Alfa Romeo 4C at Geneva

ON CHARGE: More than a show piece, it is hoped the production 4C will add to Alfa's global growth.   Alfa is determined to march back into the hearts and minds of petrol heads around the world, it seems, with a host of exciting new products. Its latest reveal is the 4C Concept supercar study at the Geneva auto show and there are firm plans to sell the final version from 2012.

Described by its proud parent as a concept that “represents the true essence of a sports car”, the 4C Concept, or mini-8C Competizione if you will, enjoys pride of place on Alfa’s Geneva show stand.

LOTS OF CARBON

True to earlier speculation, the new concept translates the classic two-seater, mid-engined, rear-wheel drive coupe formula into something more compact and accessible. The concept rides on a wheelbase that is shorter than 2.4m and has an overall length of around four metres.

Like the feted 8C, the latest Alfa concept makes generous use of weight-saving carbon and aluminium for its components and for the chassis and body. The concept weighs less than 850kg, Alfa says, a factor that combined with track-friendly suspension and 40/60 weight distribution should make for lots of entertaining driving sessions.

COMING SOON: According to Alfa, the production car derived from this concept should be available in 2012.

Power, however, is sourced from the carmaker’s 1750 turbo four-cylinder petrol engine with direct injection - seen in South Africa in the Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde where it generates 173kW - mated to Alfa’s TCT twin dry clutch transmission.

Alfa quotes figures of under five seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint and claims a top speed for the concept in excess of 250km/h.

And, unlike the 8C Competizione, production of the 4C will not be limited to 500 units…
The production version of the latest Alfa stunner goes on sale in certain global markets in 2012

Alfa Romeo 4C GTA Concept: The Snake is Back

New Alfa 4C GTA is designed to recall the T33 Stradale of 1967. Will it come to the U.S.? Perhaps.

Will the new 4C herald the end of Alfa’s Big Sleep?

A new Alfa Romeo compact “supercar” which represents the true essence of the brand’s values, made its debut at the the 81st Geneva International Motor Show.

The new Alfa Romeo 4C GTA Concept is designed by Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, and has very rough lines where the body is put together. But all this purposely creates the engaging personality that is linked to that of the legendary 1967 Type 33 Stradale. The T33 Stradale was derived from the T33 competition car, which defended the colors of the Milanese automaker in the World Championship series.
 

The 1967 T33 Stradale. Photo by Werner Pfister.

To confirm that the new car inherits the moral legacy of the glorious T33, the 4C is a hi tech, hi performance 2-seater, rear-wheel drive that focuses on the power and on the exceptional lightness to give at the driver a true sporting feeling behind the wheel.

While it appears a little chunky, the Alfa is on a very short 2.4 meter wheelbase and is mid-engined. Four cylinder engine will produce over 200 hp.

But if the basic idea comes from the Type 33, it is also true that the new car is born from the experience acquired through the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione and 8C Spider models, the supersportscar of which only 1000 were made between in 2007 and 2008 and sold at a price of 213,000 Euros.

The 4C has a very compact layout to improve its agility: approximately 4 metres long and has a wheelbase of less than 2.4 metres. The engine is the 4 cylinder 1750 Turbo Petrol engine which is able to produce over 200 HP, and already used in the Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde. The engineers did not declare the true power of the Concept engine, but, there is a rumour that it can produce about 265hp. The engine is fed by direct injection and has dual continuous variable valve timing, and a turbocharger with a revolutionary scavenging control system which eliminates turbo lag.

Located centrally in the vehicle, the engine in the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept ensures performance better than a 3 liter car, and yet is able to delivering the moderate fuel consumption typical of a 4 cylinder engine. The engine is coupled with the new automatic “Alfa TCT” twin dry clutch transmission, launched only a few months ago on the MiTo and which will soon be available on the Giulietta. The 1750 Turbo petrol engine allows the 4C Concept to reach a top speed of over 250 km/h (155 mph) and to accelerate from 0 to 100km in under 5 seconds.

The T33 Stradale next to the 8C. Photo by Werner Pfister.

Reportedly, the 4C Concept has a sophisticated suspension layout (high quadrilateral at the front, MacPherson at the rear) to ensure maximum agility and road handling. This solution, along with the rear-wheel drive and the extraordinary weight/power ratio gives it the proverbial Alfa Romeo road handling. The weight distribution is 40% on the front axle and 60% on the rear axle.

The Alfa Romeo Management has declared that this car is not simply an exercise in style created for the Motor Show; it will be on sale in the late 2012 and is meant to reinforce Alfa Romeo’s global growth. It is rumoured that at least 20,000 will be built and the selling price will be between 40,000 and 50,000 Euros.

Rear view is the least pleasing; curves, lines and motifs going every which way. The original Stradale is far superior in styling but the designed had more freedom in 1967.

Alfa is still planning to come back to the U.S. and the centerpiece of this return promises to be something truly special. Judging by the looks of the new Alfa Romeo 4C Concept unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, perhaps they are finally on the right path.

Alfa Romeo MiTo MY 2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo 2011 MY

Alfa Romeo presents the 81st International Motor Show in Geneva all the news about the myth, with improvements not only aesthetic but also technical and performance

.'Alfa Romeo MiTo, awarded the title "European Car of 2009" is the Geneva International Motor Show to present the new 2011 range, which is marketed in most European countries from April.
Una delle novità principali della nuova MiTo MY 2011 è l'arrivo del colore “ Bronzo Metal ”, un colore intenso con note rosse, con interni bicolori. One of the main novelties of the new MiTo MY 2011 is the arrival of color "Bronze Metal", an intense color with red notes, with two-tone interior. Sempre per quanto riguarda gli interni, i sedili saranno composti di un nuovo tessuto, una sorta di maglia elastica liscia e molto fine, con una grafica elettrosaldata bicolore bronzo e nero. Also with regard to the interior, the seats will consist of a new fabric, a sort of smooth and very fine elastic mesh, welded with a graphic two-tone bronze and black. Una versione ancora più elegante quindi per una vettura che già prima non difettava certo in stile. A more elegant version so for a car that before did not lack certain style.
La vettura esposta a Ginevra ha proprio questo abbinamento di colori, ed è un 1.4 Multiair Turbo 135 CV , con cambio “ Alfa TCT ”. The car shown in Geneva has just this combination of colors, and is a 1.4 Multiair Turbo 135 hp, with change "Alfa TCT. Un'auto capace quindi di regalare intense emozioni. Then a car capable of giving intense emotions.
A bordo, troviamo un navigatore satellitare portatile “ Blue&Me – Tom Tom ” con touch screen da 4,3”, peraltro pensato per facilitare il guidatore anche in campo sicurezza, essendo presente il controllo vocale. On board, there is a portable navigation device "Blue & Me - Tom Tom" touch screen 4.3 ", also designed to facilitate the driver safety in the field, this being the voice control. Questo avanzato navigatore presenta inoltre la possibilità di aggiornare sul web le mappe, grazie a “ MapShare ”, una community virtuale che conta oltre 5 milioni di utenti. This advanced navigator also has the ability to update maps on the web, thanks to "MapShare", a virtual community with more than 5 million users.
Altra vettura della serie MiTo presente a Ginevra è l'esemplare che porta il famoso “ Quadrifoglio Verde ”, un simbolo che negli anni ha contraddistinto le più sportive creazioni targate Alfa Romeo. Other MiTo in Geneva is the specimen bearing the famous Quadrifoglio Verde ", a symbol that over the years has marked the most sporting creations badged Alfa Romeo. Anche questa versione propone delle novità al pubblico di Ginevra, con una nuova mostrina anteriore sotto lo scudetto, ed i nuovi loghi esterni “Quadrifoglio Verde” in alluminio, con il quadrifoglio in rilievo. Also, this version offers innovations to the public in Geneva, with a new front flange under the title, and new logos external "Quadrifoglio Verde" aluminum, with four-leaf clover in relief.
Anche il nuovo sedile ha una connotazione più sportiva, ed è costruito con un materiale predisposto a resistere in maniera ottimale all'usura. The new seat has made more of a sport, and is a material designed to resist wear in an optimal manner. Sempre per quanto riguarda gli interni, anche le cuciture bianco verdi contribuiscono all'idea generale di eleganza e sportività. Also with regard to the interior, even the white green seams contribute to the general idea of elegance and sportiness.
Oltre alla dotazione di serie, anche gli optional sono stati aumentati e migliorati. In addition to standard equipment, including the options have been increased and improved. Cerchi in lega da 18” e sedili sportivi Sabelt sono tra le maggiori novità, oltre ad una nuova presa USB e AUX-in. Alloy wheels 18 "and sports seats Sabelt are among the major news, plus a new USB port and AUX-in.
Ovviamente su tale vettura viene equipaggiato il più potente motore della gamma, il 1.4 MultiAir Turbo da 170 CV. Obviously on this car is equipped with the most powerful engine in the range, the 1.4 Turbo 170 hp MultiAir. Presente anche il sistema “ Dynamic Suspension ”, per un migliore controllo degli ammortizzatori elettronici. Also present was the Dynamic Suspension system, for better control of electronic shock absorbers.

Alfa Romeo Pandion Alfa Romeo Pandion

Bertone proposes that the Qatar Motor Show 2011 Pandion the fascinating sport, with its original doors and the 4.7-liter V8 engine

The Italian coachbuilder Bertone is in the Qatar Motor Show 2011 with the 'Alfa Romeo Pandion, fascinating supercar. Come detto, sotto i riflettori brilla in prima assoluta per gli Emirati Arabi la concept car Pandion, la supercar realizzata in un unico esemplare per celebrare il centenario dell'Alfa Romeo. As mentioned, the spotlight shines in first for the UAE's concept car Pandion, the supercar made in a single copy to celebrate the centenary of Alfa Romeo. Con la partecipazione al Motor Show del Qatar, la Bertone conferma la propria vocazione di marchio di punta nel settore del lusso, richiamandosi esplicitamente alla propria tradizione storica di costruttore “sartoriale” di pezzi unici, nella migliore tradizione dei carrozzieri italiani, costruiti artigianalmente per una ristretta cerchia di facoltosi intenditori e collezionisti, desiderosi di vivere l'automobile come opera e come oggetto di pura emozione. With the participation of the Qatar Motor Show, the Bertone confirms its vocation as a leading brand in the luxury sector, explicitly referring to their historical tradition as a manufacturer "tailoring" of unique pieces in the best tradition of Italian coach builders, handcrafted for a small circle of wealthy connoisseurs and collectors, eager to experience the car as a work and as an object of pure emotion. Cuore della Pandion è un V8 da oltre 450 cavalli: non è esclusa la possibilità di realizzare un esemplare unico su commissione spinto da un poderoso dodici cilindri a V. Pandion is the heart of a V8 over 450 horses is not ruled out the possibility of creating a single copy on a commission led by a powerful twelve-cylinder V

Alfas Win Awards in Italy and Germany

Credit Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo kicked of the New Year by announcing that it received prestigious awards in Italy and Germany with the Giulietta and the MiTo, its two most successful models. The Giulietta was awarded two prizes; in Italy, it received the “Newcomer of the year 2011” awarded by “Quattroruote” heading the list of the ten most interesting cars launched in 2010, selected by the monthly Italian magazine and evaluated by the readership. The new Giulietta obtained almost 44% out of the over 103,000 votes expressed through postcards, SMS messages and on the Internet. This is a remarkable result when considering the gap between the Giulietta and the second and third prize winners: Audi A1 and Citroën DS3, which received respectively 12.46% and 8.9% of the vote. The prize was collected by Harald J. Wester, CEO of Alfa Romeo Automobiles on January 27th during the award ceremony that took place at Palazzo Mezzanotte, the headquarters of the Milan Stock Exchange.

Credit Alfa Romeo

In Germany, the Giulietta – as first-time nominee to the prestigious “Die Besten Autos” prize awarded by the specialist magazine “Auto Motor und Sport” – immediately won in the “compact” category. As in the previous case, the award was assigned by the magazine’s readers. “Auto Motor und Sport” readership also awarded the MiTo, in the “mini” category, for the third consecutive year. Both cars also dominated the import cars ranking, thus adding new acknowledgments to the history of successes in the “Die Besten Autos” award: since 1976 (the first year the prize was awarded), Alfa Romeo cars have been declared the best performers in their respective categories no less than 29 times. The prize was collected by Manfred Kantner, CEO of Fiat Group Automobiles Germany AG.

These prizes are additions to the already long list of recognitions that the Giulietta and the MiTo have received in recent months. Awarded the title of “Auto Europa 2011” by UIGA (the Italian Automotive Specialized Press Association) and the second prize in “Car of the Year 2011”, but the first prize in the conventional engine category (to name only the most significant examples), the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is a powerful blend of performance, comfort and safety. The Giulietta offers top passenger room and comfort with its 5 comfortable seats and is the safest ever hatchback saloon according to Euro NCAP. All this becomes even more interesting when you consider the excellence of Alfa Romeo Giulietta engines as shown by the newest enhancements: the new 140 HP 2.0 JTDM power unit and “Alfa TCT”, the next-generation twin dry clutch transmission by Alfa, in addition to the 1.4 MultiAir Turbo petrol.

Credit Alfa Romeo

The Alfa Romeo MiTo has received a considerable amount of awards as well. After being awarded the title of “Auto Europa 2009” in 2008, it received more than 20 international acknowledgments, spanning from Italy to Germany, from Poland to France and even Uruguay. This shows that the car appeals to and is appreciated by the specialized press and by the public alike.

Credit Alfa Romeo

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