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2019 Alfa Romeo Tonale SUV concept becomes a production model

With its low volumes, Alfa Romeo has struggled for many years and relied on the loyalty of the alfisti to keep it around. Heritage can only go so far in modern business, but Alfa Romeo has usually survived to continue its business. Now under the Stellantis Group, it will have some more breathing space with access to considerable shared resources that will allow one new model to be launched every year during this decade.

It’s been a while since we saw a really new model from Alfa Romeo and the new Tonale is something that has taken almost 3 years to go into production. A concept was shown at the 2019 Geneva Auto Show with a plan to put it in showrooms in a few years. By the time Stellantis came into the picture, the development would have been too far ahead to stop or change, so in 2022, it has its global debut although many markets may only get it in 2023.

The Tonale has compact dimensions which means it will do battle in the most competitive area of the SUV segment. While said to remain true to its DNA of Italian sportiness, it also marks the metamorphosis of the brand as it starts a new era of connectivity and electrification.

Concept car inspiration
Much of the design draws on the concept car shown in Geneva which contained many classic Alfa Romeo stylistic features, reinterpreted in the name of modernity. The sides are notable for their extended curve below the waistrail, known as the ‘GT Line’, which runs from the rear to the headlights, giving definition to the car’s body and its profile. In terms of the modelling, its full volumes and sensuality are reminiscent of models such as the 8C Competizione.

At the front, the new floating ‘Scudetto’ shield is no longer a part of the bumper but a distinctive element on its own. The lower part includes two main side air intakes which together with the shield create what is known as the ‘Trilobo’.

The eye-catching ‘3+3’ headlights are inspired by the SZ Zagato and the Proteo concept car. These lights adopt a new full-LED adaptive matrix and provide daylight, dynamic turn signals and a ‘welcome and goodbye’ feature. They also have adaptive capabilities to maximize illumination without dazzling other drivers, with a third module automatically activated when turning corners to expand the lighting laterally.

At the rear too, the light units are strong elements that for a visual signature for the Tonale. The roundness and, now classic, fold in the lower centerline shape of the rear window characterizes the SUV’s upper rear volume in a sporty yet elegant way evoking iconic cars like the 8C Competizione where the daylight opening, the edges of the side windows and the top of the rear window meet.

The ‘teledial’ alloy wheels that were received positive feedback when shown on the concept car have also been adopted on the production model. This is the reworking of the perforated telephone dial theme, the result of an evolution that began in the 1960s with the 33 Stradale. Over time, the perforations have gradually been increased in size and becoming more closely related to needs for brake cooling, lightness and resistance.

Driver-centric cabin
As would be expected, this is an SUV but the racing heritage of Alfa Romeo is not ignored. Everything is driver-centric, with the diagonal tunnel, slightly undulating dashboards and instruments facing the driver. The characteristic elements of the new model include the telescopic instrument panel, with its clear Alfa Romeo stylistic matrix, and the compact steering wheel with aluminium shift paddles.

The new D.N.A. driving mode selector, slim central air conditioning vents and external turbine shaped vents, the central tunnel and handles are embellished with a diamond texture inspired by precision mechanical processing with laser engraving. The dashboard also includes an insert with a backlight effect so when the panel is off, a graphic appears. The same 3D features can be seen in the seat fabrics, from the basic versions all the way to the gradient effect with contrasting background colour.

Powertrain choices
Depending on the market, electrified powertrains or combustion engines (or both) will be offered. The front-wheel drive hybrid powertrain has a new 4-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine with a Variable-Geometry Turbocharger, and a 48V 15-kW electric motor. Besides two output levels – 130 ps and 160 ps – there’s also a 275 ps plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Q4 version with all-wheel drive that will have a claimed electric range of up to 80 kms.

The new 7-speed TCT dual-clutch transmission enables start-up and travel in only electric mode at low speeds and when parking and cruising, subject to battery levels. A full battery recharge is said to take 2.5 hours when using a 7.4kW fast charger.

Some markets will still be able to get good old powertrains with just combustion engines. There will be Tonale variants with a 2-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine as well as a 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine.

The driving dynamics of Alfa Romeos have always been much appreciated and respected, and even with an SUV, these cannot be compromised. One element that contributed to ensuring this is the optimally balanced weight distribution between the two axles. This required special management of mass and materials, which was done both by working on the car’s layout and by placing all the heavier components as centrally as possible.

The Tonale has an Integrated Brake System (IBS), an innovative electromechanical system that combines stability control with conventional servo brakes. Said to be an industry first, the integration between electronics and mechanics, significant weight optimization, optimal feeling and the total absence of pedal vibrations can guarantee the system instantaneous brake response. The fixed calipers are from Brembo, with four pistons and self-ventilated discs at the front and solid discs at the rear.

The Dual Stage Valve electronic suspension provides a choice between performance and comfort. Developed in conjunction with Alfa Romeo’s long-standing technology partner Marelli, the electronic shock absorbers feature a special electro-actuated valve within the shock absorber that provides independent damping curves for 2 modes (Comfort and Sport).

New ADAS systems
The Tonale is equipped with new Alfa Romeo Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for Level 2 autonomous driving, which means that the vehicle can automatically handle acceleration, braking and staying within a lane while maintaining driving safety. However, the driver still needs to be alert and involved, though to a lesser degree which can reduce fatigue on long journeys.

In the event that the driver loses concentration or even falls asleep, there are features like Autonomous Emergency Braking which will activate the brakes if the driver does not react to alerts. The Drowsy Driver Detection system constantly analyses the vehicle’s movements to detect any characteristics which indicate driver fatigue. Once a certain threshold has been exceeded, the system emits beeps and/or visual warnings, recommending the driver stop for a break.

Connectivity with Amazon
Connectivity in a car today is more than just being able to connect a smartphone to the infotainment system. It now encompasses being able to connect to the rest of the world and a major new feature in the Tonale is the built-in Amazon Alexa voice assistant. Where it is available, Secure Delivery Service can set the vehicle as the place to deliver Amazon packages. The doors can be unlocked, and the courier can leave them inside the vehicle. Updates on vehicle status can also be received at home so it will be possible to know the battery charge level and other information. Alexa can also be used to search for nearby restaurants or even adjust lights or heating connected to the home automation system.

NFT for a car
In a world exclusive, the Tonale debuts non-fungible token (NFT) technology. Alfa Romeo is the first automaker to link a car with an NFT digital certificate. The technology is based on the ‘blockchain card’ concept, a confidential and non-modifiable record of the main stages in the life of an individual vehicle. Upon the customer’s consent, the NFT will record vehicle data, generating a certificate that can be used as a guarantee of the car’s overall status, with a positive impact on its residual value. On the pre-owned car market, NFT certification represents an additional source of credibility for owners or dealers to count on.

Video: Beautifully Restored 1969 Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV Driven!

Video: Beautifully Restored 1969 Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV Driven!

There’s something truly romantic about driving classic Italians.

Get behind the wheel and almost immediately it feels like there’s an orchestra playing in your head.

Something along the likes of Luciano Pavarotti enthralling you his best operatic performance.

Or Nino Rota serenading you with the theme to ‘The Godfather’.

There’s just something other wordly about the Alfa Romeo that I drove that night:

A beautifully restored 1750 GTV from the year 1969.

I was far from a twinkle in the eyes of my parents that year, but it was a fantastic year in the history of mankind.

1969 marks the year humanity walked on the moon.

And it also marked the year the Italians gave us one of their many masterpieces – this time in the form of the car you see here.

The 1750 GTV (short for GT Veloce) is not a ultra limited-edition model.

In fact, some sources say that Alfa Romeo built between 32,000 to 44,000 of the car before production ended.

That figure is far from making this car a rare classic, in fact take a drive around some old neighbourhoods and you might just come across one.

Or it’s brother – the 2000 GTV.

Well, the 1750 GTV is rather unique because it harks back to cars of old with its slim pillars, its sprightly though not very powerful engine.

But more importantly, it has a design that wrings nostalgia, it shows us how beautiful cars once were.

The owner, a friend by the name of Terence Moses, was gracious enough to let me drive it one night.

It was an occasion like no other – that thin leather padded steering wheel was of just the right size.

Any larger and it would brush up against my thighs.

The twin-dial meter panel doesn’t bother telling you anything other than the speed, engine rpm and engine temperature.

No fussing over other details here.

But in case you are wondering, the fuel gauge and the water temperature gauge is located right under the cassette player.

Of course there’s a bluetooth player in its place now, but the car started life with a cassette player.

Let’s just appreciate that for a second.

I particularly love how the head rests of the seats merge with the rest of the seat when fully down.

That kind of attention to detail is such an Italian feature.

Driving the car had me cooing with joy and made me nervous at the same time.

Nervous because Terence had just told me about some of the issues he faces with the car, and a snappy rear end was one of them.

I wasn’t about to oversteer his car into a bush in the middle of nowhere that night.

But the way the car came together was amazing.

The 1.8-litre engine and that slick shifting gearbox had me wringing up the rev’s every chance I got.

And you just have to love how closely placed classic car pedals are.

And that floor mounted accelerator.

Such simple joys just don’t exist anymore.

And that is why I appreciate classic cars – they are moving history books that remind us about how life once was.

I loved driving this car, I love the passion Terence has for his cars, and I truly hope you love this video as much as we loved putting it all together.

Alfa Romeo Duetto – the Italian Spider that seduced Hollywood

The Alfa Romeo Duetto enjoyed the longest ever lifetime of any Alfa Romeo model, seeing four generations and more than 124,000 examples produced over 28 years. And though it was the product of a famous Italian brand, the model actually had its roots in America, where it also seduced the Hollywood set.

Max Edwin Hoffman, an ex-racing driver who had fled to America during World War II, was the American importer for European car manufacturers in the 1950s. He was much more than a simple car trader; he gave advice to carmakers on commercial policies, asking for specific models, suggesting style variations and contributing to the creation of some of the most passionately admired sports cars ever made – one of which was the Giulietta Spider.

Getting the ‘perfect’ car for the Pacific Coast
In 1954, immediately after the launch of the Giulietta Sprint, he began to ask Alfa Romeo for a car that would be ‘perfect’ for the trendy Pacific Coast, convinced that everyone in Hollywood would want one. Hoffman managed to convince Francesco Quaroni, the head of Alfa Romeo, and Rudolf Hruska, the company’s engineer, to undertake the project. So confident was he of its success that he said he was willing to buy several hundred, even before he had seen the final designs.

Pinin Farina’s ‘beautiful young lady’
A style competition was set up between the two designers of the era: Bertone and Pinin Farina. From Bertone came an extreme vision, the daughter of Franco Scaglione’s 2000 Sportiva concept with a pointed front, streamlined headlights and rear fins. Pinin Farina’s proposal was designed by Franco Martinengo and was chosen on account of the elegance and classic balance of its shapes.

‘The beautiful young lady’, as Pinin Farina described it, began with a panoramic windscreen and sliding side windows. It had no handle inside the door; instead, a cable activated the door opening. Only later would a traditional windscreen appear, plus descending side windows, equipped door panels, folding roof, external handles and new interiors.

It was to be a pure sports concept, and Hruska adopted the Giulietta engine. This was a 1290 cc 4-cylinder unit which produced 65 bhp and could take the car up to 155 km/h. In subsequent versions, the power output became higher, and performance was escalated.

Finding a name for the model was a story in itself. A competition was organised in collaboration with all the European dealers. ‘Duetto’ won, but a problem with rights emerged due to a chocolate biscuit with the same name. This required the car to be launched as ‘Alfa Romeo Spider 1600’.

When it was time to launch the car to the American market, Alfa Romeo wanted something massive. It organised a transatlantic luxury cruiseliner, inviting the most exclusive celebrities from show business, sport and fashion. There were 1,300 of them on board when the Italian cruiseliner sailed from Genoa in Italy to New York, with a stopover in Cannes for the Film Festival. During the entire cruise, three examples of the new model were displayed on the ship’s bridge. By repeatedly highlighting the Italian nature of its product, Alfa Romeo anticipated the ‘Made in Italy’ communication drive by over a decade.

Steve McQueen’s opinion
Sports Illustrated magazine invited the legendary Steve McQueen (along with other ‘fast friends’) to drive the car and offer his impressions which were “It is a very forgiving car. Very pretty, too.” Besides being a well known filmstar, McQueen was a supercar collector and a skilful driver and rider (a nightmare for his insurance companies) so he knew what he was talking about. In those few words, McQueen’s judgment summed up the essence of Duetto and the uniqueness of Alfa Romeo: driving pleasure and pure beauty.

A year later, a young Dustin Hoffman was driving a Duetto at full speed to the music of Simon & Garfunkel in ‘The Graduate’. Iconic images of that car became sculpted in film history, launching a whole series of quotations where the Duetto was seen in hundreds of films and TV stories, going on to be a cult car in its own right. It quickly became a car which Hollywood stars loved, especially as it was an open top so they could enjoy the California sunshine and breezes of the Pacific.

When he was World Heavyweight Champion, Muhammad Ali had a Duetto which referenced his famous motto ‘Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee’ – his numberplate was customized to read “Ali Bee”. The Duetto name remained in the background but was consolidated in the memory of fans and became the nickname of all the car’s generations.

The 1966 Spider, the first of the series and the last masterpiece by Battista Pinin Farina, was called ‘Cuttlefish Bone’ due to its ellipsoidal shape, with rounded front and rear, convex sides and very low beltline. The second was the 1969 ‘Coda Tronca’, or ‘Short Rear’, eye-catching for the aerodynamic cut of its rear.

The third generation was the ‘Aerodinamica’ of 1983, named after its lengthy trials in the wind tunnel. In 1989, the last generation appeared in showrooms as the ‘IV Series’, a car with a clean and streamlined body, almost a return to its origins.

LOOKING BACK: The 1970 Alfa Romeo Montreal

Alfa Romeo 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo – inspired by a legendary sportscar

Alfa Romeo has unveiled the 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo, inspired by the 1967 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, the Italian brand’s legendary mid-engine sportscar. Only 33 units of this limited-edition 4C Spider will be produced and only offered in North America. This will also be part of the final production run of the model for North America.

“Since its introduction in 2014, the 4C has been a halo vehicle for Alfa Romeo, exciting enthusiasts around the world and spearheading the relaunch of the brand in North America,” said Tim Kuniskis, Global Head of Alfa Romeo. “The 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo is an instant Alfa Romeo classic that passes the torch to the next generation of iconic Alfa Romeo vehicles, including the upcoming Tonale PHEV crossover that will start production next year.”

*The 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo alongside the legendary 1967 33 Stradale.*

Exclusive colour, exclusive plaques
The 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo comes exclusively in Rosso Villa d’Este tri-coat exterior colour, with grey-gold 5-hole alloy wheels (18-inch front/19-inch rear) and composite sport seats covered in black Dinamica suede and tobacco leather.

Prominently displayed around the cabin are dedicated plaques on the dashboard, side sills and centre console, the last of which is progressively numbered from 1 to 33. Customers also get treated to a matching, numbered book designed by Centro Stile that chronicles the 4C’s design concept, technology, materials and Modena assembly facility, as well as the history of the 33 Stradale.

F1-inspired chassis
The 4C’s racing pedigree is evident in its state-of-the-art Formula 1-inspired carbonfibre monocoque chassis, shown for the first time in a red transparent finish. Much of the 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo’s equipment, previously optional, comes standard, including an Akrapovic dual-mode centre-mounted exhaust, race-tuned suspension, bi-xenon headlamps, battery charger, car cover, suede/leather seats and carbonfibre halo, rear wing and Italian flag mirror caps.

Completing the refined exterior treatment are new ‘Centro Stile Alfa Romeo’ badges and available piano-black front air intake and rear diffuser.

Under the bonnet is a 6-speed Alfa twin-clutch transmission and all-aluminium 1750 cc turbocharged engine with direct-injection, dual intercoolers and variable-valve timing. With the engine producing 237 bhp/350 Nm and a kerb weight of less than 1,200 kgs, the 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo has an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 4.7 kg/bhp. This makes it possible to accelerate from 0 – 60 mph (96 km/h) in a claimed 4.1 seconds and reach a top speed of almost 260 km/h.

1967 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale — **The 1967 33 Stradale** is an iconic Alfa Romeo that made its public debut at the Monza circuit in Italy on August 31, 1967, on the eve of the 1967 Formula One Italian Grand Prix. Boasting a top speed of 260 km/h, the 33 Stradale was a hand-built Franco Scaglione-penned mid-engine exotic based on the Tipo 33 racing car that won its class at the 1968 24 Hours of Daytona. To this day, it represents a singular blend of leading-edge technology, racing mechanics and inspirational design, a fitting forebear to the 4C Spider. Only 18 chassis were ever produced, with most completed cars painted in Alfa’s signature red, with grey-gold wheels and black-and-tobacco interior.

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LOOKING BACK – The Significance of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

Alfa Romeo celebrates its 110^th anniversary this year and among the many models of significance in its history is the 8C Competizione. A return to the roots of Alfa Romeo and a testbed for the future, it was created in the middle of a process of reorganisation in the automotive sector as it prepared to face the new millennium.

In early 2006, the late Sergio Marchionne gave the go-ahead to launch the series production of a concept car that had generated much excitement at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show. Alfa Romeo Centro Stile redefined the original design in just 8 months and presented the definitive production version at the Paris Motor Show.

Alfa Romeo dealers around the world collected 1,400 orders for the 8C, and within just a few weeks, the 500 numbered models planned were sold out.

The essence of Alfa Romeo
The story of the 8C Competizione starts from its name. ‘8C’ refers to the 8-cylinder cars designed by Vittorio Jano. These were cars which, in the 1930s, won races all over the world including 4 wins in a row at Le Mans and three at the Mille Miglia. ‘Competizione’, on the other hand, was the name of the 6C 2500 that Juan Manuel Fangio drove in the 1950 Mille Miglia.

Created to synthesise and relaunch the quintessence of Alfa Romeo, the 8C echoed technical themes dear to the brand since the beginning. Lightness was enhanced by the ‘dual frame’ and by the use of aluminium, titanium, carbonfibre and composite materials. The weight balance between front and rear was obtained using a transaxle system, and driving precision was further refined through the use of suspension systems with double transverse arms on both axles.

The 8C had a powerful engine – a 4.7-litre V8 producing 450 bhp – but above all, it marked a return to the rear-axle gearbox. This arrangement had been missing from Alfa Romeo road cars since the early 1990s. The result was a car with an optimal weight/power ratio, able to reach 100 km/h from standstill in just 4.2 seconds.

Homage to the history of car design
Then there was the little matter of style. The almost swollen bonnet seemed to bite the tarmac, its profile soft and sinuous with a horizontal cut uniting the wheel arches, joining them to the muscular shape of the rear mudguard and the rear window was wrapped by the uprights, which extended backwards until they tapered on the tail.

It resembled a ‘quiz’ on design from brand history. Its ‘eyes’ came from the 33 Stradale, slightly higher than the bonnet line; its rear recalled that of the 1961 Giulietta SZ, the first with a truncated tail; and the circular rear lights were a tribute to the Giulia TZ. The 8C played with the past, as though the Alfa Romeo Centro Stile was paying tribute to a whole era of car design.

Creativity and science
From the 1930s, designers and coachbuilders had begun to use aerodynamics as the key to making their racing cars more competitive. The first step was to smoothly incorporate external elements, such as mudguards and headlights, within the bodywork profile. Then they developed increasingly softer, more connected and streamlined shapes.

This was a challenge to stimulate the imaginations of great designers, convinced that everything that is beautiful must also be efficient. Their efforts saw some of the most beautiful and successful cars ever made… and many of them had the Alfa Romeo badge at the front.

The Alfa Romeo trilobo
The front view of an Alfa Romeo is unmistakable, everyone instantly recognises the central shield and the two horizontal air intakes on either side. This combination is perhaps the most famous ‘face’ in the world of motorcars, known as the ‘trilobo’, and was identified in the 1930s.

Before then, there was little space for style, a car’s ‘face’ usually consisted of a radiator flanked by headlights, with some protection from the gravel on the road by a grate. As soon as shapes began to soften, the Alfa Romeo shield appeared but when it became too small to cool the increasingly powerful engines, the two lateral air intakes made their debut. Enthusiasts immediately renamed these ‘the mustache’.

The trilobo was officially adopted as a brand symbol starting with the 6C 2500 Freccia d’Oro of 1939 (shown above). Like all symbols it evolved over time, reflecting tastes and fashions, but always remained unique and unmistakable. It was sinuous and imposing on the 1900 and thinner on Giulietta.

It was minimalist and stylised in the 1990s, but with the 156 and 8C, it returned to its natural leading role, which has since featured on all subsequent models.

The legacy of the 8C Competizione
The 8C Competizione summarised the most classic canons of Alfa Romeo style, and became a natural inspiration for all later models, such as MiTo and Giulietta. However, the 8C also had a close relative in the 4C. A compact technological and sensual supercar, it was clearly related to the 8C but without having to bear the burden of being a limited edition.

With the 4C, Alfa Romeo returned to the compact sports market by offering cutting-edge materials and technological solutions, combined with maximum lightness and extraordinary dynamic qualities.

Legend reborn – The 540 bhp Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA and GTAm (w/VIDEO)

LOOKING BACK: Alfa Romeo’s long history with the Italian police force

In Italy after the Scond World War, Alfa Romeo cars were legendary. They were faster than any other car, both on the track and on the road. They were powerful and they always won, like good over evil. It’s not surprising then that the Italian police force chose to use their cars.

From the 1950s, Alfa Romeo cars were selected as the official emergency vehicles. They were known as ‘volanti’ and citizens soon got used to seeing them speeding around. The cars used by the police were nicknamed ‘Panthers’ and those of the Carabinieri (military police) were called ‘Gazelles’, metaphors that underlined their power and agility.

The very first Panther was an Alfa Romeo 1900, built in 1952 and the first Gazelle came into use a few years later. The most famous police car of all was the Giulia Super, but the police also used many other Alfa Romeo models, from the Matta to the Alfasud, Alfa 75, Alfetta, 156 and the current Giulia in use today.

Alfa Romeo and Italian lifestyle
The history of the brand’s relationship with the Italian Police Force runs parallel with the story of how Alfa Romeo itself evolved over the years. “There are many automotive makes, among which Alfa Romeo stands apart. It is a kind of affliction, the enthusiasm for a means of transport. It’s a lifestyle, a special way of conceiving a motor vehicle,” declared Orazio Satta Puliga, a passionate fan of the brand.

Appointed director of design in 1946, Satta Puglia had a hard task ahead of him. Not only did he need to rebuild everything that had been destroyed by the war, but he also had to transform an artisan company into a modern manufacturing force.

When he started, Alfa Romeo was producing every single mechanical part at its Portello plant, in line with strict criteria of exquisite craftsmanship. He rationalised the process, outsourcing the production of the secondary parts and cutting costs. Meanwhile, he began thinking about creating the new ‘mass produced’ Alfa Romeo models, to be built using the most efficient technical and organisational methodologies around.

The first ‘Panther’
Satta Puliga’s 1900, which dates from 1950, was the first left-hand drive Alfa Romeo and the first to have a self-supporting body. He abandoned the traditional 6 and 8-cylinder engines for a new 4-cylinder version with aluminium cylinder head and two camshafts with chain control.

The engine was powered by a single carburetor, offering brilliant performances and a low taxable horsepower. The 1900 delivered 80 hp; it was agile and fast, but also very easy to drive. It was designed to target a bigger market with the launch slogan:’ The family car that wins races.’

*Alfa Romeo BAT-7 concept car displayed at 1954 Turin Motor Show.*

The 1900 was also the first Alfa Romeo to be produced on an assembly line. The total manufacturing time needed to produce one vehicle was reduced from 240 hours to just 100, a revolution. This new approach led to an unprecedented success in terms of sales. The 1900 alone sold more than the total Alfa Romeo production of other vehicles up until that time.

Alfa Romeo continued collaborating with its coachbuilders. The Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnica (BAT) concept car series was launched on 1900 mechanics, created by Bertone and designed by Franco Scaglione. The same engine as the one used in the 1900 was also adopted by the AR51. Better known as the ‘Matta’, it was a 4×4 launched to replace the post-war off-road vehicles of the Italian Armed Forces.

Alfa Romeo Matta — *The Matta, produced between 1951 and 1954 for the Italian military.*

The Giulietta story
While with the 1900, Alfa Romeo had embarked on the track of series production, it was with the Giulietta that it truly became a large-scale automotive factory. The man in the driving seat of this transformation was Giuseppe Luraghi. Born in Milan, he also practiced the ‘noble art’ of boxing. He had a reputation as an incredible manager, with a long experience at Pirelli under his belt.

From 1951 to 1958, he was general manager of Finmeccanica, the holding company that controlled Alfa Romeo. After a short period spent at Lanerossi, he returned in 1960 as President of Alfa Romeo, a position he would hold until 1974.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta ti — *The Giulietta-ti*

Upon his arrival at Alfa Romeo, Luraghi revolutionised how the production was structured, calling in designers Rudolf Hruska and Francesco Quaroni to reorganise the industrial processes. He realised that there was a huge opportunity as the brand had exceptional visibility, its sporting victories thrilled millions of people and fueled their dreams. It was time to translate this success into sales. The economic boom was just around the corner and the car was the most coveted possession. For Luraghi, owning an Alfa Romeo had to become the distinguishing mark of those who had truly made it in life.

From elite product to object of desire, the company now pointed all its design and industrial resources in this new direction. The Giulia was the product of this turning point in the history of Alfa Romeo, a car designed to boost sales but at the same time confirm the brand’s technical tradition and sporting vocation.

*The Carabinieri and their fleet of Alfa Romeos.*

The first Gazelle
The Giulietta was the first ‘Gazelle’ and is associated with the link between Alfa Romeo and the police forces. The first Gazelle of the Carabinieri was none other than a Giulietta, destined for the patrol service. In fact, it took up service already equipped with a radio system for communicating with the police headquarters. In the language of the Italian army, the Gazelle represented the patrol vehicle driver: fast, agile and tough. Its engine (entirely of aluminium) delivered 65 hp, able to take the car up to a maximum speed of 165 km/h.

At the 1954 Turin Motorshow in 1954, the Giulietta made its debut in coupe form. The Giulietta Sprint, designed by Bertone, was a low-lying, compact, agile car that became an ‘instant classic’. It is worth noting that the sporty version was modeled on the standard one, an unconventional and typically Alfa Romeo choice that was proposed again a few years ago by Giulia Quadrifoglio.

Giulia, the revolution
Only another revolutionary car could knock the Giulietta off the top spot. Satta Puliga knew this only too well and with his team set to work on developing a new model. The Giulia was one of the first cars in the world with a differently-shaped supporting structure. The front and rear sections were designed to be shock-absorbent (to be called ‘crumple zones’ later on) and the passenger compartment was extremely rigid, to protect its occupants, solutions that would only become compulsory much later.

The 1.6-litre twin cam engine of Giulia was an evolution of the 1.3-litre 4-cylinder one, and it stood out for its sodium-cooled exhaust valves. The design of Giulia was also revolutionary, with its low front and truncated rear inspired by aerodynamics, inspiring the launch slogan ‘Designed by the wind’. Development work carried out in the wind tunnel reduced the drag coefficient of the car to 0.34 Cd, which was impressive for that era.

The Giulia went on to feature in ‘poliziotteschi’ films made during that period – which later became cult films. In these movies where ‘cops and robbers’ clash, the Alfa Romeo often starred as both the police car and the getaway vehicle.

Alfa Romeo Alfetta — *The Malaysian police were the first police force outside Italy to use the Alfetta in the 1970s.*

Incidentally, in Malaysia too, Alfa Romeos were used by the police force which was the first to use the Alfetta 2000 sedan (assembled in Malaysia) outside Italy. There was also a fleet of Giulias used as patrol vehicles up till the late 1970s. The cars were supplied by City Motors, then the importer and distributor for Alfa Romeo.

LOOKING BACK: The 1970 Alfa Romeo Montreal

LOOKING BACK: The 1970 Alfa Romeo Montreal

Sometime in early 1967, Alfa Romeo received a call from the organizers of Expo 67, a World Fair that was to be held in the Canadian city of Montreal. This event had a theme to show what could be expected in the future for ‘Man and his world’. One of them was dedicated to industrially manufactured products, including the automobile, under the topic of ‘Man the Producer’. The organizers invited Alfa Romeo to provide a concept car to highlight this area.

Honoured to be invited to participate, Alfa Romeo immediately commissioned Bertone, the design studio. At that time, designer Marcello Gandini was a rising star and not yet 30 years old, he had just created worldwide enthusiasm with the Lamborghini Miura. Later on, he also drew attention with this work on the Lancia Stratos and Fiat 132.

*The Montreal concept car shown at Expo 67 in Canada and the production version that went on sale 3 years later (below).*

Gandini came up with a coupe concept for Expo 67 which was unique and incorporated many interesting details. These included ‘optically fused’ B/C pillars and the double headlights half covered by a louvre grille. A vertical row of air inlets behind the doors and a large, glass tailgate suggested that the engine would be at the back. However, due to time constraints to produce two units, Alfa Romeo used the Giulia platform which had the engine at the front.

It had an overall length of 4.22 metres (slightly shorter than a first generation Mazda RX-7), within which there were seats for two occupants at the front and the possibility of two more ‘emergency seats’ at the rear.

At the Montreal expo site, the concept cars were placed between mirrors in such a way that they appear to be multiplied to infinity. Although the concept cars, finished in white, did not have a name, they got the unofficial name of ‘Montreal’.

The response of visitors was enthusiastic and Alfa Romeo received many enquiries from North America and the rest of the world to find out when such a car would be in showrooms. This encouraged the company’s management to authorise production but the engineers had to moderate the costs involved.

The chassis was maintained as that of the Giulia while the body design was only changed in the details where manufacturing or regulations made them incompatible. The grille above the headlights was retained with a minor change and when the headlights were switched on, the two slats folded down mechanically and release all four lamps completely. The air inlets that signified a mid-engine layout were retained but as there was no engine at the back, the ducts were routed into the cabin to bring in fresh air.

The performance of the Montreal matched its looks with the V8 engine from the Tipo 33 sportscar. This engine has features from racing engines such as dry sump lubrication, allowing it to be set lower, and weight-saving aluminium construction.

The engine displacement was increased from 2 litres to 2.6 litres with fuel delivery by a mechanical injection system from SPICA. The V8 produced an impressive 200 bhp at 6,400 rpm and 235 Nm peaking at 4,750 rpm. A 5-speed manual transmission (with first gear position on the lower left) from ZF sent power to the rear axle which had a limited slip differential. Tests by Quattroruote magazine showed the car to be able to reach 224 km/h after reaching 100 km/h within 7.1 seconds.

The Montreal went on sale in early 1970 and would continue to be available until 1977. Its high price, however, meant that sales were limited and by the time production ceased, 3,925 units had been built. City Motors, the importer in Malaysia, brought in at least unit, if not a few more.

Alfa Romeo Montreal Vision GT concept — *Although not officially included in the Vision Gran Turismo range, this Alfa Romeo Montreal Vision GT rendering attracted a lot of attention last year.*

Legend reborn – The 540 bhp Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA and GTAm (w/VIDEO)

Legend reborn – The 540 bhp Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA and GTAm (w/VIDEO)

In 1965, Alfa Romeo’s competition department, Autodelta, developed the ‘Gran Turismo Alleggerita’ (GTA) which was based on the Giulia Sprint GT. The car was especially light (‘allegerita’ is Italian word for ‘lightened’) as the body of the Giulia Sprint GT was replaced with an identical version in aluminium, giving a total weight of 745 kgs, compared to the 950 kgS of the road version. With increased performance, it quickly became a legend, winning many races of that era.

This year, as the brand celebrates its 110^th anniversary, a new Giulia GTA inspired by its 1965 namesake will be launched. The new GTA is based on the Giulia Quadrifoglio and is fitted with a more powerful version of the Alfa Romeo 2.9-litre V6 Bi-Turbo engine, now with 540 bhp.

The pursuit of lightness
Like the 1965 cars, lightness was pursued and extensive use of ultra-light materials gives a weight saving of 100 kgs compared to the Giulia Quadrifoglio, giving it a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio of 2.82 kgs/bhp.

Lightweight materials used include carbonfibre for the driveshaft, bonnet, roof, front bumper, front wheel arches and rear wheel arch inserts and the shell of the sports seats. Aluminium has been used in doors and suspension systems and various other composite materials have been used throughout.

Two road-legal versions will be available – the Giulia GTA and Giulia GTAm. The Giulia GTA will have 4 seats and the Giulia GTAm will be fitted with 2 race seats, roll-bar and six-point harness.

Functional style
On the Giulia GTA, the Alfa Romeo engineers have worked to improve the aerodynamics and handling but above all, to reduce the weight. The active aerodynamics were specifically studied to increase the downforce. These solutions contain technical know-how that comes directly from Formula 1, thanks to the synergy with Sauber Engineering and the use of the Sauber Aerokit. The same task is assigned to the side skirts, the specific rear spoiler and the active front splitter.

On the GTAm, the aerodynamic front has been optimised by adding a larger front splitter and a real carbonfibre rear wing, which ensure a perfectly balanced load at high speeds.

The titanium Akrapovic central exhaust system, integrated in the carbonfibre rear diffuser, is also new, as are the 20-inch centre lock wheels. Handling at high speeds has been improved by widening the front and rear wheel tracks by 50 mm and developing a new set of springs, shock absorbers and bushings for the suspension systems.

To achieve the higher performance, the Alfa Romeo engine, made entirely of aluminium, has received meticulous development and calibration work.

An Alcantara- trimmed dashboard, door panels, glove compartment, side pillars and the central trim on the seats, characterise the interior. Alcantara is used even more extensively in the GTAm version, where the rear bench has been removed, leaving room for a fully upholstered ‘basin’, with specific mouldings designed to hold helmets and a fire extinguisher.

The new matt carbonfibre inserts give the interior a distinctive technical and aesthetic elegance. In the new GTAm, the interior is unique in that it features a roll-bar, no door panels or rear seats and the door is opened with a belt in place of the handle, another touch inspired by the racing world.

In the GTAm, Lexan – a unique polycarbonate resin which comes straight from the world of motorsport – has been used in the side and rear window frames, further contributing to the weight reduction. The result is a weight of around 1,520 kgs which, combined with the increase in output to 540 bhp, making the Giulia GTAm capable of delivering very high performance. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, with the Launch Control system, is claimed to be 3.6 seconds.

500 lucky customers
The Giulia GTA and its extreme version, the Giulia GTAm, will be built in a limited run of only 500 units, all numbered and certified and ready to take up their place alongside their 1965 forerunner as one of the most sought-after collector’s items.

As an exclusive dedicated customer experience, the owners will receive a personalised experience package which includes a Bell helmet in special GTA livery, a full racing set by Alpinestars (race suit, gloves and shoes) and a personalised Goodwool car cover for protecting their GTA or GTAm. Customers can also take part in a specific driving course devised by the Alfa Romeo Driving Academy.

Will Alfa Romeo be allowed to live under the new FCA+PSA merger?

Will Alfa Romeo be allowed to live under the new FCA+PSA merger?

The new company formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and the PSA Group will see 14 brands – mainly European – coming under one group. That’s a lot of brands to manage and in an age when economies of scale are paramount, there’s the big question mark of whether some brands will be discontinued. Or if they are retained, will they lose their uniqueness and be just badge-engineered products that are needed for certain regions where the brand has been popular?

Carlos Tavares (currently PSA’s chief), who will be the CEO of the new combined company, has said that no brand will be axed while acknowledging that it will be a challenge to manage so many brands. But these are early days and the new company has not even started business; once the new management starts to look at the numbers and formulates long-term plans, it may be necessary to make the hard decisions and cut off some brands that just cannot deliver revenues.

A struggle to be kept in existence
One brand that many worry about is Alfa Romeo. The sporty Italian brand has a history spanning over 100 years and has a strong following of alfisti all over the world. Fiat acquired it in 1986 but struggled to get it to make money for the past 20 years. When former FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne was alive, he tried to boost the brand but three efforts still failed. His successor, Mike Manley, was less sentimental about the brand and had announced decreased investments for it.

There is a glimmer of hope for Alfa Romeo though, simply because 61-year old Tavares is a true car guy. His first job after university was as a test driver at Renault and apart from a strong personal interest in cars, he also goes racing on many weekends (though that may have to be sacrificed in future). So while he is also known as a cost-cutter like his former boss (Carlos Ghosn), he may well make a decision ‘from the heart’ and keep the Italian brand going somehow.

*Carlos Tavares, who will be the CEO of the new combined company, is a real car-guy. And like Akio Toyoda, he also goes racing!*

Trying unconventional ideas like the SZ
He may look at unconventional ideas to breathe new life into Alfa Romeo, as Vittorio Ghidella, President of Fiat in 1986, did when he initiated the ‘Experimental Sportscar, 3.0 litre engine (ES30) project. Ghidella specified a puristic coupe with the sporty performance and sensational design as the target for the development contract.

Three teams took care of the second point of the task description in parallel – the Alfa Romeo design department, Fiat Centro Stile and design studio Zagato (responsible for some of the most spectacular and most successful models from Alfa Romeo in racing). This team of three was also given a low weight and the most efficient aerodynamics including ground effect possible, as in a Formula 1 racing car, which was supposed to suck the finished model onto the road through the wind.

The result was an avant-garde design with narrow, square triple headlights, a distinctive wedge shape with a high beltline and a short hatchback. The ES30 was undoubtedly the most radical thing there was at the time as a production vehicle. The coupe corresponded entirely to the aesthetics at the time of Italian design in furniture and fashion.

The elaborate body was made of a glassfibre-reinforced synthetic resin. A new process ensured a particularly smooth surface. A steel skeleton served as the load-bearing structure, which, in addition to high torsional rigidity, also guaranteed low weight. The light metal aluminium was used for the roof skin. The finished car would finally weigh a comparatively low 1,256 kgs.

The drag coefficient of 0.30 was also excellent for the time. Wind tunnel tests indicated a top speed of 245 km/h and a time of 7.5 seconds for the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h. In order to achieve the required ground effect, however, the body had to have such a low ground clearance (around 6 cm) that it would have led to problems with, for example, driveways. The solution was an electrical level control, with the help of which the body could be raised by 5 cm when necessary.

Alfa Romeo 75 technology
As the other requirement was to keep the development costs low, the team used the proven technology of the Alfa Romeo 75. However, the chassis with the gearbox on the rear axle (transaxle design) was in some places know-how the Alfa Romeo racing department adapted to the desired performance. The torsion spring bars on the front axle gave way to conventional McPherson struts, stiff Uniball joints instead of the conventional rubber elements, eliminating inherent movements in the chassis.

The technicians selected the V6 petrol engine with 3 litres displacement from the 75 America model as the drive source. They increased its output to 210 bhp through sharper camshafts and newly programmed engine electronics (Bosch Motronic).

Zagato even developed a racing version of the ES30, which appeared in its own one-make cup in 1993 as part of some Formula 1 races. But the comfortable driving behaviour also proved itself in everyday life, even long tours were a pleasure in the two-seater coupe.

After just 19 months of development, just in time for the planned world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1989, the ES30 project was ready for production. Since production at Zagato was to take place in the Milan suburb of Rho, the company remembered a legendary combination of letters – SZ for ‘Sprint Zagato’. Despite the relatively high base price, 1,036 cars were sold between 1989 and 1993.

I Drove To Another Country Just To See An Alfa Romeo Disco Volante Spyder! [+Videos]

Selamat Hari Raya folks! Hey, have you heard of an Alfa Romeo Disco Volante? You don’t really need to be a car fanatic in this instance, because even if you have an appreciation for the finer things in life, art for example, this would appeal to you…

Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera is a coach-builder that dates back all the way to 1928. An incredibly skilled team of master craftsmen who can take something that’s already quite beautiful and turn it into something extraordinary. Take for example this Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione below…

At the hands of Touring Superleggera, they took that 8C, and produced the incredible Disco Volante by hand. What you see below is very likely the most beautiful car that’s been created in the last half century at least, one of only 7 in the world, it’s the Touring Superleggera Disco Volante Spyder… and I drove 700km in total just to meet it in person.

When I heard that there was actually one unit in Singapore, at EuroAutomobile, it didn’t take me very long to decide that I simply had to go see it, despite the 4-hour journey one-way. The only other person I could think of to make the trip with me was Bobby Ang of EVO Aurizn, because I remember distinctly having a conversation with him about the Disco Volante some time ago, and the words that stuck were that the DV just happened to be his dream car…. so at 5am one recent morning, we set-off for Singapore in a Volvo XC90…

The journey, which we dubbed “In Search of… the Disco Volante”, was arduous to say the least, especially the causeway crossing, but all that changed when we reached EuroAutomobile @ No. 24 Leng Kee Road in Singapore, at the heart of ‘Motown’. And there she was… Here’s the video of my first viewing, something I never thought would happen, ever.

Created by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, the Disco Volante, which translates from Italian to ‘Flying Disc or Flying Saucer, is the most incredible looking car you’ll ever clap eyes on. 007 Bond fans will of course remember that ‘Disco Volante’ was the name of the hydrofoil yacht that belonged to the villain Largo from SPECTRE in the Bond movie of 1965, Thunderball, as well as its remake in 1983, ‘Never Say Never Again’.

Hand-crafted by one of the oldest and most gifted coach-builders in the world, here’s what good ‘ol JC had to say about it in this episode of UK Top Gear back in 2014…

That was of course the coupe, and what we drove a total of 8-hours to and fro to see was the latest Spyder, one of only 7 in the world. Priced at SGD$ 1.68 million before taxes, we’re hoping it’s snapped up by someone from Malaysia, seeing as how it’s a left-hand drive and (ironically) LHD cars are illegal in Singapore.

Pictures really don’t do this car justice. You really do have to see it in the flesh to completely understand just how incredibly special this car is. It isn’t a car anymore per se, it’s a driveable piece of hand-crafted automotive art that borders on erotica. Would I buy one? It’s a no brainer, of course I would, if I had the means, and yes, I’d park it in my living room between drives, and just ogle it for hours…

It’s also an investment for sure, since there are only 7 in the world, prices will definitely skyrocket in the near future. I can honestly say, hand on heart, you could park a Disco Volante next to any other modern-day supercar, and no one, absolutely no one, will pay any attention to the others. And then we spotted this…

After the most memorable 2hrs I’ve had in recent memory, Louis Yong of EuroAutomobile let us in on a little secret. They also have a Touring Superleggera Berlinetta Lusso! Based on a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, I’ll let the short video below do the talking. It’s simply, incredibly, unbelievably beautiful too…

And now a quick shout-out to all Alfa Romeo Owners in Malaysia, if you happen to own one of the newer AR’s like the Giulia & Giuletta, EuroAutomobile would like to invite you to bring your cars over to their premises for a full-check up, service and repair. EuroAutomobile can also arrange the sale and export of any new Alfa Romeos that tickle your fancy, including the Disco Volante that we came to see. And last but not least, a BIG thank you to Louis Yong of EuroAutomobile for hosting us and putting up with our juvenile fan-boy antics! – Chris Wee.

EuroAutomobile @ 24 leng Kee Road, Singapore Photo Gallery…