Alfa Romeo Spider

Alfa Romeo Spider

  Mazda and Alfa Romeo have agreed to jointly develop a pair of rear-wheel-drive roadsters based on the next-generation MX-5 Miata.

Alfa Romeo Spider

Alfa Romeo Spider

Alfa Romeo Spider

Alfa Romeo Spider

Alfa Romeo Spider

Alfa Romeo Spider

Alfa Romeo Spider

Alfa Romeo Spider

Alfa Romeo Spider

Alfa Romeo Spider

Alfa Romeo Spider

Alfa Romeo stopped production of their Spider model in 2010, but a leaked internal document has revealed that the Spider will be headed back intot he scene in 2014. The new Spider will be one of the models Alfa Romeo will offer as part of their return to the US market, an obvious move considering the Spider’s previous success on our side of the pond.

The 2014 Alfa Romeo Spider will take its design inspiration from the 2uettottanta revealed by Pininfarina at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. However, unlike the 2uettottanta Concept, the production version Spider will have to adopt a more "road-going" design language. This will include the addition of bigger and higher headlamps with LED lights, as opposed to the previously used in the concept. Larger air intakes will also be added, among other things.

As for the engine options, Alfa Romeo may choose to use a four-cylinder turbocharged engine featuring Multi-Air infusion system with direct injection. There are also rumors stating that the next Spider may get a V-6 twin-turbo engine.

The previous Spider has been long criticized for its non-sporty appearance, but the new model will solve that problem, becoming a very serious competitor for models like the BMW Z4 and the Mercedes-Benz SLK.

UPDATE 11/18/2011: According to Auto Express, the long-rumored two-seater Alfa Romeo sports car will have one model in its sights when the car finally hits production: the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Seeing as the MX-5 is considered the holy grail of two-seater sports cars, Alfa Romeo definitely has its work cut out for them if they hope to even get a sniff of the rarefied air the MX-5 enjoys.

Alfa Romeo’s focus with Spyder is to develop a vehicle with a minimal total weight and compact dimensions. It will be built on a totally new chassis that will feature weight-saving technologies to help it weigh less than 2200 lbs, or about 220 lbs lighter than the current MX-5. For the engine, Alfa Romeo has borrowed a four-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit, detuned to a total of 150 HP.

The new Spyder is rumored to be priced at around $40K.

Alfa Romeo MiTo

Alfa Romeo MiTo

 Enter the Alfa Romeo world, where driving passion, elegant design and exciting technology have always inspired the brave hearts.

Alfa Romeo MiTo

Alfa Romeo MiTo

Alfa Romeo MiTo

Alfa Romeo MiTo

Alfa Romeo MiTo

Alfa Romeo MiTo

Alfa Romeo MiTo

Alfa Romeo MiTo

Alfa Romeo MiTo

With all the style Alfa Romeo is famed for, a wide choice of economical engines and an impressive list of personalisation options, it's no wonder that the MiTo is Alfa's best-selling model. There's even a good deal of space inside - enough for four adults at a push. However, it lacks the comfort and overall build quality to beat the Audi A1 and MINI for upmarket feel. Some of the cabin plastics are too hard and look cheap. The engine range offers great economy, though, which offsets the MiTo's relatively high purchase price. The MultiAir petrol engines impress with their performance and smoothness.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

 The unique and distinctive style of Alfa Romeo Giulietta creates a perfect syntesis of sportmanship and elegance, functionality and refinement.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Like any certifiable car-nut, I'm always the first in line to drive the odd car, the one that doesn't fit the mold. Last summer, I hung out at a local tuner/car enthusiast watering hole called Julep and was far more fascinated by the old, seemingly rundown cars than the newer, heavily modified ones. In fact, by the end of the night, I had taken a MKI Rabbit 1.9L TDI for a drive. I could not have been more elated.
More or less, the same thing happened when Mike and I got to Monticello Motor Club's parking lot for IMPA's Test Days. In a fraction of an instant, I had honed in on the duckling (far from ugly, mind you), the one that certainly didn't fit perfectly in the overall vehicular picture. There it was: the 2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce.

Sitting amongst other turbocharged cars at the Honeywell booth, provider of turbo technology for many OEMs, the black Giulietta looked like a supermodel sitting in the middle of a group of average people. Slotted between a Volkswagen Golf TDI and a Chevrolet Cruze 1.4 turbo, the Alfa was almost overdressed.

Italian design
It's a well-known fact that Italian cars are some of the prettiest on the road. Although I cannot comment on their reliability – their reputation being well established -- this Alfa sports all the necessary elements to make it a head-turner.

Obviously, as the Alfa Giulietta is an uncommon car in North America, it already grabs attention. However, with its unique, optional 18” wheels, rear spoiler, silver mirror caps, funky headlights, and eye-catching, signature family grille, this car is hot. As an FYI, the Giulietta is only offered as a five-door hatchback with integrated rear door handles.

The cabin is also fashionable, but it doesn't wow the same way the body shell does. This is a testament to how good many manufacturers have become at designing dashboards, switchgear and seats. The Alfa does get special toggle switches for fog lights, start-stop system and door locks. The perches are as supportive and comfortable as they look, and the back row is ideal for two adults. The trunk is spacious, complete with a pass-through and a 60/40 split. 

Alfa Romeo 8C

Alfa Romeo 8C

 The Alfa Romeo 8C name was used on road, race and sports cars of the 1930s. The 8C means 8 cylinders, and originally referred to a straight 8-cylinder engine.

Alfa Romeo 8C

Alfa Romeo 8C

Alfa Romeo 8C

Alfa Romeo 8C

Alfa Romeo 8C

Alfa Romeo 8C

Alfa Romeo 8C

Alfa Romeo 8C

The past few days have been chalk full of tuning programs from German tuner Wheelsandmore, and now they are adding another one in the mix. The first package was called the Lamborghini Aventador "Rabbioso", which was then followed by the Ferrari 458 Perfetto. Now, the third package is based on an even more impressive sports car: the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione.

As usual, the package includes a cool exterior kit, as well as two stages of engine upgrades. The first stage takes the power up to 470 HP, from the standard 450 HP, with the use of an ECU upgrade. Total price for this upgrade is 1680 euro ($2,138 at the current rates). The second stage goes even further to 485 HP. This stage includes an ECU upgrade and a handcrafted stainless steel exhaust system with remote-able valve flaps. The price for this upgrade is 6720 euro ($8,552 at the current rates).

The exterior kit starts with a new set of 21" ultralight forged wheels, but the tuner is also offering unlimited color and surface finishes as well as an upgraded carbon look design with white outliner and inlays.