2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Coming soon

It is reported that road grip, agility and safety are areas the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta has improved. Alfa DNA is the system developed to customize the behavior of the Giulietta according to various driving styles and road conditions, and has the capacity to adapt to the needs of individual drivers, creating a customized and comfortable luxury driving experience. Three new modes are available for the DNA system on the 2010 Giulietta-Dynamic, Normal and All Weather. These serve to modify the operating parameters of the engine, steering system, Q2 electronics differential and fine-tune the stability control system. But what lies beneath the hood is what gets us.

The participating cars were voted by a jury of 59 members from 23 countries. Among the jury had participated Steve Cropley, representatives of Autocar.co.uk, who said that he supported very much the electric model of Nissan, so it was his first option on the voting list, and the second option was the Dacia Duster model.

2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Interior

2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Elegant Car

2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Coming soon

The New Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Boasting an entirely new platform, the 2010 Giulietta has been revamped to appeal to even the most demanding of customers-so let's examine the specs.

2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Seats Photo

2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Side View

This is the first time in history when a one hundred percentage electric car, Nissan leaf, gets the distinction of "The Car of the Year." It's amazing that Nissan Leaf reached to the final with Alfa Romeo Giulietta, Opel Meriva, Ford C-Max, Citroen C3, Volvo S60 and Dacia Duster. Even more, it surpassed the Giulietta model from Alfa Romeo with nine points and with thirteen points the Meriva model of the Opel.
The New Alfa Romeo Giulietta

2012 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Equipped

We all know that the future of all car manufacturers should consider the environmental aspects, and as has been done on the sports car was first released in 2007, is a 2-door sports car that apply the 4.7 L engine (~ 287 cu in) V8.V-8 is a car engine with a model of "V" has eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in many cases placed at right angles to each other but sometimes at a narrow angle, and generally having eight pistons so commonly known as the V8.

The dealer adds that the original sticker was $328,477, with the price of this white-colored example set at $310,000. So what do you say; is this Ferrari/ Maserati-derived, Alfa Romeo-badged exotic worth its price tag or would you look elsewhere if you were lucky enough to have this kind of cash laying around in your bank account?

2012 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Equipped

2012 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Equipped

We all know that the future of all car manufacturers should consider the environmental aspects, and as has been done on the sports car was first released in 2007, is a 2-door sports car that apply the 4.7 L engine (~ 287 cu in) V8.V-8 is a car engine with a model of "V" has eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in many cases placed at right angles to each other but sometimes at a narrow angle, and generally having eight pistons so commonly known as the V8.

The dealer adds that the original sticker was $328,477, with the price of this white-colored example set at $310,000. So what do you say; is this Ferrari/ Maserati-derived, Alfa Romeo-badged exotic worth its price tag or would you look elsewhere if you were lucky enough to have this kind of cash laying around in your bank account?

2012 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Equipped

Fiat’s Future in Italy Could be at Stake Due to Disagreements with Unions

As previously reported, Fiat hasn’t been able to secure agreements with all Italian unions regarding a key productivity deal to help the automaker to keep its turnaround strategy on track. With a hard-line union planning a strike later this month, the country’s Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi claims Fiat will have a good reason to quit Italy if the deal falls through.

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne agreed with Mr. Berlusconi saying that the future of the company in Italy could be at stake and he might be forced to move all production to lower-cost countries.

The dispute with the FIOM union, which represents workers employed at Fiat’s historic Mirafiori plant, concerns the introduction of more shifts and reduced benefits. The automaker supports that implementing these changes is crucial if the company is to make further investments and build new models in Italy.

Talking with reporters in Berlin after a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Silvio Berlusconi commented: “We think that what has been happening in this case is absolutely positive, with the possibility of an accord between the unions and the company, in the direction of greater flexibility”.

“It's obvious that if this didn't happen, clearly the company and business people would have a good reason to move to other countries. Let us hope this has a positive outcome”, Berlusconi added.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Reuters

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Alfa Romeo Shows Concept Designer Bags Inspired by MiTo

In what could be seen by many as further proof that Alfa Romeo is steadily losing sight of its core values (whatever is left of them, that is...), the firm's UK division unveiled two concept designer bags for its MiTo subcompact as part of the company’s centenary year celebrations and to help support young British fashion talent. We might be wrong, but we think it would have been more appropriate for the Italian firm to show its support to young British car designers...

In any case, for the creation of the bags, Alfa Romeo UK held a special competition for students from the MA Fashion course at Central Saint Martins College, London. A total of 15 graduates submitted sketches inspired by the MiTo for initial consideration, but only two made the cut.

"After being critiqued and judged by some of the leading faces in British fashion, the bags created by CSM students William Hendry and Tamara Elliot were chosen for the limited run," said Alfa Romeo UK in a statement.

According to the Italian firm, the two bags are prototype designs for Alfa Romeo UK, which is now looking to produce a limited range of both in the near future.

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Alfa Romeo Giuseppe Merosi Design Study for a RWD Sports Coupe

From the creator of the Alfa Romeo Vittorio Jano Sedan and Sport Wagon concepts comes this new design study for a classy-looking GT. Named after Giuseppe Merosi, a famous Italian automobile engineer Giuseppe Merosi who worked for Alfa Romeo (then named A.L.F.A.) in the beginning of the previous century, the prototype presented by Marco Procaccini from MPcardesign is a four-seater sports coupe designed to feature a much missed by Alfa Romeo fans, rear-wheel drive layout.

The styling of the Giuseppe Merosi has a similar feel to Marco's previous work, the Vittorio Jano, combining hard edges with curved surfaces and a pronounced Alfa Romeo grille. According to the designer, the car would measure around 4,300mm in length, 1,810mm in width and 1,320mm in height.

Source: MPCardesign

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Poll: Should Fiat Cut Loose Alfa Romeo and/or Sell it to Volkswagen?

Like Saab and countless other brands before, Alfa Romeo is at a tipping point. The famed Italian automaker, which once stunned the world with its gorgeous styling and motorsport victories, is now losing an estimate €200 million (US$265 million) per annum. It’s hard to believe that the company that brought us cars like the GTA, the Spider and the 158/159 Alfetta could be reduced to such a sad state of affairs.

Sergio Marchionne, the unwavering CEO of Fiat and its subsidiaries, is determined to turn the ailing automaker around. Meanwhile, Volkswagen is sniffing around for more brands and smells a potential winner in the Milanese company.

There are many arguments for and against selling Alfa Romeo to ze Germans. Here are the ones we’ve covered in our previous article:

The Case For Selling Alfa Romeo

• Alfa Romeo is valued at €1.5 to 2 billion. By selling what equates to their biggest loser, Fiat would emerge virtually debt free.
• The brand’s dismissal would save Fiat a further €1.5 billion that it would of spent product R&D over the next four years.
• Fiat would also save €200 million a year in losses.
• Alfa’s departure could potentially allow for Dodge to return to Europe as Fiat’s sporty brand, with Fiat remaining the first choice for entry level buyers and Lancia / Chrysler for those seeking something a little more upmarket.
• Volkswagen has worked wonders with Bentley, Seat and Bugatti. Can you think of a better mother hen for one of Italy’s finest?

The Case Against Selling Alfa Romeo

• If Fiat can survive until 2014, analysts predict it will emerge with no debt and fatter profit margins. And that’s with Alfa Romeo.
• Fiat could net the same amount of lira by selling three of its OEM suppliers: Magneti Marelli, Comau and Teksid.
• After Fiat’s expected 2014 recovery, the Milanese automaker is expected to account for 10% of Fiat’s sales.
• Fiat has plans to share platforms between Alfa Romeo, Chrysler and Jeep, helping all three brands. Without the platform sharing, Chrysler and Jeep will continue struggle and Fiat’s push into the Chinese and Russian markets will be delayed.
• With Fiat focusing primarily on small cars, it would have to develop new mid-sized and large car models to fill the gap left by the departing Alfa.

So there you have it: five points for and five points against. All that’s left now is to cast your vote, so get voting!

By Tristan Hankins

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Should Fiat Sell Alfa Romeo to the VW Group?

2010 Alfa Romeo Giulietta

2010 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Front View

2010 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Side View

2010 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Interior Picture

2010 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Interior View

2009 Alfa Romeo MiTo

2009 Alfa Romeo MiTo Front View

2009 Alfa Romeo MiTo Rear Angel

2009 Alfa Romeo MiTo Interior View

2009 Alfa Romeo MiTo Interior

Zagato Alfa Romeo Sports Car TZ3 Corsa

Alfa Romeo and Zagato finally revealed the highly anticipated TZ3 Corsa at the Concours d’Elegance Villa D’Este, and boy is it special. Every line in this car’s gorgeous body is drawn with Alfa’s 100 years of heritage in mind, it screams passion! This priceless one-off is a racing car inspired by the early TZ models and features mono shell carbon fibre tubular chassis, coupled with a tubular frame and a lightweight aluminium body. It’s commissioned by German collector Martin Kapp, and he is now officially the world’s coolest man!

Zagato Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa

The Zagato-penned and developed Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa, which has been rumored for a while, was rolled out in a world premiere at this past weekend’s esteemed Villa D’Este Concours. And please be aware that this is not a show pony. Zagato pointed out, the Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa is not simply a design exercise, but a one off race special commissioned by German collector Martin Kapp.

The Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa was inspired by its 1960s ancestors, the first Alfa TZ and TZ2, the TZ3 Corsa. The current iteration is based on a mono shell carbon fiber tubular chassis (whatever that might be), joined with a tubular frame and a drop dead gorgeous lightweight aluminum body. It’s proportions are just spot on perfect, and the rear has a certain Kamm tail/GTO breadvan look to it.

Power comes from the Alfa 8c Competizione's  4.2-liter V8 engine. Situated under the alloy hood of the Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa, said mill develops 420-horsepower. Zagato says the racing car tips the scales at a lightweight 850kg or 1,874 lbs. Combine that little weight with that much engine, and the Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa is capable of accelerating from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in under 3.5 seconds topping out in excess of 300km/h or 187mph. Or so says Zagato.

The Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa by Zagato is not a design exercise, nor does it take inspiration from the 90 years of collaboration between Zagato and Alfa. The TZ3 Corsa race-car is basically a gift from Zagato to Alfa Romeo honoring 100 years of races and victories across the whole 20th century.

The TZ3 Corsa weighs in at only 1,870 pounds and is powered by a 4.2L dry sump V8 engine making 420-hp. Mated to a 6-speed sequential gearbox. the TZ3 Corsa goes from 0-62 mph in less than 3.5 seconds with a top speed of more than 185 mph.

Tribute to the 100th anniversary of Alfa Romeo’s Racing Heritage:

Alfa Romeo and Zagato achieved the best results since the beginnings thanks to the Mille Miglia victories of the 1500 6C, the 1750 GS and the 8C 2300 Zagato of the Scuderia Ferrari. Already in 1933 an official advert of the Alfa Romeo 8C proclaimed: “The Spider that, with the trio Alfa Romeo – Scuderia Ferrari – Carrozzeria Zagato, brought countless victories in the homeland and abroad for the honour of Italy.”

Even the grandiose Quadrifoglio Verde was placed on the bodies of Zagatos of the Alfa Corse team numerous times. Among the most glorious moments is the victory of the Formula 1 championship of Juan Manuel Fangio, aboard his Alfa Romeo 159 bodied by Zagato, as well as the victorious Alfa Romeo 3000 CM bodied in 3 samples by Zagato.

During the 60’s, the list of absolute victories of the Giulia TZ and TZ2 by Zagato for the Autodelta of Ing. Carlo Chiti, was never-ending. Some of the most memorable victories included the 1964 12 hours of Sebring, the Targa Florio, the Nurburgring, and the 24 hours of Le Mans.

The single-brand Alfa Romeo S.Z. championship emphasized the Alfa Romeo ES30’s (Experimental SportsCar 3000) technical and dynamic abilities. The S.Z. delivered, and continues to so today, constant performance and driving pleasure to the Gentlemen drivers of the Alfa Zagato team, across the most important racetracks in Europe.