Alfa Romeo builds special edition ‘Mille Miglia’ Spider
Alfa Romeo has created a special edition of its Spider convertible in order to commemorate the historic Mille Miglia 1,000 mile race that takes place in Italy annually. The carmaker will build just 11 examples of the ‘Spider Mille Miglia’ to mark the 11 victories it’s had in the famous Italian race, which heralded the rise of the original sports grand tourer. While there are no performance increases, the Spider Mille Miglia is based on the standard 3.2 V6 powerplant that outputs 260hp...

Alfa Romeo design chief resigns
Along with Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati, Alfa Romeos personify the image of Italian motoring with their sporty overtones and curvaceous lines, however some of the brand’s most admired models were in fact created by an American designer. Now, less than a year out from Alfa Romeo’s official return to the U.S., American Frank Stephenson, has quit his role as chief designer. Cars developed under his guidance include the first Alfa Romeo in years to be headed for the U.S., the new 8C Competizione...

Alfa Romeo in talks with Jaguar over RWD platforms
If Alfa Romeo is serious about competing with Germany’s premium labels it will eventually have to drop its core FWD lineup or at least offer more affordable rear-drive models. However, the carmaker’s low volume status makes developing a brand new premium RWD platform unfeasible. One solution is to license an existing design from another carmaker, and latest reports claim that’s exactly what’s going to happen over the next couple of years as Alfa updates its lineup and prepares for its return to...

Alfa Romeo in talks with Jaguar over RWD platforms
If Alfa Romeo is serious about competing with Germany’s premium labels it will eventually have to drop its core FWD lineup or at least offer more affordable rear-drive models. However, the carmaker’s low volume status makes developing a brand new premium RWD platform unfeasible. One solution is to license an existing design from another carmaker, and latest reports claim that’s exactly what’s going to happen over the next couple of years as Alfa updates its lineup and prepares for its return to...

Alfa Romeo Mi.To could replace 3-door 147
The new Mi.To hatch is already building a fan base on the back of its good looks and sporty potential, and now rumors are circulating that the diminutive hatch is actually the replacement for the smaller end of the 147 line, with the 149 replacement to be five-doors only and targeted more up-market. Alfa Romeo reportedly wants to sell about 150,000 units annually of both the Mi.To and the 149, to combine for 300,000 units, according to Dutch publication AutoTelegraaf. By splitting the 147 line into the...

Alfa Romeo picks Mi.To badge using online poll
As we approach the final launch date of Alfa Romeo’s new entry-level model, the ultra-stylish but oddly named Mi.To hatch, more details about the car have emerged including the final design of its new badge. Alfa Romeo called upon web users once again to pick the final logo by setting up a web poll with six other designs. You may recall the carmaker did the same when picking a new name for the car, however officials didn’t end up sticking with the winner of that poll – Furiosa - instead going with...

BMW to build Alfa Romeos in U.S.?
Earlier this week Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne revealed his desire to partner with an American carmaker over a deal to build Alfa Romeos in the U.S., but according to latest reports BMW could be the carmaker Fiat signs up with. Alfa Romeo has been planning its 2009 North American relaunch for years but the recent weakening in the U.S. dollar against the euro has thrown a spanner in the works. The best solution is to start manufacturing cars locally but Alfa Romeo will need help. Although teaming with one...

Fiat in talks with Detroit 3 over Alfa Romeo production
The worsening exchange rate differential between the strengthening euro and weakening U.S. dollar means importing European manufactured models to North America is now significantly more expensive than just a few years ago. It’s a problem Alfa Romeo has to juggle with as it attempts to re-establish itself in the U.S. next year, but it looks like the carmaker has a number of options up its sleeve to help ride out the storm. One option officials are looking at is building a new plant in Mexico to supply...

U.S. Alfa Romeo production could start as early as 2010
The CEO of Italian carmaker Fiat, Sergio Marchionne, has revealed that a decision on U.S. production and re-launch plans for the Alfa Romeo brand could be made within six months and that negotiations are already taking place with companies in North America. However, a 2009 U.S. launch for Alfa Romeo is looking unlikely, with late 2010 or even early 2011 the likely date. According to the Wall Street Journal, Marchionne stated that’s open to negotiations with everybody and that Alfa Romeo “must begin...

2008 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Announced In UK
The first example of just 41 Alfa 8C Competizione supercars destined for the UK, arrived here last week. The ultra-rare £138,500 hand-built Italian sportscar was collected by award-winning Manchester-based architect, Ian Simpson, from Alfa’s largest and longest established dealership, Mangoletsi, in Knutsford, Cheshire. Visually arresting from every angle, the Alfa 8C Competizione looks every inch a supercar, with performance credentials to match. Under the bonnet a responsive 4.7litre V8 engine...