Autoblog

A $200,000 supercar, a return to America, and now this: the Alfa Romeo 159 GTA is expected to scrap the planned twin-turbo Holden-built V6 and go straight for the V8 from the F430. With the Ferrari V8, Alfa has a chance at getting an invitation to the C63, M3, and RS4 party. There would be plenty of room to detune the V8 in the GTA and still challenge the M3 and RS4, but the C63 has recently been reported to bow with 500 hp.

Like the M3 and the C63, it will come in sedan and wagon variants. Alfa's have been known for sportiness, but they're new to competing with this kind of muscle. We're sure they can bring the style and the power, and we'll find out around next year's Geneva Motor Show if they can bring the handling as well.

[Source: Drive Australia]

In a move that makes sense, instead of Alfa Romeo needing to develop its own dealer network, Maserati dealers will be expected to sell Alfas in a couple years' time.

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said Maserati will be in the black again this year, after 17 years in a red sea. With its new gearbox and new GranTurismo, Maserati is planning to more than double its sales by 2011, moving 12,000 cars per year. Analysts, though, put that number at 8,000 max. Regardless, more Maseratis on the road means more clout for the marque, and Alfa could take advantage of the momentum to help its own case. According to an analyst, Alfa sales are expected to reach 8,000 by 2015. First up will probably be the 8C Competizione perhaps in 2008, then the 159 sedan and Brera coupe in 2009.

[Source: Detroit News]

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If Novitec's mods to the sublime Ferrari F430 struck you as overkill, you might want to take a look at another one of its creations, focusing on a car ever-so-slightly more in need of the tuning house's attention.

The Alfa Romeo 159 is hailed as one of the most beautiful automobiles on the road today, but critics lament its shortcomings in performance. Autodelta, the premier tuning house for Alfas, offers an array of enhancements, but Novitec's catalogue offers what looks to be a compelling alternative. By installing its Powerrail III engine control system, Novitec coaxes an extra 29 horsepower out of the 159's common-rail diesel engine, bringing total output up to a very respectable 229 hp, aided by a custom stainless steel exhaust system. The German tuning outfit also offers a full aerodynamic package including front spoiler, side skirts and rear spoiler, as well as a sport suspension adjustable in stiffness and in height from 35mm to 75mm. Rounding out the package are Novitec's Type N9 20-inch forged alloys skinned with 30-series Pirelli rubber.

In transforming the sumptuous 159 into a precision instrument, Novitec and Alfa Romeo offer an enticing package that's enough to make buyers forget all about the letters B-M-W.

[Source: Novitec via World Car Fans ]

Excess weight is the enemy of every automobile. Extra pounds will make a car slower at the top end, more sluggish off the line, wobblier in the corners, more lethargic under braking, guzzle more gas and expel more toxic fumes...among other problems. It can render an otherwise great car imperfect. Case in point: the US-bound Italian beauty, the Alfa Romeo 159.

The 159 is, as we've said time and time again, one of – if not the – most beautiful sedans on the market. Unfortunately its performance has not been quite up to par with its drop-dead gorgeous looks. And the more powerful V6-powered all-wheel-drive Q4 version only adds another 200kg to the problem. But Alfa's working on it, announcing a two-stage weight-loss program for the 159. The first stage will take some extra pounds off the body, chassis and suspension using lightweight construction materials such as aluminum. The second stage will be marked in 2008 with the introduction of a new lightweight five-cylinder turbodiesel.

Of course the same problems plague the 159's sisters, the Brera and Spider, but while the lightweight diesel is almost certain to find its way into the shapely two-doors, there's no word yet on whether the first stage weight loss will hit them, too. Now, nobody wanted to resort to taking the 159 off of pasta and pizza, so next time, Alfa, just watch the weight from the start, alright?

[Source: Motor Authority]

The Alfa Romeo 159 is arguably the most beautiful sedan on the market, but Alfa's raising the stakes with the new ti package. The sporty trim-level will be formally unveiled at next year's Geneva show, but we've got the details for you a little early.

The Turismo Internazionale label is an historic designation for Alfa Romeo, going back all the way to the 1963 Giulia ti Super, carrying on through the Alfasud ti and on to today as the highest sport trim-level on several Alfa models. The 159 ti is positioned against the S-Line and M-Sport packages from rivals Audi and BMW respectively, offering upgraded wheels and brakes together with sportier trim inside and out.

Outside, the 159 ti gets a new body kit, stiffer suspension lowered by 20mm, and red Brembo calipers peering out from behind 19-inch alloy rims. There's also the option of either aluminum-finish or body-colored side mirrors, an upgraded exhaust and the requisite badging to go along with it all. Inside the cabin are sports seats, a dark-tinted aluminum center console, aluminum pedals, door-sill panels, a revised instrument panel, red-stitched black leather wheel and shifter, plus all the electric goodies. The ti trim level is positioned above the Basic, Progression, Distinctive and Exclusive models and can be had on a wide range of drivetrain models.

Just in case US buyers needed any more reason to anxiously await Alfa's return to American shores.

More images after the jump.

[Source: Italiaspeed]

We're still a little unsure if Alfa Romeo's triumphant return to U.S. soil will take place, but this sighting of a 159 in the heart of Los Angeles gives us a bit more hope. The source of the photos is from AlfaBB, an Alfa-centric site whose moderator, italcarguy, was fortunate enough to get some seat time in the 3.2-liter AWD wagon. His account of the drive is provided by Los Jalopniks and is available by exercising your index finger on the 'Read' link.

Typically we get production announcements from manufacturers one model at a time, if not one brand at a time, but the Fiat Group has released their full production schedule for the Lancia, Alfa Romeo and Fiat brands for the next few years.

We'll get right into the good stuff with the most exciting of the three (and the only one destined for a re-emergence in the North American market): Alfa Romeo. The long awaited 149 has been pushed back again to mid-2009, before which the 147 it replaces will get the Fiat Group's new 1.4-liter turbo next summer. While waiting for the 149, the Alfa Junior, a sports hatch slotting below it, will hit the roads in mid-2008. A special version of the Alfa Romeo GT called the "Veloce" will arrive next January, and a sportier Ti version of the gorgeous 159 will hit showrooms next February/March.

The Fiat Bravo, shots of which have been floating around the net, will arrive long before the Alfa 149 with which it shares its platform, arriving late next summer. Fiat's revival of the 500 is due for January '08. A new model called the Linea is due next fall, and the Grande Punto will get the 1.4-liter turbo early next summer.

Lastly, Lancia's new Delta, previewed by the HPE concept in Paris, is scheduled to hit the road early in 2008, a facelifted Musa in fall 2007, and a Sport version of the Ypsillon city-car next spring.

Unfortunately, Fiat didn't give us a production schedule for Ferrari and Maserati, so we'll have to wait for the news piece by piece.

[Source: Carscoop]

The Alfa Romeo Brera is quite possibly the most beautiful car on the market, but reviews have lamented the lack of "go" to accompany the "show". Alfa tuners extraordinaire Autodelta have answered the call with the Autodelta Brera J5 3.2 C.

The first Autodelta based on the new generation of Alfas (Brera, Spider, 159), the J5 3.2 C ups the performance ante with modifications to the engine, suspension, exhaust system, upgraded wheels and tires, and improved aerodynamics through revised bumpers front and rear. The "C" designation stands for "Compressore": the supercharger is supplied by Rotrex (who also make the unit for the Koenigsegg CCX). The unique supercharged direct-injection 3.2-liter V6 produces 348 hp (an 88-hp boost over stock), driving through all fours to propel this beauty to sixty in a scant 5.3 seconds.

With Alfa Romeo poised to mount its new attack on the American market, we hope Autodelta makes the trip too.

(More pics and press release after the jump)

[Source: Autodelta via Italiaspeed]

Autoweek is confirming that Alfa Romeo's long awaited return to the U.S. won't happen until the end of 2009 so that it will coincide with the company's 100-year anniversary. Preparation for reinsertion into the U.S. marketplace appears to be going well, as the proposed three-car lineup comprised of the 159 sedan, Brera coupe and Spider were all developed with the North American market in mind. Engineers are now tweaking the models to meet U.S. safety and emissions regulations, but we can expect to see new versions of each when they arrive at the end of the decade.

The lineup will feature at least two engines – a 2.2-liter four-cylinder and a 3.2-liter V6, the latter coupled with all-wheel drive. By that time it will be clear if Americans have embraced new automotive diesel technology, which could encourage Alfa to offer its 2.4-liter five-cylinder diesel engine, as well.

Alfa Romeo's dealer network will piggy back on top of Maserati dealerships across the country. Initially there will be 50 dealers concentrated around densely populated cities.

We find waiting easier knowing that the company's return to the U.S. is confirmed and work has already started. Now we just need to wait some more.

[Source: Autoweek