A month after announcing that Alfa Romeo would finally return to the US market next year with the 8C Competizione, more information about further products is now coming out. Maserati North America will be acting as the US distributor for the Italian brand when three more models join the lineup in 2009. The gorgeous 8C will have very limited availability with only the final 99 samples of a 500 car production coming to the US at a steep $200,000.
The other models will be somewhat more accessible probably in BMW territory. The three car lineup will be topped by the 159 sport sedan in front and all wheel drive configurations. Joining the 159 will be the Brera coupe and the open top Spider. The Spider uses the Brera platform with a shorter wheelbase. Existing Maserati dealers will be the first to get Alfa franchises.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
vdk @ Sep 5th 2007 8:12PM
How much for a 159? Gotta call the Maserati Dealership ASAP.
Brian Dreggors @ Sep 5th 2007 8:40PM
My God, how can anyone buy something Bavarian over that? That is the definition of sex-on-wheels.
Tsunami Racer @ Sep 5th 2007 8:42PM
this is perfect. now that everyone and their therapists are buying audis, and because The General mucked up Saab, there hasn't really been a nice alternative to the BMWs and MBs of the world for us here in the colonies. volvo? eh. lexus/infiniti? boring.
plus you get Maserati dealer service for the price of a 5-series/E-class. sign me up too!!
SPG @ Sep 5th 2007 8:54PM
Love it, great car.
Dave-in-PA @ Sep 5th 2007 8:57PM
You're right on that Brian. Geez...even I could get a date with... oh say, Megan Fox with that baby. And a date with Megan Fox might be worth spending the $200,000.
spots @ Sep 5th 2007 9:41PM
Who cares if it's a "driver's car" or a "touring car"? It's gorgeous- they all are. Makes the others in their classes look like '89 Ford Tempos in comparison.
steve @ Sep 5th 2007 9:02PM
these are not drivers cars folks. These are 4000 pound touring cars
Mike @ Sep 5th 2007 9:09PM
So?
vdk @ Sep 5th 2007 9:11PM
Uh? Have you ever driven an Alfa? Apparently not. So please tell me how an Alfa is NOT a driver's car?
Quattroporte @ Sep 5th 2007 10:50PM
A few quotes from edmunds IL from their first drive of the '07 Alfa Romeo Spider.
"Let's get straight to the point. The Spider is not a sports car — not even close."
"...it shakes like an alcoholic in rehab. You can feel it through the steering wheel, through the seats and even through the trim."
"...this is not a car to hustle. It's at its best on highways, or through long, sweeping corners..."
"...the Alfa Romeo Spider is nothing like the Nissan 350Z roadster that it resembles in specification, so hard-core enthusiasts should look elsewhere."
"...[Alfa Romeo] should have focused a little more on driving performance."
"You will enjoy being in the Alfa for the sound and the style, but not for the speed."
ANdy @ Sep 6th 2007 2:24AM
The convertible versions are not driver's cars (when are convertibles ever driver's cars?). however, I've read good reviews for the 159 and Brera.
Quattroporte @ Sep 6th 2007 7:46AM
The Brera, if I remember correctly, was the slowest around Top Gear's test track when they compared it to the TT and the RX-8. And, it was the favorite of Captain Slow (James May).
Flea @ Sep 6th 2007 9:42AM
Actually, in the end they ALL agreed that the Brera was their favorite, despite it being the slowest.
ckm @ Sep 5th 2007 10:53PM
I've owned two Alfa's and they are fantastic. It's hard to describe if you've never owned one, but they are 'enthusiastic'.
It's not that they are the best handling or fastest, it's something else. It's the reason people love to drive and trying to describe that to someone who doesn't care.
I'm hoping that I can afford a 159 when it comes out. Hopefully they'll try to retain the Italianess in the ads as well...
http://www.hiperformancestore.com/images/gtv6factory.gif
http://vintage-original-ads.com/Pictures/displayimage.php?pid=118&fullsize=1
ElDiablo @ Sep 6th 2007 7:31AM
I believe its what they call 'soul', something most production 'sports' cars lack. Form over function is what the italians do, and they seem to have done a terrific job here.
Calguy @ Sep 6th 2007 1:17AM
Shucks. No wagon?? The convertible might be sex-on-wheels, but that hot wagon is a car you could actually get busy IN. It's sooo good looking...
We can hope. Maybe they'll realize the whole 'sportUTILITY' craze is winding down and no better time to offer a wagon.
Calguy @ Sep 6th 2007 2:38AM
In response to Quattroporte and Steve..
There is a nugget of optimism- I read somewhere that Alfa will be doing a Jenny Craig on the Brera & Spider before they arrive stateside. From what I recall, they are totally aware of the excessive weight and plan to remedy the sitch before too long. -For what it's worth...
Fabri91 @ Sep 6th 2007 3:57AM
If the 159/brera etc. get 150kg lighter, and it's planned to do so in the restyling, maybe MY 2009, then they're perfect...
Ken @ Sep 6th 2007 10:30AM
Alfa is a like a hot sexy bitch you would love to kill to sleep with or out about with. She may not be the smartest compare to all her friends, she may not have a job, she may not do cleaning around the house, but she is hot, she satisfy you in every other way, she makes you look good, and that's Alfa...................UNDERSTAND???
SHOTT3R @ Sep 6th 2007 6:41PM
So basically it's a car you want to rent/lease, but not own as your only car because as soon as the looks go, there's nothing left to justify the high cost of ownership?
Heh, there's a reason the wife is the wife and the mistress is the mistress :)