It's no secret that Chrysler will be borrowing heavily from Fiat to fill out its Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep brands in the coming years. And it's been widely reported that Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne is especially concerned with the small car offerings for U.S. consumption. As a result, one of the first vehicles to get adapted for the U.S. marketplace will be the current-gen Alfa Romeo Giulietta, which will likely spawn several versions as soon as next year, starting with a Dodge compact car.Timing issues aside, we thought it would be a good idea to get more familiar with this platform if it's going to play such a pivotal role in the continued relationship (and success) of Chrysler and Fiat. Naturally (well, actually, we were just lucky) we decided to drive a pair of Giuliettas -- one Multi-Air gas turbo and one diesel turbo -- in rural Ireland. This would allow us to grade the vehicle itself, as well as get familiar with the various Italian power strategy differences. Spoiler alert: If this is what Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep have to look forward to, we're all likely to benefit.Factory numbers for the heavier 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel are 168 hp at 4000 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque at 1750 rpm. Top speed is also computer limited to 135 mph. As you might expect, there is more heft to the diesel engine, and as a consequence, vehicle weight is about 70 pounds heavier. Also not surprising, 0-60 mph times are a little larger as well, with Alfa's estimate coming in 8 seconds flat to 62 mph.In Dynamic mode, the steering gets tighter and throttle response is sharper. In addition, braking is more sensitive, the turbo spools quicker, and the electronic differential is more attentive. In Normal mode, all the same parameters become smoother and more gradual, biasing all computer controls to comfort and MPG efficiency. In All-weather mode, the system assumes there is possible ice or other traction issues, so braking, throttle response, gear selection, and the traction control sensors work together to limit as much slip or slide as possible. This single feature allows the driver to enjoy almost every aspect of the car to its fullest. It's almost like having three cars in one. It wouldn't surprise us to see this same DNA system in every Alfa Romeo (or Chrysler-made vehicle) sold in the U.S. Certainly, the next Jeep Compass will benefit from this type of powertrain intelligence.Our proposed route allowed us to make a complete loop over the southern half of Ireland, starting in Dublin, cutting straight across the country above Galway. Then we'd swing south along the coast until we made our way to Cork then back to Dublin. This particular route has many exciting and wonderful places to stop, so if you're interested, give yourself at least a week (preferably two) to make the loop. We would also advise you bring, buy, or have a vehicle that offers a nav system. With all the ancient and hidden roads through the old towns and meandering countryside, you'll want to have some way of getting back on track after you explore a new or uncharted route.Galway is a beautiful tourist town if you like to shop and walk along the ocean. There are plenty of comfortable places to stay, but don't be afraid to search outlying areas for more exciting and rustic accommodations. We stayed at an old castle about hour outside Galway, near the Connemara National Park (worth a visit because it looks like the surface of another planet -- www.connemaranationalpark.ie), called the Ballynahinch Castle. It was spectacular, with plenty of beautiful mountain trails all around the hillsides that lead to several streams and lakes to find.
Showing posts with label Romeo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Romeo. Show all posts
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Monday, 25 April 2011
Next Dodge Viper to resemble Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione?
Friday, Apr 22nd, 2011 @ 1:43 p.m.
Although Dodge hasn’t been shy about promoting the next-generation of its Viper supercar, the Detroit automaker hasn’t revealed too much about the car’s appearance. However, one dealer with knowledge of the program has indicated what to expect in terms of design from the 2013 Viper.
Speaking with Automotive News on the sidelines of the New York Auto Show one Chrysler dealer revealed the next-generation Viper resembles and Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione with a Viper face. Chrysler showed dealers an image of the next-generation Viper at a meeting held late last year.
Although we have yet to lay eyes on the 2013 Viper, that description would match Chrysler’s ambition to move the Viper up-scale. Dodge president Ralph Gilles says the brand has been “picking the brains” of luxury sports car owners to better understand the segment.
“It is more of a conversation to better understand this community because, honestly, it is outside our normal brand,” Gilles said. “We don’t deal with that type of customer on any other level except for the Viper. So we want to understand them better.”
Dodge has already confirmed the next Viper will feature stability control for the first time in the nameplate’s history. The next Viper is expected to launch in late 2012.
References
1.’Chrysler seeks…’ view
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Alfa Romeo green lights Dodge Viper-based TZ3 Zagato?
Thursday, Mar 31st, 2011 @ 10:41 a.m.
With the exception of the 8C, Alfa Romeo’s lineup over the last decade or so has hardly focused on high-end performance cars, but that could change soon if new reports out of Europe are to be believed.
A one-off shooting brake designed by design firm Zagato at the request of a wealthy German owner could make production – but not over the Italian running gear one might expect. Instead, according to AutoBild, a production version of the TZ3 might actually use the running gear and platform from the recently-discontinued Dodge Viper, including its 600 horsepower, 8.4-liter V10 engine.
It might sound like blasphemy, but Dodge is hard at work on a next-generation Viper, which is being co-engineered by teams from within Fiat’s portfolio – Maserati, Alfa Romeo and, of course, Ferrari. For Chrysler part-owner Fiat to green light a platform, CEO Sergio Marchionne wants to see global appeal under at least one other marque.
The original TZ3 debuted last year at the Villa d’Este Concours, where it was presented as a descendant of the racing-oriented TZ and TZ2 models from the 1960s.
The TZ3 Stradale, as German media reports it could be called, will be larger and heavier – by as much as 1,200 lbs. – than the current Viper. Reports also suggest that it might forgo the Alfa Romeo badge for a Zagato logo.
According to AutoBild, the TZ3 Stradale will debut in production-ready form later this year at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance before entering very limited production in 2012.
References
1.’Alfa TZ3 headed…’ view
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Alfa Romeo MiTo, Fiat Punto to get 500′s 0.9-liter TwinAir two-cylinder
Friday, Mar 25th, 2011 @ 8:56 a.m.
Fiat will expand the engine lineup in its Alfa Romeo MiTo and Fiat Grande Punto models to include a new powertrain nabbed from the Fiat 500's parts bin.
Boasting less than one full liter of displacement, the 0.9-liter two-cylinder uses Fiat’s innovative TwinAir technology, which features a unique valve management system and a turbocharger. In the 500, the engine is rated at an impressive – for the small size – 85 horsepower.
Despite the reduction in displacement, the engine will actually be an upgrade for both the MiTo and the Grande Punto. The Alfa Romeo’s current base engine – a 1.4-liter unit – is rated at 77 horsepower, while the Grande Punto’s little 1.2-liter is rated at just 64 ponies.
Start/stop technology and a dashboard-mounted Eco button, which modifies throttle input, will help ensure optimal fuel economy. Look for fuel consumption and CO2 emissions to drop by around 10 to 15 percent despite the added power.
Both Alfa Romeo’s 1.4-liter engine and Fiat’s 1.2-liter unit are expected to remain in production; the TwinAir two-cylinder will be a premium option for those seeking the lowest levels of emissions, a boon for European taxation based on CO2 output.
The engine won’t be offered in North America, although its technologies will likely be applied to future four-cylinder models for entry-level Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat vehicles.
References
1.’Evo Fiat Punto…’ view
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
History of 1931-2 Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3 Scuderia Ferrari No. 33
CHASSIS / ENGINE No 5006
Owner / driver / Custodian: Peter Giddings
DESIGNED DURING 1930, VITTORIO JANO'S MASTERPIECE TIPO B "P3" No5006 CONTAINS MAJOR COMPONENTS WHICH ARE DATE STAMPED AS EARLY AS 1931.
No 5006 IS THE SOLE SURMMING FIRST SERIES TIPO B, RETAINING ITS ORIGINAL ( SUBSEQUENTLY FACTORY WIDENED ) SLIM SIDED BODY AND HALF ELLIPTIC REAR SUSPENSION, WHICH STILL BEING RACED IN HISTORIC EVENTS TODAY.
No 5006 IS ONE OUT OF ONLY FIVE TIPO B'S FROM A TOTAL OF 13 SURVIVORS TO HAVE EARNED DENNIS JENKINSON'S ACCOLADE OF "GENUINE".
SCUDERIA FERRARI TIPO B'S ( No 5006 PROMNENT AMOUNGST THEM ) SWEPT THE BOARD FROM THE OUTSET WITH A STUNNING FIRST ( TAZO NUVOLARI ), SECOND ( UMBERTO BORZACCHINI ), AND THIRD ( RUDOLF CARACCOLA ) AT THE 1932 FRENCH GP, AVERAGING 90 MPH.
NUVOLARI ( WITH CO DRIVER GUSEPPE CAMPARI ) THEN WENT ON TO WIN THE ITALIAN GP AT OVER 100 MPH, FOLLOWED BY A WIN AT AVUS IN 1933 AT OVER 128 MPH, AMAZING SPEEDS EVEN BY TODAY'S STANDARDS, CONFIRMING THAT THE P3 WAS AND IS TRULY A LONG STRAIGHTAWAY RACING CAR.
WHILST TODAY, COMPLETE AND SPECIFIC TIPO B RACE HISTORIES ARE UNCLEAR, FOR DECADES No 5006 HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED AS THE GUY MOLL 1934 MONACO OF WINNING CAR MOLL, AT 23, BECAME THE YOUNGEST EVER GRAND PRIX WINNING FACTORY DRIVER, A RECORD UNBROKEN FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.
AFTER No 5006'S ILLUSTROUS SERVICE WITH SCUDERIA FERRARI, IT WAS RELEASED IN 1935 TO GEORGES RAPH, WHOSE PLACINGS INCLUDED FRENCH GP 2ND GP DE LA MARNE 7th, DEPPE GP ( RETIRED FRACTURED CARBURETOR FLOATS ) CIRCUIT OF COMMNGES 2nd PLUS 1936 CIRCUIT OF PAU * PLACE UNKNOWN ).
POST WAR No 5006 WENT STRAIGHT BACK TO WORK, WINNING EVENTS AT CURRAGH, LEINSTER AND ULSTER DRIVEN BY ANTHONY PONVYS-LYBBE.
AT THE TIME, PONVYS-LYBBE STATED THAT "P3s" WERE "ONLY REALLY SUTABLE FOR THE LONG TRACKS OF SPAIN AND IRELAND!
THE NEXT OWNER WAS JOHN WESSEY WHO ACHIEVED A FINE SECOND PLACE IN THE RICHARD SEAMAN RACE BEHIND MASERATI 8CM "30M" ( WHICH HAS FOR MANY YEARS, BEEN OWNED BY PETER ).
No 5006 WAS ALSO CAMPAIGNED BY JOHN CROWTHER AND MICHAEL THACKRAY.
IN 1966 ON THE LONG ROUEN CIRCUIT No 5006 IN THE HANDS OF WILLIAM SUMMERS, OUT PERFORMED, IN STRANGHT LINE SPEED, THE CURRENT FORMULA TWO CARS NEIL CORNER BECAME No 5006'S NEXT OWNER.
IN THE 1970'S ERA EXPONENT PETER WALLER MANAGED A GOOD THIRD PLACE WITH No, 5006 BEHIND A MERCEDES W125 ( WHICH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY RACED BY PETER IN HISTORIC EVENTS ) AND A WELL DEVELOPED 2 LITRE ERA.
WALLER REMARKED THAT No, 5006 WAS A LARGE CAR TO MANHANDLE WHEN COMPARED WITH AN ERA, A CHALLENGE ( PARTICULARLY GIVEN THE SHORTER TRACKS OF TODAY ) THAT PETER WILL NOW HAVE TO COPE WITH.
TODAY No, 5006 AFTER AN EXTENSIVE TWO YEAR RESTORATION BY AUTO RESTORATIONS OF NEW ZELAND WILL IN PETERS HANDS. AGAIN TRY TO EMULATE THE UNPARALLED ACHIEVEMENTS OF No, 5006 IN WHAT IS NOW A 70 PLUS YEAR OLD GRAND PRIX CAR.
Thursday, 17 March 2011
2007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon
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