Autoblog

Alfa Romeo to host centenary rally for 3000 Alfas in Milan

Noah Joseph — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 08:41:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Europe, Alfa Romeo, Event Alert

There's no shortage of ways for an automaker to celebrate a big anniversary. Debuting a pivotal new product - like the new Giulietta - is one of 'em. Commissioning a series of concept cars - like the Pininfarina 2uettottanta, Bertone Pandion and Zagato TZ3 Corsa - is another. And so is hosting a huge rally for owners of its vehicles from around the world. Alfa Romeo, which this year celebrates its landmark centenary, is doing all of this and more.

Come June 26, an unprecedented gathering of Alfa Romeo owners and their vehicles will take place in the marque's home town of Milan, Italy. Some 3,000 participants are expected to join the Registro Italiano Alfa Romeo for the event, which will include a helicopter-filmed rally through downtown Milan, live concerts and the presentation of a sculpture designed by the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo. Details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Alfa Romeo]

Continue reading Alfa Romeo to host centenary rally for 3000 Alfas in Milan

Alfa Romeo to host centenary rally for 3000 Alfas in Milan originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 08:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alfa Romeo previews stylish new Giulietta

Noah Joseph — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo Giulietta - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's been a long time in the making. It has changed names several times along the way. But it's finally here. Well, almost. It's the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, and it's coming to the Geneva Motor Show this March to coincide with its phased market launch across Europe next year to coincide with the marque's centenary.

Positioned just above the MiTo in Alfa's lineup (and, tellingly, below the anticipated upcoming 159-succeeding Giulia), the Giulietta replaces the 147 as Italy's answer to the Volkswagen Golf. Since Alfa's parent company Fiat already targets the Golf with its own Bravo, though, some might consider this more of an aggressively-priced competitor to the Audi A3. The hatchback takes its styling cues from the sumptuous 8C Competizione, but carries it off in a decidedly more aggressive way than implemented on the MiTo. Plenty of glass also make the cabin more airy, with a body-colored panel running across the dashboard.

A range of transverse four-cylinder engines - both gasoline and diesel - will be on offer, producing between 120 and 170 horsepower until a 230 hp Quadrifoglio Verde model comes along. They've all got start-stop engine management and Alfa's DNA adjustable suspension system as standard equipment. Fiat's cutting-edge MultiAir valve-actuation system will eventually find its way into all of the engines, while the selection of five- and six-speed manual gearboxes is set to be joined by a new dual-clutch transmission as well.

The new Giulietta marks a pivotal product launch for Alfa Romeo, as the company is hoping to make this its volume offering the most prolific model in its history - with production targeted for an ambitious 100,000 units annually. Check out the trifecta of images in the gallery below and the press release after the jump for full details.

Gallery: Alfa Romeo Giulietta

[Source: Alfa Romeo]

Continue reading Alfa Romeo previews stylish new Giulietta

Alfa Romeo previews stylish new Giulietta originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Alfa Romeo nixes "Milano" designation for 147 successor, ponders Giulietta

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:51:00 EST

Filed under: Alfa Romeo, Fiat

In truth, Alfa Romeo didn't simply rename the coming model formerly known as "Milano" to "Giulietta." It was Fiat's unhappy Milanese workers who made a stink awful enough to get the company to change course in nomenclature. Seems the new Milano was due to arrive as the last of the Milanese Alfisti were going to be made redundant or moved to Turin, where Fiat is headquartered. The Milan workers, dead set on not being remembered in name alone, protested to the parent company, and so the car has a new name.

That name might or might not be Giulietta, but that's supposedly where the smart money's headed. Alfa would only say that "organizational issues" prevented it from disclosing the name and pictures of the car, and gave no indication of when it would tell us what the car will be called. If Giulietta does win the name game, it would be the third time Alfa's put out a model wearing that moniker.

[Source: Auto News, sub req'd]

REPORT: Alfa Romeo nixes "Milano" designation for 147 successor, ponders Giulietta originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Alfa Romeo Milano stopped by police by the Nurburgring

Noah Joseph — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchback, Alfa Romeo

If you're looking at spy shots of a European hatchback and wondering, "Why should I care?", we'll tell you why. This car is, in all likelihood, coming to America. The test mule was snapped while stopped by local police, which isn't something you see every day. Oh, and it was near the Nurburgring, to boot.

The car in question is the Alfa Romeo Milano, one of a handful of new models being developed by the Italian automaker with the North American market in mind. While the MiTo effectively replaced the three-door version of the aging Alfa 147, the Milano replaces the five-door variant. Styling is fully expected to follow the example set by the MiTo and 8C Competizione, and sources suggest that the Milano could be ready for public debut at the upcoming Geneva show in March, so stay tuned.

We couldn't tell you definitively why the German police pulled the test driver over, but considering that Italian cars tend to encourage a heavy right foot and the car's proximity to the 'Ring, we can hazard a guess or two.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Spy Shots: Alfa Romeo Milano stopped by police by the Nurburgring originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Alfa Romeo Milano fresh off production line... still headed for America?

Chris Paukert — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Europe, Hatchback, Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo Milano spy shots -- Click above for image gallery

We're not entirely sure where they originated, but some brazen soul has taken a series of camera phone photos of what appears to be a brace of production-line Alfa Romeo Milano hatchbacks. Although low-res, these shots provide the best look yet at the Italian automaker's forthcoming model, with blurry glimpses inside-and-out of what looks for all the world like a plus-sized MiTo (not a bad thing). From the appearance of things, the shots were taken in an Alfa production facility (they're likely early production small batch cars), suggesting that the model is nearly ready for its debut... perhaps in Frankfurt?

The voluptuous five-door certainly integrates styling cues from the smaller MiTo (which itself sought design assistance from the gorgeous 8C Competizione supercar), particularly up front, but the rear end eschews the Mito's traditional round brakelamps for larger, whistle-shaped horizontally oriented units. In typical Alfa fashion, the hatchback also receives a handsome looking instrument panel with a pair of tunneled main gauges (speedometer and tachometer), as well as simple rotary controls for the HVAC system and plenty of metal (or metal-effect) trim.

As you may recall, the Milano was reportedly one of the vehicles named in internal documents as one of the offerings that Alfa will use to spearhead the automaker's return to North American soil. There has been some discussion that Stateside model plans between Fiat, Chrysler, and Alfa will be tweaked, but as far as we know, the hatch is still a solid bet for the U.S. market. Thanks for the tips, everyone!

Gallery: Alfa Romeo Milano production spy shots

[Source: Facebook via Carscoop]

Spy Shots: Alfa Romeo Milano fresh off production line... still headed for America? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Alfa Romeo Milano, the next 147

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 08 May 2009 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Alfa Romeo, Rendered Speculation

Although Car magazine says the coming Alfa Romeo Milano (nee 147) is "quite different from the Mito mini," their rendering of the car makes it look an awful lot like a Mito with two more doors. Not that there's anything wrong with that, since it just means more of a good thing. Compared to its 147 predecessor, it will be longer and lower, although still relatively Golf-sized.

The Milano comes on the C-Evo architecture that will also be applied to the new Giulia (nee 159) and Fiat's other medium range cars - like the next Chrysler Sebring. The versatile building block will offer various lengths and widths in FWD and 4-wheel-drive versions, and propulsion will be courtesy of MultiAir engines. Unveiling of the 5-door hatchback is expected at either Frankfurt later this year, or Geneva in 2010.

[Source: Car]

Rendered Speculation: Alfa Romeo Milano, the next 147 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 May 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Next Alfa Romeo Milano spotted

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchback, Alfa Romeo

One of the Alfa Romeos the U.S. buying public got to know (and largely ignore) was the Milano. Back then, the Milano was a wedgy, compact sedan with a proper trunk. From the looks of things, Alfa is prepared to resurrect the Milano name, only this time it won't go on another sedan. Instead, it's expected to adorn a compact, five-door hatch that shares a platform with the Fiat Bravo and Lancia Delta.

Alfa's various T-jet and Multijet engines will power the little guy and the front wheels will pull it, although all-wheel-drive is expected to join the options list. The Milano is said to bow in Europe in about a year, with a possible American introduction a year after that, in 2011.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Spy Shots: Next Alfa Romeo Milano spotted originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zagato puts Diatto GT Ottovu into limited production

Noah Joseph — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 10:02:00 EST

Click on the image above to view the new Diatto GT Ottovu in high resolution

Hot on the heels of our Top 10 Coachbuilt Supercars comes the announcement from Zagato that the Italian carrozeria will be reviving the stoic Diatto marque with a small run of the Diatto GT Ottovu. First shown at the Geneva show as the Diatto Ottovu Zagato, the GT will step out of the concept box and into limited production of 99 examples.

Those coming new to the game might not be familiar with the Diatto name, but it has a loyal and, as it turns out, wealthy following who have motivated (and likely bankrolled) the brand's revival by commissioning the new GT from Zagato. Once a contemporary of Bugatti and Maserati, Diatto started out some 170 years back, producing horse-drawn carriages, then moving on to luxury train cars before becoming one of the first automakers in the world and finally vanishing from the industry in the inter-war period.

Reviving the classic Turinese carmaker, the Diatto GT Ottovu is based on a steel frame with an aluminum body with a front-mid engine layout driving the wheels behind the four-passenger cabin. Motivation comes courtesy of Ford's 4.6-liter V8, supercharged and tuned by Roush and Cosworth to produce 530 horsepower, although Zagato says up to 650 would be possible. As it is, the GT Ottovu is claimed to hit 60 in the threes.

As for the styling, the concept looked better in person than in the pictures, and Zagato clearly went for an elegantly understated design approach. That being said, it still falls short of taking many breaths away. Zagato called the bespoke leather interior "sober, smart and comfortable"...which may as well have applied to the overall design. If it tickles your fancy, though, it will be available through specialist dealers in the United States as well as Europe, but don't expect that kind of exclusivity to come cheap.

[Source: Italiaspeed]

Gallery: Diatto GT Ottovu

Gallery: Zagato Diatto Ottovu

Zagato puts Diatto GT Ottovu into limited production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jul 2007 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RetroVette: Castagna Aznom unveiled

Noah Joseph — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 15:26:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Supercars, Chevrolet

click above image for more pics of the Castagna Milano

One of the most exciting recent developments in the industry, by this writer's account at least, is the re-emergence of the coachbuilding industry. Cars like the Fisker Latigo and Zagato Ferrari 575 GTZ have heralded a revival of the long-lost segment that inherently gives birth to some of the most unique automobiles on the road. It was only a matter of time until the Italians picked up where they left off by crafting unique Corvette-based sportscars.

Italian coachbuilder Castagna Milano, originally founded way back in the 1850s and revived in the 1990s, has created a number of bespoke models, including the Imperial Landaulet concept and a slew of custom Minis. The carrozzeria's latest offering, the Castagna Aznom, was previewed in skeletal form back in April at Monaco's Top Marques show, and the firm has now released further details and images.

Based on the Corvette Z06, the Aznom also draws on retro Corvette styling elements, blended with thoroughly modern design features to create a heart-stopping supercar. The egg-crate grille is drawn from the original '53 Vette, slab-sided flanks from the '58 Stingray and fenders from the '56 SR-2 Sebring race car. On the contemporary side of things, LED rear lights, retracting rear wing, three-section rear diffuser and F1-style fender-mounted carbon-fiber wing mirrors round out the design. Those sharp five-spoke wheels measure 20 inches, shod in 285/30 and 335/30 Pirelli PZero rubber front and rear respectively, housing 356mm cross-drilled discs with six-pot calipers fore and 340mm discs with 4-pot calipers aft. The cockpit even features a Google Earth-powered sat-nav system.

Whether you love or hate the unique styling, the Aznom has the "go" to back up the "show". Castagna has thoroughly massaged the Z06's 7-liter V8 from 500 horsepower to a whopping 750, and with the use of carbon fiber, aluminum and magnesium bodywork, has trimmed the weight down to 1,400 kg. With that magical formula of more power and less weight, the carrozzeria puts the performance figures at 0-60 in a scant 3.4 seconds on its way to a claimed top speed of 217 mph.

[Source: Italiaspeed]

Gallery: Castagna Aznom

RetroVette: Castagna Aznom unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Jul 2007 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva Auto Show Wrapup: Castagna tenders crossed-up MINIs

Chris Paukert — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Convertible, Coupe, Budget, SUV, Truck, Geneva Motor Show

The MINI's appeal to customizers continues know no boundaries. Witness Milanese coachbuilders Carrozzeria Castagna-- the reborn design firm responsible for the Imperial Landaulet concept we showed you last month. Among their other Geneva Motor Show concepts, Castagna introduced the 'Crossup' (seen above) which boasts an adjustable suspension, an all-important 'Vodka-Cigar' minifridge/humidor, and of course... a little added junk in its trunk.

Castagna also unveiled its nautically-themed Tender-- a Cabrio-based MINI reworked extensively, doing away with the doors and rear hatch assembly altogether. Extended by 70 cm, the Tender also boasts teak flooring, shower (yes, really), a 2000-watt stereo with water-resistant speakers, auxiliary lighting, and hoseout-friendly neoprene seating.

[Source: Classicdriver.com]

Geneva Auto Show Wrapup: Castagna tenders crossed-up MINIs originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Mar 2006 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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