Fiat-Chrysler is currently building a dealership network in North America for the purpose of commencing the sales of Fiat models this year. The 500 will be the first Fiat to be sold in North America since the brand announced a return to the market.  The company hopes to have 130 Fiat dealers over there.

However, production of the 4C will be limited. Alfa Romeo plans to build up to just 20,000 units of the 4C over a five year period. The automaker also made it clear that another 5,000 to 10,000 units of a 4C roadster will be produced under the Abarth sport sub-brand.

The 4C will sport a price tag of €45,000 ($62,000) for sales in Europe.

(Via WCF)

All of about 4 meters in length and less than 2.4 meters of wheelbase, the car has been presented as a car that sports a four-cylinder (4C) 1750 Turbo Multi-Air unit  that returns 200 PS (147 kW / 197 bhp) of output.

Features include the latest Alfa TCT automatic twin dry clutch gearbox. The car has capabilities to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 5 seconds and returns a  top speed of over 250 km/h (155 mph).

Alfa Romeo comes with a mid-rear mounted 1.8 liter turbocharged power plant and a lightweight chassis with carbon-fiber and aluminum body structures for a total curb weight of less than 850 kg (1874 lbs).

There will be several engine choices – the petrol option is likely to be with a turbocharged 1.4-liter with 118 hp (88 kW / 120 PS) and 168 hp (125 kW / 170 PS) as well as a 1.8-liter with 200hp (149 kW / 203 PS).

The diesel options will include several JTDm options with outputs ranging from 104 hp (78 kW / 105 PS) to 200 hp (149 kW / 203 PS).

To ensure good handling, the car is equipped with the Active Roll Control system – which ensures that every time the driver takes a corner, the springs and dampers automatically stiffen.

According to Alfa Romeo’s schedule, the Giulia is to go into production in the latter months of 2012.

(Via AutoExpress)

Zagato, the coach-building brand for Alfa Romeo created quite a stir when the teaser images of its TZ3 Corsa Race Car were first unveiled. The physical version of the car has now been unveiled at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy and it sure has the fanatics excited.

This race car is purpose-built to mark 90 years of collaboration between Zagato and Alfa Romeo. The race car is a two-seater and is powered by a rear-wheel driven mechanism with a mid-front mounted engine. What makes it a scorching racer is its low weight which is the courtesy of its handmade aluminum body. The TZ3 is powered by 4.2 liter V8 with 420 PS and the best part is that the engine calibration is manually adjustable. The commuter can dash from 0 to 100 km/h in a matter of 3.5 seconds.

The upcoming racer draws its inspiration from Alfa Romeo TZ and TZ2 and this particular model was commissioned by a German racer whose identity hasn’t been disclosed. The racer is directly based on the 8C Competizione and its tubular chassis is a mono shell carved out of carbon fiber and later grazed with aluminum. Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy will be the event where the TZ3 will be unveiled for the first time.

Looks sooo sleek, don’t you think?

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 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]