Truckload of Alfa Romeo Giuliettas Scooped in Michigan

According to Jalopnik, this here truck that's loaded with a bunch of alfa romio hatchbacks was scooped on a Michigan freeway heading towards the Chrysler Group's headquarters in Auburn Hills. Other than some vague statements and on-off promises, Fiat Group officials have not made any final announcements on the re-launch of the Alfa Romeo brand in the States. So unless the Italians are getting ready to surprise us, we'd say that these vehicles will most likely be used as press cars and/or for display purposes at dealer meetings and possibly even at upcoming motor shows.

2002 Alfa Romeo 147 GTA - Cool Car

Chassis

• Brakes F/R : ABS, vented disc/disc
• Tires F-R : 225/45 R17
  

Engine

• Type : V6
• Displacement cu in (cc) : 194 (3179)
• Power bhp (kW) at RPM : 250(184) / 6200
• Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM : 221(300) / 4800
  

Exterior

• Length × Width × Height in : 164.3 × 68.8 × 55.1
• Weight lb (kg) : 3163
  

Performance

• Acceleration 0-62 mph s : 6.3
• Top Speed mph (km/h) : 153 (246)
  

Base Price : 30,950 €

Alfa Romeo to launch full product line-up (U.S)

Alfa Romeo will commence its line-up in the U.S in late 2012 as part of Marchionne’s strategy to turn Alfa into a “full-line premium carmaker”.

A giulietta based compact SUV will be the first official Alfa to be sold in the U.S. The compact SUV will be produced by Chrysler and will feature a 190bhp (193PS) 2.4 litre MultiAir 4 cylinder and a Pentastar V6 with around 290bhp (294PS). Front-wheel drive will come as standard with all-wheel drive being optional.

Following the SUV will be the forthcoming Giulia saloon and estate. In the European line-up, the Giulia will replace the aging 159 sedan and wagon. European sales of the small SUV will also start in late 2012, while the Giulia models will launch in Europe in late 2011/early 2012.

In 2013, Alfa will sell a new 5dr variant of the MITo in the U.S. At the same time, the 5dr MiTo will be launched in Europe. A two-seater rear-drive roadster is also being mulled over for a 2013 launch; this too would be built in the U.S, although a platform and factory location is yet to be decided.

A larger SUV, also built by Chrysler in the U.S and underpinning the JeepCheroki/liberty be launched in 2014, both in the U.S and Europe. This model will effectively replace the unloved Jeep Commander A facelifted Guiligitta hatchback will also land in the U.S at the same time.

If everything goes to plan, Marchionne expects Alfa to sell 85,000 units in the U.S by 2014 to help towards annual global Alfa sales of 500,000 units. Last year, the firm sold 100,000 units; around 100 of these came through Maserati dealerships in the U.S.

Foose-Made Alfa Romeo Carabo Replica Found on eBay

Originally made for Alfa Romeo by Bertone, the (real) Carabo was built atop a chassis donated by Alfa's 33 Stradale. Packing a 230-horsepower V8, it debuted at the 1968 Paris Motor Show. But this isn't it.

Don't worry, this isn't some tacky, Fiero-based kit car, either. The guy behind this replica wanted to purchase the original from Bertone (so the ad says) but the design firm wasn't willing to part with the masterpiece, so he decided to say to hell with that and have his own built...by Sam Foose. For those who just got out of bed, that would be Chip Foose's father.

This Carabo is built on a De Tomaso Pantera platform and uses its Ford-supplied power train, which means under that killer fiberglass body resides a 351 Cleveland V8 hooked to a 5-speed.

Here's where it gets fun: the seller says it's purely a driving car that's "too fast to handle", makes do without radio or air conditioning, and has fixed windows. Sounds terrible in a scary-awesome way.

Just to keep it as retro-futuristic as possible, it's even got power Lambo-style doors that open with hidden switches inside and out.

Said to have cost $200,000 in 1972, this Carabo is a beautiful imitation and one which definitely lives up to the age old adage about flattery.

I just wish it were wearing the concept's original green hue and black lower cladding. A roof would be nice, too.

Alfa Romeo's 2010-2014 Product Plans Include New Giulia and Spider, but no Succesor for Brera. U.S. Sales Start in 2012

Here we go again; the Fiat Group today announced plans to revive Alfa Romeo with a raft of new models that will also play a key role in the relaunch of the brand in the U.S. market (how many times have we heard that before?) by 2013.

Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne said that Alfa Romeo will launch seven new models from 2010 to 2014 starting with the new Giulietta that will receive an extensive facelift in 2014.

The next newcomer from Alfa will be a replacement for its BMW 3-Series rivaling 159 that will be named Giulia.

Set to arrive in 2012, the Giulia will be based on an existing Fiat platform (most likely, a wider and longer version of the Guilietta's new platform). It will be offered in four-door sedan and station wagon variants and according to the plan, it will mark the return of the Alfa Romeo brand in the States.

The same year will see Alfa introducing a facelift version of its three-door MiTo supermini and a Chrysler Group-based compact-size SUV that will be produced and sold in the States.

In 2013, Alfa will add a five-door model to its MiTo range and launch the car in the U.S. The plan also includes the presentation of a new Spider that will be produced in Europe and the U.S.

There has been speculation that the new Spider will be based on a rear-wheel drive platform derived from Mercedes Chrysler, but this has yet to be confirmed officially. Either way, we hope it looks a lot like Pininfarina's gorgeous 2uettottanta concept that was revealed at last month's Geneva gathering.

Finally, in 2014, Alfa Romeo will present a Chrysler Group-based mid-size SUV. Like its smaller brethren, this model will also be manufactured in America.

It's also worth noting that Alfa Romeo's 2010-2014 product plan does not include a replacement for the GT 2+2 coupe, the Brera and the long-gone 166 sedan. The latter was supposed to be replaced by the 169 in 2009 while mentioned that said, don't take Fiat Group's product plans for granted, or at least not all of them...