Alfa Romeo 4C full details
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By Viknesh Vijayenthiran · 26 Feb 2013
It was at the Geneva Motor Show just two years ago where Alfa Romeo first unveiled its stunning 4C concept car. Now, just a week out from this year’s show, Alfa Romeo has revealed full specifications for the production 4C, which heralds the return of the illustrious Italian brand on U.S. soil when it lands in showrooms later this year.
The production Alfa Romeo 4C, which will arrive as a 2014 model, looks every bit as breathtaking as the original concept, right down to its mid-engine layout and jet fighter-style cockpit.
The 4C also maintains most of the concept’s drool-worthy specs, including the turbocharged four-cylinder engine, 4 metre length and full carbon fiber monocoque chassis.
Power comes from a direct-injected and turbocharged 1.75-litre four-cylinder engine, which rates at 178 kW. That may not seem like a lot but the power to weight ratio is impressive, which the final curb weight of just over 950 kilograms for the Alfa Romeo 4C.
The 4C engine features an aluminium block and special intakes designed to deliver a sporty note and good throttle response. Alfa Romeo also boasts that the engine features a ‘scavenging control system’ that said to get rid of any turbo lag.
Drive is sent to the rear wheels only, with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission used to swap gears. The transmission offers full automatic mode as well as a manual mode that relies on paddle shifters located behind the steering wheel.
Performance estimates include a 0-100 km/h time of around 4.5 seconds and a limited top speed of 250 km/h.
The handling, meanwhile, is taken care of thanks to lightweight aluminium suspension frames that get mounted to the car’s carbon tub. These feature double-wishbone and MacPherson strut designs. The Alfa Romeo 4C also comes with a driving ‘DNA’ selector, which will allow the driver to select from Dynamic, Natural and All Weather modes, plus a special Race mode.
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Alfa Romeo 4C spy shot
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By Paul Gover · 21 Feb 2013
...and now Carparazzi has caught the mid-engined road runner during testing in Italy. It's one of many future models to be previewed at the Geneva motor show on March 5 and is confirmed for Australia.

Alfa Romeo Gloria concept for Geneva
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By Kurt Ernst · 18 Feb 2013
Concept cars are meant to be breathtaking examples of what’s possible, not necessarily what’s practical. Sometimes, concepts are designed for a specific reason in mind, like relaunching an iconic model from years past, or re-igniting a market’s passion for a particular automaker.
Such is the case with the Alfa Romeo Gloria concept, which will debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. Though styled by Master in Transportation Design students from the European Design Institute, in cooperation with the Alfa Romeo Style Centre, the Gloria concept is meant to appeal specifically to customers in America and Asia.
Billed as a “sport sedan with decisive lines,” the Gloria would be powered by a V-6 or biturbo V-8 engine. Its hood carries the shape of the traditional Alfa Romeo shield grille, while the leather straps flowing from the front fenders are meant to evoke the memory of historic Alfas past.
In all, some 20 design students from around the world participated in the project, with one 1:4 scale clay model ultimately chosen for its close adherence to the initial design brief. The experience was meant to closely parallel a real work situation, giving the Masters program students valuable hands-on experience.
Geneva Motor Show attendees will be able to see the full-scale Gloria concept model, and will also be able to “interact” with the design via iPad, changing colors and rims to suit their own tastes.
While we’d love to see the Gloria debut as one of Alfa Romeo’s re-introductory models for the U.S. market, we suspect the design is just a bit too edgy and impractical to see production. Like the 2uettottanta roadster concept, however, we can hold out hope until Alfa Romeo (or its parent, Fiat) officially says no.
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Alfa Romeo 4C headed to Australia
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By Paul Gover · 14 Feb 2013
The sexy Italian coupe is only revealed this week in Europe but is already booked for down under deliveries in 2014.
The high-tech hero car leads a product-led revival for Fiat and Alfa Romeo in which is expected to boost value and increase the model mix for brands that are twinned with Chrysler in Australia under a global merger.
The 4C promises everything from a carbon fibre chassis and rorty 1.7-litre turbo petrol engine to final assembly in the same factory that builds upmarket Maserati models.
But it's likely to be a costly car with a Porsche-style pricetag on the far side of $100,000. Confirmation of the 4C comes this week as Fiat Chrysler Group goes public with its plans from 2013 into the future. "The car will arrive in Australian dealerships in around Q3 2014," says Alex Tam, director of product strategy.
"The wait is finally over for the 4C. The final production version will be revealed next month at the Geneva motor show." The 4C will set new standards ... and mark the renaissance of Alfa Romeo on the world stage."
The 4C - with a name tapping the Alfa heritage back to the 1930s - is a pure two-seater that is spun out from the limited-edition 8C Competizione. It is less than four metres long, 200 millimetres wide and is rear mid-engined with rear-wheel drive.
It is likely to go nose-to-nose with the Porsche Cayman as Alfa promises a power-to-weight ratio less than four kilos for every horsepower, as well as a twin-clutch gearbox incorporating a ‘race' mode.

Alfa Romeo 4C revealed
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By Viknesh Vijayenthiran · 13 Feb 2013
It was at the Geneva motor show just two years ago where Alfa Romeo first unveiled its stunning 4C concept car.
Now, just a few weeks out from this year’s show, Alfa Romeo has revealed the production version of the 4C, which will herald the return of the illustrious Italian brand on U.S. soil when it lands in showrooms later this year.
The production 4C, which will arrive as a 2014 model, looks every bit as breathtaking as the original concept, right down to its mid-engine layout and jet fighter-style cockpit.
It also maintains most of the concept’s drool-worthy specs, including the turbocharged four-cylinder engine, four metre length and full carbon fiber monocoque chassis.
Alfa Romeo hasn’t revealed just how much power the new 4C will deliver. If previous reports of 125 to 130 kilowatts are to be believed, we could be looking at a curb weight of just over 900 kilograms.
That power will be delivered by a turbocharged 1.75-litre engine, composed of aluminium and powering only the rear wheels. The engine gets direct-injection technology, Fiat Group’s MultiAir variable valve timing and a new "scavenging" system that's said to reduce turbo lag.
Previous performance estimates included a 0-100 time of around 4.5 seconds and a limited top speed of 250 km/h. Helping with those brisk performance numbers is the 4C’s new dual-clutch transmission, which offers full automatic or manual modes, the latter using paddle shifters located behind the steering wheel.
The handling, meanwhile, is taken care of thanks to lightweight aluminium suspension frames that get mounted to the car’s carbon tub. These feature double-wishbone and MacPherson strut designs. The 4C also comes with a driving ‘DNA’ selector, which will allow the driver to select from Dynamic, Natural and All Weather modes, plus a special Race mode.
Inside, the 4C, understandably, has just two seats. The design is driver focused and is accented by carbon fibre and aluminium. The center column, which is actually part of the carbon structure, has been left in full view to enhance the sense of uniqueness, of technology and light weight.
As previously reported, production will take place at a Maserati plant in Modena, Italy. Numbers will be limited, with some suggesting just 2,500 will be built for worldwide consumption, which means pricing could be set higher than the original estimates of around US$45k. Around 1,000 are expected for the North American market. The good news is that a 4C convertible is also planned and should arrive next year.
With the 2013 Geneva Motor Show kicking off on March 5, we'll have the full details on the 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C soon.
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Alfa Romeo Giulia spy shot rendering
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By Paul Gover · 17 Jan 2013
This is how Carparazzi sees the planned Giulia station wagon, with a predictable combination of mpracticality and Italian style.This journalist is on Twitter: @paulwardgover

Alfa Romeo CXover spy shot
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By Paul Gover · 24 Oct 2012
mechanical package is hidden beneath a raised Giulietta body in this Carparazzi shot but the final package will line up agains the Volkswagen TIguan and Ford Kuga.

Alfa 4C on cards for Australia
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By Alistair Kennedy · 29 Apr 2012
The decision by Chrysler Australia’s parent company, Fiat, to have Chrysler Australia take over the importation of Alfa Romeo and Fiat vehicles will no doubt be greeted enthusiastically.
Although it’s the largest carmaker in Italy and the ninth largest in the world, Fiat, is currently only a bit player on the Australian market with two diverse models in its range, the cute retro-styled Fiat 500 and the Ducato van.
Similarly the local Alfa Romeo range has been whittled down to just two models, MiTo and Giulietta. The two Italian brands will join the existing three American brands, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge in the portfolio operated by Chrysler Group Australia.
It’s too early for details of the expected model expansion to be known in full. During our recent visit to China we were able to sit down with Chrysler’s Australian CEO, Clyde Campbell, and speculate on some of the possibilities.
One model that is almost certain to come here is the Fiat 500L, a five-door hatchback/wagon that’s related to the 500 only by name. The 500L is significantly larger in all dimensions than the 500 and the 500C cabriolet.
Launched with a big splash at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, the Fiat 500L is due for release in Europe ate this year.
The expected demise of Dodge is likely to see the Fiat Freemont replace the Dodge Journey as the group’s people mover. The mid-sized Fiat Linea sedan is another that will come under consideration.
Alfistis will have their fingers crossed that the 4C sports car shown as concept at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show will find its way downunder when it goes into production in 2013.
There’s even some speculation that Lancia, another member of the Fiat group, and off the Australian scene since the mid-1980s, could return.
There are currently 39 Fiat and/or Alfa Romeo dealerships in Australia while Chrysler Group has 72. Mr Campbell explained that there will be a complete evaluation of the new combined dealer network to examine the best method of integrating the various brands.
The outgoing Fiat/Alfa Romeo distributor, Ateco Automotive Group, has played an important part in expanding the choice of Australian buyers. Ateco was responsible for reviving Alfa Romeo (in 1997) and Fiat (in 2006) when it looked as though the two iconic marques had been lost forever from this country.
All three of these brands were successfully re-established and subsequently taken over by their respective factory operations in a similar manner to the new Chrysler arrangement.
Most recently Ateco has become the first company to import Chinese vehicles to Australia, in the form of Chery and Great Wall. With over 200 motor vehicle manufacturers currently operating in China it seems likely that Ateco is eyeing off further expansion in this region.
Commenting on the change, Ateco governor, Neville Crichton, said: “As we say goodbye to Alfa Romeo and Fiat we will be welcoming into our company new brands and businesses that will benefit from the unique skills and talents we have to offer.”
Ateco Automotive will also continue to distribute Fiat’s two upmarket Italian brands, Ferrari and Maserati, as well as the very French Citroen vehicles and the recently acquired British sportscar maker Lotus.