Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Besting Prodrive: Autodelta unveils tuned Alfa Brera S and 159 J4 3.2 Compressore at MPH09]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/besting-prodrive-autodelta-unveils-tuned-alfa-brera-s-and-159-j/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/besting-prodrive-autodelta-unveils-tuned-alfa-brera-s-and-159-j/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/besting-prodrive-autodelta-unveils-tuned-alfa-brera-s-and-159-j/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Autodelta Alfa Romeo Brera S and 159 J4 3.2 Compressore - Click above for high-res image gallery

Alfa Romeo has proven itself capable of crafting some of the most achingly beautiful automotive works of art on the road today. Unfortunately, their driving dynamics and performance numbers rarely seem to cash the checks written by their sumptuous bodywork. Nowhere is that schism more evident than with the Brera, a fantastically angular design with disappointing dynamics.

That's where aftermarket tuners come in. Over a year ago, Alfa teamed up with Prodrive to create the Brera S. The venerable British house of motorsport tightened up the suspension and steering and yanked out the heavy all-wheel-drive system to bring the sport coupe's drive closer to the aggressive level of its styling. Some evidently felt the result was a good starting point, but that it needed a little more oomph, prompting Autodelta to join the fight with the Brera S 3.2 Compressore.

By bolting a supercharger to the 260-horsepower, 3.2-liter V6 and remapping its ECU, Autodelta - one of the world's foremost Alfa tuners - has coaxed out an impressive 347 stallions. But while removing the all-wheel-drive system helped shave 220 pounds off the Brera's curb weight, the London-based tuning house felt it needed a substitute, so they've fitted a limited-slip differential to handle the extra power. They'll also soften the suspension a touch from Prodrive's hard line at a client's request.

Customers looking for the convenience of a four-door can also get most of the same modifications in the form of the Autodelta J4 3.2 C, based on the 159 sedan. Both models were unveiled in London at MPH09, the live-action auto show where Autodelta exhibits its latest offerings each year. Follow the jump for all the details in the press release and have a stroll through the photos in the high-resolution image gallery below.


Gallery: Autodelta Alfa Romeo Brera S and 159 J4 3.2 Compressore


[Source: Autodelta]

Continue reading Besting Prodrive: Autodelta unveils tuned Alfa Brera S and 159 J4 3.2 Compressore at MPH09

Besting Prodrive: Autodelta unveils tuned Alfa Brera S and 159 J4 3.2 Compressore at MPH09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alfaalfa 159alfa breraalfa prodrivealfa romeoalfa romeo 159alfa romeo breraalfa romeo brera sAlfa159AlfaBreraAlfaProdriveAlfaRomeoAlfaRomeo159AlfaRomeoBreraAlfaRomeoBreraSauto deltaautodeltaautodelta 159autodelta alfaautodelta alfa romeoautodelta alfa romeo brera s 3.2 compressoreautodelta alfa romeo j4 3.2 compressoreautodelta j4autodelta j4 3.2 compressoreAutodelta159AutodeltaAlfaAutodeltaAlfaRomeoAutodeltaAlfaRomeoBreraS3.2CompressoreAutodeltaAlfaRomeoJ43.2CompressoreAutodeltaJ4AutodeltaJ43.2CompressorecompressoreMPHMPH 09MPH09prodrive alfa romeoprodrive brera sProdriveAlfaRomeoProdriveBreraSMon, 09 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Alfa Romeo 159-replacing Giulia delayed until 2012?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/alfa-romeo-159-replacing-giulia-delayed-until-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/alfa-romeo-159-replacing-giulia-delayed-until-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/alfa-romeo-159-replacing-giulia-delayed-until-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2009 Alfa Romeo 159 - Click above for high-res image gallery

The current Alfa Romeo 159 is a bit of a Jekyll-and-Hyde affair. Unspeakably gorgeous on the one hand, its aging, Saab-based platform means its dynamic performance doesn't come anywhere close to cashing the checks its aggressive styling writes out. So those enamored of its design will be happy, but those disappointed by its drive will be disappointed, to learn that the 159's replacement has reportedly been pushed back until 2012, thereby giving the current model a little longer to live.

This, according to Alfa's new boss Sergio Cravero - recently promoted after years as communications director following Luca de Meo's departure - in an interview with Italian daily La Stampa. The statement contradicts previous reports that the new sedan, dubbed Giulia in revival of the classic nameplate, was being rushed into development in light the current model's poor sales. Sources suggest - and by sources, we mean our own speculation - that the program has been postponed so that it can be integrated with a Chrysler platform, and could, like the replacement for the 166, be built in North America.


Gallery: 2009 Alfa Romeo 159


[Source: La Stampa]

Alfa Romeo 159-replacing Giulia delayed until 2012? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alfaalfa 159alfa giuliaalfa romeoalfa romeo 159alfa romeo giuliaAlfa159AlfaGiuliaAlfaRomeoAlfaRomeo159AlfaRomeoGiuliafalseWed, 30 Sep 2009 10:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Geneva 2009: Alfa Romeo 159 - sharp gets sharper]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/03/geneva-2009-alfa-romeo-159-sharp-gets-sharper/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/03/geneva-2009-alfa-romeo-159-sharp-gets-sharper/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/03/geneva-2009-alfa-romeo-159-sharp-gets-sharper/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Alfa Romeo 159

Of all the cars in the world, the Alfa 159 is one of the last we would have thought needed a refresh. Unfortunately, the sedan's styling hasn't translated into a market success for the Italian automaker, so they've opted for a facelift. Thankfully they haven't messed with the near perfection of the 159's lines too much, sharpening up the already razor-sharp lines in the hope that the updated 159 will help the brand hold down the C-segment in Europe until the Giulia that's set to replace it rolls around late next year. Check it out in the gallery below.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Alfa Romeo 159



Photos Copyright (C)2009 Noah Joseph / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Geneva 2009: Alfa Romeo 159 - sharp gets sharper

Geneva 2009: Alfa Romeo 159 - sharp gets sharper originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 alfa romeo 1592009AlfaRomeo159alfaalfa 159alfa romeoalfa romeo 159Alfa159AlfaRomeoAlfaRomeo159genevageneva 2009geneva motor showGeneva2009GenevaMotorShowTue, 03 Mar 2009 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Poor sales mean Alfa 159 replacement coming soon with U.S. in sight]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/12/poor-sales-mean-alfa-159-replacement-coming-soon-with-u-s-in-si/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/12/poor-sales-mean-alfa-159-replacement-coming-soon-with-u-s-in-si/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/12/poor-sales-mean-alfa-159-replacement-coming-soon-with-u-s-in-si/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click to view the Alfa 159 in hi-res from Geneva '08

The Alfa Romeo 159 may be one of the most beautiful sedans on the market, but that hasn't been enough to make the model a sales success. As we learned after driving the new MiTo, Alfa isn't satisfied any longer to glide by on its name and looks alone, and so has started work on the replacement for the 159 even though the current model was only introduced in 2005.

The main reason attributed to the 159's poor market performance has been its dynamic performance, inhibited by an overweight chassis designed by Saab during Fiat's partnership with GM. Its successor is tipped to be based on the same platform as the upcoming 149, however, which still means front-wheel-drive. With the numeric designation running out of room to grow, the 159 replacement is widely reported to revive the classic Giulia nameplate, with styling cues borrowed from the curvaceous 8C instead of the angular Brera. Sources suggest that the new sedan, anticipated for debut in 2010, is being developed specifically with the American market in mind.

Gallery: Geneva 2008: Alfa Romeo 159 & 159 Sportwagon


Photos Copyright (C)2008 Noah Joseph / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Autocar]

Poor sales mean Alfa 159 replacement coming soon with U.S. in sight originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alfaalfa 159alfa giuliaalfa romeoalfa romeo 159alfa romeo giuliaAlfa159AlfaGiuliaAlfaRomeoAlfaRomeo159AlfaRomeoGiuliaTue, 12 Aug 2008 16:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Rendered Speculation: 2011 Alfa Romeo Giulia to replace 159]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/08/rendered-speculation-2011-alfa-romeo-giulia-to-replace-159/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/08/rendered-speculation-2011-alfa-romeo-giulia-to-replace-159/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/08/rendered-speculation-2011-alfa-romeo-giulia-to-replace-159/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Alfa Romeo's marketing people have been bouncing around the idea of ditching the current three-digit numbering system and proceeding with a nameplate nomenclature. The shift - already in place on some models and not on others - could increase the appeal of certain models even more, while helping them avoid a crossroads that will inevitably come up when models like the 159 need to be replaced.

Italian magazine Quattroruote has come up with a composite image of what it thinks that vehicle could look like. Unfortunately the results are rather cumbersome, essentially Photoshopping the nose from the MiTo onto the existing 159 body. The rear-end rendering is not much better, but intriguingly appears to carry a New York State license plate. While the existing 159 remains one of the most striking mid-size sedans on the market, we hope its successor - speculatively reviving the Giulia nameplate of old - will look a heck of a lot better than this.

[Source: Quattroruote via CarScoop]

Rendered Speculation: 2011 Alfa Romeo Giulia to replace 159 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Aug 2008 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alfa 159alfa giuliaalfa romeo 159alfa romeo giuliaAlfa159AlfaGiuliaAlfaRomeo159AlfaRomeoGiuliaquattroruoteFri, 08 Aug 2008 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Geneva 2008: updated Alfa Romeo 159]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/09/geneva-2008-updated-alfa-romeo-159/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/09/geneva-2008-updated-alfa-romeo-159/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/09/geneva-2008-updated-alfa-romeo-159/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above to view the updated Alfa Romeo 159 in hi-res

We had plenty of reason to frequent the Alfa Romeo pavilion at this year's Geneva show. After the unveiling of the production 8C Spider along with the updated Brera and Spider came the revisions to the 159 sedan and Sportwagon.

Like its two-door counterparts, the changes to the 159 consist of a few small updates that don't interfere with the model's stunning lines. Better ergonomics and new electronics update the interior, while weight reduction where the car meets the road should help the car's driving dynamics slightly. Most importantly, however, the tweaks which Alfa Romeo announced for the 159 range gave us and our cameras another reason, as if we needed one, to get reacquainted with one of our favorite European sports sedans and wagons. To see the product of our emotional reunion, click on the thumbnails below and jump to our high-resolution image gallery.

Gallery: Geneva 2008: Alfa Romeo 159 & 159 Sportwagon

Geneva 2008: updated Alfa Romeo 159 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Mar 2008 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>159 sedan159 sportwagon159Sedan159Sportwagonalfa 159alfa romeo 159alfa romeo genevaAlfa159AlfaRomeo159AlfaRomeoGenevageneva 2008geneva motor showGeneva2008GenevaMotorShowSun, 09 Mar 2008 16:33:00 EST