ALFA ROMEO INSPIRES CENTENARY BAGS
11/01/2011
Alfa Romeo UK has unveiled two concept designer bags for its sporty compact MiTo as part of the company's centenary year and to help support young British fashion talent. Students from the prestigious MA Fashion course at Central Saint Martins College, London – which has produced the likes of Stella McCartney, Giles Deacon and the late Alexander McQueen - created the specially commissioned bags for Alfa Romeo.
Taking inspiration from the stylish Alfa MiTo, together with the Italian manufacturer's celebrated heritage, 15 graduates each submitted sketches for initial consideration. After being critiqued and judged by some of the leading faces in British fashion, the bags created by CSM students William Hendry and Tamara Elliot were chosen for the limited run.
Describing his design, which represents a modern interpretation of vintage luggage, William says: "I was attracted to the Alfa Romeo project because it enabled me to gain an insight into an area of design that I had previously had little opportunity to discover. I was impressed by the way in which ergonomics influences Alfa's own design processes; whether it be a coat pocket or a steering wheel, the important thing is that form follows function."
Tamara feels her bag design, which cleverly doubles as a suit carry case, reflects the longevity of Alfa's rich styling pedigree. She explains: "I wanted to design a bag that worked with the car and the requirements of travelling. I was inspired by classic garment and boot bags and I developed these ideas into a bag that changes shape and function to be versatile enough to use in every situation. I kept the exterior simple and classic so that the design has longevity and will not date, to reflect the Alfa Romeo style."
Course director at Central St Martins, Professor Louise Wilson OBE added: "I've been hugely impressed by the designs the students came up with following the brief. Alfa Romeo is a classic Italian brand with lots of history, so research was an important part of what they had to do. The two final designs by William and Tamara deserved to win the competition and the bags look great."
The two bags are prototype designs for Alfa Romeo UK who will now look at producing a limited range of both in the near future. The full story of the Alfa Romeo centenary bags, including interviews with the designers and Louise Wilson, can be seen at www.alfaromeo.co.uk/centenarybags
ALFA ROMEO AND FIAT SCOOP MORE MAJOR AWARDS
01/02/2011
Alfa Romeo has been busy scooping more top awards around Europe. In Italy, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta has just been named "Newcomer of the year 2011" by the readers of the prestigious car magazine Quattroruote. The Alfa Giulietta accounted for an astonishing 44 percent of the 103,000 votes tallied by the magazine, trouncing the second place Audi A1 and third place Citroen DS3, which received around 12.5 percent and 8.9 percent of the vote, respectively.
Closer to home, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta has just been named New Car magazine’s 2011 "Small Family Car of the Year", ahead of established rivals like the Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Opel Astra. The magazine's editors were particularty impressed by the Alfa Giulietta's styling, value, dynamics and safety credentials, not to mention its advanced range of powerful but frugal turbo-charged engines. The Alfa Giulietta has already been named "Most Interesting Premium Hatchback 2011" by Irish ezine eDrive.ie and one of the "Cars of My Year" by Brian Byrne, Editor of Irish Car + Travel magazine.
In Germany, the readers of the influential car magazine Auto Motor und Sport voted the Alfa Romeo Giulietta "Best Compact" in the magazine's 2011 "Best Cars" awards. In addition, the Alfa MiTo was voted "Best Supermini" for the third consecutive year, bringing the total number of category victories for Alfa Romeo cars to 29 since the magazine's annual "Best Cars" awards were established in 1976.
Finally, the independent crash test and car safety organisation, EuroNCAP, has examined its data and declared the Alfa Romeo Giulietta to be one of its best performing cars of 2010. The Alfa Giulietta is the safest compact car ever tested by EuroNCAP, achieving a record 97 percent rating for adult occupant protection. In fact, the Alfa Giulietta's overall score is the second highest of the 29 cars tested by EuroNCAP in 2010, bettering the likes of the Mercedes Benz E-Class, Mercedes Benz GLK-Class, Jaguar XF, BMW X1, Audi A1, Ford C-Max, Mini Countryman, Opel Meriva and Citroen C4. This five-star level of safety is standard in every Alfa Romeo Giulietta, which starts at just €19,995 in Ireland.
EIGHT REAL PEOPLE WINNERS DRIVE OFF IN AN ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA
24/02/2011
The eight winners in Alfa Romeo Ireland's 'Real People' online competition have finally been handed the keys to their brand new Alfa Romeo Giuliettas.
The competition opened eight weeks ago and invited ordinary, real people to explain, using video, photography or a short essay, why they deserved an Alfa Romeo Giulietta for a year, tax and insurance included.
The 40 best submissions, in eight different categories, were then selected and published on Facebook. Ten days later the winners were the eight finalists with the most Facebook 'Likes' in each category.
The live countdown to the conclusion of the competition took place on February 18th in the Crowne Plaza hotel with voting taking place right until the last second. The winners were announced moments later and were driving their new Alfa Romeo Giulietta home within an hour.
The winners will blog about their experiences with the Alfa Giulietta from Monday, February 21st onwards and in 12 months' time the winner deemed to have the best blogs will get to keep their car forever.
For more details and to follow the progress of the contestants visit www.realpeople.ie or the Alfa Romeo Ireland Facebook page www.facebook.com/AlfaRomeoIreland.
WORLD PREMIERE : THE ALFA ROMEO 4C CONCEPT
28/02/2011
The exciting new Alfa Romeo 4C Concept makes its world debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. A compact, mid-engined supercar, the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept is every bit as dramatic as you might expect from an Italian thoroughbred, not only in terms of its styling and presence but also in terms of performance and technical innovation.
Around four metres in length and with a wheelbase of less than 2.4m there is nothing superfluous about the two-seat Alfa 4C Concept, and with a carbon-fibre monocoque and four-cylinder, turbo-charged engine (hence the “4C” name), it is as lightweight as it is compact. Alfa Romeo engineers predict a kerb weight as low as 850kg when the 4C goes into production in the second half of 2012, an impressive figure that would actually make Alfa's latest supercar some 50kg lighter than a Fiat 500.
Almost by default, low weight practically guarantees high performance and agile dynamics but Alfa Romeo is nonetheless taking no chances: The rear wheels are driven by the same direct-injection, 1,750cc, turbo petrol engine that powers the Alfa Giulietta Cloverleaf via Alfa Romeo’s new "Alfa TCT" twin, dry-clutch transmission to ensure seamless power delivery and control even in the most extreme driving situations.
Peak power has yet to be determined but top speed will exceed 250km/h and the 0-100km sprint will be dispatched in less than 5 seconds. Thanks to Alfa Romeo’s DNA system, which will be standard, there will also be three distinct driving modes which the driver can alternate between depending on how the 4C is being used.
Chassis-wise, the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept employs an extremely sophisticated layout (double-wishbone up front, MacPherson struts at the rear) and when this is combined with weight distribution more akin to a race car (40% on the front axle and 60% on the rear) it should make for an exciting and agile driving experience, even by Alfa Romeo’s high standards.
The 4C goes on sale in the second half of 2012 and prices have yet to be determined, although given its predicted low CO2 output it should represent great value for Irish customers. An annual production run of 1,500 is planned but that number can easily be increased depending on global demand. The Alfa Romeo 4C will be sold in right-hand drive and it will also spearhead Alfa Romeo's return to North America in 2012.
DIT Alfa Romeo Fashion Show 2011
09/03/2011
The DIT Alfa Romeo Fashion Show was launched today (March 1st 2011) in Dublin with the help of the reigning Mr. World, Limerickman Kamal Ibrahim, and DIT students Aifric Elian Rice, Siobhan Bolton and Gemma Fowler (pictured).
The annual event, now in its eigth year, takes place on March 29th in Vicar Street with the theme of "Romeo & Giulietta- A Bad Romance", inspired by the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Nearly 70 students from DIT are involved in this major production which, according to student co-directors Katie Harrington and Maria Aprile, "demands daring, romance and real story-telling through fashion."
For Alfa Romeo, the association with the DIT Fashion Show is a perfect fit. Alfa's brand ambassadors include such style icons as Uma Thurman and Gráinne Séoige while the elegance and beauty of the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta makes its rivals seem bland and shapeless in comparison.
The Fashion Society is one of 80 societies in DIT which have 6,000 student members in total. The societies places heavy emphasis on the management of, and participation in, productions and campaign such as the DIT Alfa Romeo Fashion Show with a view to the practical education of the students involved.
Proceeds from this year’s show will go to the DIT Foundation to fund student scholarships.
Fiat Group Automobiles Ireland Relocates
01/04/2011
Fiat Group Automobiles Ireland has today (March 25th, 2011) relocated from its old home near the Red Cow Roundabout in Dublin to new headquarters just a short distance away on the Naas Road.
The landmark property, which was formerly Nissan Ireland’s headquarters, was sold in 2008 for redevelopment which never consequently took place. Over the past few months Fiat Group Automobiles Ireland has completely renovated the 5,000m2 building and has renamed it “Agnelli House” in honour of Giovanni Agnelli who founded Fiat in Turin in 1899.
The move coincides with Fiat Group Automobiles Ireland’s expansion this summer, when the company takes over the sales, distribution and aftersales of the Chrysler and Jeep brands in Ireland. Fiat Automobiles SpA assumed control of Chrysler and Jeep in 2009.
According to Adrian C. Walsh, Managing Director of Fiat Group Automobiles Ireland, “The relocation underscores Fiat Group Automobile Ireland’s confidence in, and commitment to, the Irish market despite the country’s current difficulties. It also signals the resurgence of the Fiat, Fiat Professional, Alfa Romeo, Jeep and Chrysler brands in Ireland as we head into an exciting and relentless phase of innovative new products over the next few years.”
Statement Regarding Revised Alfa MiTo for Ireland
29/04/2011
On April 28th Alfa Romeo UK announced detail of its revised Alfa Romeo MiTo range for 2011. In its press release it highlighted new technologies, a new engine range and new trim levels for the revised MiTo, as well as some minor design tweaks.
Because April is a key vehicle registration month for the UK and because it is one of the largest markets in Europe, the range revisions for the UK were naturally prioritised and expedited by Turin.
However, because the Irish registration system is skewered heavily towards the first four months of the year, it made more sense for Fiat Group Automobiles Ireland to focus on how best to position the Alfa Romeo MiTo for 2012. Using the experience of Alfa Romeo UK, FGAI will be better able to optimise the engine range, trim levels and pricing of the revised Alfa Romeo MiTo to maximise its appeal next year.
Full details of the revised Alfa Romeo MiTo for Ireland will be announced in September.
Alfa Romeo wins prestigious awards in Germany and Italy
31/05/2011
The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept has been voted "Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year" by the readers of German magazine, Auto Bild. Coming out on top of its many competitors presented over recent months at the Geneva, Detroit, Tokyo and Shanghai Motor Shows, the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept won the Auto Bild Design Award 2011, a victory underpinned by the brand's sporting nature and the values at the centre of its philosophy: performance, Italian style and technical excellence, offering maximum driving pleasure in total safety. Those same features distinguish the two historic models which dominated the recent 2011 edition of the Concorso d'Eleganza in Villa d'Este: a 1968 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale and a 1942 6C 2500 SS.
The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept is a classic mid-engined rear-wheel drive coupé with two bucket seats, a length of approximately 4 metres and a wheelbase of less than 2.4 metres, dimensions which emphasise the car's compact attributes whilst also accentuating its agility. Distinguished by its clean and graceful lines, the same principles are also applied to the inside, with the Concept's specific trim level, maintaining features and devices which more directly reflect the car's sporting spirit.
The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept uses technology and materials derived from the 8C Competizione - carbon, aluminium, rear-wheel drive - and technology from Alfa Romeo models currently on sale: the 1750 turbo petrol engine with direct injection, the "Alfa TCT" twin dry clutch transmission and the Alfa DNA dynamic control selector. Quite simply, this vehicle screams Alfa. Its sports car soul creates a unique driving sensation, both on the road and when racing, where its velocity and transverse acceleration become even more demanding.
Held for the first time in 1929, the Concorso d'Eleganza has always been hosted in the magnificent grounds of the Grand Hotel Villa d'Este and Villa Erba in Cernobbio, on Lake Como. This year, the event was open to motorcycles for the first time ever, and saw the participation of over 5000 fans who got the chance to admire fifty masterpieces from international automotive history. The undisputed star of the show was the 1968 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale which won both the BMW Group Best of Show trophy, the most important prize awarded by the jury, and the BMW Group Italy Trophy voted for by the public at Villa Erba. Equipped with a V8 2.0 engine (developed by Carlo Chiti), similar to a sports engine but downgraded to 230 HP, only 18 examples of the 33 Stradale were produced between 1967 and 1971. Its alloy body was designed by Franco Scaglione. Along with this extraordinary custom-built model, another Alfa Romeo was brought into the spotlight: the 1942 6C 2500 SS, which was awarded the Golden Cup, a recognition granted by referendum in Villa d'Este. Equipped with a 2.5 litre 6 cylinder engine with 3 carburettors, this vehicle was capable of generating 110 HP and reaching around 160 km/h, top class performance for its time. This Bertone Super Sport coupé was built in limited numbers before and after the Second World War.
PUBLIC DEBUT OF ALFA 4C CONCEPT AT THE 2011 GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED
31/05/2011
This month, Alfa Romeo celebrates 101 years of motoring, and the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed (1-3 July) will help mark this occasion by playing host to the public debut of the mid-engined Alfa 4C Concept, the latest evolution in Alfa Romeo design and technology.
Representing the true essence of an Alfa Romeo sports car: performance, Italian style and technical excellence, the Alfa 4C Concept offers the classic formula of a two-seater, mid-engined, rear-wheel drive coupé.
Lightweight materials such as carbon-fibre and aluminium are used extensively throughout. These solutions, used in conjunction with a powerful 200bhp 1750 TBi 4 cylinder petrol engine coupled with the new automatic Alfa TCT twin dry clutch transmission, and Alfa DNA dynamic control selector, allow the 4C Concept to produce exciting performance figures: Top speed 155mph, kerb weight under 850kgs, 0-62 mph in under 5 seconds, and a power-to-weight ratio lower than 4kg per bhp.
Alongside the Alfa 4C Concept on the Alfa Romeo exhibition stand will be an array of the Italian marque's UK product range, including another UK public debut - the updated Alfa MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde, together with the Alfa Giulietta Cloverleaf and the Alfa 159 Sportwagon.
While celebrating the future of Alfa Romeo at this year's Festival of Speed, the marque will also be embracing its rich past, by showcasing five iconic cars from the Alfa Romeo museum collection in Italy. These automotive legends include Fangio's Alfa 6C 3000CM, which alongside the Alfetta 159, will celebrate the 60th anniversary of Fangio's historic 1951 Formula One World Championship title, as well as the Alfa 6C 1750GS, Alfa 750 Competizione and the Alfa 33 TT 12. Spectators at the Festival will be able to see the cars in action over the three day event, and they will be on display in the Cathedral Paddock area.
In the Supercar Paddock, Alfa's 8C Spider will be turning heads as it makes its way past the crowds, up the historic Goodwood Hill. In addition to a traditionally strong presence at the Festival of Speed, Alfa Romeo will also be exhibiting at the Goodwood Moving Motor Show.
FIAT SpA Announces Management Restructuring Plan
29/07/2011
FIAT S.p.A. has announced the formation of a Group Executive Council (GEC) with the objective of enhancing the operational integration of FIAT S.p.A. and Chrysler Group.
The GEC comes into effect on September 1st 2011 and will be responsible for reviewing the operating performance of the businesses, setting performance targets, making key strategic and investment decisions for the Group and sharing best practices, including the development and deployment of key human resources.
The GEC will have four main groupings. The first is responsible for manufacturing; sales; parts and service; automotive components and systems and castings. The second grouping is responsible for developing FIAT S.p.A.'s brand portfolio in each of the Group's operating regions. The third grouping is composed of industrial process leaders who will be responsible for consistency and standards across the operating regions, as well as optimising the capital allocation choices the Group will face in the coming years. The fourth and final grouping is responsible for support and corporate functions*.
Each grouping will be the responsibility of a Chief Operating Officer (COO) who will drive the organisation via a regional Management Team. (The details of these teams will be announced at a later date.) The COOs are accountable for the Profit and Loss of their region/business and the management of regional resources, including manufacturing and commercial activities.
According to Sergio Marchionne, Chief Executive of FIAT and Chrysler: "We have now reached the right moment to step on the accelerator of the FIAT-Chrysler integration. These appointments are the result of an extensive process of evaluation of the technical and leadership skills of the individuals who have been appointed to the GEC. But equally important is the fact that they reflect the multicultural, geographically-diverse nature of our businesses. We recognise in these leaders the future of FIAT-Chrysler as an efficient, multi-national competitor in a global automotive marketplace. It is a privilege for me to have the opportunity to lead this group of people and see them grow, to watch them as they transform challenge into success and into faith in themselves and what they can achieve."
Alfa Romeo at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show
30/08/2011
The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept arrives at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show finished in a new "Fluid Metal" paint scheme. Recently crowned "Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year" by Auto Bild Magazine readers, the new finish enhances the concept's muscular lines and honed proportions and enables German Alfisti to experience the 4C Concept in a fresh light.
The launch of Alfa Romeo 4C is scheduled for 2013 and its weight is confirmed at close to 850kg, ensuring a "supercar" power-to-weight ratio in excess of 250hp/tonne. The two-seater, mid-engined, rear-wheel drive coupé will be constructed from carbon fibre and aluminium and will be approximately 4m in length with a wheelbase of less than 2.4m.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta with Alfa TCT
Alfa Romeo will also have the Giulietta fitted with the Alfa TCT twin dry clutch transmission on display at the Frankfurt show. The new transmission, which can be used in automatic mode or shifted manually using the gear selector or steering-wheel paddles, is initially available with the 170hp 1.4 TB MultiAir and 170 2.0 JTDm engines and in both cases both fuel consumption, emissions and acceleration improve markedly compared to the manual versions (see 11_08_30_AR_Frankfurt_TECH for more details).
Alfa Romeo MiTo 2012
The revamped Alfa Romeo MiTo arrives in Frankfurt boasting two new engines: an 85hp 1.3 JTDm diesel and the recently-crowned International Engine of the Year, the revolutionary, 875cc TwinAir petrol. As in the Fiat 500 and Chrysler Ypsilon, the 85hp, two-cylinder, turbo-charged engine combines lively performance with impressive efficiency (CO2 emission of just 98g/km in the MiTo), while the 85hp 1.3 JTDm unit features MultiJet II direct injection, a variable geometry turbocharger and an on-demand alternator and oil pump, slashing CO2 emissions to just 90g/km. The Alfa MiTo TwinAir is finished in a new colour, Nero Ametista, with new alloy wheels and revised upholsteries.
The Alfa MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde (Green Cloverleaf) benefits from new wheels and cabin enhancements, while the Alfa Adaptive Suspension is improved with new electronically-controlled, adaptive shock absorbers which can be adjusted using the Alfa DNA selector, which also sharpens or softens the throttle and steering responsiveness, power delivery and shift-pattern of the TCT transmission (if fitted) as required.
Alfa MiTo Sponsors a Leading International Music Event in France
13/09/2011
The Alfa Romeo MiTo has undertaken a new music event partnership, which takes it to Marseilles this year for Marsatac, the leading electro/hip hop festival in the south of France.
Marsatac, the leading electronic music festival in the South of France has now reached its 13th edition. It takes place the last weekend of September - 29 September to 1 October- in Friche de la Belle de Mai, the art and youth culture nerve centre of Marseilles and the neighbourhood where many artistic associations and collectives are based.
The Festival this year has 3 evenings of musical entertainment scheduled with the attendance of about 30,000 people estimated, and 50 artists will perform on 4 different stages for a total of 97 hours of electronic, hip hop and rock music. As tradition would have it, the three evenings of the last weekend of September will be enlivened by a top level programme, which once and for all establishes Marsatac as the leading festival in these genres.
Alfa Romeo continues to get involved in leading international music events across Europe and participation in the 13th edition of Marsatac in France further consolidates the brands links with key events of European electronic music.
Visit www.mitoenergymachine.com to download the festival programme, get all the information and relive all of the events presented by the MiTo.
Alfa Romeo: First Premium Brand with a Five-Year Warranty
28/11/2011
Alfa Romeo Ireland is introducing a new five-year, 100,000km warranty, complete with five years roadside assistance cover, that will be standard on all vehicles bought in Ireland from January 2012 onwards.
This makes Alfa Romeo the first premium manufacturer to offer such a lengthy and comprehensive warranty package and will give the owners of new Alfa Romeo vehicles added peace of mind in these uncertain economic times.
The five-year warranty package also underscores Alfa Romeo's confidence in the quality and robustness of the vehicles it produces, and will also help ensure strong resale values as the warranty can be transferred to subsequent owners provided the vehicles are maintained according the service schedule by authorised service agents.
Alfa Romeo also expects the new warranty to give its vehicles an edge with business users and fleet operators who will now be better able to predict the running costs and future value of Alfa Romeo vehicles. In addition to a five-year warranty, all Alfa Romeos offer low fuel consumption and low road tax thanks to their award-winning and advanced engines.
According to Adrian C. Walsh, managing director of FIAT Group Automobiles Ireland: "This is the next stage in the resurgence of Alfa Romeo in Ireland. We have competitive and exciting vehicles in the new Alfa Giulietta and revised Alfa MiTo; we have a re-energised and enthusiastic dealer network behind us and now we have a better warranty than any of our rivals which should finally dispel any reservations people may have about the quality of Alfa Romeo vehicles."
