What is up with the rear end of the Mazda in that pic?? It looks like the back end of a PT Cruiser. Just terrible, and as far from "sports car" as you could get. If it looks like that, at least we don't have to worry about in out selling the Alfa. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Really? "Copied" the Wankel, as in "stole someone else's" idea? Honestly, that represents a gross misunderstanding of Mazda's contribution to engine development. Mazda, along with Alfa Romeo and others, LICENSED the technology from NSU, and Mazda made it commercially viable by solving the apex seal issues.
Ok that was unfair. You forgot to bring up the VW/Porsche 924 design Mazda was sued over. Also the real problem was fuel consumption. The seal problem was still an issue well into the 1990's. My sister had three 3 rotor RX7's and all of the had premature apex seal failure at around 50,000. She did not abuse the cars. The old RX7 looks just like a Porsche 924 copy, and thats what it was. A proud Japanese tradition, copy the Europeans. Back to Alfa's. Bring up Mazda's on another forum.
About Alfa's racing future. I think they should be in sportscar/Lemans again. F3 would not be bad as they did that back in the 1980's along with F1 but FIAT will never let them do F1 again. http://www.autoedizione.com/alfa-romeo-has-race-ambitions-and-could-return-to-f3/
I've been saying this for years-let Alfa do Lemans-with the F1 facilities available to it courtesy of Ferrari it is not far-fetched. Yes, I'd have Lancia do rallying again also. Try to make it 1975 all over again lol.
Good news!!!!! New alloy 1750 Turbo could make it into the new "Duetto". http://www.autoedizione.com/next-alfa-romeo-spider-will-be-named-duetto/
Alfa's make or break car, the 2014 Giulia: http://www.autoedizione.com/alfa-romeo-giulia-2014/ Tom Tanner/Ferrari Expo 2013-Chicago March 2013
Jheeez ......2015?? 3 years away........really? That means never in Alfa talk. We have been hearing the same BS for years. Time to close this thread
That's 2015 for the spider. The cuv and 4C will be here next summer, or atleast that's what M says. I am starting to believe it will happen in 2013.
Does anyone know how to get a 4C? Are they going to be sold through Ferrari dealers? I can't see them being sold through Fiat dealers.
The plan is to sell them at the FIAT dealers that will soon also be Alfa dealers. They will be going upscale. I am also concerned the Alfa Spider will be killing 500 Abarth sales if they price it starting in the mid 20's as reported with the same FIAT engine. Not a good way to start the "upscale brand" that M envisions.
Although that would make sense that is not correct. FIAT dealers will become Alfa dealers as written in their dealership contracts. I hope they get new dedicated dealerships in a few years. I would not be suprised if a few N.A. Ferrari/Maserati dealers pick up a franchise also.
If they can get one high volume car over here that would be nice. I am surprised it's not a spider, that is what everyone remembers and wants.
Have you seen the Fiat dealerships they've built? It's going to be difficult to convert them to "upscale". The Fiat 500 is an everyday car. The 4C is a highly specialized car with fewer coming to the states than Maserati's. I can't see how this is going to work. It's like asking you to go to a VW dealer and place an order for a special order Mercedes AMG. Someone has to have thought about this. I wish they would bother to tell the rest of us.
New Mito on hold. I have a feeling FIAT thinks it will step on the FIAT 500 Abarth. As Alfa plans it move upscale an economy hatch may not be in the cards for now. In the future we might see another joint Alfa/Mazda hatchback project. I am not a fan of the Mazda hookup. http://www.autoedizione.com/as-it-seems-there-will-be-no-successor-of-the-alfa-romeo-mito/
Interesting article: http://www.autoedizione.com/volkswagen-demands-departure-of-sergio-marchionne-as-president-acea/
