Alfa Romeo 4C Makes UK Debut At Goodwood

The new Alfa Romeo 4C Sports Concept�will receive its UK public debut at the rapidly approaching 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed, which takes place from July 1st to 3rd.

The 4C is a two-seater, mid-engined, rear-wheel drive coup� with drop-dead gorgeous looks, lightweight body, and a powerful 200bhp1750 TBi 4 cylinder petrol engine coupled with the new automatic Alfa TCT twin dry clutch transmission. The car has a top speed 155mph, kerb weight under 850kgs, 0-62 mph in under 5 seconds, and a power-to-weight ratio lower than 4kg per bhp.

The 33 TT 12 sported a 500-horsepower flat 12-cylinder engine displacing just 3.0 liters. It has been driven to victory in races by drivers like Derek Bell, Henri Pescarolo, and Jochen Mass during the mid-1970s. Though it doesn't look the part of a vintage racing Alfa the way the others do, features like the offset intake cowl and single rear-view mirror make it unique.

Alongside the Alfa 4C Concept on the Alfa Romeo exhibition stand will be an array of the Italian marque�s UK product range, including another UK public debut - the updated Alfa MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde, together with the Alfa Giulietta Cloverleaf and the Alfa 159 Sportwagon.




Press Release

This month, Alfa Romeo celebrates 101 years of motoring, and the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed (1-3 July) will help mark this occasion by playing host to the UK public debut of the mid-engined Alfa 4C Concept.

The Alfa 4C Concept is a classic formula of a two-seater, mid-engined, rear-wheel drive coup�. Lightweight materials such as carbon-fiber and aluminium are used extensively throughout. These solutions, used in conjunction with a powerful 200bhp four cylinder petrol engine coupled with the new automatic Alfa TCT twin dry clutch transmission allow a top speed of 250km/h, kerb weight under 850kgs, 0-100km/h in under five seconds, and a power-to-weight ratio lower than 4kg per bhp.

While celebrating the future of Alfa Romeo at this year�s Festival of Speed, the marque will also be embracing its rich past, by showcasing five cars from the Alfa Romeo museum collection in Italy. These automotive legends include Fangio�s Alfa 6C 3000CM, which alongside the Alfetta 159, will celebrate the 60th anniversary of Fangio�s historic 1951 Formula One World Championship title, as well as the Alfa 6C 1750GS, Alfa 750 Competizione and the Alfa 33 TT 12. Spectators at the Festival will be able to see the cars in action over the three day event, and they will be on display in the Cathedral Paddock area.

In the Supercar Paddock, you will find Alfa�s 8C Spider. Alfa Romeo will also be exhibiting at the Goodwood Moving Motor Show.

Alfa Romeo Sport Cars Autodelta Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

The Performance Car Show that will take place in Birmingham, UK, 14-17 January 2010, Autodelta will unveil the world�s first tuned Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. Alfa Romeo�s awesome Alfa 8C Competizione supercar has scooped the award for Best Design of the Year in Auto Express�s 2008 New Car Honours.

The announcement came after more than 4000 Auto Express readers voted in the category, putting the Italian 4.7 V8 head and shoulders above its rivals.  Auto Express�s judging panel agreed with their verdict.

Editor of Auto Express, David Johns, said: �Choosing the best designed cars of the year is never easy, so we turned to the experts for help � Auto Express readers.  Only one car was ever going to win � Alfa Romeo�s  Sport Cars 8C Competizione simply blew the opposition away.�

Alfa Romeo Sport Cars Autodelta Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione 

Marketing Director of Alfa Romeo UK, Nicholas Bernard, added: �It�s fabulous to know that this supercar has stirred the emotions and unified car fans across the UK.  It is the epitome of the Alfa Romeo Sport Cars marque and will provide the design inspiration for future models.�

The 4.7-liter V8 engine in the car masterpiece is obviously a slightly higher performance using a new engine management software. The engine develops 444 hp at its plant stock and Autodelta incarnation promises to 17 more to offer. Technical refinements to the chassis of the car and the suspension was also promised, but no further details were released by the company.

Few details are known at this point, but a remapped ECU should squeeze out a modest 17 horsepower boost from the stock 444-hp, 4.7-liter Ferrari-developed V8. Alfa Romeo Sport Cars Autodelta Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione is also working on fine-tuning the chassis, taking their 8C around some of the finest tracks in Europe to get it just right.

Alfa Romeo Sport Cars Autodelta Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

Autodelta also announced that they are working on chassis and suspension upgrades that will be presented at a later date.

Alfa Giulia GTAm � best Alfa Romeo ever

Alfa Romeo have made 70 models in their 100 year history. 2010 just happens to be the centenary year of the famous Italian marque, so what better time to work out which car Alfa fans (that�s Alfisti to you and I) think is the best Alfa made to date. As the article title suggests the Giulia GTAm won the poll, with a narrow margin over the 8C Competizione. Voting was conducted via the Alfa Centenary website.

The Alfa Giulia GTAm, which was voted as the best Alfa veer by 20.4 per cent of the overall tally, is based on the 1750 GT Veloce production model. It managed to win the 1970 European Touring Car Championship with driver Toine Hezemans at the wheel.

Coming in a close second with 19.8 percent of the votes was the 8c Competizione supercar, the fastest and most capable Alfa Romeo to date. But that's what you'd expect from a $180,000 (�123,000) supercar.

�The Giulia GTAm was a great Alfa and a deserved winner. It�s really interesting to see how people voted in the poll. We all have our favorites which is testament to the fantastic cars Alfa Romeo has produced over the past century.� For those of you interested, the latest GTAm is on sale in dealerships across the UK.






Press release

Although Alfa Romeo has to date created more than 70 models in its rich 100 year history, it all came down to a battle between just two iconic Alfas in a poll of fans� favourites, initiated to celebrate the Italian marque�s centenary year.

And it was the Alfa Giulia GTAm that came top of the poll, beating the 8C Competizione supercar to the chequered flag with less than one percent more of the vote.

The Alfa Giulia GTAm, which gained 20.4 per cent of the overall tally, derived from the standard 1750 GT Veloce production model, and secured its place in the Alfa Romeo elite by winning the 1970 European Touring Car Championship in the hands of Dutchman Toine Hezemans. The votes for this poll were collected from admirers and owners � known as Alfisti - who submitted photos of their Alfas to the alfacentenary.co.uk website to create a unique piece of mosaic artwork.

The GTAm and Alfa�s current supercar, the 8C Competizione, led the way against a shortlist of classics including the 2900 B Le Mans, Alfasud and the 156 GTA.

A worthy runner-up with 19.8 per cent, the 8C Competizione - worth more than �123,000 - debuted as a concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2003 and went on to be produced in 2008 as a limited edition model of just 500 examples and selling out almost immediately. The car�s name derives from Alfa�s world famous 8 cylinder (8C) engine and the marque�s racing pedigree.

The Alfa Spider Duetto, widely regarded as a design classic, finished in third place with 16.01 per cent of the vote. This car was first launched in 1966 and famously starred in the legendary film The Graduate in 1967, alongside Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft.

Alfa Romeo UK Brand Communications manager, Damien Dally, says: �The Giulia GTAm was a great Alfa and a deserved winner. It�s really interesting to see how people voted in the poll. We all have our favourites which is testament to the fantastic cars Alfa Romeo has produced over the past century.�

The latest five-door Alfa Giulietta model, which takes styling cues from the iconic 8C Competizione, is now on sale in dealerships across the UK. For further information visit www.alfaromeo.co.uk

Pininfarina Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta Concept

To mark its 80th anniversary, Pininfarina proposes an �open� Alfa Romeo that is exciting and a delight to drive



For those who still like to dream in a car. For those looking for a mixture of vanity, entertainment, and the pleasure of life in the open air. For those who love icons as the greatest expression of the age we live in. For those who want their cars to be an uncommon sensory experience in terms of both style and driving, without being obsessed by performance. For those who want to be excited by a dynamic, sporty car that transmits the exclusiveness and refinement typical of an Alfa Romeo spider designed by Pininfarina.



For all of them, we present the 2uettottanta.



2uettottanta: a name that evokes the legendary Duetto, but also the years of activity at Pininfarina, which launches the celebrations for its 80th anniversary with this concept car. And it has decided to do so with a type of car that is by definition, the work of Pininfarina: an Alfa Romeo spider. A very Italian product, which has become an export brand, representing the inexhaustible talent that the whole world associates with Italy.





The 2uettottanta reflects Pininfarina�s determination to look to the future with optimism following tradition, restating its excellence in design and its acknowledged capacity for aesthetic and technological innovation. It is a concept that represents an innovative approach, projected into the third millennium, to a topic that is firmly rooted in Pininfarina history, the 2-seater spider. And like the best Alfa Romeo sports cars to come from Pininfarina�s pencil, the 2uettottanta exalts the driving experience and concentrates on the excitement of being at the wheel of an open car with a great aesthetic personality. It is a car that can make people dream and excites even after many years. The icon of a lifestyle that harks back to a lively, tumultuous period. Like the Duetto of the Sixties, which helped to establish a trend based on the themes of rebellion and escape, thanks to the film �The Graduate�.





The 2uettottanta is also a tribute to Alfa Romeo, which celebrates its centenary in 2010: the alliance between Alfa Romeo and Pininfarina is one of the most significant and durable in the history of the car, one of men and of passion, of design and cutting-edge technical solutions, which has generated an inestimable number of good-looking, innovative cars with plenty of temperament. With a predilection for sports cars and convertibles. The aim is to replicate all this with the 2uettottanta. So a clean, elegant line was chosen for this "simple 2-seater", which is proposed with a 1750 cc turbo engine positioned longitudinally, an obvious reference to the �1750 Veloce� of 1968, one of the many versions derived from the famous �Osso di Seppia� (Cuttlefish). With its red bodywork, inspired by the typical Alfa Romeo paintwork, the 2uettottanta is 1797 mm wide, 4212.6 mm long, 1280 mm high and has a wheelbase of 2500 mm.





The pleasure of driving and feeling in harmony with nature is transformed into light, sleek, refined volumes, and shapes that seem to slip through the air easily. This generates the theme of this concept: the expression of a single volume, which is some way from the ground and suspended. The 2uettottanta almost seems to lift up from the ground �going further�. It is an optical effect achieved thanks to a line that crosses the whole car horizontally. An uninterrupted sign applied to dynamic, sporty proportions � typical of Alfa Romeo spiders � accentuated by the configuration of the passenger compartment, which is shifted significantly to the rear. The force of the design lies in its exaltation of simplicity, which does not need to show its muscles but concentrates purely on agility and harmony.





The front end of the 2uettottanta underlines its true Alfa Romeo character. The design is simple, with a central line that runs smoothly along the nose of the car, while the execution of the surfaces is more sophisticated. At the centre, in full view, and anything but a purely decorative element, is the Alfa Romeo shield, which seems to emerge from the heart of the car and to stretch outwards, in Pininfarina�s futuristic, three-dimensional approach. The shield is made of aluminium and incorporates floating horizontal flaps. On either side are the two triangular lateral air intakes. The two elements impressed on the imposing bonnet create a natural link between the logo and the large windscreen, which has been designed as a ring in hand-beaten aluminium that emerges from the body of the car without interrupting its flow. The front headlights, which adopt the latest LED technologies, are embedded under the line that gives the whole car its character. A strip of carbon in the lower part of the front acts as an air splitter, channelling the air to the rear end of the car.





The side view of the car, where the theme of the single volume is repeated, highlights the flowing line of the whole, with the shapes merging naturally. The horizontal line �cut� into the sides gives a sense of great dynamism; it starts from the front wheelarch and extends back to the rear wheel. Like an athlete, for a car, being slim also means achieving aerodynamic efficiency. Pininfarina has always strived for natural shapes that can convey efficiency and respect of the environment, an approach confirmed by its great commitment to the theme of eco-sustainable mobility. The 2uettottanta is in perfect harmony with nature, becoming the formal expression of a response to the needs of our day: it is an arrow that flies through the wind almost without encountering resistance.



Smooth, essential, soft surfaces even at the rear, which echoes the front, albeit with slightly more emphasis on the muscles. The design combines stylistic simplicity with a strong character in the volumes and proportions, with details designed to underline the car�s dynamic, light personality. The two bumps seem to emerge from the volume, becoming floating wings that create the roll-over bars behind the seats. At either end, these bars generate an appendix designed to hold the seat belts. Even at the rear the light clusters are slender and embedded under the line that defines the whole section.





Great attention went into the design of the interior. The result is a spacious, comfortable passenger compartment, conceived with light, dynamic volumes, which envelop the occupants in a strong, reassuring embrace. The shapes are sewn into the leather, incorporating the touch controls: in its functions, the 2uettottanta is faithful to its vocation as a car designed to be a delight to drive. The facia extends fluidly to the sides merging into the doorway as the natural continuation of the volume of the car, thus creating a perfect symbiosis between exterior and interior. The dashboard has a driver-oriented configuration with an innovative approach to the classical circular Alfa Romeo �tubes� that contain the instruments. The tunnel contains the Alfa DNA gear selector in an ergonomic position; this varies the set-up of the car in three modes, Dynamic, Normal and All Weather, adapting the behaviour of the various systems on the vehicle (engine, transmission, suspension, steering, brakes, etc.) to the demands of the driver and the different driving conditions. The tunnel runs through the passenger compartment and it gives structure to the chassis, revealing the carbon elements: the choice of this material reflects Pininfarina�s constant research into alternative materials that can make vehicles lighter, reducing consumption and emissions. Another strong element of the interior is the steering wheel, which is a modern interpretation of the Duetto�s perforated three-spoke wheel, with the addition of a shift paddle for sequential control of the dual-clutch gearbox. An enjoyable drive and comfort are also guaranteed by the anatomical sporty seats. All the interior of the car �floats�: the ventilation ducts are positioned between the passenger compartment and the hull.





The size and design of the tyres, which were created specifically for the 2uettottanta in collaboration with Dunlop, accentuate the impression of strong character and force given by the car. The tyres are of the low profile type, right on the extreme edges of the plane view: designed by Pininfarina to incorporate the innovative technologies developed by Dunlop, their graphics reflect those of the car. Their aerodynamic shape and very smooth lateral profile, guarantee better roadholding and less resistance to air, thus reducing consumption. The rims are treated in aluminium in harmony with the rest of the car, and are a free interpretation of the classic five-circle Alfa Romeo pattern, revealing the high performance carbo-ceramic Alfa Romeo brakes by Brembo.





The 2uettottanta is not a pure styling exercise, but also a project and research: the goal is to grasp the spirit of the spider in the configuration, the proportions and the conception of the car as well as in its stylistic imprint. This working method is part of Pininfarina�s genes. For this project, the Pininfarina creative team were given carte blanche to express the values inherent in the Alfa spider �by Pininfarina�, the values that are deemed to have made the Giulietta Spider or the Duetto all-time classics. To achieve this result, the car was given a particular set-up, with a low centre of gravity and a passenger compartment that is very exposed so as not to isolate the occupants from the surrounding environment. The result is to bring the road �nearer� to the eyes of the driver and to increase the sense of dynamism even at low speed.



What is the 2uettottanta effect? Desire. Whoever sees it �must� possess it, drive it, enjoy it. Because the 2uettottanta is not an unattainable dream. Nor does the 2uettottanta only want to impress at first glance, but to achieve a beauty that does not strive solely for immediate confirmation, but gradually reveals all its values and transfers them to the future, making the style eternal. As it did in the case of the Duetto, which continues to be celebrated as an icon of design after more than 40 years.



More Photos

Leaked: Bertone Alfa Romeo Pandion Concept

The first photos and details of the Stile Bertone Alfa Romeo Pandion concept have leaked over the web today. The Stile Bertone Alfa Romeo Pandion concept was announced at the beginning of the month, but at that time, the design house has released just a sketch. Today we have the full picture. The Stile Bertone Alfa Romeo Pandion concept celebrates the Italian's brand 100th anniversary and will be premiered at the Geneva Auto Show next month.


Even though the designers of Stile Bertone would probably disagree, we can't help but note that we found a few styling similarities between the Pandion and last year's BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept model including the front fascia, the far-reaching use of glass on the doors and to a lesser extent, the overall shape.


Stile Bertone � which until recently was led by Jason Castriota, the man responsible for such far-out designs as the Alfa 8C-based B.A.T. 11 and the Corvette ZR1-based Mantide � penned the Pandion, and we do see some influence from the styling house's past designs.


The Stile Bertone Alfa Romeo Pandion concept is 4.82 m long and weighs around one tonne, mostly thanks to its carbon fiber body. The Stile Bertone Alfa Romeo Pandion concept is a 2+2 coupe based on the 8C Competizione and is powered by a v8 engine.


Details on the Pandion remain scarce, though it is said -but not yet officially confirmed- that the lightweight concept model uses the same platform and V8 engine as the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione.
More Photos

Largest Parade of Alfa Romeos

To celebrate Alfa Romeo's 100th birthday, one of the Italian firm's UK dealers, Allams Alfa Romeo in Espom Surrey, attempted to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest ever parade of the brands cars this past weekend. To break the record, a minimum of 200 cars were required to take part in the two-mile drive.

Alfa Romeo owners responded to the dealer's call and on Sunday 7th February, a total of 312 cars including an Alfa SZ Coupe and a Spider 2000 Veloce, arrived at the Epsom dealership shattering the previous record.



more detail. ...

2010 Geneva Debut: Pininfarina Teases Alfa Romeo Spider Concept Sketch

Pininfarina at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the first official image of the concept car

A 2-seater spider on Alfa Romeo basis, which will be unveiled on March 2nd at the Pininfarina stand, thus starting the celebrations for the 80th anniversary

Turin January 29th, 2010 - Pininfarina discloses the first official image of its new concept car, world debut on March 2nd at the Geneva Motor Show.

The Pininfarina new concept is meant to be part of the tradition of successful spiders born from the relationship with Alfa Romeo, among the most significant and long-lasting ones in the automobile history, and interprets the innovative vision of an antique theme strongly present in the Pininfarina roots, the 2-seater spider.

An iconic object that, binding with an ideal thread the past and the future of Pininfarina, starts the celebrations for its 80th anniversary, representing at the same time an homage to the Alfa Romeo 100th birthday.
via:world car fans

Maserati chooses the Alfa Romeo MiTo for its European service network

One hundred Alfa Romeo MiTos, produced exclusively for Maserati's service network will soon be circulating on roads throughout Europe. For Maserati, the Alfa Romeo MiTo is the perfect "Courtesy Car" for customers who clearly appreciate Italian style and unique products.

The special MiTos will be marked out by their Maserati Ocean Blue body colour, and will be equipped with the most powerful engine in the entire MiTo range - the very lively, 170 HP, 1.4 MultiAir Turbo petrol engine.


In addition to their special body colour, the MiTos will feature another two exclusive details: a �Limited Edition' plate on the air conditioning system and special aluminium kick plates bearing the words "Alfa Romeo for Maserati".

All one hundred cars will feature be generously equipped: Frau leather seats, automatic dual zone air conditioning, a leather steering wheel with radio and telephone controls, a map-based Radionavigation unit with maps covering the whole of Europe, the Blue&Me hands-free system with USB port, and bi-xenon headlights.


The MiTo for Maserati will also stand out due to its exceptional sporting performance. It is fitted as standard with 18 inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, a sporty rear bumper and aluminium pedal unit. They will also be fitted as standard with Dynamic Suspension, the advanced electronic control system that varies suspension configuration actively and continuously according to road conditions and driver input, ensuring lightning-quick cornering and amazing sensitivity.


Thanks to this special initiative with Alfa Romeo, Maserati's European service network will be able to offer its customers a very special car, completely in line with Maserati philosophy, according to which even the smallest detail is meticulously and attentively chosen.
via:world car fans