While Alfa Romeo dillydallies over when to return to the United States, and what products to do it with, one art student has created his idea of what an Alfa sports car. should be like. The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione supercar technically marked Alfa’s return to the U.S, but it hasn’t been followed up with any mainstream product.

It would have been a great lead in for a return to the market in full force, but the company failed to act on that opportunity. Word now is that they could try that strategy again with a production version of the mid-engined 4C arriving first. The rendering in question has been done by French designer/art student Vincent Montreuil. His Alfa sports car, a reborn Giulia GTA was done as part of a project for his art college.

The new Giulia GTA is a lightweight, front-engined, rear-wheel drive sports car – just like the original. And by lightweight, we mean really lightweight. Montreuil envisions his Giulia GTA as weighing just 1,800 pounds. With all of today’s safety gear and convenience items that figure would be incredibly hard to achieve without spending a lot of money on aluminum and composites. This is just a theoretical concept though – we’re sure the creator didn’t really base it on production realities.

With so little pounds to lug around, Montreuil speculates the car would need just 200 horsepower. That would ensure excellent performance as well as fuel economy. The idea is great, but we can’t say the styling is our favorite either. The 8C’s flowing, beautiful lines would have been a better inspiration. All this does though is create a desire to see some real Alfa Romeos head our way – cars like the Giulia mid-size sedan and 4C. With just the 500 to sell, we’re Fiat dealers feel the same way. Hopefully Alfa’s designers will come up with something good and Marchionne will finally green light the brand’s return.

No related posts.

Alfa Romeo’s entry into the United States has been delayed so many times we can’t even count. It is quite frustrating for potential customers who are looking to buy the Italian brand’s cars when they go on sale here.

It seems as if this time, the stage has been set for an introduction. A network of 130 dealerships has been setup to sell the Fiat 500 and future Alfa Romeos. They are eagerly awaiting new product, and already complaining that Alfa’s reintroduction has been delayed. They will be incensed if it is pushed back any further. The 4C mid-engined sports car appears to take a place as the lead-in Alfa volume product, followed by the Giulia and Giulietta. In preparations for these vehicles, Alfa Romeo is announcing details regarding a new engine produced in Pratola Serra, Italy. It will likely provide power for a significant part of Alfa’s U.S-lineup.

Perhaps very telling is it is said to be specific to the Alfa Romeo. Brand-specific means a significant investment, and shows the importance Fiat is placing on Alfa Romeo going forward. Harald J. Wester, head of Alfa Romeo and Maserati as well as Fiat Chief Technology Officer, said as much. “This is an extremely important step for Alfa Romeo, as we continue to reposition our brand and prepare it for global distribution. The United States remains our primary objective as we prepare for a 2013 introduction of our models……the dedication of Group-wide resources to develop specific powertrain solutions for the specific needs of Alfa Romeo is a reflection of the renewed thrust we are placing on the development of this brand.”

The unit in question is a new 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder utilizing the latest technology: dual variable valve timing, direct injection and a high-efficiency turbocharger. As it is an all-aluminum unit, it looks to be very lightweight. Thankfully for enthusiasts, it will also be impressively powerful too. It will sport iterations that offer up to 300 horsepower. Fiat says the 1.8-liter will be flexible, able to be used in longitudinal and transverse applications.

Related posts:

1. Report Says Sale of Alfa Romeo Is Still on the Table
2. French Designer Renders Alfa Romeo GTA
3. Prodrive’s Limited Edition Alfa Romeo Brera S 3.2

Over 10 years is a long time to hold your breath. Figuratively that’s what Alfa Romeo enthusiasts and that automotive press have been doing regarding the “imminent” comeback of Alfa Romeo. Throughout the past decade the brand was said to be plotting its return to the United States market.

Aspirations of doing so got a big boost when the Fiat-Chrysler partnership was completed. Alfa Romeo, despite being a luxury brand, doesn’t generate profits for Fiat due to its low levels of volume. Management has decided this must change, and volume must grow – meaning that entering the U.S market is a necessity. That entry will have to wait though, according to Alfa Romeo Chief Executive Officer Harold Weste speaking with Automotive News.

Alfa Romeo sales are being delayed by about a year, thanks to the European debt crisis and a slowing global economy. Previously, Sergio Marchionne pushed back launch because he wasn’t happy with styling of the Giulia mid-size sedan. The Giulia was to lead Alfa’s return. That car has reportedly had three styling revisions turned down by Marchionne. It is now scheduled to arrive in 2014. Originally, it was supposed to arrive next year.

Now, the 4C mid-engined sports car in 2013 will be the lead car for Alfa Romeo’s volume return. The 8C Competizione super car has been offered before it in limited numbers. Leading in with two sports cars should help establish Alfa Romeo as a brand with a defined sporting mission. The next car to arrive will be the MiTo in late 2013, followed by both the Giulietta and Giulia.

Possibly due to Maserati’s volume expansion plans, Alfa Romeo’s SUV plans have been cancelled. The product shuffling and delays have led to Alfa Romeo cutting its growth target from 500,000 units to 400,000 units by 2014. Both are big increases over Alfa’s current tallies. Last year, Alfa Romeo sold around 115,000 units globally. This year it plans to sell 155,000 cars.

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1. Alfa Romeo’s U.S Return Delayed – Again
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3. Alfa Romeo 4C Concept Unveiled at Geneva

Following the second world war, Pininfarina entered on a rocket ride to the pinnacle of acceptance. During this era, Pininfarina established ties with a young sports car company named Ferrari (a relationship that blossomed into one of the most prosperous pairings in perhaps the entire auto industry). Italian luxury sports car builder Maserati and France’s Peugeot also collaborated with Pininfarina for the start of lasting relationships.

American automobiles took a distinctive shape through the 1950s but only through drawing off international design influence. With the Cisitalia 202 an established masterpiece, American auto company Nash sought out Pininfarina in sculpting bodywork for their personal sports car, the Nash-Healey. With only 506 of these inherently expensive cars sold, the brief partnership with Nash attracted appreciation from most discriminating eyes across the Atlantic Ocean.

One of the most distinguished set of eyes in North America at this time belonged to General Motors styling Czar Harley Earl. Two defining designers shared a mutual admiration was so close that is wasn’t uncommon to see General Motors touring Pininfarina’s facilities and vice versa. This friendship led to the bodies of exceptionally elite 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham being assembled by Pininfarina in Italy. Apart from production runs, General Motors vehicle came with this European interpretation for several vehicles including the famous 1963 Corvette concept known as the Rondine.

Back in Europe, Pininfarina returned to prewar relations with Italian automakers Lancia, Maserati, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo. Through the 1950s and 1960s, a slew of Pininfarina-designed roadsters would charm the youthful hearts of new drivers. The Alfa Romeo Giulietta spider became the first postwar small convertible to bewitch the carefree fanfare with the sporting grace of much more expensive vehicles.

At roughly the same time in 1966, Alfa Romeo and Fiat would both receive their own unique but equally remarkable 2-seat roadsters. The Alfa Romeo Spider crescent shaped silhouette proved so lovely that it continued production up to 1993 without alterations. For Fiat, they also enjoyed long-running fanfare for their roadster. With 200,000 sold in a 19-year run, the Fiat 124 Sport Spider meant so much to Pininfarina that the design company itself imported the Fiat Spider for sales to the United States briefly, wearing Pininfarina coat of arms.

Spotlight Die Cast Offerings:

Retailing for $105.00, Brooklin manufactures a very detailed version of the 1953 Nash-Healey in 1:43 scale. To date, the story of Pininfarina and General Motors’ collaboration has yet to be told faithfully through the die-cast industry. Now defunct, Italian die-cast maker Mebetoys presented replica Chevrolet Corvette Rondines in the late 1960s. These Mebetoys can occasionally be located on Ebay. However, with the surviving, real life Corvette Rondine being hammered away at the 2008 Barrett-Jackson auction for 1.6 million dollars, that and the other GM Pininfarina cars may shown be presentable for scaled exhibitions. From AUTOart as well as Sunstar, 1:18 scale representations for the Fiat Spider translates even the smallest switch on the dashboard.

Information source: AUTOart, Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, Fiat Group, Pininfarina S.P.A.

Photo source: Fiat Group, Pininfarina S.P.A.

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Function is a word that can rarely coexist relevantly with art. Through the past century of motoring, automobiles have been a prime medium for realizing the fusion required for great industrial designs.

For 81 years, an Italian manufacturing and design specialist Pininfarina has harnessed forces of creativity, channelling their own shapes with either a design pad or through transferring another automotive designer’s vision into raw existence. Reminiscent to the toils of Leonardo Di Vinci bringing life to paintings, Pininfarina gives birth to some passionate automobiles that gain a special identity from any other form. Founded by an intrepid Italian Battista Farina, the man would soon become an Italian icon after adopting his nickname “Pinin” (meaning small in Italian) to his surname, establishing the company Carozzeria Pinin Farina in 1930.

Granting Pininfarina’s great impact on some of the greatest supercars of all-time, the ink used to design those elite cars also stimulated the direct or indirect spectre for automobiles in everyday life. Pininfarina’s simplistic yet defining beauty is boundless featuring many significant moving art pieces. As the full size Pininfarina work continues to earn celebrated appreciation on the world’s roads, the artistic appeal of the Italian automaker’s vehicles is equally praised scaled die-cast form.

An apprentice to his brother’s automotive body shop since the age of 11, the young Italian’s ambitions was motivated by a visit to the United States. Shaking hands with none other than Henry Ford, Battista Pininfarina exploration of auto manufacturing Mecca Detroit gave him perspective into developing coach building into a more modernized practice. Quickly identified by Italian automakers such as Lancia, Alfa Romeo, and Fiat, Pininfarina displayed fine artisanship along high volume output. The first Pininfarina design to be represented by sheetmetal was a special Lancia Dilambda sedan. Debuting at the Italian Concours d’Elegance at Villa d’Este, the Lancia Dilambda began what would be a nearly 20-year journey to gain notoriety.

Among one of Pininfarina’s more provocative work during the pre-war era was the Lancia Aprilia Aerodynamica and the Alfa Romeo Pescara. Built using streamlined forms, these two vehicles foremost dismissed coach building practices for futuristic shapes. With the devastating war in Europe approaching, it would be several years later when those exercises would be fully exploited.

Following the Second World War, Pininfarina would be presented with obstacles related to postwar politics. Based on the company’s Italian linage, they were not granted attendance inside the 1946 Paris Auto Show. Undaunted, Pininfarina and his son Sergio drove from Italy to Paris, France with two design creations. Setting up a makeshift display outside the exhibition parking lot, Pininfarina crashed the show garnering overwhelmingly positive reviews.

Awaiting Pininfarina is much greater fanfare one year later fuelled by a design that would become a modern art masterpiece. That vehicle was the Cisitalia 202 and revolutionized sports car style for decades. Arising from a tubular race chassis, Pininfarina channelled his past streamliner cars in harmonizing the Cisitalia into one flowing mass, carefully manicured aluminum panels. The result is a defining vehicle shape providing a constant sensation of speed, even when standing still. Of a mere 170 examples built, one Cisitalia 202 sits in the New York Museum of Modern Art.

Spotlight Die Cast Offering:

The earliest examples for Pininfarina’s motorized sculpture are as exotic in die-cast form as they are in reality with few mass produced miniatures. American die-cast manufacturer Sinclair’s Mini Auto has captured the beautiful Lancia Aprilia Aerodynamica in hard crafted 1:43 scale dimension. Less enchanting is the $225.00 price for this replica of Pininfarina’s pre-war design. As for the benchmark of modern performance designs, Starline Models have undertaken several 1:43 scale recreations of the Cisitalia 202 hardtop and convertible.

Information and photo source: Pininfarina S.P.A.

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We’ve heard this story before. In fact, we’ve heard this story for years before. Alfa Romeo’s imminent arrival in the United States has been proclaimed for quite sometime. The Chrysler-Fiat partnership seems to finally be bringing that about however.

The U.S is now a key part of Alfa Romeo’s plans to increase global sales to 500,000 units by 2015. Currently, Alfa Romeo is a loss leader for Fiat as it hasn’t reached volumes that would make it profitable. Fiat is counting on new models, markets and increased sharing within the Fiat and Chrysler lineups to help the brand finally turn a profit.

With that in mind, Alfa Romeo needs to make a big push in the U.S. According to Automotive News Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne has reportedly delayed that return until mid-2013.

Marchionne knows that to make a splash in the U.S, Alfa Romeo needs to not just offer decent products in its return, but ones that will cause people to take notice. As such, the Giulia is being delayed due to “design and manufacturing issues.”

More telling perhaps is the fact that Marchionne is unhappy with design proposals for the next-generation Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger sedans. The two new sedans will be all-new and are set to share platforms, engines and key components with the Giulia. Given the important of the mid-size sedan market, these new vehicles must be top-notch, unlike the current placeholder models.

So with that, it looks like Alfa Romeo’s U.S return is being pushed back yet again. This leaves Alfa Romeo’s global lineup with just three models: the MiTo, Giulietta and 159. In Europe, a new compact SUV based on the next-generation Jeep Compass platform is expected to be introduced at the end of the year.

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1. Alfa Romeo’s U.S Launch Delayed – Again
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3. French Designer Renders Alfa Romeo GTA

If one car got everyone talking about Alfa Romeo again, it no doubt was the 8C Competizione. The 8C was designed as a range-topping halo to help relaunch the brand’s image around the world.

It was very successful in doing so, and in late 2008 it marked the return of an Alfa Romeo being sold in the United States, albeit in very small numbers.

The last time an Alfa Romeo was sold here as a volume production car was in 1995 with the 164. Enabled by the partnership with Chrysler, it looks like Alfa Romeo is finally going to make a return. When, we still don’t know for sure; but it is in the works. The 4C might be one of the cars to do it with.

Simply put, the 4C Concept’s styling follows in the 8C Competizione’s footsteps by being an absolutely gorgeous sportscar. The is mistakably Italian in design, with swoopy, flowing lines is used to great effect. These are traits that help clearly define the 4C as an Alfa Romeo.

Where the 4C sets itself apart from the 8C is its mid-engined design. While the the 8C has a long hood and cabin at the rear, the 4C has different proportions. They help offer a certain supercar panache to a car that is much smaller than the 8C. We aren’t sure where Alfa Romeo would price the 4C, but the styling should sell it at any rate.

The car gets its 4C designation from the amount of cylinders – four. The car is powered by a 1.7-liter gasoline unit making 200 horsepower. It is mated to Alfa’s dual-clutch transmission. While 200 hp might not seem like a lot, the 4C gets its performance from low weight rather than power like the 8C.

It is compact and has an extensive use of materials designed to reduce weight. The body and structure is made of carbon fiber, with spaces inside for the driver and passenger. The rear frame structure and crash boxes are made from aluminum. This results in a startlingly low curb weight of just 1873 pounds. That is good for a 0-62 mph run under the 5 second mark, as well as impressive fuel economy from the small four-cylinder.

The best part about this? The car is headed for production. Alfa Romeo says “this is not simply an exercise in style created for the Motor Show; it will be on sale in 2012 and is set to reinforce Alfa Romeo’s global growth.” Sounds good to us, bring it over here Alfa!

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1. French Designer Renders Alfa Romeo GTA
2. Zagato Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa
3. Prodrive’s Limited Edition Alfa Romeo Brera S 3.2

Is there any stopping Volkswagen lately? The company weathered the global economic recessions brilliantly, benefiting from a stellar lineup and Cash-for-Clunkers programs in Europe.

With plans for a large expansion of the VW brand in the United States, the German automaker recently set a goal of becoming the world’s largest automaker. That goal appears to already be in sight.

Flush with cash, VW’s buying spree has continued unabated, with recent purchases of Italdesign, Karmann and the biggest of all, Porsche. The company recently expressed interest in Ferrari and rumors of a purchase of Alfa Romeo are surfacing yet again.

Automotive News reports that Fiat Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne is seriously considering VW’s offer and is strategizing about the possibilities.

Fiat has been disappointed by its inability to make the brand successful – Alfa Romeo has been a consistent drag on the corporation’s bottom line for years. Furthermore, a significant investment of around $2 billion is needed for Alfa Romeo to truly compete in the global luxury marketplace.

Publicly at least, Fiat remains firmly in support of Alfa Romeo. Marchionne announced a plan recently to return Alfa to the U.S. We know, we’ve been hearing that for years – the date seems to be getting pushed farther and farther out. The plan includes boosting global sales to 500,000 units a year and launching five new Alfa Romeos between 2012 and 2014.

The brand reportedly needs to sell 300,000 units per year to become profitable, but is expected to log somewhere around 120,000 units for the year. Fiat has quite a task on its hands. VW’s interest in the brand shows the potential it has if it could ever get its act together. Many analysts have pegged Alfa Romeo as a strong competitor to Audi if it could get its lineup sorted out.

Perhaps now more than ever in recent history, Alfa Romeo has a chance at success by sharing platforms globally with Chrysler. Doing so would create greater economies of scale and save on development dollars, increasing corporate margins.

Rather than a drag, a resurgent Alfa Romeo would instead become a profit machine for Fiat, much like Audi is for VW. Thus, selling Alfa Romeo would be a short-term move to raise cash and cut losses. However, Fiat surrendering its stake in the luxury market is not a smart business decision in the long run.

At this point, we’d like to see Fiat attempt to make Alfa Romeo successful again. That plan sounds a lot better to us than having yet another storied brand gobbled up by VW.

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The exclusive golf course grounds of Pebble Beach are opened up to allow 4,000-6,000 pound classic and future classic automobiles to weigh on 18th fairway of the carefully-manicured playing field. The 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance celebrates the automobile on the third August Sunday under the California sunlight. Uniting 175 of the most prestigious antique vehicles from around the world since 1960, this year’s event again gave the crowd a feast of automotive glamour.

With show proceeding at Pebble Beach running from the Wednesday prior to the Concours d’Elegance award presentation, the days consists of a classic car parade called the Tour d’Elegance, an automotive collectible show and a car auction. Through the five days, this is the one time of the year to experience a near non-stop bombardment of 60 to 80 year metal and chrome. As well as showing off nostalgia, an exciting look into some vehicles of the near future was provided by Infiniti including a look at their new Infiniti Performance Line.

Included in this year’s display docket were commemorations to several automotive anniversaries. The 75th year of Jaguar as well as the 100th year of the Alfa Romeo nameplate received honours. In the celebration of the Alfa Romeo centennial several rare, living examples of the Italian company’s past were brought to Pebble Beach. One such example of these masterpieces was the 1938 Gran Premio Tipo 158 “Alfetta” race car developed by than Alfa Romeo supporter Enzo Ferrari.

Speaking about Ferrari, one of their creations was also given special credit in the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Recognizing the 50 anniversary of the Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, a special class award was gifted to the best example presented in the show. Other commemorative class awards given out through this year’s show also included one for the best vintage Indy car honouring the 100th year of the Indianapolis 500 and one for the best prewar American motorcycle.

The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance traditionally started as a showcase for pre-World War 2 motoring excellence, 1920s Duesenberg and 1930 Bugatti cars were present attractions. Since then, the car show and event has initiated many steps to incorporate contemporary classics. In 1997, the Pebble Beach grounds were opened up to vintage-based hot rods providing those vehicles their own category to be judged. In this year’s Pebble Beach show, the hot rod trophy went to the 1950 Eddie Miller Streamliner.

For overall Best in Show honours in 2010, the award nominees consisted of four vehicles. With the competition coming down to a 1929 Bentley Speed Six Park Ward Open Two Seater, 1930 Duesenberg J Graber Cabriolet, 1933 Delage D8S De Villars Roadster and a 1939 Delage D8 120 Henri Chapron Cabriolet, the 1933 Delage Roadster took the top trophy.

While this mass celebration of automotive history at Pebble Beach is opening up to the multiple faucets of motoring tastes, the event seems to have an easier time attracting vehicles than the general automotive admiring crowd. A downside for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is a price of admission starting at $150, when purchased in advance of the show. With families typically attending auto shows, the Concours ticket price has certainly averted what could otherwise be a weekend outing. Perhaps on a plus side, adult automotive enthusiasts may not hear parents telling their kids to “look and not touch” on a consist basis. For the higher-rolling car fan, a $500 Club d’Elegance allows you executive privilege. VIP badges, commemorative gifts, buffet meals and even special restroom areas are provided to Club d’Elegance members. In respect to the high admission price, it should be noted that the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance has contributed over $13 million dollars to their affiliated charities benefiting the United Way as well as the Boys and Girls Club.

With the main judging of the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d”Elegance wrapped, the cars return to their respected temperature-controlled garages around the world.

Information Credit: Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

Photo Credit: Copyright © 2010 by Kimball Studios/Courtesy of Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

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This past weekend, owners of Fiat cars convened on Asheville, North Carolina to celebrate their Fiat products organized by Club Fiat-Lancia Unlimited. Casually called the Fiat Freak Out 2010, the 27 year-old annual fan gathering convention was celebrated ever since the Italian brand left the United States in 1983. Recognizing that Fiat Automobiles S.p.A. continued to sell Alfa Romeos statewide up until the mid-1990s, the Fiat Freak Out grew without new Fiat vehicles for more than a decade. For them, Fiat’s anticipated relaunch within the North American marketplace stirs up passion.

Making a formal but surprise at this year’s Fiat Freak Out event was the Head of Fiat North America Laura Soave. Beyond praising the members of Club Fiat-Lancia Unlimited, she presented a special gift to the devoted fans of the Fiat brand; the opportunity to reserve to buy the initial 500 stateside-bound Fiat 500s.

Presented as collectors edition models, Fiat 500 Prima Edizione (Italian meaning First Edition) will sport many defining features such as sequentially-number VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and Prima Edizione badging. Limited to one of three colours, the Fiat 500 Prima Edizione can either be order in Italian-named colours Bianco (White), Grigio (Gray) or Rosso (Red). Each first edition Fiat 500 model will also be equipped with a manual transmission contacted to the 1.4 liter, four-cylinder engine producing a nifty 100 horsepower. Besides the special VIN code, customers reserving the Fiat 500 Prima Edizione will also get to choose the build number for their car.

While fan within Club Fiat-Lancia Unlimited received the first shots to claim their Fiat 500, the remaining Prima Edizione edition vehicles will soon be made available on-line to other American Fiat enthusiasts at www.ciaofiat.com. It’s fair to warn that even Fiat has shown their no sure of the immediate demand of the hot little 500. When the modern Fiat 500 was first listed for sale in 2007, the planned 58,000 car annual production sold in only 3 weeks. As the first Fiat 500s enter specialized Chrysler dealerships late this year, we’ll see if the appetites of Americans are in line with Europeans.

Debuting the small car in the United States with a limited edition Prima Edizione model, Fiat enthusiasts in North America can expect other special Fiat 500 variants. Certain to engage the hardcore Fiat fans would be the import of the sporty 500 Abarth.

Photo Source: Chrysler
Information Source: Chrysler, www.motorauthority.com

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Una bella machina!!!! If there were no Ferrari (perish the thought!) my allegiance would have to ride with Alfa Romeo. Back in the day when Cadillac was known as “The Standard of The World,” Alfa was known as “Il Primo Automobile Campiono del Mondo”; The First Automobile Champions Of The World. And indeed they were.

Sure, things flagged of late, but starting with the Brera (it would seem) things really turned around for the Italian marque. The 8C Competizione falls into the pretty damn stunning category, and now styling house Zagato has rolled out this: The Zagato Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa.

Man. And I thought Monica Bellucci was hot.

The Zagato-penned and developed Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa, which has been rumored for a while, was rolled out in a world premiere at this past weekend’s esteemed Villa D’Este Concours. And please be aware that this is not a show pony. Zagato pointed out, the Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa is not simply a design exercise, but a one off race special commissioned by German collector Martin Kapp. Herr Kapp also owns, among other Alfa Romeos, an SZ coda tonda and SZ coda tronca, TZ, and TZ2, Junior Z and S.Z. Yes, I’m envious of him too.

The Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa was inspired by its 1960s ancestors, the first Alfa TZ and TZ2, the TZ3 Corsa. The current iteration is based on a mono shell carbon fiber tubular chassis (whatever that might be), joined with a tubular frame and a drop dead gorgeous lightweight aluminum body. It’s proportions are just spot on perfect, and the rear has a certain Kamm tail/GTO breadvan look to it.

Power? That is delivered via a plant sourced from the Alfa 8c Competizione’s 4.2-liter V8 engine. Situated under the alloy hood of the Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa, said mill develops 420-horsepower. Zagato says the racing car tips the scales at a lightweight 850kg or 1,874 lbs. Combine that little weight with that much engine, and the Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa is capable of accelerating from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in under 3.5 seconds topping out in excess of 300km/h or 187mph. Or so says Zagato.

If you ask me, this thing looks like it’s doing 187mph standing still.

Source: Car Scoop

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See, it’s not all bad news about bailing out Chrysler. Here’s a good example: we get goodies like the Alfa Romeo 169 sedan. There’s a lot to like here, if you’ve got a penchant for Italian cars. Now I’m not a sedan sort of guy, but I will admit to having a thing for the Maserati Quattroporte. But since I’m not rich enough, perhaps the U.S.-Spec Alfa Romeo 169 is worth a look.

The Alfa Romeo 169 is the successor to the 166 sedan. When Alfa first rolled out the 166 in 1998, it was seen as the Italian automaker’s answer to the BMW 5 series. It’s about as big a five and it was very much a premium “executive sedan” and sold very well during its production run from 1998 through 2007.

The replacement for Alfa Romeo’s flagship is in the works and should hit the streets by late 2011. Dubbed the 169, the new sedan picks up more than a few styling cues from current Alfa models, such as the new Mito hatchback and upcoming Milano. Like the 166 before it, Alfa has aimed the 169 at a big imaginary bull’s-eye on the trunk like of the current BMW 5-Series. Oh, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Cadillac CTS? You’re on notice too.

It seems that although the 166 was much loved, it did have one irksome feature: It was a front driver. The incoming 169 seems to be addressing that flaw, thanks to corporate parent Fiat’s new partnership with Chrysler. The new 169 is expected to borrow the rear-wheel drive platform destined for the upcoming 2011 Chrysler 300 redesign. Going with a RWD setup will, as I’m sure you all know, guarantee a more dynamic driving experience.

In addition to also getting new and improved suspension settings unique to the rear-drive 169, there are also very interesting rumors of which engines the North American version will get. There is talk of the 450 horsepower 4.7-liter V-8 from the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. Yes, yes that would do nicely, thank you, not to mention that using that mill for a high-performance GTA variant could take a serious run at cars like BMW’s M5 and Mercedes’ E63 AMG.

All of this news that the new 169 will be working off of the upcoming 300 also jives with reports that Fiat is going to build two new sedans based on the next-gen Chrysler 300 platform at Bertone’s former plant in Italy. It has long been rumored that the second model will be another luxury sedan that will be the next Lancia Thesis.

But wait, there’s more. There’s rumors that the 169 could even be built in North America to keep the price of local versions down. Pricing is expected to start around $40,000 in the U.S.,

Source: Motor Authority

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3. Zagato Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa

If you ask me, Alfa can’t get back into the North American market quick enough. Why? Well check out this car here. This would be a Prodrive modified version of Alfa Romeo’s stunning Brera S 3.2 that has the added benefit of an Autodelta Supercharger.

So, with Fiat (Alfa’s parent company) still working on which models to bring in, I vote for this one.

Prodrive’s Limited Edition Alfa Romeo Brera S 3.2 is making its world debut at this weekend’s MPH09 Motor Show in London. The souped up Brera is based on the UK market Brera S and seems to be as stunning on the road as ti is to the eyes. A new project between Prodrive and Alfa Romeo UK, the Brera S 3.2 is a limited edition and highlights a bunch of upgrades the most noticable being a weight loss of 220 pounds, thanks to the ditching of the standard Brera V6′s Q4 all-wheel drive system and going with a front-wheel drive and a sportier suspension.

To make what sounds like a great car even better is the inclusion of Autodelta. Autodelta are the guys that used to run Alfa’s F1 program, and are still capable of doing some serious tuning. For the Prodrive’s Alfa Romeo Brera S 3.2, Autodelta added a supercharger as well as further improving handling.

Said supercharging kit with an intercooler increases the 3.2-liter V6 engine’s output from and already healthy 260 bhp and 322 Nm to an even more impressive 352-horsepower and 435 Nm of torque. No performance figures yet, but you don’t have to be Isaac Newton to do the math.

To further improve the traction Autodelta fitted a bespoke mechanical limited slip differential (LSD) that operates in combination with the Brera’s standard electronic Q2 system. Autodelta says the mechanical LSD works in a more natural way since the Q2 traction control system only operates in more extreme scenarios, applying the brakes to transfer power to the required corner, offering better feedback to the driver and that sort of thing.

In addition to all of that, the package incorporates Autodelta’s height-adjustable Sportline suspension kit. The coilover suspension, which is new, features new spring rates and 40 different firmness adjustment settings that are driver adjustable.

Source: CarScoop

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Here is yet another hot Alfa to covet: The MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde with 170HP 1.4-liter turbo engine. This is Alfa’s answer and a half to BMW’s Mini Cooper, think of it as being sort of bigger than a Fiat 500, yet still small and city-sized. Those considerations are kind of beside the point for me. Smaller means lighter, and lighter means faster, so I’m all for a car like the MiTo to start with. Stuff a bigger engine in it, and I like it even more.

The sporty Quadrifoglio Verde is powered by Alfa’s revolutionary new 1.4-liter MultiAir turbo engine that cranks out 170HP which is 15 more ponies than the turbo engine in the slightly more pedestrian 1.4L TBi model. And that power is transferred to the front wheels, and thence to the tarmac through a newly developed “C635″ six-speed gearbox. I’m sure it’s a nice tranny, but there really needs to be more semi-auto paddle sifter out there (if you ask me).

Alfa says the MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde will do 0 to 62 mph in a little over 7 seconds, and gets a highway MPG rating of 49 mpg US. Not bad at all. And in case you’re wondering, it puts out 139 g/km of CO2.

Suspension-wise Alfa has equipped the MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde with its Dynamic Suspension system that it worked on with Magneti Marelli. There are four electronically controlled shock absorbers, five accelerometric sensors, a control unit and an interface for the three different settings: Normal, All Weather and Dynamic (whatever that might be).

Alfa also added such goodies as 17-inch alloy wheels finished in satin titanium. The same material is also used for the headlight and tail lamp frames as well as for the outside rear view mirrors. And on the inside there’s different fabric used to upholster the seats, the dashboard and there’s white lighting on the instrument panel.

OK you might say, that’s all very well and good and cool and fast, but so what? So what is this: Fiat now runs Chrysler, and they will be bringing both Fiat models and also ushering in the return of Alfa to our shores. Does that mean we could see the Alfa Romeo MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde over here? Let’s hope so.

Source: CarScoop

Related posts:

1. Alfa Romeo MiTo Goes On Sale In The U.K.
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Sometime last year, a few Photoshop gurus got together and made some very funny “mini” versions of their favorite cars. The trend caught on, and soon lots of people were taking their favorite cars, and through the process of image manipulation, made them mini versions of themselves.

Below, you will find a photo gallery full of these micro machines, in all of their hilarious glory. If you have any you’d like to share, please leave a comment.

Just click on the image for a larger version:

If you’d like to learn how to do this yourself, you’ll need to get Adobe Photoshop or a very similar photo editing program and follow these instructions.

Thanks to CelSydney for some of these photos. Check out his Flickr set for more.

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