Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Alfa Romeo testing GTA versions of 8C, MiTo for centenary launch]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/17/spy-shots-alfa-romeo-testing-gta-versions-of-8c-mito-for-cente/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/17/spy-shots-alfa-romeo-testing-gta-versions-of-8c-mito-for-cente/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/17/spy-shots-alfa-romeo-testing-gta-versions-of-8c-mito-for-cente/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



You didn't think Alfa Romeo was done celebrating its centenary already, did you? The 100-year-old Italian automaker kicked off the festivities by launching the new Giulietta hatchback, then teamed up with three of Italy's hottest coachbuilders - Bertone, Pininfarina and Zagato - for a trio of mouthwatering concepts. But the party's just started, people.

Next up, if these spy shots and emerging reports are anything to go by, is the return of the GTA. Shorthand for Gran Turismo Allegerito (that's lightweight GT to us yanks), the nameplate has adorned some of the fastest Alfas to date, and is about to return on two highly anticipated sports models.

The most enticing is surely the 8C GTA: Based on the sumptuous 8C Competizione, the GTA version is tipped to gain a 50-horsepower boost from its 4.7-liter V8 to bring output up to 500, unburdened by 150 kilograms (330 pounds) of excess weight trimmed by the use of carbon fiber. Reported improvements to the six-speed sequential transmission and suspension upgrades surely won't hurt, either, with an expected 100-example production run. The 8C GTA was rumored way back in 2008, but was recently spied undergoing testing in its native Italy.

Joining its big brother, the baby MiTo GTA was previewed in concept form at the Geneva Motor Show in 2009, but was subsequently put on the back burner. Which was a real shame, considering its 240-horse turbo four and sport-tuned chassis. But if the latest spy shots are any indication, it looks like the program has been put into high gear. 2010 is quickly shaping up to be one of the most exciting years in Alfa's history, and if its return to North American shores comes to fruition as planned, we just might have reason to celebrate, too.

[Source: Unica-Strada]

Spy Shots: Alfa Romeo testing GTA versions of 8C, MiTo for centenary launch originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 May 2010 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8c gta8cGtaalfaalfa 8c gtaalfa gtaalfa mito gtaalfa romeoalfa romeo 8calfa romeo 8c competizionealfa romeo 8c gtaalfa romeo gtaalfa romeo mito gtaAlfa8cGtaAlfaGtaAlfaMitoGtaAlfaRomeoAlfaRomeo8cAlfaRomeo8cCompetizioneAlfaRomeo8cGtaAlfaRomeoGtaAlfaRomeoMitoGtagtamitomito gtaMitoGtaMon, 17 May 2010 14:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19479766/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/05/17/spy-shots-alfa-romeo-testing-gta-versions-of-8c-mito-for-cente/19479766/article-detail.xml 19479766 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/8c-mito-gta-splice-spy_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/8c-mito-gta-splice-spy.jpg <![CDATA[Rendered Speculation: Alfa Romeo 8C GTA]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/11/rendered-speculation-alfa-romeo-8c-gta/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/11/rendered-speculation-alfa-romeo-8c-gta/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/11/rendered-speculation-alfa-romeo-8c-gta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione - Click image above for a high-res gallery

We have an old saying: there's no such thing as too much Alfa Romeo news. With that in mind, why is the world's hottest Alfa sporting a "Got Milk?" mustache? Because the Photoshop warlocks at Britain's favorite automotive tabloid have no idea what the new 8C GTA is actually going to look like. Here's what we think we know. Alfa Romeo is going to release a carbon fiber intensive 8C Competizione variant called the GTA to celebrate the marque's centenary next year.

Thanks to all the exotic weave, the GTA will be over 300 pounds lighter than the "regular" Competizione, and with a new ECU and stouter internals, the 4.7-liter F430 derived V8 should produce more than 500 horsepower -- just in time to not upstage the 458 Italia's 562 hp. All that power will get neutralized by optional carbon-ceramic stoppers and naturally, expect the GTA's suspension to be much stiffer than the current car's GT tuning.

If it sounds like Alfa might be considering a return to the race track we can only give the thumbs up, smile and mutter under our breath, "about time." And it might help explain the white mouth. Price? Over $300,000. How many? Just 100 examples, total. We're expecting to catch an actual glimpse of the 8C GTA at the Geneva Motor Show this coming March.


Gallery: 2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione


[Source: AutoExpress]

Rendered Speculation: Alfa Romeo 8C GTA originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Several high-ranking executives from Alfa Romeo were keen to see how the launch of the new MiTo materialized. While they were there, we had the chance to talk with one of Alfa's top marketing officers over dinner and discuss the latest news churned out of the rumormill concerning upcoming products from Alfa and its sister-brand Abarth.

Read on to find out what's coming.

Continue reading Exclusive: What's next from Alfa Romeo and Abarth

Exclusive: What's next from Alfa Romeo and Abarth originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click for hi-res gallery of the Alfa 8C Competizione

It'd be hard to ask for more than what the spectacular Alfa 8C Competizione already offers, but Alfa Romeo intends to do just that. So after announcing the initial run of 500 coupes, Alfa will begin production of 500 roadsters. But in case that weren't enough, reports have been circulating of two new 8Cs to follow. On the one hand we have the 8C's successor, which Alfa's PR people hope will be based on the Ferrari California. On the other we have the more focused GTA version of the current coupe.

While earlier reports suggested that the new second-generation Ferrari-based 8C could arrive in time for Alfa Romeo's 100 year anniversary in 2010, sources now suggest that it will be the 8C GTA that will arrive for the big celebration. Applying the magic formula of less weight and more power, the GTA is tipped to shed some 150 kg (330 lbs), while power from the 4.7-liter V8 is anticipated to climb from its current 450hp to a nice round 500. (If you remember writing your SATs, think GTA is to 8C as Scuderia is to F430 and you're a shoe-in for your top choice.) Only 100 examples are reportedly on the table, and you can bet they'll sell out faster than a "waste management consultant" with priors.

Gallery: 2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione


Gallery: Alfa Romeo 8C Spider

[Source: Autocar via WCF]

More details surface on Alfa 8C GTA originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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