The two latest automakers to climb into bed together are Mazda and Fiat and their love child promises to be one impressive performance machine.

Having signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding, the Japanese and Italian automakers have agreed to examine the development and manufacturing of a roadster model for the Alfa Romeo brand based on Mazda’s upcoming next-generation MX-5 Miata platform.

Distinguishing the two machines won’t just be the unique styling but, but also engines unique to each brand.

According to a joint release, production of both vehicles would occur at Mazda’s Hiroshima plant starting in 2015.

“Establishing technology and product development alliances is one of Mazda’s corporate objectives and this announcement with Fiat is an important first step in that direction. It is especially exciting to be collaborating with such a prestigious marque as Alfa Romeo on a new roadster based on the next-generation MX-5, which is such an iconic vehicle for Mazda and recognized as the best-selling roadster of all time,” said Takashi Yamanouchi, Mazda’s Representative Director and Chairman of the Board, President and CEO.

The partnership will also allow Mazda to take advantage of economies of scale, helping reduce its costs in building the Miata.

“This agreement clearly demonstrates our commitment to Alfa Romeo and the determination to grow it into a truly global brand. By partnering with Mazda, we will be co-operating with the recognized leader in compact rear-drive vehicle architectures in order to deliver an exciting and stylish roadster in the Alfa Romeo tradition. We are appreciative of this collaboration with Mazda and look forward to maintaining a fruitful and continuous relationship.” said Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne.

With the new Miata-based roadster, Alfa Romeo will have another exciting new product to offer when it returns to the North American market.

Relaunching the Alfa Romeo brand in North America has been a priority for Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne since he assumed the chief executive position for Fiat and Chrysler three years ago.

Through years of setbacks, Marchionne admitted that transitioning Alfa Romeo’s return into the United States would be among his most difficult tasks.

Finally, hints of progress are showing as Alfa Romeo has trademarked its 4C nameplate with the U.S. Patent Office ahead of its reported return for the second half of 2013.

Alfa Romeo was officially approved on April 10th to trademark “4C” as not only a vehicle nameplate, but for licensing accessories such as apparel and toys as well.

If all goes according to schedule, the 4C is expected to debut in production form in time for the January 2013 Detroit Auto Show, and should commence production by May 2013 at the Maserati factory in Modena, Italy. Alfa Romeo projects the number of 4C produced per year to reach 2,500 units.

Following the 4C, Alfa will follow up with the Giulia in 2014.

GALLERY: Alfa Romeo 4C

This year marks Queen Elizabeth’s diamond jubilee, and to celebrate, a gathering of sixty rare and beautiful cars will be brought together at the quadrangle in Windsor Castle in England. 

Only cars of the highest caliber have been invited to the event, and will be arriving at the castle from all over the world. One car from every year starting from 1952 will be featured, representing every year since the Queen was inaugurated. The earliest car featured is a 1952 Bentley R Type(54′ R Type Shown Above), and the newest car will be a 2011 Lamborghini Aventador, Ferrari FF or a Porsche 991.

Most of the cars have already been selected, but an open casting call is out right now for owners of specific cars to volunteer to bring their fine machines to the Castle to be displayed for the Queen.

We have to wonder how much the Queen really likes cars? Hopefully she appreciates what she is getting, as this will undoubtedly be one of the nicest gatherings of rare luxury cars ever.

Below is a list of the cars that will be featured at the event. Some of them have been found already, and some haven’t. If you are the owner of one of the cars on the list and would like to participate, click here for more information.

• 1952 Bentley R Type // Riley RME
• 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 // Austin Healey 100 // Porsche 550
• 1954 Jaguar XK140 // Alfa Romeo Giulietta // Jensen 541
• 1955 Bentley S1 // Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud // Jaguar Mk1
• 1956 Austin Healey 100-6 // BMW 507 // Jaguar Mk VIII
• 1957 Jaguar XK150 //Lotus 7
• 1958 Lancia Flaminia // Bristol 406 // Aston Martin DB4
• 1959 Mini // Jaguar Mk2 // Maserati 5000GT
• 1960 Alvis TD21 // Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato // Saab 96
• 1961 Jaguar E-Type // Lancia Flavia // Triumph TR4
• 1962 MGB // Bentley S3 // Alfa Romeo Giulia
• 1963 Aston Martin DB5 // Lamborghini 350GT // Gorfon Keeble
• 1964 Porsche 911 // Ferrari 275GTB // Sunbeam Tiger
• 1965 Ford Mustang // Ford GT40 // Aston Martin DB6 // Bristol 409
• 1966 Jensen Interceptor // Lamborghini Miura // Alfa Romeo Spider
• 1967 Toyota 2000GT // Aston Martin DBS // TVR Vixen
• 1968 Ferrari Daytona // Morgan Plus 8 // Triumph TR5
• 1969 Bristol 411 // Triumph TR6 // Ford Capri
• 1970 Range Rover // Triumph Stag // Citroen SM // Lamborghini Urraco
• 1971 Maserati Bora // Alfa Romeo Alfasud // Bentley Corniche
• 1972 Bentley Corniche // Lancia Stratos // Jenson-Healey
• 1973 Ferrari 308 GT4 // Maserati Khamsin
• 1974 Lamborghini Countach // Lotus Eclat
• 1975 Triumph TR7 // Jaguar XJ-S // Rolls-Royce Camargue
• 1976 Aston Martin Lagonda // Lotus Esprit // Porsche 924
• 1977 Porsche 928 // Alfa Romeo Giulietta // BMW E23
• 1978 BMW M1 // Mazda RX-7
• 1979 Lancia Delta // Mercedes-Benz S-Class W126
• 1980 Audi quattro // Ferrari Mondial // Austin Metro
• 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 // Lamborghini Jalpa // Maserati Biturbo
• 1982 Lotus Excel // Porsche 944
• 1983 BMW M635CSi // Land Rover Defender // Peugeot 205
• 1984 Ferrari 288GTO // Ferrari Testarossa // Bentley 8
• 1985 Bentley Turbo R // BMW M5 // Ferrari 328
• 1986 Porsche 959 // BMW M3 // Aston V8 Zagato
• 1987 Ferrari F40 // Ferrari 348 // Land Rover Discovery
• 1988 Porsche 964
• 1989 Aston Martin Virage // BMW Z1
• 1990 Honda NSX
• 1991 TVR Griffith // Bentley Continental R
• 1992 McLaren F1 // Jaguar XJ220 // Ferrari 456
• 1993 Aston Martin DB7 // Porsche 993
• 1994 Maserati Quattroporte // Jaguar XJ // Ferrari F355
• 1995 Ferrari 355GTS
• 1996 Lotus Elise // TVR Cerbera // Porsche Boxster
• 1997 Jaguar XK // Bentley Turbo RT
• 1998 Bentley Arnage // Porsche 996
• 1999 Pagani Zonda // Ferrari 360
• 2000 Lotus Exige // Morgan Aero 8 // BMW Z8
• 2001 Aston Martin Vanquish
• 2002 Ferrari Enzo // Koenigsegg CC8S // Lamborghini Murciélago
• 2003 Lamborghini Gallardo // Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren
• 2004 Porsche Carrera GT // Aston Martin DB9 // Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
• 2005 Bugatti Veyron // Aston Martin Vantage // Gumbert Apollo
• 2006 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano // Lotus Europa S // Audi R8
• 2007 Nissan GT-R // Maserati GranTurismo
• 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe // Jaguar XF // Lotus Evora
• 2009 Ferrari 458 Italia // Aston Martin Rapide // Jaguar XJ
• 2010 Aston Martin One-77 // Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
• 2011 Lamborghini Aventador // Ferrari FF // Porsche 991

Earlier this month, we shared images of the Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera Disco Volante 2012 Concept that debuted at the Geneva Auto Show. Drawing inspiration directly from the 1952 Alfa Romeo Disco Volante, the homage concept becomes reality as a limited quantity series will be produced for select aficionados.

Built upon a donor Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione body, the front-mid engine rear-wheel-drive italian sports car carries over powertrain and running gear including the 444-hp, 4.7 liter V8 which makes 347 lb.-ft. of torque, the 6-speed sequential gearbox, a limited slip differential, as well as front and rear double-wishbone suspension.

Virtually identical to the 8C Competizione, the Disco Volante 2012 reaches 0-62mph in 4.2 seconds and attains a top speed of about 181 mph.

Touring Superleggera will leave the interior of the 8C Competizione untouched but if requested by clients, personalization to meet tastes and preferences will be eagerly accommodated.

Each donor 8C Competizione will undergo an extensive build process that takes approximately 4,000 hours under the hands of highly skilled craftsmen and engineers of Milan. This translates to a delivery time of eight months after the reception of a donor 8C. As for its price, if you have to ask (and if you don’t already have an 8C), it is more than likely that you will not be able to afford it.

Check out the promotional video of the Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera Disco Volante 2012 below.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Last year, poor sales caused the Alfa Romeo 159 to be discontinued and it appears that its successor won’t be making any sort of debut until 2014. Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat-Chrysler, spoke at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show saying that the 159′s replacement has been delayed once again. 

Currently the Alfa Romeo brand only has the MiTo and Giulietta hatchback models to sell, causing concern among Alfa Romeo dealers in Europe. When the news of the 159′s cut first hit, Fiat claimed that the 159′s replacement was delayed to 2013 because of design issues. Now another year of delays could put a strain on the Alfa Romeo’s limited brand.

“We are not delaying the Alfa because of architecture but because of availability of powertrains that match the DNA of the brand,” said Marchionne.

[Source: What Car?]

At next week’s 2012 Geneva Motor Show, Alfa Romeo reaches into its racing archives for inspiration. During the 1950′s, Alfa Romeo formed an alliance with Carrozzeria Touring to create a number of innovative concepts used to test technologies that could be adapted for racing. One particular concept was the 1952 Alfa Romeo Disco Volante (C52), then based on an Alfa 1900.

Alfa Romeo intends to rekindle the spirit of the old Disco Volante at next week’s Geneva motor show with an all-new 2012 Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera Disco Volante Concept. Lengthy name aside, the new concept from Italy is a mixture of modern technology with a take on old traditions. This Alfa Romeo concept is based on the 8C Competizione supercar platform and powertrain. It features a longitudinally mounted 4.7-liter V8 engine delivering 443 horsepower and 353 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to the 8C’s six-speed paddle-shift gearbox. A limited-slip differential, double wishbone suspension, and large vented brakes complete the package for a machine with road manners that are as rapid as they are precise.

Of course, it isn’t its similarities to the 8C Competizione that makes the Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera Disco Volante special. The concept’s gorgeously sculpted exterior is the result of painstakingly hand-beaten aluminum panels mixed with carbon fiber elements, all of which are put together by the talented craftsmen of Milan.

Sure to draw a crowd at the Geneva Motor Show, stay tuned for more photos of the stunning Alfa Romeo concept on March 6.

GALLERY: Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera Disco Volante 2012 Concept

Based on the C-Evo platform from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback, the American-twin 2013 Dodge Dart will only be available in a four-door body style.

During an interview with Chrysler Canada president and Dodge brand CEO Reid Bigland, he noted that sedans make up 90 percent of the compact segment, and are 25 percent of the overall Canadian new-car marketplace. “We’re going to go right up the middle of where the demand is. Right now, the evidence is overwhelmingly on a four-door sedan.”

Reading between the lines, Reid Bigland’s “right now” suggests the possibility of new layouts in Dart’s future. What’s more, Bigland also acknowledged that the success of the hatchbacks or coupes available for the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra and the Mazda3 have helped the cars become top sellers.

When asked about Dodge Dart’s predecessor, the Caliber Hatchback, Bigland defended, “I don’t think the Caliber soured anyone on hatchbacks. There’s a functionality edge with the hatchbacks, no doubt.”

GALLERY: 2013 Dodge Dart

[Source: Globe And Mail]

Discuss this story at the Dodge Dart Forums

The U.S. relaunch of Italian automaker Alfa Romeo will be spearheaded by the mid-engine 4C sports car.

The production version of the 4C will make its debut at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, which is also when the official relaunch of the brand will take place.

The 4C will be the first of several American models for the Italian automaker that is being rejuvenated stateside by parent company, Fiat. They hope to bring the five-door Mito, new Spider, Giulia sedan and wagon, a new compact SUV, and the new flagship 6C to America by 2016.

Once Alfa Romeo establishes itself back on American soil, it will turn attention to the Chinese market. After displaying a booth at the Guangzhou Motor Show last year, the company was pleased with the results and the response its models received.

Autocar is also reporting that the 4C will be offered with a dual-clutch, automatic transmission with paddle shifters, but no manual transmission option. The 4C will be powered by Alfa Romeo’s 230-hp, turbo inline four cylinder.

[Source: Autocar UK]

Since its reveal at the Detroit Auto Show, the new 2013 Dodge Dart has received a lot of positive reactions and Dodge intends to make it even better. Based on the Italian Alfa Romeo Giulietta platform, the solid European chassis will be further finessed for sport and performance under the care of Ralph Gilles and the magicians of SRT. The SRT4 is back!

While many of the components are carry-overs from Alfa Romeo, the SRT-4 will likely create an engine that produces no less than the 285-hp and 265 lb.-ft. of torque found in the forerunning Caliber SRT4. A likely powerplant would be a larger displacement, turbocharged and intercooled variant of the Dart’s Tigershark 2.0 liter engine.

Other hardware upgrades include stiffer springs and dampers, larger wheels, and stickier rubber. As for the exterior, think modern day Neon SRT4 as the Dart SRT4 will be stylized with aggressive yet functional vents, scoops, and rear spoiler.

Pricing on the SRT4 should fall near $30,000.

GALLERY: 2013 Dodge Dart

[Source: Motortrend]

Discuss this story at DartForums.com

While past reports have suggested that the Dodge Avenger is dead, speculation has apparently been a bit premature. Chrysler/Fiat have plans for a number of new cars in the future including the introduction of new midsize sedans which will update the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger for 2013. The new Avenger and 200 will be based on the Dodge Dart platform. Chrysler/Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne also intends to have a Chrysler premium compact hatchback in the mix, known for now as the “Chrysler 100.” If given the ‘okay’ for production, then the Chrysler hatch will be exported as Fiat European luxury brand Lancia as well.

Also, next generation crossovers 2013 Jeep Compass and Jeep Liberty will receive the Dart platform too. Despite the small-car platform, Marchionne insists, ”It’s going to be a trail-rated, full-blooded Jeep that has its origins in the architecture of a sports car.”

But more importantly, Italian sports car enthusiasts of the western hemisphere have long awaited the return of Alfa Romeo ever since the merger of Chrysler and Fiat was first announced. While Alfa Romeo’s return to the United States has been delayed until 2013, Marchionne insists the legendary Italian marque will return. “There will be plants making Alfas in the United States and Europe,” says Marchionne. “I need to export to Europe from the U.S. The volumes I get here are how I reintroduce Alfa to Europe.”

Expectations are high for the Alfa vehicles as an upcoming 1.8-liter engine producing a staggering 300-hp is currently in the works. In regards to Alfa Romeo vehicles for the United States, Marchionne said, ”We had to make sure they were lightweight, fast cars with Alfa powertrains.

[Source: USA Today]

Better late than never, Alfa Romeo announces the scheduled arrival of their 4C sports car to American soil by 2013. First, an Alfa Romeo 4C prototype will make an appearance in the middle of next year before the Italian automaker’s official return to North America.

More than just a pretty face, the Alfa Romeo 4C will feature an aluminum direct-injection 1.8 liter turbo on a tube-mounted aluminum frame. Weighing in at a feathery 1,980 lbs, the 4C will use sheet-molded composite panels to wrap around its aluminum bones. The Alfa Romeo 4C is expected to deliver approximately 230-hp and should be capable of 0-60 in 4.5 seconds. Fiat engineering chief Mauro Pierallini says Alfa Romeo will build 18,000 4C’s over the lifetime of the car and that it will be sold in the United States along with the Giulia sedan as well as Alfa Romeo’s first SUV. Executives suggest the Alfa Romeo 4C’s price tag targets $45,000 USD.

Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergia Marchionne boldly explained that the 159 that the Giulia will replaced was, “400 kg too heavy and by default uncompetitive. We will never, ever do this again. The next Giulia had better smell, look, and drive like an Alfa or it will not wear the badge. We need to resurrect Alfa in the proper way.”

If Marchionne is so adamant on building proper Alfas, then there is no reason why Alfa Romeo shouldn’t be a hit when it comes stateside.

GALLERY: Alfa Romeo 4C

While America anxiously awaits Alfa Romeo’s return, Fiat has been getting busy deciding to produce the 4C sports coupe, packing plenty of lightweight carbon fiber, a turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant with 230-hp, rear-wheel-drive and a 4.5-second 0-60 mph time.

The concept originally debuted at last year’s Geneva Motor Show in a matte red finish (pictured above) and then made another appearance in a liquid-metal finish in Frankfurt a few months ago. Since then, many Europeans have been speculating whether or not Alfa Romeo would go ahead and produce the 4C but now Top Gear is reporting that they will, with testing of the vehicle beginning next year and hitting the market in 2013.

Reports are saying that the 4C will be priced at around £45,000, which is $70,000 or so. For the performance that Alfa Romeo intends to pack in the vehicle, it should be formidable within that price range out in Europe and it’ll be rather interesting to see if it’ll ever make its way to the American market when Chrysler reintroduces the brand to the US.

There is also a chance that Alfa Romeo will over a more powerful 4C model with around 300-hp and possibly a roadster variant later on.

GALLERY: Alfa Romeo 4C

[Source: TopGear]