According to Turin and Detroit insiders, the famous Italian coachbuilder Zagato has just completed the new (and rather unusual) Alfa Romeo TZ 3 “Stradale” that was expected to be unveiled in May this year at the Concorso d’Eleganza di Villa d’Este but instead it will be seen in public for the first time at Pebble Beach in August. And that is for a good reason and a good cause, as we shall see in a moment.

Last year at Villa d’Este Zagato exhibited the Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa as a celebration of the 100^th anniversary of the Italian carmaker and won the Design Award of the event.

On that occasion, Andrea Zagato promised a TZ 3 Stradale as a completion of the Alfa Romeo celebrations.

What is indeed surprising today is that the new Alfa Romeo branded “fuoriserie” has actually been built on the bones and mechanics of an existing Dodge Viper ACR. Not the one that Dodge designers are finalising for regular production next year, but one of the old generation, which production was stopped last year, after 18 years in the supercar market. There are some unsold Vipers at the Dodge’s dealers and they could well be dress-up to become fuoriserie by Zagato, according to a long lasting tradition.

Now, the iteration of the thinking behind this Viper/Alfa Romeo TZ 3 Stradale follows a step-by-step logic that is hardly convincing but a convenient fantasy. Viper is a Dodge creature and part of its recent heritage. Dodge is about to share platforms with Alfa Romeo for new cars in the C and D segment, such as the Giulia due to follow late in 2012. Dodge and Alfa Romeo have certainly a common future.

There is more: the Viper itself will share major components “made in Italy” and here is the point. Just like the limited production Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, the 2010 Zagato TZ 3 Corsa fuoriserie is powered by a V8 Maserati engine of some 420 HP and share several more components sourced from Modena. As such it seems that the TZ 3 Stradale can well establish a spiritual bridge between the past and the future Viper to be exclusively “designed in Detroit” but possibly built in Italy and be for sale around the world. Will it also generate a successor to the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione? Please ask Ralph Gilles the question the first time you meet him.

It may well be that he, and his talented designers, has had some fun actually designing one.

The past week-end Fiat has announced it will unveil the first addition to its product range sourced from Chrysler. It is a crossover to be called Freemont and indeed a rebadge, and very slightly modified, 2011 Dodge Journey.

The first Fiat vehicle to come out of the partnership with the Chrysler Group will come out from the Toluca (Mexico) plant where the 500 is also going to be produced for the US market.

The Fiat Freemont, which will go on sale in the second half of 2011, says Fiat.

Like the Dodge Journey, the Fiat Freemont is 4890 mm. Long, 1880 mm high and 1720 mm. Wide, sitting on a long 2890 wheelbase. Its key feature as a most versatile all-round family vehicle is its standard 7 seats interior architecture.

The seats of the third row may be folded down with one simple movement to disappear completely below the floor and create a regular load platform. The seats of the second row are fitted higher than those at the front while the third row is raised in relation to the second allowing all occupants maximum visibility.
On-board comfort is also assured by a high driving position, new roomy and ergonomic seats, a host of storage compartments, a generous luggage area with two compartments and a flat load platform for an overall capacity of up to 1461 litres.
Only two outfits will be provided for the interior and each is aimed at two different customer groups. The equipment level for both outfits is extremely comprehensive and all the main content items comply with the ‘Fiat fair price’ strategy, says the company.

At launch time, the Fiat Freemont comes with front wheel drive and two 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbo diesel power units (for either 140 HP or 170 HP) marche to a manual gearbox. Later, the Freemont  will also be available in 4×4 versions with 170 HP 2.0 MultiJet and 276 HP 3.6 petrol V6 Chrysler Pentastar engine. Both with automatic transmissions, courtesy of the Chrysler Group Pentastar.

According to Fiat, the vehicle’s dynamic performances have also been improved with the aid of Fiat engineering, which has developed and introduced a special suspension and steering configuration for greater accuracy.

Which way the Chrysler group Design is going is becoming apparent with the launch of the first series of cars and SUV from Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep.

A significant example is the was the “European” sized Compass has been given an attractive face and is now ready to reach the Jeep dealers in North American, just before the 2011 NAIAS.

Pity time and dollars call for the next step to see a new side-rear view.

Here he words from the company’s press release I subscribe to.

The new 2011 Jeep Compass has a distinct family resemblance to the all-new, premium 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.  With the new hood, front fenders, new headlamps as well as a new grille that has been detailed with a small dose of chrome surrounding the traditional seven slots found on all Jeep vehicles, the new Compass comes with a more serious, yet sophisticated, appearance. Adding an element of muscle, the hood has been enhanced with a subtle power bulge. The result is a vehicle that shows a more positive attitude and better conveys the Compass’ capability in all weather and driving conditions.

New bright work throughout the exterior lends an upscale touch without compromising the off-road performance of the Compass. A band of protective cladding has been added for 2011, serving to fend off debris when driving in challenging weather conditions or off-road, and providing a new appearance.

The 2011 Compass sports new, standard 17-inch aluminium wheels, and 18-inch aluminium or chrome-clad wheels are available on Limited models.
Interior upgrades for the 2011 Jeep Compass include new soft touch front-door trim panels with a padded upper surface; a new centre armrest; a new Jeep steering wheel with integrated controls that allow the driver to operate the radio, cruise control, available hands-free phone and other vehicle functions while keeping their hands on the wheel; new cloth interior with premium cloth bucket seats in the front; standard speed control on all models; new backlighting of door switches, door locks, windows and power mirror controls.

For 2011 the Jeep Compass also offers an All-weather Capability Group option which includes Goodyear 17-inch all-terrain tires, all-season floor mats, daytime running headlamps, engine block heater and tow hooks.

Photo Gallery Jeep 2011 Compass

Alfa Romeo has released the first official picture of its new Alfa Romeo Giulietta, thus confirming the past speculation on the naming of the heir to the Alfa Romeo 147 hatchback first launched in year 2000. The new compact 4 door, five seater, Alfa Romeo will make its official unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show shortly before going on sale, in summer, in Europe and in most extra-European markets (including Japan) in Autumn next year. The Alfa Romeo Giulietta ( after the Milano label has been killed last Friday) is going to be a very symbolic and relevant car for the brand. On one side it will the latest mass production Alfa Romeo in the first 100 years of the company history. On the other side this will be one of the first Alfa Romeo, if not the very first, to go on sale in the U.S.A. following the alliance of Fiat Group Automobiles with the new Chrysler Group, unless Marchionne decide otherwise, int the next weeks. Its platform would also be shared by Dodge which has plans to design and produce a sporty hatchback of this size for its own market. If so, it will certainly be of great interest to see how designer Ralph Gilles, recently appointed also President and CEO of the Dodge Brand and his team will exploit the “European” package. Alfa Romeo is not saying much about its new car at this time but our sources says it is a major development of the FGA new “compact” platform based on Alfa Romeo recent experience, with upgraded suspensions and mechanics. These have been engineered to place the Giulietta at the top of its class an din view of the amazing 1.7 litre four-cylinder, turbocharged with direct injection powerplant (with dual clutch gearbox) credited of 230 HP due to be launched 12 to 18 months after the introduction.

In comparison with its predecessor, the overall dimensions have increased for wheelbase, length and width and its range of engine has been expanded and renewed.

At the entry level there will be the ubiquitous 1.4 litre, four-cylinder, Multiair proposed in different output versions, starting at 120 HP . So far for the new, typically Alfa Romeo, gasoline engines. In addition the Alfa Romeo will also be available with multijet turbodiesel JTDM engine in both the 1.6 and 2.0 litre displacement versions delivering 105 to 170 HP. All engines are new and most of them come with the exclusive Multiair technology that improves performance while cutting emissions, and with Start&Stop. As the first official picture shows, the source of inspiration for the design of the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta has been once again the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. Just as it was for the smaller Alfa Romeo MiTo.

Keen to enhance its success story in the popular B Segment of the European market, Fiat has orchestrated another of its spectacular launches for its Punto Evo.

The Fiat Punto Evo was presented to the international media on board the Cavour aircraft carrier, the new flagship of the Italian Navy which is the biggest technological investment by the Italian defence and the country’s largest post-war naval construction. The Cavour vessel is considered a symbol of technological excellence of Italy and hence regarded by Fiat as the perfect launch-pad for a car, engineered to be at the forefront of engine innovation, respect for the environment, safety and style.

Forget the awful pictures of the Punto Evo you have seen last month, ahead of the unveiling of the car at the Frankfurt Motor Show and take a new look to the real car. For some mysterious reasons those pictures were sent out despite they are very far from reflecting the designof the car.

The Punto Evo is a direct descendant of the Fiat Uno, launched in 1983 from Cape Canaveral, Florida and one of the greatest and most profitable successes in Fiat history.

The Punto and Grande Punto generation have also met with great success. Since the Punto replaced the Uno back in 1993 as many as 7 million units have been sold world-wide. Now the launch from the Cavour should send the new Punto Evo higher and higher on the sales charts.

Talking to an International audience of media representatives, Lorenzo Sistino, Chief Executive of Fiat Automobiles, stressed that Evo follows Darwin’s philosophy according to whom “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”

Indeed the name Evo makes it clear that this is an evolution of the Punto winning concept now adjusted for the changing scenario, with the market calling for downsizing, lower consumption and less emissions.

Rather than a new car the Punto Evo is a new product, an updated edition of the Grande Punto. A product that combines an elegant restyling of the exterior, a significant remake of the interior, a major improvement on build quality and driving comfort and new, ground-braking powerplants expected to grant Fiat its leadership among the “greenest” carmakers in Europe.

With the Punto Evo, Fiat is committed to stabilize and expand that success and is swiftly responding to strong competitors – such as the Ford Fiesta and Opel Corsa – recently launched here. The Italian carmaker has taken a radically new approach in the development of its Evo. An approach similar to that of German leading carmakers: do not change your winning “horse” but keep making it better and better. To confirm this, the Italian carmaker is banking its communication on the “download and upgrade concept” from the IT language. Fiat has download a good deal of improvements, technical refinement and standard equipment, as new “software” and has improved all settings in every department: powertrains, steering, noise and vibrations.

With  wide range of Euro5 engines and two bifuel options (petrol/LPG or petrol/CNG), the Punto Evo have some more attractions for new buyers. From a package of 7 air-bags (including knee-bag), standard EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution)  and ESP with Hill Holder to an optional Tom-Tom navigation system integrated into the Blue&Me equipment.

Drive the car and you really wonder if the average family would need anything more to drive any distance in great comfort and safety. Sure, in many instances car buyers might be willing to spend more money for more space, performance and status; which is totally legitimate but get closer to the border of “legitimate luxury”.

The Punto Evo goes on sale this month in Italy, France and Germany. Right hand drive versions go on sale early in November and comes January 2010 the Evo will be on sale on all other markets, including Spain and Greece.

]]> http://autodesign.socialblog.us/2009/10/01/fiat-launch-new-punto-evo-from-italian-navy-flaghsip/feed/ 1 http://autodesign.socialblog.us/2009/02/23/alfa-romeo-to-show-mito-gta-and-high-performance-low-emission-engines/ http://autodesign.socialblog.us/2009/02/23/alfa-romeo-to-show-mito-gta-and-high-performance-low-emission-engines/#comments Mon, 23 Feb 2009 09:38:11 +0000 Giancarlo Perini http://autodesign.socialblog.us/2009/02/23/alfa-romeo-to-show-mito-gta-and-high-performance-low-emission-engines/

Geneva will offer a preview of the powerplants that Fiat would share with Chrysler in the USA, as early as next year, if the alliance currently under scrutiny will get the green light.

These are two examples of the clean air technology Chrysler is referring to in its  with its Restructuring Plan, that says: « Small Gasoline Engine: 1.4-1.8l turbocharged technology to reduce CO2 emissions to less than 100g/km. They are to be presented on the Alfa Romeo exhibit alongside the “concept” anticipating the MiTo GTA, to be launched on the market around the Frankfurt Motor Show next September. According to well-placed sources, there will be a 1.7 litre, turbocharged, four-cylinder, gasoline engine delivering some 200 HP form and a 2.0 litre four cylinder, turbodiesel credited of some 170 to 180 HP. They will also be good for the next generation Alfa Romeo 159 and other Alfa Romeo model, including the replacement of the Alfa Romeo 147 (reportedly to be called Milano). Both engines have been developed and will be supplied by Fiat Powertrains Technology (FTP). FTP will held a press conference at the show and is expected to present both the production-ready 2 cylinder 900 cc. Multi-air engine and the new generation of diesel and gasoline downsize engines family. All these new engines dramatically cut CO2 and are Euro 5 ready.

The small Multi-air engines will be presented on the Fiat’s exhibit.

This is how Chrysler is presenting Fiat’s potential contribution to its restructuring plan as far as powerplants and gearbox are concerned.

«Technology sharing with Fiat would provide tremendous advantages to Chrysler.

• Fiat is a recognized leader in developing technologies to reduce emissions and increase fuel efficiency. Among the 10 top selling brands in Europe, Fiat brand has the lowest level of CO2 emissions.

Examples of Fiat advanced technologies available in 2009-2012:

- Small Gasoline Engine: 1.4-1.8l turbocharged technology to reduce CO2 emissions to

less than 100g/km.

- Multiair: this innovative intake valve electronic control system reduces fuel consumption

by up to 6 percent while improving dynamic response of the engine.

- Multijet 2: advances in direct injection diesel technology enable signficiant reductions in

NOx and soot emissions and reduced combustion noise.

- Tetrafuel: designed for flex-fuel markets like Brazil, it is the first-ever engine capable of

being powered by four different fuels – CNG, pure petrol, pure ethanol (E100) and E25

ethanol/gasoline blend.»