Alfa Romeo considering new entry-level coupe
Alfa Romeo is reportedly seriously considering developing an all-new "baby Alfa," to slot into the model lineup below the upcoming 147 replacement.Targeted at young buyers, the car would be a (relatively) bargain-priced 2+2 or hatchback, possibly based on Fiat's new Grande Punto FWD platform. A go/no-go decision on the project is expected this fall.
Italiaspeed also reports that a new coachbuilt Alfa Romeo is being developed by Zagato for the upper end of the company's lineup.
[Source: Italiaspeed]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tsarmina 7:32PM (7/06/2006)
We want Alpha, Citroen, Peugeot, Renault, SEAT and Opel/Vauxhall in the US!!
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GDUB 7:36PM (7/06/2006)
Side profile almost looks like a next gen CRX.
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skaz 7:42PM (7/06/2006)
Hm.. I can go easily without Citroen, Peugeot, Renault, and SEAT, but instead of Vauxhall I'd rather have olden.
Gimme an Ute and keep the Monaro.. I never could afford that GTO I wanted.
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skaz 7:43PM (7/06/2006)
That'd be Holden, not olden.
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HoosierJim120 7:48PM (7/06/2006)
Opel and Vauxhall were here years ago, they were junk.
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Howard Kerr 8:53PM (7/06/2006)
Yes, all the world wants another small Alfa, somewhat like the legendary Sud. Small, but quick and with great handling/roadholding. But this time Alfa, don't include the Sud's legendary rust/corrosion problems.
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Clarence 10:19PM (7/06/2006)
I want all the cars of the world here. Nothing beats variety. As for the little Alfa, if they can give it the pizzazz that the current line up has, then, wow, “How soon can I get one?”
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verdegrrl 2:57AM (7/07/2006)
With 5 (Alfa stands for Always Looking For Another) Alfas in my garage here, I would love to buy some newer models to update the fleet. In fact it would have been a tough call between my A3 and a 147 GTA if I'd had the choice. While traveling overseas, I've been lucky to drive some of the newer models and while they don't offer German refinement in the cabin, they do offer a certain hard to describe sense of occasion to any driving situation.
With the new slightly larger (than the 147) 149 ( http://img158.echo.cx/img158/6766/ar149may056rs.jpg ) around the corner as an '08 model, a smaller Alfa would be ideal.
Unless they source steel from the Russians again like they did for the "Sud, rust shouldn't be an issue;-)
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DustinTarditi 8:08AM (7/07/2006)
Opel is here - it's called "Saturn"
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chemp 8:25AM (7/07/2006)
look stylish, but in general,like usual fiat;)
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GhostDoggy 8:48AM (7/07/2006)
It has been said (more than once) that the observation of American consumers is that it isn't popular to buy American, but rather to buy Japanese--even ignoring where cars are made. I think GM, Ford, and Chrysler would have an even more difficult time if Alpha, Citroen, Peugeot, Renault, SEAT and Opel/Vauxhall entered the USA market, especially since its been so long they would seriously question their purchased wisdom considering the great lengths and achievements against the Asian invasion.
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MikeInNC 9:13AM (7/07/2006)
The reason the aformentioned makes are not in the US anymore is because of real quality issues with all of them. Alfa, if you can imagine, was considered reliable compared to the Citroen, Peugeot, Renault makes. I've had two Alfas so, that's saying something. That being said, I'd love to see them back in the US. You can add Fiat to that list for me too. As much of a pain in the arse as my X-19 was, I loved that car.
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mr lux 12:00PM (7/07/2006)
not sure this is a good idea
http://luxuryaffair.com
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verdegrrl 1:10PM (7/07/2006)
The impression drawing looks like a cross between a Junior Zagato: http://carstyling.ru/resources/studio/68zagato_ar_junior_z1300_3.jpg
and the 146: http://www.cuoresportivo.ch/alfas/146/614x460/146-bordo.jpg
FYI:
Alfa stands for Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili. They started building a well regarded French car known as the Darracq under license in 1907. But the Darracq was not durable enough for Italy's very poor roads and steep mountains. Alfa built their own car in 1910. The Romeo part came after a wealthy industrialist by the name of Nicola Romeo bought the company in 1916, and changed the name to Alfa Romeo in 1920. Alfas were originally known as sturdy if rather boring cars. Boringly reliable was good in those days, because the roads presented enough challenges of their own. In the early '20's a brilliant young designer by the name of Vittorio Jano who had built some very successful race cars for Fiat (at the time kind of like Ferrari of today), was lured to Alfa, where he designed some of the most respected racing and road cars of all time.
Alpha is a specially tuned version of a Hummer: http://www.gmhummer.com/hummerspecs/2006_h1alpha/main.htm
A great deal of the reason for Alfa not doing so well in the later years in the US was due to the dealers. They were dreadful - as they are in so many countries throughout the world. It's not that the cars are unreliable (I've owned mine for many years and miles), but finding somebody reliable to work on them is another matter. Having decent dealers can make or break a brand. If Alfa hopes to return, they are going to have to face that situation head-on.
Although Fiat has a majority stake in Alfa Romeo, the same can be said for Ferrari and Maserati. Are they Fiats too?
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John Bryans Fontaine 1:35PM (7/07/2006)
Perhaps the Most Exiting Car Company in the World – 2006
Rooting for Ferrari is akin to worrying if the Sun will rise tomorrow. If not presently succeeding at Formula One, the Maranello firm is having yet another banner year as far as its production models are concerned. Ferrari’s latest creation, the 599 Fiorano, priced at about $260,000, has already captured the entire attention of the automotive press.
But is anyone really going to actually drive an over a quarter-of-a-million dollar car on roads very often?
However, the progenitor to Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, is another story. Alfa have just launched the what one British journalist, Jeremy Clarkson, has called "the best looking car that money can buy": the Brera, which also comes in a Spyder version. Hopefully, the Brera and Spyder will still look the same when they arrive in the U.S.
Then there’s the great news of the 8c Competizione and 8c Spyder. These vehicles might be seen as ‘bargain’ 599 Fioranos, priced at $100,000 less when offered to the public.
But the most important news from Alfa concerns the possibility of a car with Brera looks and yet a lower price, a fantastic looking car that most people can actually afford. In other words “A stylish, fun and affordable Sports Car with nimble performance, at a very competitive price”, according to Paddy Granger, of ItaliaSpeed.com. The Alfa Romeo Trofeo would be about the size of a Fiat Punto, yet have much of the looks of its big brother, the Brera. This is Incredibly Good News, better yet if this Sports Car also reaches American shores. The Trofeo could very well be a larger hit than even the Brera, with as great an impact as the Miata or the reintroduced Mini Cooper. And then there’s the possibility of a Trofeo Spyder. One can always hope.
Reply
John Bryans Fontaine 1:40PM (7/07/2006)
Perhaps the Most Exciting Car Company in the World – 2006
Rooting for Ferrari is akin to worrying if the Sun will rise tomorrow. If not presently succeeding at Formula One, the Maranello firm is having another banner year as far as its production models are concerned. Ferrari’s latest creation, the 599 Fiorano, priced at about $260,000, has already captured the entire attention of the automotive press.
But is anyone really going to take an over a quarter-of-a-million dollar car on roads very often?
However, the progenitor to Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, is another story. Alfa have just launched the what one British journalist, Jeremy Clarkson, has called "the best looking car that money can buy": the Brera, which also comes in a Spyder version. Hopefully the Brera and Spyder will still look the same when they arrive in the U.S.
Then there’s the great news of the 8c Competizione and 8c Spyder. These vehicles might be seen as ‘bargain’ 599 Fioranos, priced at $100,000 less when offered to the public.
But the most important news form Alfa concerns the possibility of a car with Brera looks and yet a lower price, a fantastic looking car that most people can actually afford. In other words “A stylish, fun and affordable sports car with nimble performance, at a very competitive price”, according to Paddy Granger, of ItaliaSpeed.com. The Alfa Romeo Trofeo would be about the size of a Fiat Punto, yet have much of the looks of its big brother, the Brera. This is Incredibly Good News, better yet if this car also reaches American shores. The Trofeo might have as great an impact as the Miata or the reintroduced Mini Cooper. And then there’s the possibility of a Trofeo Spyder. One can always hope.
Reply