For the first time since the car's introduction, the 2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione is now officially available on the North American market through one of Maserati's ADs.
Equipped with a 450hp 4.7-liter V8 engine, which is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox and a self-blocking differential unit, the 8C Competizione costs about $230,000 and is claimed to be the most expensive Alfa Romeo ever. It takes only four seconds to accelerate from zero to 60mph and can achieve a top speed of more than 180mph.
Although all cars allotted for the U.S. customers said to be already sold out, there is a good chance that there will be some additional deliveries before Alfa Romeo makes its real return to North America.
See also: Maserati GranTurismo: more photos
Sunday, November 09, 2008
2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione is on sale in the U.S.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Alfa Spider to Debut in Geneva
Italian automaker FIAT plans to present its redesigned 4WD Alfa Spider sports roadster at the 2006 Geneva motor show set to open later this month.
Alfa Spider is the direct descendant of the famous Giulietta Spider from 1950s and more modern Alfa Romeo Spider that was quite popular about a decade ago. Family similarities aside, the roadster will be the first to have an all-wheels-drive.
Company says that the car will be 1830mm wide, 4396mm long and 1367mm high. The two-seater will also feature four exhaust pipes to tackle its hot 138kW 2.2-litre or a 195kW 3.2-litre JTS engine.
Full specifications and prices to be available later.
Alfa GT Blackline Limited Edition delivers style, not power
The Italian Alfa Romeo company has eventually introduced its latest Alfa GT BlackLine limited edition series to the U.K. market. Being equipped with a choice of two anemic engines, the car is by no means an asphalt-burner but it will be a great purchase for those who prefer style over substance.
And the car is stylish, indeed. The Alfa GT BlackLine is offered with bespoke 18-inch alloys, metallic black paint, satin effect wing mirrors and chrome exhaust tips. Inside, the car features black leather interior, aluminum "sports" pedals, an aluminum gearknob, and a Bose sound system.
Alas, all this style is ruined with just a couple of weak engines, not being able to push the Alfa GT as fast as its exterior styling promises. The 2.0-liter JTS gasoline engine produces only 165 bhp and takes about 8.7 seconds to accelerate the car from zero to 62 mph and limits its top speed to just 134 mph. The 1.9-liter JTDM diesel engine is capable of delivering no more than 150 bhp, so don't expect the acceleration time to be better than 9.6 seconds and the top speed to exceed 130 mph.
See also: Alfa Romeo 147 to get a facelift
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Q2 takes Alfa Romeo to the limit
High-powered diesel versions of Alfa Romeo’s multi-award winning Alfa 147 and Alfa GT models now feature a sporty twist, in the form of a limited slip front differential that further improves and increases driving enjoyment and control. The system is available exclusively with the 150bhp JTDM engine in the Alfa GT and Alfa 147.
Drivers choosing this option will benefit from a more sensitive set-up that maintains traction, roadholding and stability during hard acceleration in low grip conditions, and notably when exiting corners.
Up front, Alfa Romeo’s new Q2 limited slip differential splits torque between the two front wheels constantly and dynamically in response to changing driving conditions and road surfaces; ensuring that effective grip is maintained at all times.
Whilst not the first manufacturer to employ an LSD installation at the front of the vehicle, Alfa Romeo has combined the technology with an exclusive double wishbone front suspension to allow very effective fine tuning of the car’s chassis. In addition, Alfa Romeo has lowered the ride height, and specified different anti-roll bars, springs and dampers, along with bigger wheels with low-profile tyres.
Perhaps the most seductive advantage of Alfa’s Q2 system is that it works with the traction control to maintain power and acceleration at all times. Without the Q2 arrangement in place, all traction control systems will reduce power to a spinning wheel to allow the car to regain grip – effectively slowing the car down. With Q2, it simply shifts the power to the wheel with more grip, and therefore maintains acceleration.
To help differentiate these Q2 models from their stablemates, both the Alfa 147 and Alfa GT models boast a number of exterior and interior stylistic changes.
Outside, these include a satin finish on the ‘whiskers’, grille and mirror housings plus special 17” alloys on the 147 – 18” on the GT – a rear spoiler, chromed exhaust, lowered suspension and a Q2 boot badge.
The sporty theme continues inside with red dials and white lighting, plus leather upholstery and red stitching on the steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake gaiter. Other neat touches include grey anthracite trims on the steering wheel spokes and console, and special Q2 kick plates and aluminium pedals.
One further enhancement is the fitment of steering wheel mounted controls for the Bose stereo, cruise control and the VDC system.
Alfa Romeo UK Marketing Director, Nicholas Bernard, says: “These Alfa 147 and Alfa GT models bring a new level of driving enjoyment to the range. Q2 will excite motorists who really love to drive their cars. In short, the innovative system provides many of the advantages typical of four-wheel drive, but at a significantly lower cost and weight.”
Source: Alfa Romeo
