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 MiTo GTA merely postponed, not canceled]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/24/report-alfa-mito-gta-merely-postponed-not-canceled/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/24/report-alfa-mito-gta-merely-postponed-not-canceled/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/24/report-alfa-mito-gta-merely-postponed-not-canceled/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Alfa MiTo GTA concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Following earlier reports that Alfa Romeo had axed plans to produce the MiTo GTA, the Italian automaker has reportedly clarified that the project has not been canceled completely, just postponed.

The MiTo GTA was unveiled in concept form at this year's Geneva Motor Show. At the time, Alfa said the car would be produced and on the market before the end of the year. Packing a 240hp 1.8-liter turbo four, the GTA was set to revive the company's performance badge with a package priced to undercut the Mini JCW. When harsh economic conditions hit - and Fiat started snapping up assets left and right - the hot hatch program reportedly took a hit. According to sources within the company, though, the automaker is still keen on getting it done... eventually. Certainly, that won't happen before the end of the year.


Gallery: Geneva 2009: Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA


[Source: Autocar]

REPORT: Alfa MiTo GTA merely postponed, not canceled originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alfaalfa mitoalfa mito gtaalfa romeoalfa romeo mitoalfa romeo mito gtaAlfaMitoAlfaMitoGtaAlfaRomeoAlfaRomeoMitoAlfaRomeoMitoGtagtamitomito gtaMitoGtaFri, 24 Jul 2009 08:28:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Alfa Romeo cancels MiTo GTA hot hatch]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/20/report-alfa-romeo-cancels-mito-gta-hot-hatch/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/20/report-alfa-romeo-cancels-mito-gta-hot-hatch/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/20/report-alfa-romeo-cancels-mito-gta-hot-hatch/#commentsFiled under: ,


Alfa MiTo GTA concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Oh, Alfa. We had such high hopes for you. The stoic Italian marque, it seemed, had wandered too far from its roots as a performance-oriented automaker anchored by decades of racing dominance. Heart-pumping roadsters gave way to mushy econo-boxes. And then came the 8C Competizione, whose dynamics may not be as inspiring as its looks (how could it?), but it signaled what we hoped was a new dawn for the resurgent automaker, even if it remained entirely out of reach for the common man.

Then Alfa followed up with the MiTo GTA, a positively drool-inducing hot hatch that debuted in concept form a few months ago at the Geneva Motor Show. Packing a 230-hp turbo four in an aggressive carbon fiber shell, the MiTo GTA looked nothing less than menacing. It was just a show car at the time, but Alfa said it would go into production by the end of the year. Well, according to emerging reports, that may not happen any time soon, if ever. Due to the financial crisis, Alfa has reportedly put the MiTo GTA on an indefinite hold. Does that mean it's been killed? Well, not necessarily, but we wouldn't recommend holding your breath. We'd save that for a hot lap behind the wheel... which may never come.


Gallery: Geneva 2009: Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA


[Source: iMotor]

REPORT: Alfa Romeo cancels MiTo GTA hot hatch originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alfaalfa gtaalfa mitoalfa mito gtaalfa romeoalfa romeo gtaalfa romeo mitoalfa romeo mito gtaAlfaGtaAlfaMitoAlfaMitoGtaAlfaRomeoAlfaRomeoGtaAlfaRomeoMitoAlfaRomeoMitoGtagtamitomito gtaMitoGtaMon, 20 Jul 2009 16:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Australian website gets first spin in GTA Spano [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/14/australian-website-gets-first-spin-in-gta-spano-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/14/australian-website-gets-first-spin-in-gta-spano-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/14/australian-website-gets-first-spin-in-gta-spano-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , ,


GTA Spano - Click above for a high-res image gallery

We're spoiled, us supercar fans. With so many awesome road-munching beasts on the market, we've grown jaded. Which may go some ways towards explaining the general reaction to the GTA Spano. Here's an accomplished racing team unveiling an 840-horsepower, mid-engined V10 supercar and all anyone could say was "ho-hum, another cookie-cutter supercar from a new upstart."

Admittedly, the apathy was mostly centered on the Spano's styling, for which the initial batch of photos didn't do any favors. But a machine as promising as the GTA Spano at least deserves a second glance, and we're glad the good folks over at CarAdvice.com.au got a chance to give us exactly that. (A little jealous, mind you, but glad nonetheless.)

These real-world photos reveal the unique lines in the Spano's design, especially the arc that swirls around the greenhouse and melds into the rear spoiler, giving the Spano a fluid yet aggressive shape. But don't take our word for it, see for yourself in the high-res gallery below.

As if to compound our jealousy, our friends down under also got to spend some time behind the wheel. But though that's on embargo until September when the production-spec model hits the market, they've given us a little teaser video, which we've included after the jump. Oh, and one more thing: Spano also says they're working on a supercharged version, which promises to boost the Dodge Viper-sourced V10 to stratospheric levels of output. The future's looking bright.


Gallery: GTA Spano by CarAdvice.com.au


Gallery: GTA Spano


[Source: CarAdvice.com.au]

Continue reading Australian website gets first spin in GTA Spano [w/VIDEO]

Australian website gets first spin in GTA Spano [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 May 2009 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australian car adviceAustralianCarAdvicecaradvice.com.audodge viperDodgeViperfull throttleFullThrottlegtagta spanoGtaSpanospainspanishspanish supercarSpanishSupercarspanoten cylinderTenCylinderV10Thu, 14 May 2009 16:56:00 EST<![CDATA[GTA Spano supercar debuts in Valencia]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/30/gta-spano-supercar-debuts-in-valencia/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/30/gta-spano-supercar-debuts-in-valencia/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/30/gta-spano-supercar-debuts-in-valencia/#commentsFiled under:


GTA Spano - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Anything you can do, I can do...also. That seems to be the modus operandi of the Spanish auto industry vis-a-vis the Italians. So while Volkswagen is vying to reshape its Seat subsidiary into an Iberian version of Alfa Romeo, Spanish racing team GTA has been hard at work developing its own supercar to rival the best from Ferrari and Lamborghini. After months of speculation on our part and preparation on theirs, the GTA Spano has finally made its debut in Valencia, the same Mediterranean coastal city that hosts the European Grand Prix. While only limited details were revealed at the Spano's launch, our compadres over at AB Spanish got it covered.

Underneath the rather generic supercar body lies the beating heart of the beast: an 8.3-liter V10, purportedly sourced from the Dodge Viper, and tuned to deliver 780 horsepower. That's said to be good enough to propel the carbon, kevlar and titanium supercar to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-it 2.9 seconds. The engine is mated to a choice of seven-speed paddle-shifter, automatic or gated manual transmission, 19" wheels coated in ultra-low-profile rubber grip the road at all fours, and the engine is even designed to burn straight alcohol if so desired. Production will be limited to 99 examples, each available at a price of around $670,000. Given GTA's racing background, a competition version is also expected to be in the works, so stay tuned. In the meantime, check out the images in the gallery below and the details in the press release after the jump.


Gallery: GTA Spano



[Source: Autoblog Spanish - translated]

Continue reading GTA Spano supercar debuts in Valencia

GTA Spano supercar debuts in Valencia originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GTA Concept supercar - Click above for image gallery

Between Ferrari and upcoming new projects from McLaren, there is no shortage of supercars developed by F1 teams. But now, even some Formula 3 teams want to get in on the action, as evidenced by the new GTA Concept. The mid-engined supercar on which we initially reported a little over a year ago is the brainchild of Spanish racing outfit GTA, and while we hadn't heard much out of them for a while now, the car now reportedly finished its testing regimen in preparation for its official launch by the end of this month.

In anticipation, GTA has released some mouthwatering details on the supercar, whose official name will be revealed along with the car itself at an unveiling event in a few weeks. A mid-mounted V10 provides a quoted 780 horsepower and 678 lb-ft of torque, with power rolling through a seven-speed sequential gearbox with optional paddle shifters. All that juice is said to be enough to propel the supercar to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than three seconds, en route to a top speed in excess of 350 km/h (217 mph). Custom wheels measuring 255/35-19 at the front and 335/35-20 at the rear are to be shod shod with Pirelli Pzero tires, beneath which figures to be a set of 380mm carbon-ceramic ventilated discs with six-piston AP Racing calipers and ABS modulation.

GTA says it will only produce 99 examples of the titanium, carbon-fiber and Kevlar supercar, and it says that the advanced design yielded five international patents, including one for the tinting glass roof panel. We'll keep an eye out for the vehicle's debut, so watch this space. In the meantime, we've added a pair of shots of the GTA undergoing testing to the gallery of renderings below, so check 'em out along with the details in the press release after the jump.


Gallery: GTA Motor supercar concept


[Source: GTA]

Continue reading GTA Concept supercar finishing testing, launching next month

GTA Concept supercar finishing testing, launching next month originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f3formula 3formula threeFormula3FormulaThreegtagta conceptgta supercarGtaConceptGtaSupercarspainspanishsupercarMon, 06 Apr 2009 16:58:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: 6-year-old learns to drive in <i>GTA</i>, takes mom's Taurus to school]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/09/video-6-year-old-learns-to-drive-in-i-gta-i-takes-moms-tau/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/09/video-6-year-old-learns-to-drive-in-i-gta-i-takes-moms-tau/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/09/video-6-year-old-learns-to-drive-in-i-gta-i-takes-moms-tau/#commentsFiled under:


Click above to jump to the video

"How many times have I told you to stop playing those video games and go to school?" For any kid addicted to his xBox or PlayStation 3, that's bound to sound familiar. The clever (or fortunate) ones will manage to keep the fun rolling with a PSP or Nintendo DS, but at least one child has taken things a step further.

When the six-year-old son of David Eugene Dodson and Jacqulyn Deana Waltman of Wicomico Church, Virginia, missed the bus to school in the morning, he grabbed the keys to the family's Ford Taurus and drove himself. Well, almost. The young driver made it surprisingly far, over a bridge and around a few corners, until he crashed the Taurus into an electrical piling...and then proceeded on foot, determined to make it to school.

The child is now in protective custody together with his four-year-old brother while his parents face child endangerment charges. When asked by state troopers how he learned to drive, he freely told the officials that he honed his chops in front of the television, playing video games like Grand Theft Auto and Monster Truck Jam. Who said video games were a waste of time? Follow the jump to view the AP television news report.

[Source: The Seattle Times]

Continue reading VIDEO: 6-year-old learns to drive in GTA, takes mom's Taurus to school

VIDEO: 6-year-old learns to drive in GTA, takes mom's Taurus to school originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>David Eugene DodsonDavidEugeneDodsongrand theft autoGrandTheftAutogtaJacqulyn Deana WaltmanJacqulynDeanaWaltmanvirginivirginiawicomicowicomico churchwicomico church virginiawicomico virginiaWicomicoChurchWicomicoChurchVirginiaWicomicoVirginiaFri, 09 Jan 2009 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[More details surface on Alfa 8C GTA]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/07/more-details-surface-on-alfa-8c-gta/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/07/more-details-surface-on-alfa-8c-gta/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/07/more-details-surface-on-alfa-8c-gta/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8c gta8cGtaalfa 8calfa 8c competizionealfa 8c gtaalfa gtaalfa romeoalfa romeo 8calfa romeo 8c competizionealfa romeo 8c gtaAlfa8cAlfa8cCompetizioneAlfa8cGtaAlfaGtaAlfaRomeoAlfaRomeo8cAlfaRomeo8cCompetizioneAlfaRomeo8cGtagtaMon, 07 Jul 2008 14:27:00 EST<![CDATA[(Crazy) Rumormill: Spanish GTA to feature Pontiac V10?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/06/crazy-rumormill-spanish-gta-to-feature-pontiac-v10/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/06/crazy-rumormill-spanish-gta-to-feature-pontiac-v10/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/06/crazy-rumormill-spanish-gta-to-feature-pontiac-v10/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to view the GTA in our gallery

Back in February we brought you initial news of the supercar being developed by Formula 3 racing team GTA. The exotic was tipped to be powered by a mid-mounted 700hp V10, however, reports circulating around the internet now suggest that the ten-cylinder powerplant for this vaporware supercar will produce closer to 800hp and be sourced from -- wait for it -- Pontiac.

We'll take that one with an overloaded container ship's worth of salt. Last we checked, GM didn't have a V10 in its parts bin, and the mere idea of the General developing a bespoke engine just for this Spanish racing outfit's nonexistent sports car is ridiculous on its face. Now, add in the detail that this mythical powerplant would then wear the Pontiac arrowhead logo -- that's straitjacket-type stuff, people. We know the General is eager to put the excitement back into the Excitement Division, but come on. Let's be rational.

Gallery: GTA Motor supercar concept


[Source: PistonHeads]

(Crazy) Rumormill: Spanish GTA to feature Pontiac V10? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Apr 2008 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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]

Spy Shots: Alfa Romeo readies Ferrari-powered RS4, M3 eater originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>159alfaf430ferrarigtaholdenv8Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:23:00 EST