paddy

Maybe it is a good idea to stop the public interrogation of Taurus here. We are lucky to have such a passionate contributor who obvioussly only posts positive things about cars from the Fiat Group. Infact Fiat should pay him for his unique service! Lets continue the discussion on the 159.

yes that is what i'm thinking too

The PSI system really is fantastic I must say. I think it has a lot to do with the quailty of the new models, I mean, every factor is taken into consideration and is really processed in such an integrated manner - brilliant!

Edit: the best part is that any problems are clearly exposed!

Some news on the future of the Panda!

no i don't remember to have post that and there are some errors..they miss the vote on C-class construction quality and after they say in leather quality that the C class restyling has (nappa)smerigliato leather..c-class restyling has smerigliato leather not nappa(that is another quality of leather used by MB in upper class models like SL CL or S class and in the recent E class and CLS..other houses use this high quality leather even to superminis like Lancia Ypsilon or Audi in all models from A3 to A8)..but i think that the votes are credible.

Can somebody here please explain the type of suspension that the 149 will have at the front and rear?

Non vorrei fare il moderotfl ma parliamo di 149 please....

per kamal c'è un topic apposito.

no those mules that look like stilo MW are mules of the Kamal I the old Kamal project.....this mules were made by stola and are based in the 149 floorpan.

That is what I thought as well, but they are always appearing on photographs taken at Balocco - despite the project being dead. As these mules by Stola have the compact platform, I was thinking that they might perhaps now be used for Progetto 940?!

Taurus, you mentioned earlier on this thread that the prototype mules for the 147 replacement have been around for a long time already. My question to you is whether the Fiat Stilo Multiwagon mules at Balocco (both the 4x2 and 4x4) are mules for Progetto 940?

Dynometers can sometimes be wrong...

I think no.

I think it will have minor modifications, like on the 156 facelift...

But on the exterior I don't think a lot will be changed. The shape of the car doesn't really allow for a lot of change, especially as the original one is so nice!

no ciferri is totally wrong.....ferrari doesn't want an entry level model before 2010...if his sources are the same that said to him about the kamal with the GM V8 northstar(one engine that was not included in the JV fiat-gm powertrain...not noe that the two houses divorce)...or that spoke about an E segment maserati.......all ciferri errors in the few last months(as the quattroporte v10 tdi in the recent years)...you should be more carefull....

I will ask some test drivers I know. Lets hope they confirm the story you tell as that is the version I like the most. I also think a Dino based on the Spyder sounds silly, for technical reasons.

The picture has been around for more that two months for what I remember.

Sorry - you are correct. It was taken at the Munich 159 press presentation.

The scoop was taken at Munich last week I take it? Also - this could actually be the 159 GTA, no?

I checked with Ciferri to see if he had an update on his article. He wasn't absolutely sure, but he was told that the new Maserati Spider was killed this spring and was planned to be transformed in an entry-level Ferrari, the so-called new Dino. He is going to check out the subject again though.

I don't like the sound of this story - the M139 chassis is surely too heavy / expensive for a Dino? Also, I thought the Dino would have a (new) mid-engine?

EDIT: His source confirms that the Spyder is still dead.

We have conflicting sources here!

they are wrong...Ciferri first of all makes speculations many times...it's the norm for italian journalists speculate..

Birdness the entry level spider will be at carrera prices not boxster S...Kalbfell maserati a.d. talk about a price between 75.000 and 80.000 euro for the entry level maserati that is in europe the 911 carrera price level...not the boxster S price level..so your dealer is two times wrong...both for the spyder...and even for entry level spyder positioning...

entry level maserati spyder 75.000-80.000 euro

http://www.kwmotori.kataweb.it/kwmotori/kwmnews.jsp?idContent=1241169&idCategory=741

911 Carrera 76.741 euro(Germany)

Boxster S 52.265 euro(Germany)

Sono stato oggi al "dealership" Ferrari-Maserati qui a Montreal e mi hanno parlato soltanto della futura entry-level Maserati che sara messo in vendita per il prezzo della Boxster S. They had no info on the SL type spyder due to be released next year. If the dealerships are not aware, how can we be sure that the SL type will actually be introduced? I find this all very frustrating!!!

New impression Looks nice at this angle!

http://www.italiaspeed.com/2005/cars/alfa_romeo/10/brera_gta/101.html

Is wrong Cifferi and is not the first time this journalist is wrong....first of all the entry level maserati will cost between 75.000 and 80.000 euros not 70.000....as said Kalbfell in the Maserati stand in the Frankfurt show two weeks ago...but we will not see it on market before the first months of 2008...not surely in 2007...

The cherry on the cake as says an italian proverb is that is wrong even the last part...maserati spyder will debut next year...as is wrong that is not profitable.....after all doesn't male sense have a project named entry level spyder if doesn not exist a spyder...

Also, it wouldn't make sense that the project would get this far if it wasn't profitable! And what on earth would keep Maserati alive inbetween 2006 and 2008??!!

A recent article from Automotive News Europe - especially look at the last paragraph:

Maserati plans Alfa-based convertible

Entry-level model will boost sales

By Luca Ciferri

Automotive News Europe / September 19, 2005

Maserati will use Alfa Romeo technology to launch its cheapest model in 2007, company sources say.

The two-seat, four-wheel drive convertible will be based on the new Alfa Romeo Spider that debuts at the Geneva auto show next March, according to insiders.

The new Maserati -- whose project name is the "entry-level Spyder" -- will be priced around E70,000, almost E20,000 less than the current Maserati Spyder.

Karl-Heinz Kalbfell, CEO of Alfa Romeo and Maserati, said that "rounding down" the sports car maker's lineup with a cheaper model is an important pillar in boosting Maserati's sales to 10,000 units by 2010, up from an expected 5,600 units this year.

In February, Fiat group decided to link Maserati, which used to be grouped with Ferrari, with Alfa Romeo.

Maserati has already killed plans to build a E100,000 Spyder derived from the four-door Quattroporte sedan because it is unlikely to be profitable.

Will the GTA package also be offered on the Spider like the old documents state?

Fantastic scoop. It reminds me of the Alfa Romeo 75 based concept car by Castagna.

This is very a old picture and comes from a German magazine I think. Taurus, you mentioned a while ago that the Centro Stile would complete the design work for Project 941 in the Spring of this year (if I am not mistaken). Is the general design work finished now?

Thanks.

Is the codename for the 575 replacement F139, or F141, or both??!

Yes, Italiaspeed is an independent news portal, but supports the Italian automotive industry and as such respect certain limitations that Fiat impose on what we can't publish.

Maybe this is the wrong topic to post in, but I am curious what car Fiat are planning of using the new 2-3 cylinder "Small" engine in, which will be ready in about 2010.

Also, Elasis developed a Microcar with adjustable wheelbase a few months ago, is this in any way related to the Fiat Microcar project?