As we wait for official photos of the new Alfa Giulietta (the name is still unconfirmed but it appears that Alfa Romeo will no longer use the “Milano” name previously chosen), whose debut was postponed at the last minute, you might think the excitement surrounding the new model would mean parent group Fiat was happy about Alfa Romeo fortunes. Things appear quite the opposite though, with Sergio Marchionne personally ordering a review of brand strategy and calling into question future investments already planned for new models.

Alfa Romeo is facing a full product freeze to arrest declining sales, or a revamp of its line using Chrysler-based models. While the new Alfa MiTo has been a fresh and successful models so far for the brand, it hasn’t been enough to plug the hole created by ageing models and delayed plans for new cars.

The new Alfa Milano, now Giulietta most likely, should have proved to be a key turning point for the brand but its debut was again delayed (we should see the official pics tomorrow). The new car will still be presented to the market and so far interest has been positive. It’s what happens after the MiTo and this 147 replacement that’s important.

Alfa is looking at no investments in new models after the Giulietta debut, making it and the MiTo the only new models in the range, as sales of the 159, Brera coupe, Spider and GT Coupe will continue. That would shelve plans for the new Alfa Giulia, or 159 replacement. The alternative is to use the new alliance with Chrysler to share platforms and build new sedan models. Whichever they choose, it appears that Marchionne is looking for a complete turn-around in the brand, and future Fiat Group investment will depend on it.

Source | Automotive News

....

0 comments

As the car world waits for the plan of the Fiat-Chrysler deal to be revealed, it looks as though a new Chrysler logo could be revealed. You might wonder why, if the brand is going to disappear from Europe, but it could be a show of faith from Fiat that Chrysler will get a revival in its own market of North America.

The new logo is quite sexy, definitely modern and hopefully marks the dawn of a new era for America’s beloved Chrysler. So far the Fiat-Chrysler plans have been sketchy and mostly include the arrival of the Fiat 500 or Abarth 500 on the US market, the appearance of the Alfa Giulia in the US, but perhaps not the Milano or MiTo, and the retaining of the Jeep brand on the European market. It looks as though Dodge will go niche, including an electric car in its line-up, and that we will see Lancia-badged Chryslers, particularly the new 300c already spied, in Europe. All will soon be revealed. Stay tuned.

Source | Autoblog

....

0 comments

The successful Alfa Mito now includes the next generation Fiat Multijet 1.3-litre engine. It has start&stop system and complies with the Euro 5 anti-pollution norms. The small diesel engine from Fiat Powertrain has 95 hp and fuel consumption of an average of 4.3-litres per 100 km, with CO2 emissions of 112 g/1 km.

The engine debuted on the Fiat 500 and the Fiat Punto Evo, and you can check out all the details on the new Fiat Multijet engine website. It has multiple injection technology and other features that reduce noise and pollution, in light of new Euro 6 norms. Equipped with the new Multijet, the Alfa MiTo takes 11.6 seconds to reach 100 km/hr and has a top speed of 180 km/hr.

On the local market in Italy, the new MiTo 1.3 Multijet II has a starting price of 17,600 euros for the Progression version, ranging to 19,200 euros for the Distinctive version. The latter can have Sport or Premium options with an additional 900 euros to the price.

Source | Autoblog.it

....

0 comments

With talk of Fiat-Chrysler plans and the return of Alfa Romeo to the US with the new models Alfa MiTo, Alfa Milano and Alfa Giulia, here’s another rendering to keep our interest going. This design of a hypothetical Alfa Giulia shows a sporty, agressive front, while keeping the smooth lines of the sedan intact.

The Fiat group will first make its appearance on US shores with the Fiat 500, and it is expected to be every bit as successful as in Europe, having become an icon of Italian style. It will appear in 2011 and will be followed by the Alfa models later, with the Milano debuting next year in Europe, and the Giulia not until 2012.

Source | Alvolante.it

....

0 comments

Can the Alfa MiTo get any sexier? Apparently so according to Theophiluschin who has given us this rending of a MiTo spider. It seems the designer is having fun with the open tops these days, after producing a rendering of the Bentley Mulsanne cabriolet, perhaps a more prestigious effort than the MiTo, but a little further from our reach.

The above rendering is the second on the MiTo spider theme after the two examples you see in the gallery below. They’re quite similar, but with a few differences that make for interesting comparison.

Source | Theophilus Chin

....

0 comments

After the launch of the new Fiat Punto Evo, the Abarth Grande Punto also gets an update. Housed in a new look Abarth Punto will be the 1.4-litre Turbo MultiAir engine with 170 hp, soon to debut on the Alfa MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde (or Alfa MiTo clover leaf).

This would suggest that the future version of the Abarth Punto Evo EsseEsse could reach 200 hp, but it also indicates that we may soon see an Abarth with dual-clutch technology. The new Alfa MiTo will feature the new c635 six-speed transmision, built in Italy and having also dry dual-clutch technology. It will appear on the MiTo, future Alfa Milano and probably many other vehicles of the Fiat group. So fingers crossed that we will see an Abarth Grande Punto Evo with this technology - it would be car to test drive!

Source | Autoblog.it

....

0 comments

These pics from Italy show what is believed to be an Alfa Milano test mule on the roads around Milan. The new Milano is still quite heavily camouflaged, but it should be in a final phase of development, given the planned 2010 Geneva debut for the new 149.

The new range of Alfa models is hotly anticipated after the success of the Alfa MiTo. Following it, first up the new Alfa Milano will appear, and then sometime in 2012 we should see the Alfa Giulia, which will also be heading for the US, and a substitute to the Alfa 169, seen in the 169 renderings of yesterday.

....

0 comments

We had reported that the Alfa Giulia was to appear in 2012, and now it looks positively destined for the US market. While the Fiat 500 is getting a Chrysler distribution and should be the flag bearer of Italian trendy style in that market, it seems the larger models from the Fiat portfolio are the ones considered for an American debut.

According to reports, the successful Alfa MiTo and yet-to-be-released Milano will not be going to the US due to their smaller size. It seems the MiTo and Milano will appear on the European market only at this stage. The MiTo has already been enjoying solid sales since its debut, though the fortunes of the Milano and Giulia are still unknown.

Source | Motorionline

....

0 comments

Could Alfa be harking back to days gone by to revive its successful Alfetta model? I’m taking this with a grain of salt, as with no source cited, it’s hard to verify. And because I suspect that Alfa Romeo is currently focusing on its new MiTo model, which is turning out to be a crowd pleaser. And because the Alfa Giulia won’t appear before 2012 as well.

But in one for the die-hard Alfa fans out there, rumours circulating on the internet (along with this render scanned from a print magazine), say that Alfa Romeo could be considering a re-launch of the 70’s and 80’s Alfetta model. According to these rumours, the new Alfetta could appear some time in 2012, but there’s no news from the company. So if you’re an Alfa fan out there, don’t get too excited just yet.

Source | Auto-myblog.it

Photos | Autoblog.it

....

0 comments

Alfa Romeo will officially present its new 149, the Alfa Milano at the Geneva show next year, while the market will have to wait until 2012 for the 159 substitute, the Alfa Giulia. The news comes in a La Stampa interview with Alfa managing director Sergio Cravero.

The MiTo seems to be gaining the sales success hoped for, despite reports of a production line MiTo closure and the redundancy of 700 workers. Alfa Romeo is not revealing its plans for its US re-launch, saying that the Multiair technology will be at the heart of the Fiat-Chrysler deal, but without yet stipulating which Alfa models will embark for the US.

Source | La Stampa

....

0 comments

In very surprising and very brief news, workers on the Alfa MiTo line at Mirafiori in Italy have been laid off. According to reports from Milan daily Il Corriere, about 700 workers will be going home from the last week of October. An official statement from Fiat is expected sometime this afternoon. My only guess is that the Italian labour market and automobile market is still keenly feeling the economic crisis, or it is something to do with production at that particular plant, but more news to come. Stay tuned.

....

0 comments

Live pics of the MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde at the Frankfurt Motor Show had us wanting to take this sexy little thing for a spin. Equipped with the Fiat 1.4 Multiair engine with 170 hp, one impressive figure is the weight-power ratio of 6.7 kg per horse power. CO2 emissions top just 139 grams/km.

Other features of the MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde include the Dynamic Suspension system with four separate units electronically controlled with a central control unit with five accelerator sensors. The whole thing basically communicates with the DNA so that the car adapts itself to the road conditions.

Alfa Romeo MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde live pics from Frankfurt

Continue reading: Alfa MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde live pics from the Frankfurt motor show

....

0 comments