Alfa Romeo Giulietta to Get High-Performance Version

Fiat really seems intent on revitalizing its fading Alfa Romeo brand and Fiat hopes to get much more mileage on its new model – the Alfa Romeo Giulieta. Now reports have it that the Giulieta will now get a high-performance version.

And it will be quite interesting how this pans out. The car will be powered by the new 1750 TBi turbocharged gasoline engine with Fiat’s Multiair technology and will be front wheel drive. The engine will dish out 235 bhp which is still within the tolerance of front wheel drive.

To help the front wheels deal with the power, the car will pack Alfa’s Q2 electronic differential in addition to a new dual-clutch gearbox and active dampers. On the outside the car will also get cosmetic and aero bits.

It is still yet to be known whether the car will be badged as the GTA or the Cloverleaf. And no word yet if this version will reach US shores. Let’s just hope that if it does end up being badged as a Chrysler.

Alfa Romeo Pandion Concept Images Leaked

Check out this snazzy new Alfa Romeo Pandion concept styled by the Stile Bertone styling house. Not too many details are known about the car just yet since this image was leaked prior to the car’s official unveiling at the coming Geneva motor show.

The concept is based on the Alfa 8C Competizione and is one of the two concepts that will be showcased by Alfa at the show. The other one’s a two-seater open top styled by Pininfarina.

“Pandion” is the name of Athenean kings in Greek mythology and is also the genus of the Osprey bird. By the looks of it, the name is most likely to come from the Osprey especially with the car’s paint aggressive lines and black and white paint job.

No word has been put out if the concepts will ever be put into production.

2010 Alfa Romeo Giulietta

American gearheads should be at least happy that Fiat took over Chrysler. In the land of muscle cars, some Italian styling from Alfa Romeo should at least be a welcome change of pace.

Meet the Alfa Romeo Giulietta – Alfa’s replacement to the old 147. While the US might not exactly get the Giulietta, the car will be the basis of a new Chrysler sedan planned for the US market.

Engine choices include a 1.4L TB gasoline dishing out 118 bhp and a Multi gasoline dishing out 168 bhp. Diesels are also part of the lineup with a choice bwteen a 1.6L dishing out 104 bhp and a 168 bhp 2.0L.

Elsewhere the car is expected to go toe-to-toe with the Volkswagen Golf. The Giulietta is a bit larger but is expected to match the Golf in terms of pricing.

Performance-wise, the Giulietta has much to overcome to beat the Golf but a DNA selector that changes throttle response and steering would a welcome addition to the Alfa’s tech offerings.

Alfa Romeo Under Review

Forget about passion and legacy, at the end of the day, car making is business. Alfa Romeo might carry the most soul but if it doesn’t make its owners any money, it would still count as a liability.

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne is reviewing Alfa Romeo’s future. The brand actually costing Fiat money with sales doen. Marchionned is even considering halting all investment in the brand and push for platform sharing with Chrysler.

“We need to work a lot harder on Alfa to make an intelligent decision that effectively preserves the highest possible value to Fiat,” Marchionne told Automotive News.

Part of the options include rebadging Chrysler platforms as Alfas. I’m sure European fans will think this would be a mockery of the brand but hey, it’s all business.

Source: AutoCar

Alfa Romeo Not Developing V8

Nope. You won’t be getting a V8 Alfa fresh from the line. The rumor that Alfa is developing a V8 has been shot down by the company itself, stating that exploring that option given the crisis is not feasible.

“No front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive Alfa Romeo will use a engine larger than a V6,” a senior Alfa source said.

Ever since Fiat (which owns Alfa) took over Detroit automaker Chrysler, speculations of tech sharing have been rampant. Chrysler is set to come out with a new 3.6L V6 which can be used in a variety of Fiat veichles.

Fiat-owned Maserati is looking into pentrating the US market through Chrysler dealerships. Who knows what cars will be sharing tech with all of these arrangements about.

Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Pricing Released

Indulgences sure have hefty price tags. And that’s what this 14-foot long piece of absolute pornography is. The Alfa Romeo 8C will only make 500 of these beauties and only 35 units are expected to land on US soil come the fall.

The price tag would even make this really a rare sight especially in this economy. One of these cars will set you back a whopping $299,000. The 8C Spider will be sold through Maserati in North America.

The 8C Spider packs a 4.7L V8 that produces 450 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. Buyers can choose between a 6-speed automatic or manual gearboxes. On a straight line the car goes from 0 to 60 in 4.6 seconds – not exactly hypercar territory but that is not shabby at all.

Clarkson tested the 8C hardtop in Top Gear and his Thriller DVD but concluded that it’s a bit rubbish as a sports car. But not even Clarkson can argue with the looks. Chopping the top off even made the car just a whole lot more exotic.