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[REPORT: Alfa Romeo 166 replacement to be built in the U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/25/report-alfa-romeo-166-replacement-to-be-built-in-the-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/25/report-alfa-romeo-166-replacement-to-be-built-in-the-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/25/report-alfa-romeo-166-replacement-to-be-built-in-the-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



The last new Alfa Romeo to be sold in the U.S. market prior to the recent low-volume 8C Competizione was the 164 sedan. Fittingly, perhaps, it now appears that its descendant could be among the first Alfas to be produced in North America.

Seemingly reconfirmingg earlier rumors, Inside Line is reporting that the successor to the (now discontinued) 166 is expected to shift from a front-wheel drive to a rear-drive platform shared with the next generation Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger. While the current LX platform shares much of its suspension architecture with a previous-generation Mercedes E-Class, the new model is expected to be developed in-house by Chrysler.

The new big Alfa sedan will likely be built exclusively in Brampton, Ontario and exported to Europe. Inside Line is also reporting that the new rear-drive platform could be shortened and used for the next Brera and Spider as well. We expect to find out more some time in November when Chrysler/Fiat plans to further clarify their forthcoming product lineup.

[Source: Inside Line]

REPORT: Alfa Romeo 166 replacement to be built in the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alfaalfa romeoalfa romeo 166alfa romeo 169AlfaRomeoAlfaRomeo166AlfaRomeo169Bramptonchryslerchrysler 300Chrysler300Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Alfa favors larger sedan as first salvo in new American push]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/04/report-alfa-favors-larger-sedan-as-first-salvo-in-new-american/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/04/report-alfa-favors-larger-sedan-as-first-salvo-in-new-american/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/04/report-alfa-favors-larger-sedan-as-first-salvo-in-new-american/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Fiat's plan for re-entry to the U.S. market includes Alfa Romeo, as well as pumping up its Chrysler interests. While Alfa has desirable hatches like the MiTo and the 147, the company thinks it might have the best luck relaunching in the States with its upcoming Giulia sedan. The Alfa Romeo division is a money sink right now for Fiat, and successfully re-entering the US market could open the door to better financials. To make the relaunch of Alfa feasible, the brand is going to have to share with Chrysler.

Chrysler has the LX platform, which could potentially be reworked and used for the new Giulia, is being examined as one way to get an Alfa model launched and built in the U.S. without crushing Fiat with shipping and import costs piled on top of being expensive to build in the first place. The LX is heavier than might be ideal, though it has been engineered to support all-wheel drive, and the rear-wheel drive default of the longitudinal powertrain layout is inherently more sporty if tuned properly. Alfa's got its own platform, the C-Evo, which could be bulked up to underpin the Giulia, and it, too, is a front-engined, RWD layout that could potentially bring an appropriately athletic feel.

Neither platform is exactly perfect - both are aging, and the competition in the segment is stiff. The futures of Alfa and Chrysler appear to be intertwined, with both brands relying on the same basic hardware to launch new or updated models that need to be successful for Sergio Marchionne's plan for world domination to actually work.

[Source: Bloomberg]

REPORT: Alfa favors larger sedan as first salvo in new American push originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alfaalfa chrysler giuliaalfa giuliaalfa romeoalfa romeo 159alfa romeo 169alfa romeo chrysleralfa romeo chrysler fiat 300 giuliaalfa romeo fiatalfa romeo fiat chrysleralfa romeo giuliaAlfaChryslerGiuliaAlfaGiuliaAlfaRomeoAlfaRomeo159AlfaRomeo169AlfaRomeoChryslerAlfaRomeoChryslerFiat300GiuliaAlfaRomeoFiatAlfaRomeoFiatChryslerAlfaRomeoGiuliafalsefiat chryslerFiatChryslerTue, 04 Aug 2009 15:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Fiat planning to ship 500, Alfa Romeo 940 to U.S. next year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/16/fiat-planning-to-ship-500-alfa-romeo-940-to-u-s-next-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/16/fiat-planning-to-ship-500-alfa-romeo-940-to-u-s-next-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/16/fiat-planning-to-ship-500-alfa-romeo-940-to-u-s-next-year/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click either image for a high-res gallery

As soon as word hit that Fiat and Chrysler were striking a deal, visions of 500s and Alfas began dancing in our heads. According to an anonymous source speaking with Automotive News, those visions aren't too far off, and they could be realized within a year.

In a bid to kick-start Fiat and Alfa Romeo's return to the U.S., the automaker could start exporting vehicles to the States as early as 2010. After which - and assuming the reception's warm - Fiat would begin producing the 500 and the new Alfa 940 (the 149 replacement) in North America in mid-2011. At the onset, the first models available would be limited to a few thousand and would be sold through Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep retailers.

Furthermore, the deal between the two automakers would give Chrysler access to four Fiat platforms, ranging from minicars to mid-sizers, along with 1.4- and 1.8-liter engines and a new six-speed dual-clutch gearbox (internally dubbed the G365), that would pick up where Chrysler's failed alliance with Getrag left off.

AN also reports that Fiat is considering using the Chrysler LX platform, which currently underpins the 300 and Dodge Charger, as the basis for the perpetually-delayed, upper-premium Alfa Romeo 169. A rear-wheel-drive sedan with Alfa's stunning sheetmetal? Our interest is piqued, but we're not holding our breath.

Gallery: Fiat 500


[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Fiat planning to ship 500, Alfa Romeo 940 to U.S. next year originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>169500940alfaalfa romeoalfa romeo 169alfa romeo 940AlfaRomeoAlfaRomeo169AlfaRomeo940fiatfiat 500Fiat500Mon, 16 Feb 2009 08:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Students propose Alfa 169 designs to Ramaciotti]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/03/students-propose-alfa-169-designs-to-ramaciotti/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/03/students-propose-alfa-169-designs-to-ramaciotti/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/03/students-propose-alfa-169-designs-to-ramaciotti/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click to view the SPD Alfa 169 design proposals

Alfa Romeo is hard at work on a replacement for the 166, the flagship sedan which debuted in 1998 and was discontinued last year. The students at the Scuola Politecnica di Design in Milan, however, seem to have gotten fed up of waiting around for Alfa Romeo to unveil the new car, so they've come up with a few proposals of their own.

Well, not exactly. The transportation design course was carried out under the auspices of the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo and the watchful eye of Fiat Group design chief Lorenzo Ramaciotti. So they had a good chance of getting the automaker's attention. (Next year's masters program at the SPD, meanwhile, is being conducted in conjunction with Lamborghini.) Nine projects - carried out by students from Korea, Slovakia, Romania, Turkey, South Africa, Russia, Brazil, the United States and Italy - were presented, but we'll have to see which elements find their way into the final product. In the meantime, you can check out a few of the choice models in the gallery below.

Gallery: SPD Alfa 169 designs


[Source: Italiaspeed]

Students propose Alfa 169 designs to Ramaciotti originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Aug 2008 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alfa 166alfa 169alfa romeoalfa romeo 166alfa romeo 169Alfa166Alfa169AlfaRomeoAlfaRomeo166AlfaRomeo169centro stile alfa romeoCentroStileAlfaRomeolorenzo ramaciottiLorenzoRamaciottiscuola politecnica di designScuolaPolitecnicaDiDesignspdspd milanSpdMilanSun, 03 Aug 2008 10:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Alfa Romeo hunts for 169 platform; 149 gets its own]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/29/alfa-romeo-hunts-for-169-platform-149-gets-its-own/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/29/alfa-romeo-hunts-for-169-platform-149-gets-its-own/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/29/alfa-romeo-hunts-for-169-platform-149-gets-its-own/#commentsFiled under: , ,

After having being introduced way back in 1998, Alfa Romeo finally stopped production of the 166 last year. Now without a flagship sedan to hold up the top of the range, Alfa is working on the development of its successor. However, the 169 (as the model is expected to be called) has been pushed back at least another three years while the automaker tries to sort out which platform it will be based on.

With an eye towards the American market, Alfa is said to be committed to making the new 169 a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, but the only rear-drive platform the Milanese automaker has in its range belongs to the 8C Competizione, which CEO Luca de Meo recently rejected as a possible donor for the 169. (Rats.) The platform that underpins sister-company Maserati's Quattroporte and GranTurismo was likewise dismissed as too costly, as Alfa Romeo looks to other automakers - chief among them Jaguar, now owned by the Fiat Group's Indian ally Tata - for a suitable rear-drive platform for Alfa's new flagship sedan.

In related news from the other end of the range, the upcoming 149, which - along with the new MiTo - will replace the aging 147, is reportedly getting a brand new platform of its own. The reports contradict earlier suggestions that the five-door hatch would be based on the Fiat Bravo platform when the new 149 is introduced in 2009.

[Source: AutoTelegraaf via Motor Authority]

Alfa Romeo hunts for 169 platform; 149 gets its own originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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