Category: Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo CEO confirms talks with Chrysler
Firstly, rumour had mentioned that Fiat entered into talks with Chrysler over the possibility to produce Alfa Romeo models in the US. Then, Chrysler denied the allegations. In a third round, Luca de Meo confirms Fiat is discussing with the American carmaker about varied cooperations.
In an interview with the German newspaper WirtschaftsWoche, the CEO of the Italian marque has confirmed that there was talks between the two companies. De Meo also announced a potential production in Mexico.
Along with Alfa Romeo, Fiat is expected to build other models there such as the Fiat 500. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has announced that the hot 500 will be sold on the American market by 2010. The carmaker has great hope with the small retro-car in the US which will spearhead a revival of the small Italian cars in the US. In addition to the 500, Fiat plans to launch two new small cars currently in development.
May 30, 2008
SUV in 2010 for Alfa
Alfa Romeo’s CEO has unveiled the future direction for the Italian marque in an interview with Auto Motor und Sport.
Nominated in last December, Luca Di Meo has the huge task to turn Alfa Romeo profitable. He said that Alfa Romeo won’t be cheap models any more. Alfa Romeo will improve the build quality and ask people to pay for it. The carmaker has also set the ambitious plan to cover all the market segments like the German clique does and to expand in new markets.
This year will be dedicated to the new Mi.To. Alfa Romeo expects to sell 75,000 units per year. However 60,000 units will be enough to make a profit on the Baby Alfa. In comparison MIni sells more than 200,00 units per year. In 2009, the carmaker will finally unveil the next-generation 147. The next model will be powered by a wide engine range with a topping-unit which will deliver a power output of 265bhp. Alfa Romeo plans to sell 85,00 units per year. The rumoured SUV will be launched in 2010 and Alfa Romeo wants to sell 40,00 units per year.
The company will expand in new or current markets. China, Japan and Australia will be a priority, but the main focus will be the relaunch in the US. Luca Di Meo has still the ambition to sell 300,000 vehicles in 2010. However, the carmaker will be profitable with 250,000 sales.
May 23, 2008
Alfa Romeo Mille Miglia Special Edition
The Italian carmaker has released another special edition of its Spider model.
Limited to just 11 units to celebrate the 11 victories the carmaker took in the Mille Miglia race between 1928 and 1947, the Alfa Romeo Mille Miglia Special Edition comes with a unique, plate between the two seats each containing the name of one of the vehicles which won the well-known endurance race.
Distinguished by the exclusive body colour ‘Rosso 8C’ and a ‘Quadrifoglio’ logo on the wing, the Alfa Spider Mille Miglia cars boast special interiors trimmed with black leather with red top-stitching and are equipped with the mighty 260 bhp3.2 V6 units and the Electronic Q2 system.
May 17, 2008
Alfa Romeo Mi.To: more images of the interior
Here are new pictures of the Alfa Romeo Mi.To revealing the interior.
Yesterday, we published a picture of the dashboard of the Mi.To. This time, the interior is shown with a black leather upholstery. The front seats look spoerty featuring proper side support. The interior might be a bit too dark with the blakc treatment.
At 4.06 metres long, 1.44 metres high and 1.72 metres wide, the Mi.To should be roomy enough like the Mini. The baby Alfa shares its engine range with the Fiat Grande Punto, turbocharged petrol and diesel engines spanning 90-155bhp. Higher powered versions will be launched later.
With this new model, Alfa Romeo wants to increase its global sales by adding around more than 100,000 Mi.To per year to the current production. If the Mi.To doesn’t meet success, the company’s future might be shadowed as Sergio Marchionne wants the brand to come back to profit by 2010.
May 13, 2008
Fiat interested in Mexico for a plant
In addition to discussing with Chrysler to build Alfa Romeo models in the US, Fiat is also considering building an all-new factory in Mexico.
The Italian group is seriously looking at all opportunities to find a solution to the weak dollar which might be a stumbling block to sell Alfa Romeo models in the US. While Chrysler has been announced as a potential partner, Fiat considers building a Mexican factory to supply North and South America.
A Mexican factory has the advantage to be close to the US market where FIat wants to introduce Alfa Romeo model and the future 500 and close to the South American market which recorded a strong growth last year. Aware of the potential of emerging markets such as Brazil, the Italian group doesn’t want the French carmakers to take the lead. Renault-Nissan CEO has previously announced that the group will focus on increasing its sales there.
May 12, 2008
Alfa Romeo Mi.To interior revealed
Here is the first unofficial picture of the interior of the Alfa Romeo Mi.To set to compete with the Mini’s British interior.
After the outside pictures of the Mi.To, a picture of the interior has emerged on the Internet. Though the exterior takes its styling cues from the magnificent 8C Competizione, the interior can’t hide its links with the Fiat Grande Punto, with which the Mi.To shares its platform and powertrains.
At first glance, the dashboard looks different by adopting a carbon-fiber look but a closer look will reveal switches and buttons taken from the Grande Punto. This might be a stumbling block for future prospects when the Mini comes with unique components. However this first picture doesn’t reveal much about the interior. Several pictures are needed.
May 12, 2008
Alfa Romeo announces Prodrive collaboration
In an attempt to increase its sales and improve its brand image on the British market, the Italian carmaker has teamed up with Prodrive, to evolve the handling of the Alfa Brera coupe, specifically for our market.
Following a year’s intensive suspension development programme, including full sign-off from the engineering department in Italy, the result is a bespoke, British-honed, Alfa Brera S. According to Prodrive Project Leader, Peter Cambridge, the collaboration has “built on the existing model’s capabilities to deliver outstanding driver feedback and handling.” The Alfa Romeo Brera S will hit the showrooms on May 19 of this year. Details remain scarce although the two existing petrol engines in standard specifications will power this special edition.
Production of the Alfa Brera S will be limited to 500 numbered cars that will include further enhancements to the exterior and interior of the car.
May 8, 2008
Alfa Romeo launches a Spider Limited Edition
The Italian carmaker has unveiled a limited edition of its Spider featuring extra equipments at no cost.
When a carmaker releases a limited edition, it is a sign that the concerned model generates poor sales results. Is the Spider a poor-selling vehicle as a result of fierce competition with the German models? This limited edition features a choice of four colour combinations, alloy wheels, leather upholstery, electrically adjustable and heated memory front seats and door mirrors. The price remains at £25,500. The extra features include Italian Frau leather upholstery and the unique Blue&Me hands-free system with voice recognition and media player.
Bespoke colours for the Alfa Spider Limited Edition include a Carbonio Black version with a natural leather upholstery while the Alfa Red exterior paintwork is matched to a black leather interior. The Ghiaccio White colour scheme comes with a choice of either black or natural leather upholstery.
The Spider Limited Edition is only available with the 2.2-litre petrol engine which delivers 185bhp and enables the Spider to reach a top speed of 139mph.
April 30, 2008
Mi.To’s dashboard revealed
A picture of the interior of the Alfa Romeo Mi.To has emerged on the Internet.
The picture looks like it is similar to that of the spyshots revealed on Petrol-Head before. However it isn’t confirmed whether the pictured dashboard is the final form or not. The central console features two big aerators like the 156 model and metallic panels. The instrument panel will remind the user he’s owning a true Alfa Romeo despite being based on the same platform as the Fiat Punto.
This picture is a new mark to know the interior of the baby Alfa as the carmaker still keeps it secret.
April 26, 2008
Chrysler to build Alfa Romeos in the U.S. for Fiat?
After BMW, Chrysler is cited as a future partner for Alfa Romeo to build the Italian marque’s models in the US.
Fiat and Chrysler have entered into talks about the possibility to build Alfa Romeo models destined for the American market in a Chrysler’s factory. According to the German newspaper Handelsblatt, “Chrysler could produce the cars for Fiat subsidiary Alfa Romeo.” a Chrysler spokeswoman goes on record to say news of the talks are just speculation, adding "There could be other partnerships with other carmakers."
After the rumour linking BMW and Fiat, this potential partnership looks like to have better chance to get realized. Chrysler needs desperately to find new partners while Alfa Romeo needs a partner which doesn’t compete on the same market segments like BMW does.
This is not the first time that Chrysler and Alfa Romeo would work together. Fiat and Chrysler formed a distribution company in February 1989 to sell Alfa Romeo models in the US, but the American manufacturer sold its stake to Fiat in November 1991.
Last week Chrysler announced another partnership with Nissan.
April 21, 2008