Truth is, FIAT now has a 25% stake in Chrysler so squeezing out some common platforms, smaller cars and longer production runs is important. Even if it means building Chryslers in Italia, or Alfas in North America. As for Alfa selling well in Germany, hasn't it always?
A rare positive bit of Aussie press: First drive: Alfa Romeo Giuletta
A rare positive bit of Aussie press: First drive: Alfa Romeo Giuletta
Alfa Romeo says six different suspension tunes are applied throughout a range that is more expansive in Europe, with the sportiest set-up, suitably, reserved for the range-topping ‘Cloverleaf’ – or Quadrifoglio Verde as Alfa prefers.First drive: Alfa Romeo Giuletta
It’s not overly firm, though – rather surprisingly supple. The ride gets fussier over patchy surfaces but it generally provides adequate comfort. Crucially, for a GTI rival, this is well balanced with the kind of accomplished handling that has been missing from Alfas for far too long.
The Cloverleaf’s 18-inch tyres generate the kind of grip that inspires confidence even on damp roads, while front-wheel traction is aided by Alfa’s Q2 electronic differential.
The so-called Multiair engine, which employs innovative electro-hydraulic inlet valve management and debuted in the MiTo late last year, is a little gem even with a manual.Mangled English, pretty pictures: Alfa Romeo in the U.S. - Autocar Review on Autocardesign.org
It’s sluggish just off idle but, once past 1500 revs, a bountiful mid-range is there to be exploited. You won’t need to change gears frequently, which is ideal when the shift action, as with the Cloverleaf, isn’t entirely satisfying and the driver’s left foot has to rest under the clutch pedal because of a lack of footwell space or footrest.
Stop-start tech contributes to highly respectable efficiency of 5.8L/100km, and noise refinement is particularly impressive in the base Giulietta, with the smaller, 17-inch tyres even quieter than the Cloverleaf’s 18s over coarse surfaces.
The new compact Alfa has also driven sales in Europe, where he gained 32,000 customers, and only in Germany, the Italian brand has grown by 113.5%. And this year the same Wester raised its target to 100,000 units for Juliet, because the list is antrato -2 new 2.0 JTDM 140 bhp that exploiting the new generation of Common Rail Multijet system goes to stand in the middle of the range Juliet diesel, including the 1.6 105 hp and 170 hp 2.0 proposals already being launched.Chrysler invades Italy: Jeep Compass and Patriot to be ''Fatto in Italia'' - Car News | Auto123
Sergio Marchionne got 54 percent of the workers at Fiat's Mirafiori factory in Turin to vote in favour of a groundbreaking contract that limits wildcat strikes and absenteeism around holidays. In exchange, the automaker will invest nearly $1.4 billion to modernize the plant.
As a result, Mirafiori will now produce the Jeep Patriot and Compass alongside the Alfa Romeo Giulia midsize sedan and station wagon, not to mention a midsize SUV. Production is scheduled to start in the third quarter of 2012, and both Chrysler and Fiat expect to benefit from economies of scale.
