Tag Archives: Alfa

News

Autocar journal 17 April: on sale now

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This week in Autocar, we element Alfa Romeo’s new BMW M3-beater, drive Skoda’s Swiss military knife, and discover out why the boss of Jeep is bullish in regards to the firm’s future.

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The subsequent Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio will arrive in 2026 as its most potent automobile thus far, nudging 1000bhp and on-board AI that may tweak its dealing with – now we have each element. We additionally check out Alfa’s long-awaited new SUV, the Milano, because it appears to focus on a ‘new technology’ of patrons.

Meanwhile at Mercedes, the EQS has been handled to a brand new face and vary boosted by 11% – we have got the lowdown on the BMW i7 rival.

The best-selling Nissan Qashqai has additionally obtained a gentle facelift to carry it consistent with the electrical Ariya, full with sharper strains and a brand new face impressed by Japanese samurai helmets.

We additionally cowl Porsche’s determination to maintain the Boxster, Cayman and Macan on sale within the UK, and why Aston Martin is about to maintain combustion powertrains for so long as it will possibly.

Reviews

The new Skoda Kodiaq has arrived greater and swisher, providing seven-seat petrols and diesels and, for the primary time, a plug-in hybrid. We discover out if it nonetheless has the enduring enchantment of the outgoing automobile.

BMW’s best-seller, the X3, has been given an overhaul in each division – we head to France to drive a pre-production prototype.

Speaking of prototypes, the Audi RS E-tron GT has been given a spread of updates with the promise of being a extra well-rounded and dynamic GT. Does it fulfil that billing? 

Omoda, the Chinese agency planning an offensive on UK shores, is heading for our markets with a competitively priced rival to the Hyundai Kona, merely known as the 5. We drive the plug-in hybrid and electrical model to see what’s what.

Elsewhere in a packed opinions part, we’re testing three model new Volkswagens, the Aston Martin DB12 Volante, and the Citroen C5 Aircrews Hybrid.

Features

New Jeep CEO Antonia Filosa understands what makes the American model totally different. James Attwood hears how he plans to show it into a world success story.

Horiba MIRA, the 80-year-old automotive validation station, is reworking itself right into a one-stop car improvement store. Matt Saunders takes the tour.

Opinion

Matt Prior discusses the federal government’s determination to look into headlight glare and the nifty resolution he has give you. He additionally talks in regards to the SMMT’s name to halve VAT on EVs.

Steve Cropley, in the meantime, riffs on the attractive and daring Wells Vertige, the revival of the Vauxhall Frontera, and the way a nook of the Bicester Heritage circuit has been given a well-recognized title.

News

Alfa Romeo Milano: agency’s smallest mannequin will get sizzling 237bhp EV

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Alfa Romeo has revealed the Milano as its third SUV and its first series-production electrical automotive.

Named for the model’s hometown, the urban-focused crossover is positioned because the non secular successor to the Giulietta and Mito hatchbacks, majoring on accessibility however providing each premium attraction and driver engagement in a bid to “attract a new generation of Alfisti”.

Alda Romeo boss Jean-Philippe Imparato mentioned that the Milano was designed to assist the model go “from exclusive to inclusive”. He highlighted that the Milano would sit in the identical line-up on the ultra-exclusive 33 Stradale, including: “Alfa is the only brand that is able to sell a car at €2 million and €30,000.”

Imparato added: “Many of Alfa Romeo’s fans still miss the Mito and Giulietta, and now we revamp their stories. Welcome home.”

Measuring 4170mm lengthy by 1780mm huge and 1500mm tall, the Milano adopts a number of daring new design cues however nods again to Alfas of previous with options just like the swollen wheel arches, a ‘coda tronca’ bluff rear finish and SZ-inspired headlights. The most distinctive function is the brand new interpretation of Alfa’s conventional front-end grille, wich on electrical variations featured stylised components from the agency’s emblem.

As with the Citroën C4, Fiat 600, Jeep Avenger and Peugeot 2008 with which it shares a platform (and its fundamental dimensions), the Milano is offered with the selection of electrical or mild-hybrid petrol energy.

The Milano Ibrida combines a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with a 48V starter-generator and a 28bhp electrical motor within the six-speed computerized gearbox for 134bhp and the potential of short-distance EV operating. It’s front-wheel-drive as customary, however a four-wheel-drive model will arrive later – “a first in the premium segment”, Alfa says.

The Milano Elettrica makes use of a well-known set-up that includes a 54kWh battery – good for 255 miles and able to charging at 100kW – and a front-mounted 154bhp motor, however with a “specific calibration” aimed toward offering “excellent performance and an engaging and very sporty drive, like every Alfa Romeo”.

Car review

Alfa Romeo Tonale

If the Tonale was meant because the automotive to save lots of Alfa Romeo – and, let’s face it, there have been a number of – you wouldn’t actually know as a lot from a pair of electrified powertrains whose outright efficiency and drivability every leaves a good bit to be desired.

Alfa’s engineers will inform you that the small electrical motor and drive battery of the mildhybrid mannequin are ‘right-sized’ for the automotive – however in observe they really feel undersized to supply a really convincing hybrid driving expertise. The engine cuts in in a short time and it will get fairly buzzy when it’s pushed. It feels barely stronger and maybe a shade extra refined than some hybrid choices, however a standard petrol 2.0-litre BMW X1 is quicker and extra refined nonetheless.

Largely the identical is true of the gentle hybrid’s seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox: it’s okay, however when you’re coming from a BMW eight-speed auto, you received’t be impressed with the smoothness, velocity or shift factors it chooses.

In the case of the extra highly effective PHEV, outright efficiency actually feels extra responsive and guaranteed; however right here, the Tonale’s tempo and drivability relies upon quite a bit on the situation of its drive battery. 

When absolutely charged, our efficiency assessments confirmed that the automotive will certainly hit 60mph from relaxation in 6.3sec, and go on to crack a standing quarter mile in a shade beneath 15sec; each creditably athletic markers. But once we tried the identical assessments once more with the battery absolutely depleted, the automotive wanted a second longer to hit 60mph, and greater than 2.5sec longer to hit 90mph from standing. 

The subjective efficiency of the Tonale PHEV feels much more adversely affected by a flat battery. Part-throttle responsiveness is dulled fairly noticeably when the combustion engine’s crankshaft is being ‘dragged’ so as to high the battery again up, so it feels somewhat as when you’re driving by treacle – that’s, a minimum of, till you get to the decrease reaches of the accelerator pedal’s journey, when the automotive’s powertrain calibration switches. Rivals actually do a greater job of delivering a constant driving expertise no matter battery situation.

Refinement within the PHEV ranges from first rate to mediocre. The combustion engine runs in fairly reedy-sounding, tappetty trend, and Alfa’s cabin insulation measures aren’t very efficient. We recorded 71dbA of cabin noise at a 70mph motorway cruise, the place some premium-brand choices within the class get to 67dbA or under.

Brake pedal development, through Alfa’s electromechanical brake booster system, is somewhat smooth, however doesn’t really feel overly synthetic, and permits you to handle power regeneration and friction braking properly sufficient.

Car review

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

There’s a cause that the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio’s inside foibles appear as petty as they’re, and it’s to do with the way in which the automobile drives. The V6 fires to a purposeful, if not spiteful, idle, with the impression that air is being moved round in gruff quantities.

It’s no AMG V8, however neither is AMG’s newest providing. So notch up one other win for this outdated stager.

If you twist the DNA drive mode selector to D (for dynamic), it will increase the exhaust woofle, sharpens the throttle response and impacts which gear the transmission opts to place itself in.

On half throttle, thoughts, there’s an occasional hesitancy: generally it offers you greater than you ask, generally much less, nevertheless it’s very slight and solely simply sufficient to prick your consciousness.

The eight-speed auto’s actions are properly matched, though at something greater than a mild cruise we discovered we needed to take cost ourselves through the column-mounted shift paddles.

Do so and the Alfa pretty flies. In our 2017 highway check, in good excellent circumstances and on new tyres it hit 60mph from relaxation in underneath 4 seconds. As a two-way common, with two folks aboard and totally fuelled, there’s nonetheless nothing flawed with the 4.5sec the automobile returned in our fingers. It’s unlikely the additional 10bhp added at first of 2024 will make a lot distinction.

Turbo lag turns into negligible after you have 3000rpm or so wound on, and the V6 runs to a soulful 7300rpm, with a noise that’s smoother than V8s and extra partaking than BMW’s straight-six.Its gearbox operates with larger smoothness than that in most options, too. The Giulia mooches by way of gears with the benefit of a good torque converter auto, and is arguably higher for it.

It additionally stops properly, even on worn P Zero Corsas and within the moist, though brake pedal really feel as you come to a halt might be improved. Initial really feel is sweet, as is retardation, on carbon ceramics or in any other case, however typically after you cease you must regulate pedal stress to forestall the Giulia creeping forwards.

News

Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia EVs confirmed for 2025 and 2026

The next-generation Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV will make the swap to electrical energy when it arrives in 2025. It will probably be adopted by a brand new Giulia saloon in 2026, and Alfa Romeo will go EV-only a 12 months after.

The duo would be the first STLA Large-based automobiles to make use of 800V electricals, hinting that they may absolutely exploit the brand new Stellantis platform’s potential in sizzling Quadrifoglio guise.

The quickest STLA Large automobiles will crack the 0-62mph dash in round 2.0sec – virtually half the three.8sec and three.9sec instances claimed by the present V6-engined Stelvio QV and Giulia QV.

The new Dodge Charger Daytona – the primary efficiency automotive to make use of the platform however with 400V electricals – affords outputs of as much as 670bhp and so can hit 60mph in 3.3sec.

It additionally packs a 93.9kWh (usable) battery pack, which delivers a spread of 317 miles within the 496bhp R/T mannequin, in keeping with the US’s EPA take a look at cycle (which is harder than the WLTP routine utilized in Europe).

This may be recharged at charges of as much as 183kW, permitting a 20-80% refill in 27 minutes. 

However, the usage of 800V electricals within the Alfa duo will likely permit for a considerably quicker charging price. It’s doable that it’s going to rival the recently upgraded Porsche Taycan, which might now take as much as 320kW.

Alfa Romeo Giulia render – Autocar

The greater voltage may additionally permit Alfa to scale back the present at which {the electrical} system runs, permitting for thinner wiring and thus a big discount to the automotive’s weight.

This may show key to making sure the brand new automobiles are to match the dynamic capabilities of their predecessors, given the 400V Charger ideas the scales at a hefty 2648kg.

To that finish, the Giulia and Stelvio will even be fitted with lively anti-roll bars and a terrain-detection system.

The automobiles may also be the primary to make use of Stellantis’s new STLA Brain pc structure, which guarantees to carry a marked improve to the automobiles’ onboard technological choices.

Motorsport

The Giulia Quadrifoglio, The Best Performance Sedan, Is Temporarily Dead

Pour one out for the Quads. We’re speaking concerning the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio, which have delighted efficiency followers for years with twin-turbocharged V-6 energy. As we slide by means of February, we now have official phrase that 2024 would be the finish of the Quadrifoglio. Or relatively, the Quadrifoglio as we all know it, anyway.

In this case, the official phrase comes from the very high – Alfa’s Head of North American Operations Larry Dominique. In a publish on Linkedin, he introduced the ultimate Quadrifoglio orders can be stuffed by late April, with manufacturing ending in June.

Here is his assertion:

“Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio Performance Models Bid Farwell to North America, For Now.

It’s time to get to your native Alfa Romeo vendor!

2024 represents the ultimate alternative to order a Giulia Quadrifoglio and Stelvio Quadrifoglio with a 505-horsepower bi-turbo V-6! This is the ultimate probability to personal a Quadrifoglio with solely combustion engine expertise as we proceed our metamorphosis to an electrified future, however this isn’t the top of the story. I look ahead to presenting the following chapter within the four-leaf clover’s journey.

The alternative to order a 2024 Giulia Quadrifoglio or Stelvio Quadrifoglio will near North America on the finish of April 2024. The final internal-only combustion-powered Quadrifoglio fashions for US and Canada will exit the Cassino plant in June 2024.”

His phrases have been additionally confirmed by Stellantis on X.

 

Sad as this is likely to be for some, Dominique’s phrases clearly suggest that one thing else with Quadrifoglio branding is within the works. Whatever it’s, electrification is nearly assured, and never just because Dominique made it a degree to say “this is the final chance to own a Quadrifoglio with only combustion engine technology.” It’s no secret that Alfa Romeo is steering towards an electrical future, emphasised by the painfully attractive 33 Stradale. Unveiled final August because the company’s last internal combustion supercar, it is also out there as a pure EV.

The Giulia and Stelvio aren’t supercars, however rumors of next-generation electric variants have circulated for fairly a while. And with Euro 7 rules easing up, the boosted 2.9-liter V-6 still has a future. We’ve actually seen loads of efficiency fashions from quite a few manufacturers make the most of hybrid powertrains not for effectivity, however severe efficiency. It’s affordable to suppose the identical may occur right here.

We reached out to Alfa Romeo for some further info on all this, however Dominique’s assertion is the extent to which the corporate is commenting. That features a touch upon whether or not Quadrifoglio fashions will stay in Europe, since his social publish particularly talked about North America. However, we will let you know that lower-spec variations of the Giulia and Stelvio with the two.0-liter engine will dwell on for the rapid future.

Motorsport

The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale Electric Supercar Is Eerily Quiet

The 33 Stradale will go down in historical past as Alfa Romeo’s final supercar with an inner combustion engine. However, a completely electrical model was additionally out there. Of the 33 items deliberate for manufacturing, only some would be the EV since most owners decided to go with the V6. For the primary time, we get to see the mannequin with no conventional engine.

Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato took to X (previously Twitter) to share a 40-second clip of the 33 Stradale in electrical guise. As anticipated, it mirrors the mannequin geared up with a twin-turbo 3.0-liter engine, however with one noticeable absence — the V6’s distinctive soundtrack. Instead, all we hear is the whine of the electrical motors. It’s a sound we’ll must turn into accustomed to as supercars with no gasoline engine are set to turn into extra prevalent.

 

We’d get the V6 over the EV model in a heartbeat, even when the latter has extra energy. It packs a mighty 750-hp punch or an additional 130 hp over the six-cylinder mannequin. Both will do 0 to 60 mph in lower than three seconds and prime out at over 200 mph. Alfa Romeo’s halo automotive in electrical guise can cowl 280 miles (450 kilometers) on a single cost.

The beautiful coupe with butterfly doorways was collaboratively crafted with Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera. The 33 Stradale is rear-wheel drive when powered by a combustion engine and all-wheel drive for the EV configuration with its triple motor setup. The gasoline mannequin is provided with a ZF eight-speed, dual-clutch transmission, channeling energy from the mid-mounted engine to the rear axle.

Alfa Romeo by no means publicly disclosed the value tag of its modern-day 33 Stradale, because it offered all 33 deliberate items earlier than the general public debut, eliminating the necessity for official pricing. While it has been reported that prospects paid round $2.8 million, the Italian marque by no means formally confirmed this determine.

Although the reborn 33 Stradale was unveiled in August 2023, manufacturing is not scheduled to begin till June 24 this yr. Come 2026, an electric-only supercar is going to be unveiled, presumably with one other retro-flavored moniker.

News

Alfa Romeo Milano enters ultimate testing section forward of April debut

The Alfa Romeo Milano – the Italian model’s second small SUV – is now within the ultimate phases of testing and improvement on the hallowed Balocco check monitor.

Primed for a full unveiling on 10 April, the Milano is primed to take Alfa Romeo again into the B-segment for the primary time for the reason that Mito supermini was retired in 2019.

Alfa Romeo has additionally emphasised the give attention to the SUV’s dealing with, stating that it is focusing on “best-in-class driving dynamics” to “assure fast cornering with a excessive degree of grip”. 

It added that the workforce of engineers engaged on the Milano beforehand developed the 4C and 8C sports activities automobiles, the Giulia saloon and the Stelvio Quadrifoglio efficiency SUV.

Powertrain particulars might be introduced in April, however we’re anticipating the Milano EV to make use of a 54kWh battery, providing a spread of round 250 miles.

Alfa Romeo confirmed final yr that, along with being the model’s first electrical automotive to achieve showrooms, the Milano might be bought with a mild-hybrid powertrain.

Currently, although, solely the EV is deliberate to return to the UK. 

The title Milano – final used within the Eighties for the US-market model of the 75 saloon – was chosen to stress “the connection between the car and the roots of Alfa Romeo”, Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato stated. 

Measuring round 4.1m lengthy and 1.8m large, the brand new Volvo EX30 rival will share the E-CMP platform with the Jeep Avenger, alongside which it will likely be in-built Tychy, Poland. 

The electrical Milano might be four-wheel-drive, suggesting it will likely be the primary E-CMP-based automotive so as to add a second motor on the rear axle. 

Jeep has additionally confirmed a four-wheel-drive model of the Avenger, however whereas that might be conceived with an emphasis on off-road capability, the Milano will use a 4WD format to provide the automotive distinctive and interesting dealing with traits, according to Alfa’s dynamic remit.  

Motorsport

A Ferrari V8 Swap Transforms An Old Alfa Romeo Into An Amazing Italian Dream

Alfa Romeo and Ferrari have a protracted historical past of working collectively, going again to Enzo Ferrari racing for the Alfa squad within the Nineteen Twenties. So, it solely is smart for somebody to drop a Ferrari 360 engine right into a traditional 2000 GT Veloce. It positive wasn’t a simple venture.

This builder, an Aussie named Jeff, began with a rusty 1973 Alfa Romeo that wanted new physique panels behind the B-pillar. Over the course of 4 years, he did all of the work to create this wild machine.

Getting the engine was really one of many simpler components of the construct. He discovered this one from an unique automobile wrecker in Adelaide, Australia, so no mint 360s had been sacrificed within the venture construct course of. Apparently, it is cheaper to purchase a Tipo F131 3.6-liter V8 than to make in depth modifications to the unique 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

Fitting the Ferrari V8 into the Alfa’s engine bay was a much more vital problem. The powerplant is not for much longer than the unique four-cylinder, but it surely’s wider and taller. Jeff says there’s solely a few centimeter of clearance in lots of areas. He has a customized metal hood with a clear part within the center to indicate all of it off.

Now, you would possibly assume that he’d use a Ferrari gearbox, however as a result of it is a front-engine utility of the usually mid-mounted V-8, Jeff needed to get artistic. The transmission is out of a Subaru BRZ, a gearbox that usually has to deal with lower than 250 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. The Ferrari engine makes 395 horsepower and 275 pound-feet inventory, which is excess of Subaru put into the BRZ. That mentioned, modified BRZs aren’t making information for blowing gearboxes left and proper, so possibly it will be all proper. Jeff figures it is making round 300 hp on the wheels, a wholesome improve over the unique four-cylinder producing 130 hp on the crank.

The better part? Jeff plans to make use of this automobile as a day by day driver. It even has air con and cruise management, so it is prepped for the job. He dealt with all of the upholstery, together with stitching the seats and door panels in a striped sample impressed by the traditional Ferrari Daytona. This factor seems magnificent.

Unfortunately, we do not get to listen to the engine run on this video, but it surely ought to sound improbable. The powerplant includes a flat-plane crankshaft, 5 valves per cylinder, and a pair of camshafts for every financial institution of cylinders. Peak energy arrives at 8,500 rpm, so the mill can actually scream.

Motorsport

Alfa Romeo Claims Quality Push Has Halved Warranty Costs

Alfa Romeo CEO says making higher-quality automobiles is paying off (surprising, proper?), and Hyundai is promoting its Russian manufacturing unit for chump change.

This is AM Drive, Motor1’s every day have a look at the information you want earlier than you get in your automotive.

Alfa Romeo Has Lowered Warranty Costs By 50 Percent

Ghosts of the previous are nonetheless haunting Alfa Romeo. Reliability stays a priority for purchasers, however the firm’s boss claims enormous progress has been made lately. So a lot in order that guarantee prices have been halved, in keeping with Jean-Philippe Imparato. Speaking with Automotive News Europe, the CEO says he made the precise name when he delayed the Tonale’s launch by six months to repair high quality points.

Sales are projected to go up by 30 p.c in 2023 to 70,000 to 80,000 automobiles, with the driving pressure behind the surge being demand is the Tonale. The compact crossover is anticipated to account for 60 p.c of whole deliveries, with the remaining 40 p.c cut up between the Giulia and Stelvio. At present price, Alfa is promoting about 6,000 Tonale items every month. The smaller Milano crossover launching in 2024 ought to bolster demand however Alfa Romeo is adamant it won’t become an SUV-only brand.

Imparato is completely satisfied to report that the corporate he is operating will present an working margin of “several hundred million euros” for 2023. Alfa Romeo had been hemorrhaging cash earlier than FCA merged with PSA to create Stellantis a few years in the past. One technique utilized by the CEO to show issues round was by decreasing complexity. Fun truth – there have been about 4,000 choices (together with 47 wheels) out there when he took the reins of Alfa. Now there are simply 1,500.

Hyundai Sells Its Russian Plant For $77

Hyundai is the most recent automaker to name it quits in Russia by promoting its native plant for 7,000 rubles. That’s simply $77 at present trade charges. Operations have been suspended again in March 2022 within the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In a regulatory submitting, Hyundai reveals it’s going to incur a 287 billion gained ($219 million) loss.

While world automakers are leaving Russia, it offers Chinese manufacturers the prospect to penetrate the market with their very own merchandise. The Soviet-era Moskvitch model has been revived to promote automobiles developed in China and made on the former Renault manufacturing unit in Russia.