Pininfarina’s Chairman and CEO, Paulo Pininfarina, dedicated the latest concept car from his family’s design house to his brother Andrea who passed away in 2008. The concept, called 2uettottanta, is a modern interpretation of the Alfa Romeo Spider. Although Pininfarina’s work with Alfa Romeo is probably best known stateside for the Spider made famous in the movie The Graduate, the partnership goes all the way back to the 1930s. Both companies are celebrating an anniversary in 2010: Pininfarina turns 80 and Alfa Romeo is 100 years old.

As for the 2uettottanta, both Pininfarina’s press release and its presentation at the Geneva show were filled with design-speak, like how the car “reflects Pininfarina’s determination to look to the future with optimism following tradition.” Details about the underpinnings, like the engine, were not mentioned. Not that we really care, since it will never reach production. The best we can hope for is that some of the design language will make its way into future Alfa Romeo products. Even as a concept, the 2uettottanta is yet another beautiful Italian two-seat convertible, and with that we will leave you to look at the pretty pictures.

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In a preview ahead of its formal debut at the Geneva auto show in March, Alfa Romeo has revealed that the successor to its 147 model will be called the Giulietta. Previously referred to as the Milano, the Giulietta is geared to take on the Volkswagen Golf in the European market, with Alfa reportedly hoping that it will be its most successful model ever, eventually topping more than 100,000 units annually.

Built on an all-new platform and offered only as a front-wheel-drive, five-door hatchback with a more coupe-like profile than the VW, the Giulietta is 171.3 inches long, 57.5 inches tall, 70.9 inches wide, and rides on a 103.5-inch wheelbase. The styling is beautiful and pure Alfa, appearing much like a larger, more aggressive version of the diminutive MiTo hatchback. Alfa’s traditional triangular-shield grille sits up front and is complemented by a quartet of lower air intakes and glitzy headlight modules with LED running lights. LED taillights adorn the heavily sculpted rear, as well. The coupe-like stance comes from the sloping rear hatch and is accented by hidden rear door handles. The interior is littered with aluminum accents and is meant to look inspired by the design of the lusty 8C Competizione.

Five- and six-speed manual transmissions will be available initially—a dual-clutch automated manual supposedly is in the works—with engine choices including 120- and 170-hp 1.4-liter gasoline turbo-fours, as well as 1.6- and 2.0-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinders producing 105 hp and 170 hp, respectively. A 235-hp Quadrifoglio Verde model will join the lineup at a later date. Engine stop-start systems will improve city fuel economy on all powertrains, with Fiat’s MultiAir variable valve-timing technology also eventually making its way throughout the lineup—it currently is only fitted to the 170-hp gas engine. Sixteen-, 17-, and 18-inch wheels will be available, with all versions featuring the Alfa DNA drive selector, which allows the driver to set the vehicle’s engine, drivetrain, steering, and stability-control system to one of three settings: Dynamic, Normal, and All Weather.

While the company has released only the car’s basics and a small handful of images, we expect more details as the Geneva show nears. Of course, we’ll have full coverage from the show floor, but watch this space as additional info hits our desks.

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We were saddened to learn that Alfa Romeo is under the impression that their cute yet handsome MiTo is too small for American consumption. But this feels like a slap in the face. Japan is getting 150 special Imola Edition MiTos, and man are they great looking. Painted in Imola Yellow, the cars also get 18-inch wheels, red brake calipers and chromed mirror caps to set them apart from regular MiTos. Inside features fancy Pelle Frau leather, Imola Yellow accents and a little plaque. The Imola Edition MiTos should hit the land of the rising sun in November of this year. There’s precious little left to say, other than do want. Or is that unfair?

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Within seconds of launching the Alfa Romeo 8C Spider out of pit lane at the company’s Balocco test track near Milan, in northern Italy, I’m grinning like an idiot. And I’m not even driving.

The first reason is the noise: a manic blare and bark from the 4.7-liter V-8. The sheer volume and ferocity of the sound beats even a Ferrari Scuderia’s or a Lamborghini LP560-4’s and makes one wonder how the 8C gets through tough European pass-by noise regulations.

The second is that Domenico Bagnasco, the car’s chief engineer, pitches the 8C Spider sideways into the first corner he approaches. He holds the car in a long, lurid slide, the rear tires wreathed in smoke. By the third corner, I’m convinced he’s totally expletive-deleted insane.

When Bagnasco hands over this $301,600 roadster to me, it takes all of two corners to see that this is one beautifully balanced car, with delightful, talkative steering. For a few bucks more than 300 large, the 8C Spider had better be special, but I’d rather have one of these than a Bugatti Veyron. The 8C Spider is not as fast, but it has soul. The Veyron, by comparison, lacks tactility and passion. Read the rest of this entry »

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Following earlier reports that Alfa Romeo had axed plans to produce the MiTo GTA, the Italian automaker has reportedly clarified that the project has not been canceled completely, just postponed.

The MiTo GTA was unveiled in concept form at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. At the time, Alfa said the car would be produced and on the market before the end of the year. Packing a 240hp 1.8-liter turbo four, the GTA was set to revive the company’s performance badge with a package priced to undercut the Mini JCW. When harsh economic conditions hit – and Fiat started snapping up assets left and right – the hot hatch program reportedly took a hit. According to sources within the company, though, the automaker is still keen on getting it done… eventually. Certainly, that won’t happen before the end of the year.

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