Alfa Romeo Spider (2014)

CAR GARAGE | Alfa Romeo Spider (2014) | Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne said Alfa Romeo That will launch seven new models from 2010 to 2014 starting with the new Giulietta That will receive an extensive facelift in 2014. Set to arrive in 2012, the Giulia will be based on an existing Fiat platforms (most likely, a Wider and longer version of the Guilietta's new platform).

It will be Offered in four-door sedan and station wagon variants and According to the plan, it will mark the return of the Alfa Romeo brand in the States. The same year will see Alfa introducing a facelift version of its three-door supermini and a Mito-based Chrysler Group compact-size SUV That will be produced and sold in the States.

Finally, in 2014, Alfa Romeo will present a Chrysler Group-based mid-size SUV. It's also worth Noting That Alfa Romeo's 2010-2014 product plan does not include a replacement for the GT 2 +2 coupe, the Brera and the long-gone 166 sedan.

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Alfa Romeo MiTo (2014)

CAR GARAGE | Alfa Romeo MiTo (2014) | The Mito is sold in Europe with Several versions of the turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine powers the Fiat 500 That. All use Fiat's innovative MultiAir valve-control system, the which also features on a 900cc 2-cylinder engine economy dubbed "TwinAir."  A few words about MultiAir, the which Fiat touts as the first "Fully Variable Valve actuation" system available on mass-market cars. Fiat also claims up to 10-percent better fuel economy versus a comparable non-Multi Air engine, plus up to 10-percent lower CO2 emissions (a major regulatory issues in Europe). Though it's not a power-booster per SE, Hence the Mito's turbocharging, MultiAir is significant as the kind of modern small-car technology That prompted Chrysler's creditors - U.S. and Canadian Governments included - to let Fiat take management control of the American automaker.

In current 2-door form, the 2014 Alfa Romeo Mito would be about the same size as the 4-door Honda Fit, but trimmed and equipped to Compete with upmarket-brand small cars, especially Mini Cooper 2-door models. The name, pronounced "mee-TOE," refers to Milan and Torino (Turin), the Italian cities where most Alfa Romeos are built. Mito shares a platform with Fiat's Grande Punto Euro-market hatchback and has so far been available only in 2-door form. However, a trade weekly Automotive News reports That the US-spec Alfa Romeo Mito 2014 will be a 4-door hatchback, Perhaps on an extended wheelbase.

The American-market 2014 Alfa Romeo Mito should retain the existing European Model's 4-wheel independent suspension with four coil springs, front struts, a twist-beam rear axle, and driver-adjustable shock absorbers electrohydraulic. Ditto the steering, the which uses gas-saving electrohydraulic assists instead of the traditional beltdriven hydraulic pump. Brakes are 4-wheel discs with ABS and an antiskid system with integrated traction control. Alfa's DNA mapping system electronics is sure to be available and Perhaps a standard for some models.  On the safety front, the 2014 Alfa Romeo Mito was designed to Achieve top ratings in Euro NCAP crash tests, the which are similar to U.S. procedures.  Other features are unclear at this stage, but the US-bound Alfa Romeo Mito 2014 should offer most all Euro-standard equipment and options market. Prime Among these are a large glass sunroof, premium Bose audio, a navigation system, and Fiat's voice-activated "Blue & Me" infotainment controller, the which is similar to the Ford Sync system and was also developed with Microsoft.

The Mito serves as the entry-level Alfa Romeo in Europe and is planned to anchor a U.S. multi-model line that's currently slated to form up during calendar 2014. Specifically, Fiat / Alfa dealers will be adding the front-drive Giulietta, a Ford Focus-size 4-door hatchback; a new Spider roadster, a modern version of "The Graduate" star and possibly a rear-drive design; and the midsize Giulia sedan and wagon. The pricey limited-edition sports car 4C will remain the brand's global image-leader for as long as it's available.  The Mito was originally billed as a car for the "YouTube Generation." A play target was and is the Mini Cooper, so it naturally follows a similar formula as a well equipped, fun-to-drive small car with youthful styling, good fuel economy, quality materials, and solid workmanship. Most reports show the latest 1.4-turbo gas models doing 0-60 mph in some 7-8 seconds, the which is on par with the base-engine 2-door Mini Coopers but a bit Adrift of turbocharged Cooper S models. Reported positives include mechanical refinement, general fit-and-finish and, unsurprisingly, Italian design flair.

The 2014 Alfa Romeo Mito may be arriving later than Fiat had planned, but it's well timed for a spate of new small cars from other premium brands. M-B's sleeker A-Class hatchback, also just redesigned, may join in, along with Several other body styles on the same new front-drive platform (called MFA for "Mercedes Front-wheel Architecture"). Toyota's Lexus division already offers a smallish compact hatch in the hybrid-drive CT200h, and Nissan's upscale Infiniti brand has Announced a new small car for around 2013. Let's also note That premium-brand leader BMW is planning a range of small front drive cars to slot below its rear-drive 1-Series compacts, though they're not expected to be ready until 2018 or so.

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Alfa Romeo 4C (2014)

CAR GARAGE | Alfa Romeo 4C (2014) | The delay stems from concerns about Alfa Among Officials Fiat's near-term sales prospects in light of the sovereign-debt crisis now affecting Several Euro-zone countries. Sergio Marchionne, CEO of the new Chrysler-Fiat alliance, the 2014 Alfa Romeo intends 4C to be a "halo" car That will help lift the brand's global sales to 400.000 units by mid-decade. Most telling of all, Alfa has canceled plans for its first-ever SUV, a US-built sister to the next-generation Jeep Compass / Patriot. Instead, Alfa will offer a large, rear-drive sedan derived from the next-generation Maserati Quattroporte at sister division; it's due sometime after 2014. Until then, American Fiat-Alfa dealers will have to get by with just the Fiat 500 and the exotic 4C. A barth is Fiat's in-house "tuner" operation akin to Mercedes' AMG unit.

Styling for the 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C concept was created by Fiat's Turin studio and should carry over to the production models with few, if any changes. The design borrows elements from the 8C Competition, but the main inspiration is said to be the low-slung 33 Straddle of the late 1960s, a road-going version of the Alfa 33 racing car; only 18 were built. It also bears unique detailing like prominent upper-body-side lines That flow of water into large functional scoops at the door trailing edges - a tip-off to the rear / mid-engine powertrain layout - plus bulging fender lines and a turret- like roof with a semi-hidden windshield pillars and side-kicked-up window line. Like the McLaren MP4-12C and a few other modern sports cars, the new Alfa bookends its composite tub with aluminum sub frames That mount chassis and running gear and hardware are designed to absorb impact forces.

Assuming the Geneva concept is an accurate forecast, the 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C should be powered by a tuned version of the turbocharged 1.7-liter 4-cylinder engine available in the brand's front-wheel-drive compact sedan Giulietta. Assuming engineers Curb weight Achieve Their target, the 4C should have a weight-to-power ratio of around 7.7 pounds / horsepower, versus 8.3 for the 320-horsepower 2.800-pound Porsche Cayman S, arguably the new Alfa's closest conceptual rival. Also for Reasons for weight-saving and simplicity, the 2014 Alfa Romeo production 4C is Likely to retain the concept's TCT dual-clutch transmission, a computer-controlled gearbox can be shifted manually That or set to operate like a conventional automatic.

Though U.S. pricing has yet to be set, Ciferri says the 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C coupe will sell in Europe for about $ 62,000 at current exchange rates. That's a far cry from Alfa's last all-out sports car, the V8-powered 8C Competition coupe and Spider convertible, the which saw a combined production of only 1.000 units in 2007-08.  Front / rear weight distribution should remain in the region of 40/60 percent, the which is typical of a rear / mid-engine sports cars. Alfa's "DNA" system will almost Certainly be standard; it allows drivers to tailor steering, throttle, and transmission responses through Dynamic, Normal, and All-Weather modes.   Other features can not be confirmed yet, but we've no doubt the 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C will come with all the conveniences and safety equipment expected of over-$ 60,000 cars.

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Alfa Romeo Disco Volante Touring Concept (2012)

CAR GARAGE | Alfa Romeo Disco Volante Touring Concept (2012) | The car will be produced as a very limited series for discerning customers: collectors, aficionados and design sporting drivers with appreciation for a tailor-made car based on individual passion and taste. The briefing at Carrozzeria Touring in 1952 Mentioned the need for a shape That was 'insensitive to wind'. The unique basic design, featuring an oval cross section, evolved in different versions, and was even registered as 'design patent'. Using Alfa Romeo 1900 C elements, the car received a new aluminum crankcase, a new tubular chassis, and a very light , striking and efficient aluminum body.

Initially aimed at races in the Sport category, the C52 Disco Volante soon reached the status of design icon. So significant is the Disco Volante in the history of automobile design, that Alfa Romeo has chosen to celebrate this Touring design its own 100th anniversary with a bronze sculpture now exhibited in Milan.

Prior to any construction phase at Touring, every new component is CAD designed and documented. The program covers Meticulous engineering feasibility, safety, homogenization, aerodynamics and structural analysis. Touring has preserved and developed the use of hand-beaten aluminum panels. The weight advantage of aluminum is one of the assets of Touring Supercharger's construction methods.  The entire manufacturing process is fully documented and digitally logged, to guarantee consistent quality levels and accurate reproduction.

The Disco Volante 2012 design briefing required to blend ingredients as innovation, emotion and aerodynamic properties into a timeless and essential shape. Of a sports Berlinetta by Touring, in this case extrovert, Clarey pronounced, and tempting. The overall teardrop shape reflects classic volumes with respect for aerodynamic values. The final result is a rear-oriented design, with an extended rear overhang, a retracted greenhouse, and a limited front overhang.

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