Alfa-Romeo cars

Alfa Romeo Cleans up at Concorso d’Eleganza

Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2012 is in the books and one automaker, which was surprisingly not BMW – the sponsor of the event – cleaned up house by taking home four awards, including the most prestigious award. The winner of three of the four awards is a 1933 6C 1750 GS, an ultra-rare specimen from Alfa Romeo. The main prize that this beauty won was the “Concorso d’Eleganza Best of Show” by vote of the jury, which is the top award. In addition to this top prize, the Alfa Romeo also took home the “Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este” and the “Tropheo BMW Group Italia” by public vote.

The 6C 1750 GS was part of a series of road and race cars that Alfa Romeo manufactured from 1929 through 1933. While all of the models have their own special place in automotive history, this 1933 6C 1750 GS is especially rare. This model was designed by Figoni coach builders and boasts a 1,752 cc in-line six-cylinder engine, which cranked out a then-impressive 102 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 126 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm.

In addition to the 6C taking home three awards, Alfa Romeo took home yet another award. This prize was handed to the 4C, as it won the “Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes,” which is voted on by the public. This sleek and sexy sports car takes its styling cues from the 8C Competizione and boasts a 200-horsepower 1,750 cc turbocharged four-cylinder engine. An official at the event was quoted “…the 4C represents the essence a of true sports soul in accordance with the brand’s values: performance, Italian style and technical excellence for maximum driving pleasure in complete safety.” And we certainly agree with that interpretation.

In closing, we tip our hats to Alfa Romeo and impatiently await the release of the 4C’s debut in the U.S. in 2013.

Click past the jump to read the full press release.

North America-Bound Mazdas may Roll out of Chrysler Plants

Just a few days ago, we reported that Mazda and Fiat have joined forces to jointly produce a new sports car based on the upcoming redesigned MX-5 Miata. Fiat would use this opportunity to revive the once popular Alfa Romeo Spider, the car whose shoes the MX-5 filled back in 1990. This could not only revive the Spider overseas, but it could also bring Alfa Romeo back into the U.S. market at a reasonable price.

Recently, at a Chrysler event, a reporter from Reuters learned that this relationship may go even further than simply jointly manufacturing a sports car. The report states that Fiat is also open to allowing Mazda to use Chrysler plants to manufacture their North America-bound cars. This would obviously help Mazda a great deal, as importing cars from Japan to North American countries is extremely expensive and drives up the cars’ MSRPs, which in turn drives customers out of dealerships.

There is nothing official, but we could see something like the Ford-Mazda partnership that started in 1979 and effectively ended in 2010. This would result in various joint-ventures between Fiat, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, and Mazda, making the group one that rivals Volkswagen Auto Group, though a tad less luxurious and expensive. The advancements across the board, however, would be similar.

After some tough times, Mazda finally saw some gains in 2011, as its market share increased 9 percent that year, but it needs more to remain afloat. Mazda should see some additional increases over the next few year regardless, as the RX-8, which was down 33 percent in 2011, is being discontinued and the Miata, which was down 11 percent, is being significantly redesigned. A little added boost from a production-cost sharing venture with Fiat and Chrysler could do nothing but help all three rebounding brands and reinvent Alfa Romeo in the U.S.

2012 Alfa Romeo C12 GTS Concept by Ugur Sahin Design

If you’re trying to rack your brains trying to figure out where you’ve heard the name ’Ugur Sahin’ before, we’ll save you the trouble and tell you that this dude is the same guy behind the design of the Soleil Anadi.

Recently, Sahin’s design house unveiled a new design project, this time based on the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, called the C12 GTS Concept.

We don’t need to remind anyone about the design skills of Ugur Sahin Design because their works already do that for them. With the C12 GTS Concept, the objective was to build a project car that not only pays tribute to Alfa Romeo’s famous design characteristics, but do so with a fresh perspective and a sharp eye towards building on the Italian automaker’s appeal.

In terms of its design, the C12 GTS Concept carries Alfa Romeo’s distinctive ’inverted triangle’ grille, a characteristic that underscores the design heritage of the car. The addition of swooping lines, tactically-placed curves, and balanced proportions further enhances the car’s aggressive and sporty appeal. All told, the C12 GTS Concept is being pegged as a bigger 8C Competizione that comes with the looks of a real, head-turning Italian masterpiece.

Similar to the Anadi, Ugur Sahin Design needs an investor to get the C12 GTS Concept off the ground. It took them a few years to do so with the Anadi, but knowing how these guys operate, we’d be very surprised if it takes them the same amount of time to get somebody to build a production model of this stunning concept vehicle.

Lord knows if we had that kind of money to make it happen, we’d be on this project like white on rice.

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione by Wheelsandmore

The past few days have been chalk full of tuning programs from German tuner Wheelsandmore, and now they are adding another one in the mix. The first package was called the Lamborghini Aventador "Rabbioso", which was then followed by the Ferrari 458 Perfetto. Now, the third package is based on an even more impressive sports car: the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione.

As usual, the package includes a cool exterior kit, as well as two stages of engine upgrades. The first stage takes the power up to 470 HP, from the standard 450 HP, with the use of an ECU upgrade. Total price for this upgrade is 1680 euro ($2,138 at the current rates). The second stage goes even further to 485 HP. This stage includes an ECU upgrade and a handcrafted stainless steel exhaust system with remote-able valve flaps. The price for this upgrade is 6720 euro ($8,552 at the current rates).

The exterior kit starts with a new set of 21" ultralight forged wheels, but the tuner is also offering unlimited color and surface finishes as well as an upgraded carbon look design with white outliner and inlays.

Alfa Romeo Return Nearing Reality as Trademark is Issued

Alfa Romeo made a brief return to the U.S. in 2008, in the form of only 50 of the $241,000 8C, but it then quickly vanished, just as it did back in 1995. Now there have been talks amongst Alfa Romeo and Fiat to bring the brand back to the U.S. when the Italian automaker releases its newest creation, the 4C.

Well, the speculation and talking are no more, as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially awarded Fiat with an American trademark for the name “Alfa Romeo 4C.” It looks as if Fiat first filed for the trademark on March 25, 2011 and received the all-important approval on Aril 10th. This makes it a near certainty that this Maserati-built, Fiat-owned stunningly sexy sports car will make its way to the states.

Much like the 8C that predated it, the 4C will be a limited production model, as Maserati only plans to build about 2,500 models per year. Given we saw 90 of the 500 8Cs produced, we will again likely see about 18 percent of the total production, meaning we will have somewhere around 450 of the 4C available per year.

Fortunately, unlike the 8C, the Alfa Romeo 4C will be affordable for the upper middle-class American with a projected MSRP of $59,310. Fiat plans to pit the Romeo against the likes of the Porsche Boxster, the BMW Z4, and the more affordable MX-5 Miata, though its limited production will not make it easy to compete. This gives Alfa Romeo a car to build around in the U.S. and hopefully make a successful return.

Construction of Alfa Romeo’s 4C to take place at Maserati’s Modena plant

The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept revealed at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show is arguably the best looking car to come out of Alfa’s headquarters for years. It combines these good looks – which were only enhanced by the stunning matte red the first concept was revealed in – with the promise of high performance, yet affordable and very efficient driving. There is even the possibility of an Abarth model spicing things up even more.

Very little has been confirmed about the car until now, as Maserati recently confirmed that it will produce the 4C at its main production facility in Modena, Italy where it also builds the GranTurismo. It hasn’t yet been confirmed how this agreement between the two Italian firms was reached, but as Maserati is lending its services and facilities for the car, some financial benefit has to come out of the deal, and we suspect a Maserati variant of the 4C may be possible in the future.

Production is expected to start sometime next year, where Maserati aims to construct 2,500 units annually, and if all goes well, this figure is likely to rise. Pricing has yet to be released for the car, but early reports suggested the 4C could start at the fairly hefty price of $45,000, but with the Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S being released in the months after the 4C was, we suspect Alfa may drop this price to compete with these two cars in the U.S. market.

That being said, the Alfa promises to be even more exotic than the comparable Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S as the concept car was constructed out of carbon fiber and weighed less than 1,900 pounds, although the use of carbon fiber in the production car is expected to be reduced significantly.

Either way, the 4C is shaping up to be a truly unique sports car, and it may even pave the way for a new segment in the sports car market.

1968 Alfa Romeo T33/2 ‘Daytona’

Though not all auto buffs enjoy watching auto races, there is no disputing that all car buffs love race cars. This becomes even more amplified when you look at classic racecars, as this was back when racecars were really racecars. There were no restrictor plates or standardized engine manufacturing, if one maker could maximize power within the regulations of the sport, it was all good. Nowadays, racecars are, for the most part, mechanical copies of one another with a differing bodies.

So, when a classic race car hits the auction block, affluent car buffs’ ears perk up just a little bit, especially when a legend hits the block. The latest legend to be scheduled for auction through RM Auctions is the 1968 Alfa Romeo T33/2 ‘Daytona’, particularly chassis No. 75033.99. Ed McDonough, an Alfa Romeo expert, stated that chassis No. 75033.99 was a racing car of the 1960s, but the overall record keeping of chassis by Alfa Romeo was poor, so records of all of its races are a little sketchy, as are details of how many chassis were built.

McDonough estimates that 20 chassis were built and that this particular chassis was involved in one of the best showings by Autodelta/Alfa Romeo, as it was a part of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes at the 1968 500 KM race in Imola, beating Porsche by a wide margin.

The owner of the vehicle claims that the vehicle is in operating condition and is “very reliable.” It has a Dutch and U.K. road registration, and FIA, HTP, and FIVA documents.

This racing legend features a 270-horsepower, 2.0-liter V-8 engine – yes, a 2.0-liter V-8 – and a six-speed gearbox. It also features independent front and rear suspension, and has a 2,250 mm (88.58-inch) wheelbase. So, if you are in the market for a turnkey classic racer, you can snag this one up May 11 or 12, 2012 in Monaco. There is no estimated price, as of yet, but it will certainly crest the $100K mark, easily.

Hit the jump for the official press release and more pictures.

2012 Alfa Romeo Touring Superleggera Disco Volante Concept

There was once a time when Alfa Romeo had a car called the C 52 that was appreciated for its exceptional aerodynamic qualities, earning itself the nickname "Disco Volante," or in English terms, "Flying Saucer."

That was back in 1952 and it’s safe to say that we haven’t seen a car quite like it since then. That is...until now.

In celebrating the company’s 60th anniversary, Alfa Romeo has teamed up with Italian coach builder, Touring Superleggera, to bring us a modern-day interpretation of the legendary C 52. This model, called the 2012 Disco Volante Concept, is based on the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. It carries a unique aerodynamic design and is built with carbon fiber and aluminum panels that should make its predecessor proud. And for those wondering if the Disco Volante Concept is just a novelty piece, not only does it carry a stout Maserati-sourced 4.7-liter V8 engine that produces 450 horsepower, but there’s a good chance that we will see a number of units for this unique supercar out on the streets in the near future.

UPDATE 03/13/2012: Milan-based coachbuilder, Touring Superleggera, has unveiled a very cool promo video for their latest Disco Volante Concept. Enjoy!

Find out more about the Alfa Romeo Touring Superleggera Disco Volante Concept after the jump.

2012 Alfa Romeo Giulietta by Auto Avio Costruzioni

It’s been a while since we last heard anything about the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, but a tuning firm has picked it up anyway with the intention of jazzing it up a but. Italian tuning firm, Auto Avio Costruzioni - under the coordination of Laurent Miller - has developed a very impressive tuning kit for the Italian hatchback. In fact, this a one-off kit priced at €40,000 or about $53,000 at the current exchange rates. Guess even hatchback owners have to pay for exclusivity.

The first thing the tuning company did was douse the subcompact car with a unique two-tone paint job that combines dark-grey for the lower body with a Lamborghini-sourced "White Ballon" pearl paint for the upper part of the body, as well as the wheels.

Under the hood, the car’s standard 1750 TBi turbocharged four-cylinder engine has been tuned to deliver a total of 270 HP and 284 lb-ft of torque (up from the standard 235 HP and 250 lb-ft). The Giulietta was also fixed up with a KW suspension that allows the driver to choose between multiple settings.

2012 Geneva Motor Show: The Concept Cars

Concept cars have always been an integral part of any major auto show. These events give automakers an opportunity to showcase some of the most outlandish and over-the-top vehicles we’ll ever see.

Now that doesn’t mean that these concepts will translate to production. Actually, very few do with most of them forgotten long after the auto show ends.

At the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, we saw a lot of concept cars that piqued our curiosities one way or the other. Some were fancy, some were strange, and some just completely blew us away.

In the end, the concept cars at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show delivered on the promise of providing some edge and flavor to the proceedings. On the list below, we’ll show you all of the concepts that caught our eye, and if we do say so ourselves, some of those are just too awesome to not be sent to the production line.

Check out the concept cars from the 2012 Geneva Motor Show after the jump.