The leading tuner of Alfa Romeos, Novitec, has added some spice to the sporty Giulietta, giving owners several power package options, a styling kit and an assortment of wheels to choose from. Power packages are available for the 1.4L TB 16V engine, 1.8L turbocharged engine, 1.6L JTD 16V engine and the 2.0L JTD 16V engine. The most powerful 1.8L turbocharged engine gets an increase of 26-hp, bringing its peak to an impressive 261-hp figure. To match the horsepower increases, Novitec also offers stainless steel rear mufflers with dual- or quad-tipped designs, giving the Giulietta a sportier tone to match its new performance.

Wheels that fit the Giulietta from Novitec range from 18- to 20-inch in sizing with the demo car featuring a “king-sized” Novitec N10 in a 20-inch fitment available in a silver or matte black finish. Novitec recommends a 20×8.5-inch set paired with 235/50/20 Pirelli P Zero rubber. Giving the Giulietta the sporty stance it needs to go with the massive wheel and tire upgrade, Novitec offers a lowering spring package that gives the Giulietta a 1.37-inch drop. Those seeking for even more adjustability can opt for their coilovers that also give the ability to adjust dampening while lowering the car 1.37-inch to 2.95-inch.

Along with all that, a sporty body kit is available giving the front bumper a subtle front lip for around $360, a pair of side skirts for $340 and a rear apron for $240. The rear apron comes in different versions with cutouts depending on if you have a dual- or quad-tipped exhaust system.

With Alfa Romeo set to return to North America soon, look for Novitec to become a household name among tuners.

GALLERY: Novitec Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Sure there are plenty of Ferraris and Lamborghinis at Concorso Italiano, but there’s lots more to be seen at this exotic car show, especially if your interests veer towards the ironic or obscure.

On the more modern side there was everything from a Mansory-tuned Mercedes McLaren SLR, to the stunning Ferrari 599-VX – a car modified by the carbon fiber experts at Vorsteiner.

Some truly rare birds included an Alfa Romeo GTV6 that has been modified by famed Corvette tuner Callaway. Or if you’re looking for American cars with some Italian flare we counted five Cadillac Alantes, with bodies that were not only designed by Pininfarina (the well-known Ferrari, Maserati designer), but even manufactured in Italy and shipped to Detroit for assembly.

Other obscurities included a bright yellow Vector (complete with 3-spoke wheels) and two Alfa Romeo JR Zagatos that will have you feeling like your looking at a retro Italian CRX.

Check out all these cars and more in the gallery below.

GALLERY: Concorso Italiano

Fiat’s luxurious Maserati brand has plans to build its first Jeep Grand Cherokee based SUV at Chrysler’s Jefferson North assembly plant in Detroit. The eagerly anticipated concept version of the model will debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show next month.

CEO of Fiat and Chrysler, Sergio Marchionne, aims to expand Maserati and Alfa Romeo by drawing on Fiat and Chrysler’s combined size to boost profits. This is a very similar plan to what Volkswagen did with its production volume and Audi’s luxury to generate more than 40 percent of VW’s earnings from less than 20 percent of sales.

The  vehicle will be based on the brand-new Jeep Grand Cherokee, but insiders have said it will be hard to spot the resemblance. The interior will be fitted with plush Italian leather as well as wood accents throughout the inside. Under the hood will be a Chrysler HEMI 6.4-liter V8 producing 465-hp. While Maserati already has their own 4.7L V8, the reality is that the HEMI already fits in the platform quite well and will help keep the cost of the vehicle down. The well regarded Fiat V6 diesel will also be available on the Cherokee platform.

[Source: Automotive News]

A very slightly used 2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider is currently for sale at the Ferrari Maserati dealership in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Sporting only 98-miles on the odometer, this 8C Spider has a $294,900 price tag, not far off from its original $299,000 retail price. Only 500 units of the 8C Spider were produced, with a scant 35 that made it over to the United States.

Powering the 8C Spider is a 4.7-liter V8 powerplant, modified from the Maserati Quattroporte. Sporting 450-hp and 347 lb-ft of torque, the 8C Spider is certainly no slouch but isn’t exactly the breathtaking performance you’d expect from a $299,000 exotic. Thankfully it comes with breathtaking bodywork.

Other features from the 8C Spider are Brembo carbon ceramic brakes and a balanced 50/50 weight distribution. If you’ve had your eyes set on Alfa Romeo’s 8C Spider but couldn’t get your hands on one, here’s your chance.

GALLERY: Alfa Romeo 8C Spider For Sale

[Source: Ferrari Maserati of Fort Lauderdale]

Some believe that if you are a true petrol-head, you have to have owned an Alfa Romeo at least once in your life. Taking a look at their history, its easy to see why. This Italian brand has produced some of the most gorgeous automotive designs ever, like the Montreal, GTV6 coupe and the 8C Competizione.

Now Alfa fans will soon have another model to lust after, the 4C. Previewed at the Geneva Motor Show in concept form, now it seems that Alfa Romeo will be unveiling a near production model at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show.

To start us drooling, Alfa Romeo has released a teaser picture of the new 4c. The head-on shot reveals that it’ll look very much like the concept version, which is no bad thing.

Mechanically, it will use a 1.75-liter, turbo-charged, four-cylinder motor that is capable of producing 230-hp. Since the car is expected to weight just over 1,900 lbs., it should be a rapid car.

European sales for the 4C are expected to start next near, although US-sales will like commence in 2013, along with a full range of other Alfa Romeos. We cant wait.

GALLERY: Alfa Romeo 4C Concept

High-end luxury cars really do inspire us. Some people take that inspiration and make other luxe products – like chairs. One such person is designer David Clark, whose new collection – the Veloce, Infiniti and Modena – takes its inspiration from a variety of luxury auto brands.

The Veloce takes its inspiration from the Alfa Romeo. Combining wood, faux leather and aluminum, the Veloce boasts detail – in fact, every aspect of this chair was sketched out and transferred to 3D Autocad design platform. It costs $973 for the frame alone, and for the completed Veloce, it will set you back $1,137.

The Modena takes its cues from Bentley’s grandeur and comfort. You can choose from side panels of natural wood or steel with artificial wooden finish. It costs $810 for the frame, and the whole seat is $973.

Porsche is the inspiration for the Infiniti, and it comes with a stainless steel frame that is super lightweight, making it ideal for the office reception or showroom floor areas. It is priced at $647 for the frame alone, and with the seat it costs $810.

[Source: Born Rich]

Alfa Romeo fans, prepare to once again exercise your well-practiced art of patience. The launch of the brand in North America has once again been pushed back… sort of.

At last check, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne had said the premium automaker would launch in 2012. That will still hold true, but only if you’re interested in, or can afford to buy, the upcoming 4C sports car. The rest of the products in the lineup won’t arrive until mid-way through 2013, with the launch of a new compact crossover, followed by the mid-size Giulia sedan later that year.

The last Alfa to be sold on U.S. shores was the ultra-exotic 8C, priced at over $100,000. The 4C will cost roughly half as much, and if the production model holds true to the concept, it should get a turbocharged 1.8-liter making 265-hp.

GALLERY: Alfa Romeo 4C

[Source: Automotive News]

It’s been more than 15 years since a new Alfa Romeo was last sold in the United States. However, that’s all expected to change next year, as the brand returns to our market, with a production version of the 4C concept (shown) plus a new premium compact, the Giulia.

These are slated to be followed by Chrysler-based offerings in the shape of mid-size SUV and large sedan, plus a re-born version of the legendary Spider.

However, in order to be successful this time around, Alfa’s strategy hinges on having a comprehensive dealer network stretching from coast to coast. Part of the brand’s failure in the 1980s and 1990s was due to a limited number of concessionaires and spotty parts and service backup.

In order to counter the problem this time around, Alfa will rely on Chrysler’s dealer channels to move product, thanks to parent Fiat now holding the reins of Detroit’s number 3 automaker.

That means that existing Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep franchises will likely have first dibs in adding an Alfa Romeo presence to bolster their portfolio, though it doesn’t mean that Alfa and Chrysler products will be sold side by side (think more along the lines of Mini and BMW perhaps).

In an effort to give the brand some identity here in the US, dealers will probably be required to build new structures, specifically to house Alfa product when it finally arrives on these shores.

[Source: Left Lane News]

Remember when your parents told you that if you didn’t do well the first time, try, try again? Fiat and Dodge have heeded that advice. So when you’re at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, expect to see Caliber: Round Two.

A small hatchback in the vein of the Caliber will debut for the 2013 model year at the Detroit Auto Show in a few months. It will ride on Fiat’s C-Evo platform that also underpins the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, which is scheduled to arrive in America sometime this year.

Not much is known about the Caliber right now except for this Bigfoot-esque blurry, grainy render above: it’s not known what engines will be inside, or whether it will even be called Caliber. After the dismal vehicle it replaces, we won’t be surprised if Dodge chooses to damnatio memoriae that nameplate. But, in traditional fashion, it will be larger than the car it replaces.

[Source: Ward's via Autoblog]

On August 19th at Laguna Seca Golf Ranch, Monterey California, Concorso Italiano will open the traditional Monterey/Pebble Beach Weekend. The event will feature more than 800-1000 beautifully designed Italian cars on display. Enthusiasts can engage in conversations with fellow car lovers and enjoy Italian fashion, food and art. There will no doubt be an astonishing variety of Ferrari’s, Lamborghini’s, Maserati’s, Alfa Romeo’s, Pagani’s, and Lancia’s on display  The event will run from 9:00am- 5:00 pm and admission will cost $130 per person.

Fiat is hoping to build a strong U.S-market demand for the 500 by expanding its line-up with a successor to the Bravo compact hatchback.

Concerns have be raised about relaunching Fiat in the United States, however early sales figures of the 500 have exceeded expectations. A cabriolet version of the hatchback is now appearing in showrooms, with the Abarth and EV versions to follow soon after.

Fiat does not want to interfere with Chrysler’s traditional markets in the U.S, so Fiat won’t sell any vehicle larger than a Focus.

US brand boss, Laura Soaves said “Fiat will be the small car brand,”. “It will never have anything larger than a C [segment].”

Alfa Romeo’s planned ‘halo car’ will offer a modest amount of vehicles when first released. However Alfa Romeo hopes to sell 150 8C cars before the 4C is deemed effective for launch in North America.

[Source: AutoCar]

Discuss this story at Fiat500Owners.com

Alfa Romeo is banking on the 4C’s ability to seduce us like those posters of Audrey Hepburn from Roman Holiday in every sorority girl’s dorm room. And as an attention-grabbing prelude to a glorious U.S. return, it’s working. Consider us seduced.

But that’s not all, folks: the 4C could pave the way for a host of Italian sports cars, starting with Spider and Abarth versions to follow. Abarth is a Fiat brand, of course, and would also be represented by the upcoming Fiat 500 Abarth here. But reports from Turin indicate that Maserati is also looking to use the 4C for a smaller sports car against the Porsche Cayman and the Lotus Elise.

If everything goes according to this plan, it means that the 4C will share itself among three brands within the Chrysler/Fiat portfolio—and just from the Italian arm. You can bet that Dodge CEO Ralph Gilles won’t let any Italian sports cars out of his grasp, and neither will Chrysler. Remember: if you can’t beat ‘em, flood ‘em with platform-sharing duplicates. That’s how the saying goes, right?

GALLERY: Afa Romeo 4C

[Source: Autoblog]

Before Alfa Romeo enters the US market, it will need to position itself as a volume manufacturer and do battle against the Germans from Audi and BMW. And what better way to build volume than to join the lucrative luxury SUV/Crossover market?

Alfa Romeo, Fiat has admitted to a cadre of cranky investors, “needs significant work.” Its niche GT, Brera, and Spider models have been discontinued, leaving behind only four models in Europe—two of which are the aging 159 sedan and wagon. But after the Giulietta was introduced last year, the sporty SUV nicknamed the “C-SUV” will be the next new Alfa, built alongside a Jeep model that will share its platform. Engine choices will include Fiat’s gasoline and Multijet 2 diesel options, with a range-topping Chrysler Pentastar V6 for the finest example of American-powered Italiano motoring since the Chrysler TC by Maserati.

To show those cranky investors that Fiat is serious about Alfa’s volume manufacturing aims, CEO Sergio Marchionne has set Alfa a sales target: 500,000 cars in two years. Over on this side of the Atlantic, Alfa Romeo’s goals are more modest: 85,000 cars annually, starting in 2014 with the 4C sports car. But nonetheless, the C-SUV will be an important car to Alfa’s U.S. success, and another option in the BMW X3/Audi Q5 decision.

[Source: Autocar]

Alfa Romeo’s been threatening to invade American shores for as long as, well, we’ve been trying to find Bin Laden. But now with Terrorist Numero Uno sweeping up plankton in the ocean, it looks like there’s no choice but for Fiat to finally follow through with what they’ve announced over 10 years ago.

Of course, back in the year 2000 Bush had just been elected into office, Mel Gibson was still a charming romantic lead, and Alfa Romeo was in bed with General Motors, while issuing plans to sell Alfa roadsters in Cadillac and Saab dealers. Now Fiat comes to America through a different parent company and with a new product lineup. The 4C sports car—shown at Geneva—will lead the charge serving affordable-halo-car duties, but the Giulia sedan will serve as the company’s mainstream sales leader. As Alfa’s key model in the US it’s vital to get it right, which is why its designers have been ordered to redo it by no less than Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne. ”I don’t think it’s an Alfa,” he said. ”You could take off the badge, and it could be German.”

Ouch. But this is Alfa Romeo we’re talking about, not some cut-price people schlepper—enthusiasts have dreamed of Alfa’s return for years, even after the brand ignominiously bowed out in 1994, leaving behind broken gaskets and broken hearts. Fiat aims to stay in America for a lot longer than they did, using their new Compact Wide architecture that underpins the Giulietta hatchback that was launched in Europe last year. The Compact Wide will also form the replacement for the Chrysler 200. For Ramaciotti, it’s a problem to design the new Giulia to this Fiat-originated platform and get the looks right to appeal to jaded American consumers.

And in typical non-PC Italian fashion, Ramaciotti had this to say about their efforts: “we are, in a way, like fashion designers, and if you have to make a suit for a model you can do things you can’t do if you have to make it for a fat lady.”

All of a sudden, it’s like they never left.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Novitec is proud to announce that they’ve built the world’s fastest and most powerful Alfa Romeo, taking an 8C Spider and equipping it with 600-hp and a top speed of 190-mph.

Novitec, one of the world’s premier tuners of Italian vehicles, adapted the supercharger from the Novitec Tridente Maserati GT, and outfitted it on the Alfa Romeo 8C Spider. In addition, Novitec equips the 8C with a stainless-steel exhaust, height-adjustable suspension and a 21- and 22-inch staggered wheel/tire combination.

To ensure the powerplant is safely boosted with the addition of the supercharger, Novitec also includes a water-to-air intercooler with dedicated radiator and larger fuel injectors with the kit. To put it all together, the ECU is reflashed with a new tune. As a result, power leaps from the factory 450-hp to 600-hp with peak torque at 434 lb-ft. The optional exhaust system is a quad-tipped piece that fits with the factory cutouts in the rear apron.

Instead of equipping the 8C with an aero kit, Novitec decided to simply outfit it with a classy set of three-piece NA3 wheels. Up front are 21×9-inch rollers while the rear gets a 22×11.5-inch set that fill out the wheel wells quite nicely.

Changing the stance is also a breeze from Novitec with a coilover suspension package that allows the driver to adjust both the damper and height of the vehicle. Lastly, customers can specify interior upgrades from leather to Alcantara in any color.

See all the stunning photos in the gallery below.

GALLERY: Novitec Alfa Romeo 8C Spider

We don’t know if he read Forbes’ list of worst cars for 2011. All we do know is that he’s made his own list, and that he is called the Stig.

That’s right, Top Gear’s ‘the Stig’ has released his list of the worst five cars he’s ever driven, with some shocking surprises and some rather obvious ones. The Stig in question here is the second Stig or the White Stig, Ben Collins, who joined the show in 2003 after the Black Stig was killed off and who left the show last year.

The list includes a total of five cars, two American, two Italian and even one from the UK. Hit the jump for a brief summary.

[Source: Drive.com.au]

Continue Reading…

Famed Italian coach builder Zagato has built yet another tribute to Alfa Romeo’s 100th anniversary, the TZ3 Stradale, and has upped the ante by eschewing Italian underpinnings for a Dodge Viper ACR chassis and powertrain.

Previous iterations of the Zagato TZ3 Stradale have featured Alfa-based running gear and been purpose built for things like track driving, but the TZ3 is intended to be a pure street car, and undoubtedly privileges form over function.

If you squint really hard, you may see a passing resemblance to the Viper, but the car’s aesthetics are clearly Italian, with the design paying tribute to Alfa Romeo. Only 9 vehicles will be produced, and 2 are already spoken for, so any attempt to buy one will likely require some quick action and knowing the right people – aside from having a fat bank balance, of course.

Those who have been eagerly awaiting the return of the Alfa Romeo brand to North America will have to continue to be patient as the premium Fiat group brand won’t arrive in 2012 as previously planned. According to sources inside Alfa, the brand’s launch in the U.S. and Canada has been pushed back until 2013.

The reason revolves around the new Giulia mid-size sedan and wagon counterparts. This platform will also form the basis of the next-generation Chrysler 200 and Dodge Challenger. Reportedly, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne isn’t pleased with the design of the Giulia, nor is he pleased with what Dodge and Chrysler designers are planning for the car.

Alfa’s success, not just in North America, but also in Europe, depends highly on this new model. Having cut the GT coupe, Brera coupe and Spider roadster last year, Alfa only offers three models: the MiTo, Giulietta and 159. This gives it the unique distinction of having the least number of products on offer of any European premium brand. (Yes, even less than Saab).

[Source: Automotive News]

One of Zagato’s most beautiful concepts in recent memory, the Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa, has been confirmed to be set for production—and it will ride on a Dodge Viper chassis, as well as its v10 engine.

The Corsa owes its production to the strange bedfellows between Alfa Romeo and Dodge, both a part of the Fiat/Chrysler conglomerate. As such, Dodge will lend the Viper chassis as well as a massaged 8.4-liter V10 that will deliver over 600 horsepower. Italian-American fusion hasn’t come together so well since the Chrysler TC by Maserati, or Olive Garden.

The TZ3 was unveiled at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este about a year ago, as a continuation of Zagato’s equally-collectible TZ1 and TZ2 specials. The TZ3 was originally a one-off for a wealthy customer, but why should he have all the fun? Zagato will churn out a limited-production run in street-ready Stradale trim, presumably for other wealthy customers to whom we can grovel for a ride.

[Source: Autoblog]

Jeep is launching an ambitious campaign in Europe to boost sales eight-fold by 2014, with a new premium small SUV helping to lead the way.

The next generation Jeep Compass is expected to debut around 2014, and will be based on the same platform as the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, and the Compass will also share DNA with a new Alfa Romeo crossover. The Jeep will be able to move upmarket, and position itself against compact SUVs from premium European brands. A diesel engine will also be offered, and is considered an essential part of the Jeep sales plan.

Currently, Jeep sells about 15,000 vehicles in Europe, making their target highly ambitious. Even Land Rover only manages to move about 75,000 trucks a year in the region. Jeep hopes to clear this hurdle by bringing out an all-new product lineup, including a revised, diesel powered Liberty (sold as the Cherokee), a Grand Wagoneer based on the current Grand Cherokee, and an updated Wrangler. Lancia stores will also become partnered with Jeep, giving the brand some 800 outlets to sell their wares.

[Source: Autocar]

Fiat’s 900cc TwinAir 2-cylinder turbocharged engine, currently available in the European market Fiat 500, has won critical acclaim for its performance and use of advanced technology, and the motor will soon be available in both the Alfa Romeo MiTo and Fiat Punto.

The TwinAir will superceed the current base engines in both cars, rated at 77 and 64 horsepower respectively, as it produces 85 horsepower. The TwinAir will also likely be more efficient in terms of fuel consumption and carbon emissions, with estimates ranging between a 10 and 15 percent gain in both categories. A start-stop system will also be employed.

The base engines will still remain available, but the TwinAir is expected to be a popular option, as it will allow buyers to dodge European C02 emissions taxes.

[Source: Left Lane News]

Despite claims by Fiat that its not letting go of Alfa Romeo, Volkswagen is continuing to put pressure on the powers-that-be to acquire the premium brand.

Most recently VW chairman Ferdinand Piech commented that under the German automaker’s ownership sales of the Italian brand would quadruple. Now comes word that Volkswagen already has a complete plan in place to make that assertion a reality – including help from the sports car experts at Porsche.

In a report by AutoCar, it’s suggested that Alfa could get a new line of 4-cylinder boxer engines that Porsche is currently developing for use in its own sports cars. Also included in the plan is use of the additional production capacity at Seat’s Martorell facility to cope with the added demand that Porsche-powered Alfas would no doubt create.

Volkswagen’s preparedness is part of the automaker’s 2018 plan for global domination, with execs having publicly commented that it sees Alfa crucial to this goal.

[Source: AutoCar]

Alfa Romeo’s new 4C flagship ‘affordable’ sports car, which debuted at the Geneva Auto Show last week is likely headed to the U.S. according to brand CEO Harald Wester.

With that news, Wester also revealed that rather than have Alfa models sold alongside Maseratis, the automaker is looking to share showroom space with the Fiat brand – likely in an effort to draw traffic to new volume models like the 500.

The 4C won’t be inexpensive, but will be more attainable than the 8C, which topped out at over $100,000. Made of carbon fiber and aluminum, the 4C is powered by a turbocharged 1.8-liter making 265-hp.

Along with the 4C Coupe, Alfa will look to add a Spyder (convertible) model, with rumors of a special higher-performance version build by Abarth.

GALLERY: Alfa Romeo 4C GTA Concept

[Source: Automotive News via Autoblog]

In a victory more deserving than the Oscar for The King’s Speech, Pininfarina has been selected for the best concept of 2010 by Car Design News, for their stunning Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta concept.

The 2uettottanta was chosen by both design experts as well as enthusiasts who responded to the survey by Car Design News, who conducts it every year. Past concept car winners have included the Saab Aero X, BMW Concept CS, and Mazda Furai.

“Winning the Car Design of the Year award makes us particularly proud,” said Paolo Pininfarina, the company’s chairman, “because it represents the viewpoint of car design experts, who include the Chief Designers of the most important international companies. Our design team were asked to interpret a theme that is firmly rooted in Pininfarina, the Alfa Romeo 2-seater convertible. The results confirm the excellence of the work done by our young people.”

So congratulations, Pininfarina and Alfa Romeo. Now, just put the gorgeous convertible into production.