2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta

2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Even if today every auto magazine is pretty busy trying to cover the Los Angeles Auto Show, Alfa Romeo decided this is the perfect moment to offer a preview of the future Giulietta set to be officially revealed in 2010 at the Geneva Motor Show.

The car replaces the 147 in Alfa Romeo’s line-up and while everyone expected for it to be called Milano, the company decided to bring back a name used in the fifties: "The Giulietta is a car that, in the fifties, caught the imagination of generations of car enthusiasts, making the dream of owning an Alfa Romeo and enjoying the high level of comfort and technical excellence accessible for the first time."

The Giulietta continues the same design language started with the 8C Competizione supercar: a "trilobe shape" with a brand-new interpretation of the classic Alfa grille, set into the front bumper and suspended between the two air intakes.

When it will go on sale, in the spring of 2010, the Giulietta will be offered with a choice of two petrol engines (1.4TB - 120 HP and 1.4TB MultiAir - 170 HP) and two diesel engines (1.6 JTDM - 105 HP and 2.0 JTDM - 170 HP, both belonging to the second generation of JTDM engines). The top of the line will be a 1750 TBi that develops 235 HP with an exclusive Quadrifoglio Verde configuration.

2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider

2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider

Put together by Alfa’s Centro Stile and production limited to 500 cars, this new open top Alfa Romeo 8C Spider immediately entices with that unmistakable “Italian elegance”, a unique and inimitable style that hints at its typically sporty Alfa handling.

Under the bonnet is a powerful 8 cylinder 4.7 litre engine producing 450 HP, matched to a 6 speed robotic gearbox, the new Alfa Romeo 8C Spider is truly beautiful, powerful and rock solid, where its gracious lines and dimensions gel perfectly with typical Alfa Romeo engineering and drive-ability. Needless to say, alongside this attractive Spider is the Alfa 8C Competizione, the epitome of Alfa Romeo’s innovation in the fields of engines and engineering, heightened competitiveness and continuous technological research.

2009 Alfa MiTo GTA Concept

2009 Alfa MiTo GTA Concept

Alfa Romeo revealed today the official details on the MiTo GTA (Gran Turismo Alleggerito) Concept that will make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

The word “Alleggerito” in GTA translates into “lightened”, and Alfa went down to even the small details on this one. Carbon fiber was used for the tailgate spoiler, the roof and the side mirrors. Some steel bits in the braking system, suspension and parts of the chassis were replaced with aluminum. All this dieting gives the car what Alfa claims is a power to weight ratio in-line with its sports cars.

The MiTo GTA is powered by a 1.75-liter turbo engine that delivers 240 hp. Alfa says that the by using technology such as direct gasoline injection, dual VVT (variable valve timing), turbocharging, and a revolutionary management system, the engine performs like one almost twice its size (3.0-liters).

Although this is labeled as a concept car, the production MiTo GTA should not have much changed by the time it arrives in European showrooms as early as this summer.

In line with the famous GTA (Gran Turismo Alleggerito) signature, (Alleggerito means reduced weight in Italian), the MiTo GTA Concept prioritises weight reduction, and the achievement of an optimum power-to-weight ratio.

Considerable work has gone into lowering the vehicle’s centre of gravity; thus certain components such as the tailgate spoiler, roof and mirror fairings are in carbon-fibre; while aluminium is used extensively in the braking system, suspension, and some parts of the chassis.

Under the bonnet, an exciting new petrol engine, very much in keeping with the pre-requisites of downsizing, environmental awareness, and the offer of high power and efficiency in return for low weight and optimised packaging, powers the new GTA Concept.

Designed by Fiat Powertrain Technologies and exploiting the vast experience gained in the production of Twin Spark and Alfa V6 road and race engines, the compact new petrol engine employs advanced technical solutions including direct injection, dual variable valve timing, state-of-the-art turbocharging and advanced electronic management systems to produce a remarkable 240bhp from just 1742cc.

Under-floor aerodynamics have been a particular concern, while the entire car has been lowered by some 20mm. Front suspension employs new geometry with aluminium leading arms, while the rear suspension has all-new bushings, and the comprehensively revised chassis boasts an ‘active’ suspension system, (advanced damper control), which counteracts the transfer of load under acceleration, stiffening the rear end and maximising traction. The suspension also interacts with the braking system and steering to obtain the most efficient control of vehicle dynamics, while a ‘Sky-Hook’ function ensures an excellent level of passenger comfort under conditions of everyday use.