Bertone is forging ahead with its Alfa Romeo Pandion as it has come up with the first images of the concept just a week after its first teaser sketch surfaced. Pandion is supposed to be showcased as one of three entrants at the Geneva Motor Show that will potentially replace the Alfa Romeo 159 also marking 100 years of existence for the brand. Design traits from the Saab Aero X and the BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept can be spotted on the Bertone Alfa Romeo Pandion. It sports a sturdy looking front end, extensive glasswork and a oddly designed rear diffuser. Speculation is ripe that the concept is based on the Competizione hinting that it will be powered by a 4.7-liter V8 producing 450 bhp and 470 Nm of torque.

The Americans had almost forgotten Fiats’ attractive brand the Alfa Romeo but the memories were ignited with the return of the 8C Competizione after a lingering gap of 14 years. Fiat now believes that Alfa Romeo could stage a full-fledged return to the US as it has a number of models which will be globally appreciated specially in the US. The brand will return to the US in the next 24 months with offering like the 159 replacement christened Giulia which adorns two forms- a middle segment sedan and a station wagon. Americans could also see an Alfa Romeo 166 replacement based on the Chrysler 300. Another touted model is the MiTo as a number of them have already been spotted in Detroit.

The finalists for the 2010 South African Snoozefest Car of the year have been announced. The finalists in no particular order of monotony are:

• Alfa Romeo Mito 1.4i Turbo Petrol
• Audi Q5 2.0 T STronic
• Chevy Cruze 1.8 LS
• Hyundai i20 1.6 GLS
• Suzuki Alto 1(!) litre GLS
• Toyota Prius
• VW Golf 6 1.4 TSI 90 kw Comfortline
• Volvo XC60 3.0T Geartronic

From here on the finalists go on a couple of tests which include high speed dynamic assessment, parking ability, handling and other tests all while monitoring the fuel consumption.

I suppose they will have a proper car to tow some of these babies around to get them to high speed because on their own steam they won’t get there.

Anyway, which one do you think will win and why – leave a comment.

Alfa Romeo has finally started thinking about the environment and hence it will reveal the MiTo with a new lineage of engines that do its surroundings lesser harm. The MiTo will come with a 1.4-Liter MultiAir engine capable of producing 105 and 135hp. There will be a third variant, the 170 horsepower MultiAir Turbobenzinae, but this engine will be limited to the Quadrifoglio Verde, or Green Four-Leaf Clover.

All the engines commit improved fuel economy and lowered emissions while the top variant is also a bit of a speed devil. Mated to a six-speed transmission, the 170hp option hits 62mph in 7 seconds, which is reasonably fast considering the category the car belongs to. The suspension of the car is also a point worth discussing as it reduces vibrations, thanks to the combined efforts of Alfa Romeo and vehicle system developer, Magneti Marelli. The upgraded MiTo will probably invade the European market in a month’s time.

The Alfa Romeo Spider isn’t really bothered about the recession and a clear confirmation is its bold pricing. But for once, there are one many reasons to defend that sticker price and therefore no one is actually complaining. Based on the globally acclaimed Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, the Spider is a product unleashed because of the sheer demand.

The limited edition spider will have only 500 units and 35 of those are meant for the US market-imagine how sought after this version will be! And therefore, paying $299,000 will not be a hurting exercise. The price confirmed by Maserati North America makes the Spider the most expensive production Alfa Ever. We are certain that all of these cars will not just stick to the sticker price and could actually fetch even double the amount as the demand far exceeds the supply. [via Autoblog]

The spies have sent out a sneak peak of the replacement for the 147 in the Italian brand Alfa Romeo line up – an obstructed look at the upcoming Alfa Romeo Milano. The images popped up on Facebook, via a cellphone maybe? Doesn’t matter to Alfa Romeo fans. The new Milano looks a bit like the Alfa Romeo MiTo. It has oval headlights and a sharp hood. One can also see the Alfa 8C Competizione. Still the Milano does have its own distinct touches if you take a walk around back.

We also get a peek at the inside and see Alfa Romeo holding fast to its traditional cabin design of circular instrumentation panels evoking that Italian sports car aesthetic we’ve come to expect of the brand.

The Milano is to be built on the Fiat Group’s C and D platform. The car is expected to have a choice of several diesel and gasoline engines including the Fiat Group’s 1.4 liter TJet turbocharged (12o and 158 hp) engines. Can you also say 1.75 liter turbocharged and 200hp? The Milano will be out later this year or early next year.

FB via carscoop

Note: With Geneva in full swing, this week we will be really focused on putting up the most interesting models on show.

Although just a concept for the moment, the new Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA managed to steal the show in Geneva and is expected to make it to production lines later this year. Affordable for the everyday man, the new MiTo GTA has been designed to be both eye catching and powerful. And talking about power, this Mini-killer features a compact direct injection 1.7 liter turbocharged engine that outputs 242 hp. With a lowered centre of gravity (20mm), carbon-fiber body panels and tarmac-chomping front air dam and rear diffuser, we’re definitely sold on the stylish design. We’d love to have it for a test drive. Alfa … call us! [via CarBodyDesign]

I’ve always been in love with what Alfa Romeo produces because it’s a mix of Italian fashion and amazing power. Their newest model is a special limited edition MiTo, that features an unique black paint with satin-finishings, chrome grille, a set of beautiful 17-inch wheels that allows for the red brake calipers to be seen, a rear spoiler and a rear diffuser. On the inside, expect an exquisite leather job, sport seats and faux carbon-fiber trim on the dash. As for power, the four cylinder engine has been upgraded and now outputs 170hp. If you want one then you’d better be a RIAR member and hurry. Only 46 units of the €20,000 MiTo special edition will be produced. [via RIAR]

After 14 years of absence from the US soil, Alfa Romero once again has returned to US shores wth a fleet of 85 Alfa Romero 8C Competizione landed in the country. The first of the 4.7-liter V8 engine-powered 8C was delivered to James Glickenhaus in Connecticut. The stunning and aerodynamically sleek 8C comes with a 6 speed paddle-shifted gearbox, 20-inch tires, and a carbon-fiber body. The dazzling 8C will be available in limited number as only 500 units of these will be manufactured apart from the 85 that have already been pre-ordered. Alfa Romero will produce 500 units of 8C Spider also and if you wish to own one of the two cars, then you better hurry to book your beauty! -via WCF

Those Brits are again the first to see a car before the rest of the world. I’m talking about the new Alfa Romeo MiTo (Milan-Torino) that will hit showrooms next month for display purposes. The official launch however, is on January 24. With lots of inspiration from the beautiful 8C Competizione sports car, Alfa Romeo MiTo will to deal with a lot of competition in its class and the battle will be fiercely. Equipped with a 1.4 liter 95 bhp engine and featuring  a special electronic system called DNA that adjusts the car’s performances according to weather conditions or driving style, expect to pay some £10,975 for that little guy. Pre-orders will begin on November 1st.

The Alfa Romeo Brera S (’S’ for speciale) made in collaboration with Prodrive will only be sold in the UK and production will be limited to 500 hundred individually numbered models. The Brera S will be available with the two existing petrol engines, namely the 185Hp 2.2 litre and the 260Hp 3.2 V6 engines.

Prodrive has made changes to the suspension, interior, exterior as well as including a new exhaust system. Their main aim was to refine the Brera’s handling and this was achieved with new stiffer springs and dampers and the car was also slightly lowered (-10mm).

According to Peter Cambridge (Prodrive Project leader), the result is “a car that ’shrinks’ around the driver and delivers all the fun and engagement of a sports car driving experience on A and B-roads. Yet, on motorways, offers a compliant and composed ride.”

The exterior of the Brera S boasts lightweight 19″ alloy wheels with Pirelli PZero Nero Tyres ispired by the Alfa 8C Competizione, the new supercar flagship for the Alfa Romeo range. The interior of the Brera S is dressed in black leather completed with red stitiching and the centre console is accentuated with a dark finish. The headrests include a limited edition Brera S aluminium plate featuring the British and Italian flags.

Hopefully for the lucky 500 the one year development at Prodrive will pay off and this car will be more go than show due to the weight reduction.