News February 12 2006

Italians In Melbourne

Italians in Melbourne? Well there’s a novelty! At ItalianCar we’ve just been notified by Alfa, Fiat, Maserati and Ferrari of their respective line-ups for the Melbourne motor show (March 2nd-12th). Here’s the information they have provided us – now we’re just waiting for Lamborghini...

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Alfa Romeo

Alfa's automatically better Melbourne Motor Show display

Alfa Romeo will automatically have a bigger, better display at the 2007 Melbourne International Motor Show (2-12 March 2007) when it takes the wraps of no less than eight additional models with the launch of the automatic and Selespeed versions of its award-winning Alfa Romeo 159 and 159 Sportwagon ranges.

“The arrival of these cars is enormously important to Alfa Romeo in Australia,” explains David Stone, General Manager for Alfa Romeo in Australia. “In the past we have almost been fighting with one hand tied behind our backs, given Australia’s penchant for automatics and Italy’s preference for manuals. Now, for the first time we not only have self shifting gearboxes matched to every engine option, they are all state-of-the-art six speed units. Combined with the style, performance and ability of the Alfa Romeo 159 and 159 Sportwagon, we believe we now have an unbeatable range of European sports saloons and wagons.”

In addition to automatic gearboxes for the 2.4 Litre JTD and 3.2 JTS V6 versions of the Alfa Romeo 159 and 159 Sportwagon and a new third generation Selespeed gearbox for the 2.2 JTS, Alfa Romeo have also added a new version to both sedan and Sportwagon ranges powered by Alfa Romeo’s impressive 1.9 litre 110 kW JTD Turbo Diesel engine. This new variant is fitted as standard with the six speed Q-Tronic automatic gearbox.

The efficiency and effectiveness of the Q-Tronic gearbox in the Alfa Romeo 159 is shown by the remarkable economy of the 159 1.9 litre JTD and the near zero reduction in performance compared to manual versions of the 2.4 litre and 3.2 litre engines. With the 1.9 litre power unit, the 159 has an official open road fuel consumption figure of just 5.5 liters per 100 km, yet combines this with a sprightly performance of zero to 100 km in just 9.6 seconds. Perhaps more remarkably, the 2.4 JTD diesel has exactly the same 0-100 km time in manual and automatic forms of 8.6 seconds, while losing just 4 kmh off the top speed. The V6 version has exactly the same top speed of 240 kmh in manual and automatic forms and there is a very modest increase in the 0-100 kmh time from 7.0 seconds for the manual to 7.2 seconds for the Q-Tronic.

Selespeed, now available on the 2.2 litre versions of the 159 and 159 Sportwagon, debuts in its latest version, with a third generation operating system and mated to the new six speed gearbox.

Given that the Selespeed uses the same gearbox and clutch as the normal manual and has little or no weight penalty, it is no surprise that the performance figures are exactly the same as the manual – top speed of 222 kmh and a 0-100 km time of 8.8 seconds – but more of a surprise is that the Selespeed is actually more economical than the manual. This is because the programming of the gearchange selection in the Selespeed computer optimizes the abilities to minimize fuel consumption in the JTS engine and the Selespeed unit does a perfect gearchange every time, ensuring that now fuel is wasted during the gearchange process. Each off the official fuel consumption figures are, therefore, better for the Selespeed, for example, the open road figure for the manual is 7.3 l/100 km for the manual and 7.1 for the Selespeed.

Also making its Melbourne Motor Show debut, following its Australian launch late last year, is the Alfa Romeo Spider, the wonderful new interpretation of Alfa Romeo classic open top car.

Although the archetypal Alfa Romeo Spider is the 1960’s Duetto that entered the public consciousness when a Dustin Hoffman piloted a red – of course – Duetto Spider on his way to his fateful meeting with Mrs Robinson in the film ‘The Graduate’, the Spider has been has been at the heart of the company right back to its foundation. Although early models such as the 40-60hp and the RL were known generically as spiders, the first model to carry Spider as part of its name was the 8C 2300 Spider.

Although the all-new Alfa Romeo Spider is based on the acclaimed Brera Coupe, it is much more than a roofless version of the Brera. The Spider is strictly a two seat sports car; it has been extensively styled at the rear to focus attention on its open top character, with pronounced rear wheel arches, a cover for the folded roof that is shaped to flow up towards the polished chrome roll bars in the form of a ‘speedster’ top.

Two versions of the new Alfa Spider, starting with a recommended retail price of $69,990, will be available from launch, with a choice of engines, a 2.2 litre JTS 136 kW four cylinder unit, and a 3.2 litre JTS 191 kW V6.

With specific power outputs of up to 62 kW/litre, and almost 90 per cent of maximum torque available at just 2000 rpm, both petrol JTS (Jet Thrust Stoichiometric) units boast outstanding performance, yet offer significant fuel savings and readily comply with the stringent Euro Stage 4 exhaust emission limits. Both these advanced direct injection engines feature continuously variable valve timing governing both inlet and exhaust camshafts.

Both Spider versions are fitted with 6-speed manual gearboxes, whilst the Spider 3.2 V6 JTS is equipped with, as standard, with Alfa Romeo’s Q4 permanent four-wheel drive system. Q4 employs three differentials, with a self-locking Torsen C unit at the centre of the system which in normal conditions divides drive torque by a ratio of 57 per cent to the rear wheels and 43 per cent to the front.

Needless to say, the Spider will be joined by its brother, the Alfa Romeo Brera, the Italian car maker’s acclaimed sports car which has been described as, quite simply, the sexiest car in the world.

Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro in collaboration with Alfa Romeo Centro Stile, and built by Pininfarina, the road-going Alfa Brera remains remarkably true to the stunning, multi-award winning coupe concept first shown to global acclaim at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show. It combines superlative engineering with outstanding performance, and handling characteristics appropriate to the pedigree of one of the world’s most famous sporting marques.

Completing the Alfa Romeo presentation at the 2007 Melbourne International Motor Show will be the Alfa Romeo GT, the Alfa Romeo 147 and the Alfa Romeo 166.

The Alfa Romeo GT compliments the Brera, playing the role of a spacious coupe to the Brera’s 2+2 sports car.

But, unlike many of its key rivals, the Alfa GT is not merely a two door version of a sedan variant; it is a unique car in its own right, styled from the start as gorgeous Coupe. With a sizeable boot and seats for five, the Alfa GT is a remarkable blend of style, performance and usability. Add a choice of the legendary 3.2 litre Alfa Romeo V6 engine or the highly efficient 2.2 litre JTS engine and the Alfa Romeo GT provides a unique automotive combination.

If the Alfa Romeo 156 was instrumental in Alfa Romeo’s rebirth, it was the Alfa Romeo 147 that set seal on that success, proving, as would be expected from an Alfa Romeo, that a compact hatchback did not have to be devoid of style. The Alfa Romeo 147 boasts a wealth of style, from its overall shape to interment detailing, both inside and outside. These sublime good looks are matched by a choice of powerful petrol and diesel engines, a highly capable chassis, a wealth of standard equipment and highly competitive pricing.

The Alfa Romeo 166 is proof that the Italian car maker’s skills are not limited to compact and medium size cars. Here is a prestige saloon that has real presence that sets it apart from all its rivals, inside and out. Powered by Alfa Romeo’s 3.2 litre V6 engine that is a visual feast of polished chrome and an aural symphony of power and desire, the Alfa Romeo 166 goes as well as it sounds. Presented in its latest ‘Ti’ incarnation, the latest version of Alfa Romeo prestige saloon sports unique alloy wheels provide it with a new on-road stance as well as boosted  levels of handling and roadholding.

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