If you have the time and the patience, you will find a lot of great cars on eBay, and one fine example would have to be this fully restored Alfa Romeo Montreal from 1973. The Italian automaker produced only 3,900 units of this model between 1970 and 1977, and none of them went officially to the U.S. or Canada due to the reason that the gorgeous coupe did not meet the emission control requirements.
1973 Alfa Romeo Montreal
This beautiful sports car has been designed by Marcello Gandini and made its official debut as a concept back in 1967 during the Montreal Expo in Canada. That concept had a 4-cylinder 1.6-liter engine but the product version was launched with a more powerful V8 2.6-liter unit with fuel injection that was sourced from the V8 2.0-liter engine that Alfa used for the 33 Stradale and the Tipo 33 models. This power unit is capable of developing 200 hp and is mated to a 5-speed gearbox that sends those ponies to the wheels in the back via a limited slip differential.
1973 Alfa Romeo Montreal
The one available for sale on eBay has been fully restored and it has been driven for 102,000 miles. The seller of this 1973 Alfa Romeo Montreal is located in sunny California and the highest bid right now is $33,500. The auction will end in 6 days.
Alfa Romeo decided to create a viral campaign in order to promote the launch in the United Kingdom of the MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde. They named it the MiTo Aquabatic Challenge and its aim was to set a world record for bursting the most water balloons with a car. The driver behind the wheel of the car was professional stunt driver Terry Grant who managed to burst almost all of the 2738 balloons.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde
The Italian automaker didn’t say anything whether this record is official or not. Part of this campaign was a social media element which had fans of the Alfa Romeo UK Facebook page guess how many balloons were smashed. The winner went home with the remaining balloons and he also won a track day at the Goodwood Motor Circuit.
The Alfa Romeo MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde comes with a MultiAir engine that develops 168 hp (170 PS / 125 kW) and it is the newest addition to the MiTo lineup in the United Kingdom. The starting price for this model is 18,755 pounds OTR.
The Italian tuners from Romeo Ferraris have teamed up with another tuning company from UK called Autodelta to develop an upgrade program for the Alfa Romeo Brera, a car that was discontinued in November last year. All of the components of this upgrade kit, including here the supercharger; have been created by Autodelta, while Rome Ferraris acts as an authorized service center and distributor in Italy.
Alfa Romeo Brera by Romeo Ferraris
The centrifugal supercharger kit developed by Autodelta was first seen in 2009 but it had less power than it has now. For the latest tuning program it increases the power of the V6 3.2-liter engine by 97 hp (98 PS / 72 kW) over the stock 256 hp (260 PS / 191 kW), while the torque figure is also up by 89 lb.-ft (120 Nm) to 325 lb.-ft (440 Nm). This supercharger kit includes an intercooler, compressor, special piping, and a full exhaust system that has a 200-cell catalytic converter, along with a reprogrammed ECU.
Alfa Romeo Brera by Romeo Ferraris
Thanks to these upgrades, the Alfa Romeo Brera by Romeo Ferraris needs only 5 seconds to do the 0-62 mph sprint, which is 1.5 seconds less than the standard Brera. It is able to reach a maximum speed of 162 mph (260 km/h).
Alfa Romeo Brera by Romeo Ferraris
The upgrade program also includes a restyled bodykit which is the work of Autodelta. It brings new side skirts, a revised front bumper and a modified rear bumper fascia. In addition, the car comes with a new height adjustable sports suspension kit that has new shocks and springs.
Fiat has announced its plans to manufacture a 4-cylinder direct injection gasoline turbo engine for Alfa Romeo at the automaker’s FMA plant located in Pratola Serra, Italy. Scheduled to go into product at the beginning of 2013, the engine will be made from aluminum and has a displacement of 1.8 liters and will benefit from the latest technologies like dual variable timing, a 200-bar gasoline direct injection system, along with a very efficient turbocharger. The engine will be offered in various output configurations, the most powerful one being able to churn 300 hp.
The Fiat Group didn’t said anything about the models which will get this new engine, but they did mention that the power unit has been developed for use in both longitudinal and transversal configurations and it will be able to meet the Euro 6 emission standards in Europe and the Tier 2 Bin 5 in the United States.
For the second time this year after the Geneva Motor Show, Alfa’s superb 4C Concept has been brought to the Frankfurt Motor Show, this time wearing a “Fluid Metal” metallic silver paint, whereas the one in Geneva had a red finish and looked better in my humble opinion.
Alfa Romeo 4C Concept
The Italian automaker Alfa Romeo mentioned that a production version will be launched in 2012. Under the hood it will be a 1.7-liter turbocharged engine that will probably output about 232 hp, which will be enough to propel the 2-seater, mid-engined sports cars to 62 mph in “under five seconds”, on its way to a maximum speed “of over 250 km/h”.
Alfa Romeo 4C Concept
The car benefits from a double-wishbone suspension in the front while the back packs a MacPherson struts configuration. The weight distribution of the car is 40:60 and it will get the “DNA” technology which is capable of controlling the throttle response, suspension and steering settings.
Alfa Romeo 4C Concept
In related news, Alfa Romeo’s returned to the United States has been delayed once again, this time for late 2013. The Giulia sedan and wagon will go into production sometime in 2014, instead of 2013, as previously stated by Alfa’s owner Fiat. In addition, the possibility of launching an SUV is also not certain at the moment, because Fiat doesn’t know where to build it. At first, they though to make it in Italy, but they’ve changed their minds due to questions of cost. Now, they are thinking about producing it in North America as costs there are significantly lower. A final decision regarding the possibility of production an SUV will be made towards the end of this month. We’ll keep you posted.
The funky Alfa Romeo MiTo is the smallest model in the automaker’s current lineup and in September at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show it will be exhibited with the 2-cylinder, turbocharged, 0.9-liter TwinAir power unit that was first introduced on the Fiat 500 and managed to win the “International Engine of the Year 2011” award. This tiny engine produces 85hp and a peak torque of 110-145 Nm, depending on the DNA program.
Combining this engine with the auto stop/start system, the MiTo will be able to drink 30% less fuel in comparison with other engines that offer comparable performance and it will have CO2 emissions of only 98 g/km, which is the best in its class. This version of the car will be offered with a new “Nero Ametista” exterior finish and a set of bespoke alloys, along with a mesh seat trim and a two-tone black dashboard.
Pretty soon, the Alfa Romeo MiTo will be available with an all-new 1.3-liter JTDM turbodiesel engine that benefits from the variable turbocharger technology as well as the stop/start system as a standard configuration. This engine is Euro5 complaint and produces 85 hp, while CO2 emissions stand at 90 g/km. Equipped with this engine, the car will be able to return 67.2 mpg (3.5 liters / 100 km) while on the high way it will be capable of returning an almost incredible 81.1 mpg (2.9 liters / 100 km).
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
As far as the sexy Giulietta is concerned, Alfa will equip the car with its new double-clutch TCT gearbox which will be available for the model fitted with the 1.4-liter turbocharged MultiAir gasoline power unit as well as the one equipped with the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. Both of these engines have a power output of 170 hp. The gasoline model will return 45.2 mpg (5.2 liters / 100 km) and CO2 emissions will be 121 g/km. Its more frugal diesel counterpart will do 52.3 mpg (4.5 liters / 100 km) and emit 119 g/km of CO2.
With this 1.4-liter MultiAir engine, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta will be able to do the 0-62 mph sprint in only 7.7 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 135.4 mph (218 km/h). The 2.0 JTDM model with the aforementioned TCT transmission will need 7.9 seconds to hit 62 mph.
The sexy Alfa Romeo Giulietta has received an upgrade program courtesy of NOVITEC, along with a styling update. They focused firstly on the gasoline engines by fitting them with the POWERJET 2 plug-and-play power kit. For the 1.4 TB 16V version, they can increase the output of the engine by 21 hp up to a grand total of 141 hp (104 kW).
NOVITEC Alfa Romeo Giulietta
The model equipped with the 1.4 MultiAir engine receives 25 hp for a total of 195 hp (141 kW). If you have the 1.8-liter turbo under the hood of your Giulietta, NOVITEC can increase its output to 261 hp (192 kW) and a peak torque of 386 Nm. This should be enough for a 0-62 mph sprint time in 6.5 seconds and a maximum speed of 251 km/h. The price tag for the POWERJET 2 is 419 Euro.
NOVITEC Alfa Romeo Giulietta
If you have a diesel engine in your Alfa, the tuner can fit it with the POWERRAIL 5 module. For the 1.6 JTD 16V it increases the output by 15 hp (11 KW) while for the 2.0 JTD 16V they offer an additional 20 hp (14.7 kW). The 2.0 JTD version has 195 hp (143 kW) and a peak torque of 400 Nm. Opting for the POWERRAIL 5 will set you back 335 Euro.
They can also fit your car with a set of 18-, 19- or 20-inch rims that are wrapped around in Pirelli P Zero rubbers. In addition, the Giulietta can be fitted with sport springs that can bring the car lower to the ground by 35 mm. Aside from this, NOVITEC also throws in a stainless steel coilover suspension that has an adjustable ride height and damper rates. The body kit includes a rear diffuser, side skirts and front spoiler attachments.
The Italian car manufacturer Alfa Romeo has announced a couple of days ago that the top-spec MiTo Quadrifoglio will be receiving a couple of cosmetic upgrades when it will go on sale at the end of this month at a base price of 18,755 pounds.
Alfa Romeo MiTo Quadrifoglio
They’ve made some mild modifications to the headlight surrounds and the wing mirror which now are finished in a pearlescent effect material. Above the car’s front wheel arches are now Quadrifoglio Verde badges and it also got a brand new set of 17- or 18-inch rims. MiTo’s lower air intakes have been enhanced by the new surrounds of the fog lights which look similar to the ones you’ll find in the hot 8C Competizione model.
The Sabelt sport seats are wrapped around in Alcantara suede and trimmed in leather and are backed with carbon fiber in order shave off a few pounds. The same carbon fiber theme was applied by Alfa to the dashboard of the MiTo.
Alfa Romeo MiTo Quadrifoglio
Those who choose this model will get as standard a lot more equipment than before, like cruise control, Bluetooth, rear spoiler, rear parking sensors, chrome exhaust pipe, aluminum sports pedals and kickplates.
The Alfa Romeo MiTo in the Quadrifoglio trim is powered by the same engine as before, which is a 1.4-liter TB MultiAir unit that generates 168 hp and can do the 0-62 mph sprint in approximately 7 seconds.
You probably know by now that ever since Fiat returned to the United States market with the launch of the tiny 500 models, there have been rumors about bringing the Alfa Romeo brand there. Up until now, reports said that this will occur in the second part of 2012, but now various sources say that it has been pushed back until mid-2013. (more…)
The Chinese automaker GAC – Guangzhou Auto Corp has let loose a couple of rendered images on its new forthcoming X-Power SUV. Based on the Alfa Romeo 166, the car will most likely get its official debut next month at the Shanghai Auto Show.
GAC X-Power
The car in these renderings looks like a pre-production model, but pretty close to what will the final product look like. A concept version of this SUV was premiered in 2010. As far as the design is concerned, it doesn’t look bad at all and you can see that it has some of Alfa’s styling cues, especially in the shoulder lines and rounded ends. The car will most likely be offered with a 2.0-liter engine, based on Alfa’s technology.
It might turn out to be the first decent Chinese car made. We’ll have to wait and see.
VW has been trying for a while to buy Alfa Romeo but the CEO of Fiat-Chrysler, Sergio Marchionne, said no more than once. This time around, the VW Group s offering a little incentive in proposing that the Alfa Romeo marquee under the German group umbrella will benefit from engines borrowed from Porsche. To be more specific, a new 4-cylinder power unit that Porsche is developing for an entry-level roadster that will be placed under the Boxster.
However, a spokesperson for the Fiat Group said to Autocar, “we shut the door in their (VW’s) faces and now they’re trying to get in the window.” Just a few weeks ago at the 81st edition of the Geneva Motor Show, Ferdinand Piech who is the Chairman of Volkswagen AG, said that they will quadruple Alfa’s sales to 400,000 units within 5 years if they could purchase it.
The Fiat Group and Sergio Marchionne have consistently affirmed that the Alfa Romeo brand is not for sale. More than that, Fiat is even planning to bring the Alfa brand to the North American market in the years to come.
Based on the 1750 Quadrifoglio Verde, the Alfa Giulietta G430 iMove Marangoni has received a bundle of modifications with the occasion of this demo model. The car now rides on 235/35R19 tires and holds in its boot a revolutionary Segway i2 self-balancing electric vehicle. In addition, the car benefits from a dashboard-integrated iPad plus an internet connection. The tires of this special car are available in acid green while the paint of the car is a matte charcoal grey pattern. This demo unit sports a new aerodynamic package that includes a carbon fiber diffuser, carbon side mirror coverings, side skirts and a redesigned front bumper.
Thanks to the addition of a new exhaust, air intake system and turbo, the car now outputs 286 hp, which is 51 hp more in comparison with the standard version developed by Alfa Romeo. The car has been lowered by approximately 4 cm thanks to the usage of KW threaded strut housings which allow height adjustments as well as calibration of the shock absorbers in compression and extension. The standard braking system of the car was replaced and the engineers installed revolutionary Tarox B360 10pot calipers and composite discs that measure 330×26 in diameter for the brake rotors.
Alfa Giulietta G430 iMove Marangoni
The 51 hp power increase was available by adding a new bearing-mounted rotary turbine as well as a downpipe complete with metal catalyst. In addition, the car received complete Ragazzon stainless steel exhaust that features wide diameter pipes for an aggressive look. The air intake was also heavily modified by using a special carbon air box to upgrade the performances of the engine that powers this demo car.
For the interior of the car, besides the already usual Alcantara, leather and carbon, the Alfa Giulietta G430 iMove Marangoni benefits from Conte of Florence applied quilting. According to the press release, the concept that was at the foundation of this design was mobility in the modern world.
A few weeks ago rumors were floating on the web concerning Volkswagen and its latest acquisition target, Italian carmaker Alfa Romeo, currently owned by Fiat.
At that time, the parties involved declined to comment, but things have seemingly changed now.
According to a report from Automotive News Europe, two unnamed Volkswagen executives have said that Alfa Romeo would make a great purchase, given its history and the versatile platforms it currently uses. Meanwhile, another unnamed exec from Fiat said that VW should go looking elsewhere, as the Italian group has big plans for Alfa Romeo, looking to increase global sales by extending to North America.
Without a doubt Alfa Romeo would make a great brand to have in any carmaker’s portfolio, but it’s quite clear that Fiat wants to keep it for itself at least in the next few years. Knowing Volkswagen’s appetite for growth though, sooner or later we might see an official move.
Now, thanks to Automotive News, a few more details were released.
First off, in 2012, Alfa Romeo will officially make its full pledged debut on the US market, with the new Giulia mid-size model. The car will be available in both sedan and wagon form, and will use a Fiat 2.4-liter inline-four cylinder engine, with the new MultiAir technology, as well as the Pentastar V6 from Chrysler. The cars will be packed with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive as an option.
Sticking with 2012, Chrysler will be tasked with developing a brand new compact crossover model, based on a wider version of the current Giulietta hatchback. The model will not only be sold in the USA, but also be exported to Alfa’s native Europe.
In 2013, city car fans will enjoy a five-door version of the Alfa Romeo MiTo model. The car will be overhauled at that time, but it will still be made in Italy and brought over to the US.
A two-seat roadster might also appear on the market in 2013, but nothing is clear at this moment. Chrysler and Fiat have yet to settle on a platform (presumably the 300C might work) nor on a production facility.
2014 will see the introduction of a refreshed Giulietta hatchback on the US market. The car has already been launched in Europe and is enjoying impressive sales thanks to its potent engine lineup and attractive design.
This year will also see the introduction of a bigger crossover, which will sit on the platform of the upcoming replacement of the Jeep Liberty. It is set to be produced in the USA and exported to Europe.
Overall, like we said above, Fiat has some big plans for Alfa Romeo, so let’s hope things go as smoothly as possible.
We’ve published a few outlandish rumors around here, but this new one, coming from Italy’s Quattroruote magazine, can definitely take the proverbial cake.
According to it, the Volkswagen Group is reportedly interested in buying Fiat’s Alfa Romeo division. In order to achieve it, VW plans to spend as much as 1 billion Euros, around $1.3 billion.
Volkswagen wants to be the largest carmaker in the world by 2018, and this new acquisition might help even more. The German company has already purchased a stake in Japanese carmaker Suzuki, and already owns another Italian brand, Lamborghini.
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