DJTaurus

Alfa Romeo 159 Test Drive 159 by Top Gear Don't believe your eyes. The new 159 might look like a 156 evolved, but actually every part beyond nuts 'n' bolts is new. The Giugiaro-designed body is frankly sensational and puts the 156 themes into a more modern, muscular and road-hugging form. It's got detail, too - the triple front lights and polished-blade door handles are just lovely. Why no hidden rear handles like the old car? Because this one can't sit in a ghetto for Alfisti: it has to attract people out of Mercs and Audis. It can't be too eccentric. The suspension and floorpan were a joint project with Saab, but then Saab pulled out, so now Alfa has it all to itself. The petrol engines are derived from the excellent newest Vauxhall/Saab fours and V6, but they have Alfa's own cylinder heads with unique direct petrol-injection technology for clean power, and variable phasing on all camshafts for better torque and emissions. The diesels are Alfa's terrific four-valve JTDs. The 150bhp 1.9 is fine, the 200bhp, 5cyl, 2.4 just stonking. Floor it and the 2.2-litre engine spins beautifully and has torque lower down too. It sounds really encouraging, and the six-speed has a short precise travel. Get cracking on a difficult road and you find steering that's direct and accurate, if a bit dead, and a chassis that helps you with bags of grip and fine handling. Body movements are well checked when the road dips and crests too. The ride is very busy, though, sending the car into the occasional shuddery spasm - just a small-amplitude motion, but a really annoying one. Full production is a few months away, so with any luck they'll fix it. The 3.2 V6 Q4 (Alfa-speak for 4WD) actually has a smoother ride, and it corners more like an Impreza than an Audi: full of life and feedback. But it's a silly 250kg heaver than the four-cylinder, so doesn't quite feel its 260bhp. Take comfort from the sounds, though. This is a really endearing car, and as good in the wet as the dry. The 159 with any engine is utterly civilised on a motorway too. Inside, the 159 is sensibly ergonomic where needed, and full-on beautiful Alfa where conditions permit - the triple gauges in the centre console say not 'petrol', 'water' and 'oil' but 'benzina', 'acqua' and 'olio'. But avoid the test car's vomit-beige dash, as it blinds you with windscreen reflections. Front seats are fine, though rear room isn't at all brilliant. But ditto a 3-Series and people still buy those in droves. BMW keeps saying it invented the small sports saloon. It didn't. Alfa did. But Alfa never capitalised on its invention and has been overtaken by the Germans. Besides no one buys a 156 more than once because Alfas sometimes break and the dealers treat their customers like dirt. So the 159 will come with a free servicing deal, and the whole sales and service enterprise is getting an overhaul. Of course, these promises about quality and service often get broken, but there's hope this time because Alfa's new boss is Karl-Heinz Kalbfell ? a big Bavarian with huge farmer's hands and a roll-your-sleeves- up attitude. He ran BMW's service and marketing operations for years. Then he developed the Rolls Phantom, built the factory and set up the network. He has serious form. He's also a high-octane petrolhead - he drove me around the Nordschleife in a 159 in the rain, and he was at least as handy as his car.

http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/d/86131 Middle class Ranking Place Mark CSI % 1. Toyota Avensis 87,3 2. Mazda 6 86,6 3. OPEL Signum 85,2 3. Volvo S60 85,2 5. Skoda Superb 85,0 6. Honda Accord 84,8 7. Mazda 626 84,5 8. BMW more ér 83,4 9. Mitsubishi Carisma 83,0 10. Volvo S/V40 81,9 10. Mitsubishi Galant 81,9 12. OPEL Vectra 81,7 13. Ford Mondeo 81,3 14. Mercedes C-class 81,2 15. Peugeot 406 81,0 16. AUDI A4 80,9 17. Renault Laguna 80,3 18. Citroen C5 79,9 19. Nissan Primera 79,1 20. VOLKSWAGEN Passat 79,0 ...... Small Car Ranking Place Mark CSI % 1. Toyota Yaris Verso 85,7 2. Toyota Yaris 84,8 3. Honda jazz 83,0 4. Nissan Micra 81,5 4. Skoda Fabia 81,5 6. Hyundai Getz 80,9 7. Ford fusion 80,8 7. Ford Fiesta 80,8 9. OPEL Corsa 80,5 9. Renault Clio 80,5 11. Mazda Demio 80,2 12. Citroeen C3 79,9 13. Hyundai Accent 79,8 14. Ford Ka 79,0 15. Seat Cordoba } 78,9 16. Suzuki Ignis 78,8 16. Mini 78,8 16. Kia Rio 78,8 19. Citroeen Saxo 78,6 20. OPEL Agila 78,5 21. ....... Brand Ranking Place Mark CSI % 1. Toyota 85,6 (84,4) 2. Mazda 83,9 (81,6) 3. BMW 83,7 (80,8 ) 4. Volvo 82,8 (80,0) 5. Honda 82,7 (81,1) 6. Mitsubishi 81,9 (80,2) 7. Skoda 81,4 (79,8 ) 8. AUDI 81,1 (79,9) 9. Ford 80,4 (78,4) 10. OPEL 80,3 (79,0) 11. Mercedes Benz 80,2 (79,2) 12. Nissan 79,9 (79,7) 13. Subaru 79,7 (81,5) 14. Hyundai 79,1 (77,9) 15. Renault 78,9 (78,3) 16. Mini 78,8 (75,4) 17. Citroeen 78,3 (76,9) 18. Peugeot 78,2 (76,7) 19. Suzuki 78,1 (77,5) 20. Volkswagen 78,1 (76,8 ) ........ Total Car Evaluation (all cars/classes included) Place Mark & model CSI (%) Judgement 1. Toyota Avensis 87,3 (84,7) ***** 2. Toyota Corolla 86,8 (85,9) ***** 3. Mazda 6 86,6 (–) ***** 4. Toyota Yaris Verso 85,7 (–) ***** 5. Toyota Corolla Verso 85,4 (–) ***** 6. OPEL Signum 85,2 (–) ***** 6. Volvo S60 85,2 (81,1) ***** 8. Toyota RAV4 85,0 (83,6) ***** 8. Skoda Superb 85,0 (–) ***** 10. Honda Accord 84,8 (81,5) **** 10. Toyota Yaris 84,8 (83,1) **** 12. BMW more ër 84,5 (81,4) **** 12. Toyota Avensis Verso 84,5 (–) **** 12. Mazda 626 84,5 (82,5) **** 15. BMW 7er 84,1 (81,6) **** 16. Mazda 323 83,5 (81,5) **** 17. BMW more ér 83,4 (80,6) **** 17. Mitsubishi Pajero 83,4 (76,7) **** 19. Honda jazz 83,0 (83,7) **** 20. Mitsubishi Carisma 83,0 (81,9) ****

Τest Drive from Autobild Fun is more than just a straight line! And, it should last for more than just 402 meters http://www.supercars.net/pitlane/pics/1453936s.jpg http://www.supercars.net/pitlane/pics/1453936t.jpg specs: • V8 mid-engine in front • 4OHC • 4 valves per cylinder • bore x stroke: 92.0 x 79.8 mm • displacement: 4244 cm³ • 331 kW (450 PS) at 7000/min • 450 Nm at 4500/min • RWD • 6-speed manual • limited slip differential 25 percent • traction control, ESP • indedant supsension with double wishbones on all 4 wheels • tub frame • carbon bodywork • vebntialted and drilled disk brakes on all 4 wheels • tyres: 245/45 ZR 20 in front, 275/35 ZR 20 in rear • rims: 8.5 J x 20 in front, 10J x 20 in rear • length/width/height: 4280/1900/1250 mms • wheelbase: 2595 mm • kerb weight: 1400 kgs • 0–100 km/h in 4.5 secs. • Vmax: +300 km/h • curent amrket value: 1.500.000 EUR http://www.supercars.net/pitlane/pics/1453936a.jpg http://www.supercars.net/pitlane/pics/1453936b.jpg http://www.supercars.net/pitlane/pics/1453936c.jpg http://www.supercars.net/pitlane/pics/1453936d.jpg http://www.supercars.net/pitlane/pics/1453936e.jpg http://www.supercars.net/pitlane/pics/1453936j.jpg http://www.supercars.net/pitlane/pics/1453936k.jpg http://www.supercars.net/pitlane/pics/1453936o.jpg http://www.supercars.net/pitlane/pics/1453936p.jpg http://www.supercars.net/pitlane/pics/1453936r.jpg http://www.supercars.net/pitlane/pics/1453936q.jpg http://media.autobild.de/bild/1/40780993a6dbd335fe1090c86f6fda61_1.jpg http://media.autobild.de/bild/F/c66aec82927a7d65506c5e1ff40ff29f_1.jpg http://media.autobild.de/bild/A/d21ff8795fb7d38714d8bd6398bd794a_1.jpg Engine http://media.autobild.de/bild/E/d6e2f54c06e75275d679ad506d334e5e_1.jpg http://media.autobild.de/bild/F/17f6295f24c346c68448b7d11ba3eb8f_1.jpg

Taurus-Do you know prices for the new versions?

Racing, GT and Schumacher have different level of equipment?

Taurus you think that Lamborghini Miura/Lotus Eleven is sportiva ma non elegante or ? Engine confirmed?...when we will see it?

Another logical explanation for accensione maggiorata.TIPO 105.51 wasn't a model only for Us market but it was also sold in Europe.It was named 2000 GTAm because of commercial reasons but in reality it was a 1750 with engine number AR*00551.GTAm wasn't a production model...you could buy a 1750 GT Veloce USA from your local dealer and then Autodelta modified it into GTAm.

So Taurus you think that Lamborghini Miura is sportiva ma non elegante?

You mean maggiorato not maggiorata.There is no Gran Turismo Alleggerita Maggiorata.

Why not America....? http://www.progcovers.com/motor/brno70.jpg In 1970, the Dutchman Toine Hezemans won the title in an Alfa 1750 GT Am (Am stands for America), derived from the American version of the GT 1750 with Spica injection. The body came with broader wings to accommodate 13 inch wheels with a size 9 front channel and rear channel of up to 11. This car took on opposition such as BMW and Ford with significantly higher capacities but often managed to overcome its disadvantage to take the lead. Toine Hezemans

Who desinged that car?

M.Tabucchi/Tony Adriaensens 1)α/ GT America β/ GT Alleggerita Maggiorata γ/ GT Alesaggio Maggiorato from the omologation of 1750 GT Veloce USA edition. Riar 2)GTAm=GTA(allegerita)m(maggiorata) because it had more cylinder compared to basic-1750 GT Veloce America) 3)Gran Turismo Alleggerita Modificata(most used for ferrari's) I don't understand why some telling it America when none of the models were sent to america.Also autodelta never give America to any of its models. Autodelta Giulia ΤΖ1/2(Tubolare Zagato) Autodelta Giulia Sprint GTA Alleggerita Autodelta Giulia Sprint GT-SA (SovrAlimentata) Autodelta Giulietta II Turbodelta Giulia Sprint GT 2. Giulia Sprint GTA 3. Giulia Sprint GT Veloce 4. Giulia GT 1300 Junior 5. Giulia GTA 1300 Junior 6. Giulia 1750 GT Veloce 7. Giulia 2000 GT Veloce 8. Giulia GTA SA 9. Giulia 1750/2000 GTAm Also can anyone identify the signature?

Mr Taurus i trully beleive that you know the situation of Greek dealers....If i was the German CEO i would fire the 80% of the Greek dealers.I have spoke with most of them and they act like cold profesionals. 1)After you buy the car they become impolite and usually don't have time to talk with you. 2)They did not check the mechanicals part of my Gt when i first took it but only the electricals.My car wanted alignment/dressing/bring into line the wheels. 3)Most of them don't know even the basics of Alfa Romeo's history.They don't care and they are not passionate with the mark. 4)They don't have automotive points to compare alfa romeo cars with others cars so to persuade you to buy one.They only say that Alfa Romeo is like a woman and we must forgive her everything!!! 5)When a serious problem occures they try to blame you so you cannot use cover...they don't even know which parts they can cover. 6)Also i have a Fiat stilo and when i leave the car for service i found it with lot of dirty and oil in the plastic interior parts. 7)They usuallt delay the date...for example i have an apointment in 8 o clock and they check my car 30 or 40 minutes later because some other cars(usually fiat) with unexpected problems took my position...Also they are ridiculous very slow...For example an oil change/filter can take even 2 hours!!!And they can ask me 30euros for the worker's cost(they only clinch the valve)!!!Thiefs!! 8)Some of the workers are children with no experience! 9)They over charge the spare parts. 10)The dealers don't have people so to check if the workers are doing their job correct. 11)They don't allow you to see what they are doing in your car. 12)And ofcourse they don't know where the rattle of my Gt comes from! I hear the noise near the locking mechanism of the trunk.It sounds like italians forget a bolt inside somewhere and it is playing around.....or it sounds like the rear window is trembling....or like metals/plastics rubbing each other...i have checked everything and i cannot found where it comes from.It is somewhere inside....Many Gt's had the same strange noise.Also i checked the fuel tank(it has a spring mechanism that sounds simiral to the noise i have but i can't be that) and the suspension. Can you tell me where else to look except the right pillar?

You are right... 1)The SmgII hardware is still made from Magnetti Marelli? 2)Which car has the fastest gearbox software?Can you write a comparison with numbers? 3)You said that the new alfa's ecoshift will be DSG type.Do you know that VW will present a new DSG with 7 gears?

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y212/Donoren/AlfaKamalAV.jpg

M5 vs Quattroporte...I know that we are talking about different cars but lets see some innovations of M5 1)7 speed Smg II faster than Ferrari/Maserati with 11 different programes to choose. SmgI was from Magnetti Marelli-Getrag...SmgII? 2)10 electric butterflies with fantastic gas response and different programes for response. 3)V10 with F1 technology-102 hp/lt and loads oif torque in every rpm 4)Electric suspension with 3 programes. 5)Esp that helps the driver and interfere only when the situation is lost. 6)Dry sump with four oil pumps where two of them are by the side because in the turns the oil goes to the side. 7)Electronic differential that can reach 100% block 8)Double vanos that changes the dip and the timing.

I hear a strange noise from the rear... I have checked everything... 1)Etagere...No 2)Locking mechanism of back seat....No 3)spare wheel.....No 4)Pelle of the seat...No 5)adjust window-closure..No 6)I tighened the black plastic pistons used for the opening mechanism and the noise did not appear. It is a noise from inside the car that travels up and it is been heard from the right pillar.......What is it????????any ideas?

Yes,i have read the old comparison between Gt coupe 2.0jts and Bmw 320c(2.2cc) and the numbers for Gt coupe were totally wrong.

http://www.alfa159.co.uk/indexFlash.htm Twin phaser engines Also see the V6 has twin phaser, "variable valve timing on both camshafts" safty device - "Hill Holder - device for hill starts" "MSR - slip control for excessive engine braking"

Taurus was again right....As you will read in the article they are compairing the new 2,2jts with the old 156 2.0jts and Bmw 320.So the rival of 159 2.2 is 320 and 159 1.9 is the rival for the upcoming Bmw 318(2.0)...So the comparison that doctorAR made in 147 virtual club it totally unfair!!! Pagella prova 159 2.2 JTS Distincitive di automobilismo di settembre Per questioni di spazio riporto solo la pagella della prova. Per quelli di voi che non hanno avuto maniera di leggere l'articolo completo voglio dirvi che il tono generale dell'articolo è abbastanza soddisfacente con qualche nota negativa, indicata nella pagella, su cui riporterò qualche commento alla fine. La prova riguarda un modello preserie come sottolineato nell'articolo stesso. LINEA: 8,5. Un design che nasconde bene le maggiori dimensioni rispetto alla 156, conservandone l'immagine sportiva e la forte personalità. POSTO DI GUIDA: 8. Sedile, volante e pedaliera ben allineati. L'unico appunto riguarda la notevola altezza del piano di seduta anche con il sedile nella regolazione più bassa (sedili regolabili elettricamente) ERGONOMIA COMANDI: 6,5. Insolita, oltre che scomoda, la collocazione del tasto di apertura del bagagliaio sul tetto, così come i comandi dei fendinebbia sono separati rispetto alle luci. EFFICIENZA CLIMATIZZAZIONE: 8. Raggiunge in breve tempo la temperatura impostata e la mantiene costante. L'esemplare disponeva dell'utile regolazione separata per i posti posteriori. ABITABILITA' ANT.: 7,5. Misure allineate a quelle delle concorrenti di riferimento, nonostante la plancia avvolgente limiti leggermente la mobilità a livello delle ginocchia. ABITABILITA' POST.: 7,5. Non è una delle berline più accoglienti, tuttavia Audi A4 e Mercedes Classe C hanno misure da spalla a spalla equivalenti, mentre la BMW serie 3 è un pò più spaziosa. CAPACITA' BAGAGLIAIO: 7. Dai 378 lt della 156 agli attuali 405, ma Audi A4 e BMW Serie 3 hanno 460 lt, mentre Mercedes dichiara 455 lt per la Classe C. VISIBILITA': 6. Non ci sono grossi problemi davanti, mentre dietro la coda rialzata, il sesibile ingombro dei montanti e il lunotto inclinato rendono difficili le manovre. MOTORE: 6,5. Colpisce più per la disponibilità di coppia ai bassi regimi che per la capacità di allungo, ma la risposta al gas poco omogenea penalizza la marcia in città. CAMBIO: 8,5. Innesti precisi e ben definiti che rendono il 6 marce adatto anche alla guida sportiva, dove non si manifestano impuntamenti neppure nelle manovre più rapide. STERZO: 9. Risposta pronta e diretta e azione progressiva assicurano un comportamento idealein tutte le circostanze. Diametro di sterzata ridotto rispetto alla 156. FRENI: 8. Spazi di arresto nella media della classe, anche se BMW 320d si ferma in 63,1 m a 130 km/h contro i 65,5 m della 159 2.2 JTS. TENUTA DI STRADA: 8,5. Sorprende per prontezza di inserimento in curva e agilità nonostante la massa di 1609 kg superiore di quasi 300 kg rispetto alla 156 2.0 JTS. STABILITA': 9. Vettura sincera anche nelle manovre più brusche, dove è raro assistere all'intervento del controllo elettronico di stabilità, ora totalmente disattivabile. ACCELERAZIONE: 7,5. La vecchia 156 2.0 JTS era un pò più scattante, come testimoniano gli 8,28 sec nello 0-100 km/h contro gli 8,88 sec della nuova berlina Alfa Romeo. RIPRESA: 8. La notevole coppia ai bassi regimi assicura tempi interessanti: nell'ultima marcia taglia i 1000 m da 60 km/h in 32,55 sec contro i 32,64 sec della 156 2.0 JTS. VEL. MAX: 7,5. Raggiunge i 222,8 km/h, risultato però non molto distante dai 219,6 km/h fatti registrare dalla 156 2.0 JTS, dalla potenza inferiore di 20 CV. CONSUMO URBANO: 5,5. Nello stop and go della marcia cittadina il peso si fa sentire, con una percorrenza che non va oltre i 7,4 km/lt contro i quasi 10 km/lt della 156 2.0 JTS. CONSUMO AUTOSTRADALE: 7,5. A gas costante il 2.2 JTS non è eccessivamente assetato, come testimoniano i 9,4 km/lt rilevati, valore non troppo distante dai 10,6 km/lt della 156 2.0 JTS. COMFORT: 8,5. Notevole passo in avanti rispetto alla 156, non tanto per quanto riguarda l'isolamento dell'abitacolo, ma soprattutto per la risposta delle sospensioni sulplo sconnesso. DOTAZIONE DI SERIE: 7,5. Equipaggiamento completo ma alcuni particolari come il sedile abbattibile ed il terzo poggiatesta dovrebbero essere di serie nell'allestimento Distincitve. FINITURE: 6,5. Di buona qualità i materiali, mentre alcuni accoppiamenti e la verniciatura della carrozzeria, oltre al layout del vano motore, meriterebbero maggiore cura. PREZZO: 6,5. Il confronto con le migliori concorrenti tedesche prosegue anche nel prezzo: peccato però che il livello qualitativo complessivo sia ancora un pò inferiore. VOTAZIONE MEDIA: 7,5. Vorrei aggiungere alcuni commenti personali. Andando per ordine: - Ergonomia dei comandi: la valutazione deriva in gran parte dalla collocazione del pulsante di apertura del bagagliaio sul tetto assieme ai pulsanti della plafoniera. La collocazione è certo originale, ma una volta individuata non mi sembra poi scomoda (l'ho provata personalmente), anzi forse più comodamente accessibile rispetto alla maniglia sul pavimento difficilmente raggiungibile con le porte chiuse. - Motore: la valutazione più che sufficiente (6,5) è dovuta principalmente alla difficile parzializzazione della potenza nella marcia cittadina. Riporto dal testo dell'articolo: "Un 16v che sorprende nella guida per la sua notevole disponibilità di coppia ai bassi giri, con un'erogazione compatibile con un turbodiesel di ultima generazione tra i 2 e i 4 mila giri/min, dove il 4 cilindri di 2,2 lt si esprime con una forza tale da contrastare senza alcun problema la massa di poco superiore ai 1600 kg. Dote a cui si contrappone però un difficile dosaggio dell'acceleratore, che obbliga a sfiorare appena il pedale tra i 2.000 e i 3.000 giri per evitare eccessive salite del regime di rotazione, richiedendo di conseguenza una certa concentrazione sia in partenza sia nei cambi marcia, in particolare nella guida urbana dove si viaggia spesso in prima e seconda e talvolta si assiste anche a qualche fastidioso vuoto di potenza premendo con decisione il gas per ottenere spunti brillanti. Nei percorsi extraurbani la guida diventa invece più fluida e rilassante [...]". Da quanto scritto si evince che il problema risiede nella ancora non perfetta messa a punto della centralina motore che gestisce l'alimentazione, il doppio variatore di fase e l'iniezione diretta. Probabilmente tali problemi verranno superati con la messa a punto finale sui modelli di serie. - Consumo: qui temo che il peso abbia la propria colpa ed il dato sia incontrovertibile. Il consumo medio è di 9,6 km/lt, non altissimo, ma neanche particolarmente parco. Miglioramenti potranno avvenire solo tra qualche anno con l'avvento dell'Uniair che abbatterà i consumo del 10% (secondo i progettisti del CRF). - Dotazione di serie: perfettamente d'accordo con il giornalista di Automobilismo. Anzi aggiungo: viste le difficoltà in manovra dovrebbero essere di serie anche i sensori di parcheggio posteriori. - Finiture: argomento sempre controverso quando si parla di auto italiane. I materiali sono ok, mentre ci sono delle incongruenze nell'assemblaggio soprattutto dei pannelli della carrozzeria. L'articolo però riporta: "Il test di qualità ha evidenziato alcuni difetti di gioventù imputabili al fatto che si tratta di un esemplare preserie. L'Alfa Romeo assicura che verranno eliminati sulle vetture di normale produzione", "Verificheremo nelle prove successive [...]" . Staremo a vedere. - Prezzo: voto (6,5) che potrebbe crescere in virtù nelle opportune correzioni ai difetti riscontrati alla voce finiture negli esemplari di serie.

Mr Taurus can you explain me with which TT are you compairing Brera? 1)You say it has independent rear suspension but the platfrom of new Golf uses multilink. 2)You say it has handlex 4wd but i have read that the new TT will have c generation torsen like 159...do you know anything more? 3)Also you compaire it only with Gt coupe,c class sportscoupe and Bmw 2 because of smaller dimensions of Brera/911/cayman and because the platform is developed for c segment but new TT will have 40% alouminioum chassis and strong engines to compete with Z4/SLK/BRERA/911 not only in performances but in terms of pricing.So it is not a c sportscoupe but it is placed to D segment. 2.0 Fsi-150hp 2.0 Turbo 200hp 3.2 255hp v8 400hp

The engine is 100% Lambo but the soulless part of it which is the block is made by Audi in Hungary.

Brera Info...lack of -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I just spoke to the dealer that I bought my GT from regarding my car, then asked him if he had any info about the Brera. It seems that Alfa Romeo Marketing has supplied the dealers with nothing whatsoever. He was quitefrustrated actually becuase it seems that the appearances of Brera in the media have taken everyone's eye off the rest of the Alfa range. Almost all the enquiries he's had have been about the Brera. His exact words were : "If I could get my hands on the Alfa marketing dept, I'd throttle them". At least he should be able to sell them once they've arrived. I filled him in on some of the details I saw/found out at the Goodwood festival and he seemed a bit happier. I can't believe the dealer network is not being given the info they need before new model info goes to the media. That's just madness.

Went looking around on some other news sites and then found the following on the Fiat Group site. It is a plan that details (somewhat) the next 3 years of automobile production plans. This is from August 3rd 2005....i cannot understand Gt facelift so soon!!!!!!!!! Highlights: **Maserati acquisition to extend reach of Alfa Romeo brand into high-end sports market **Alfas GT will get a face lift in 2006 **2007 will see a C segment Alfa Romeo - this is a new model. Edit the C segment is the 147 not a 166 type car as I had thought. **2008 has Future high-end range - this model has not yet been announced, 159, SW, Brera and Brera Spider will all receive a face lift. **Fiat news 2007 will see a new A segment car the 500 **Lancia will gain an SUV in 2006 and a new C/D segment and Specialty car in 2007 (possible Delta?) Production sites Pomigliano will build the 159 and Sportswagon in 2005 that means 5 days with 2 shifts and a daily capacity of 840 units. The factory also builds the GT and 147. Production capacity will decrease by 65,000 units/year or -280 a day for the entire group between now and 2008 - or from 1,430,000 to 1,365,000. The Fiat 500 will be built at Tychy. http://www.fiatgroup.com/comuni/php/file_get.php?w=KP9240VGKFUM5SAUBC91

8c Spider http://www.supercars.net/pitlane/pics/1428185d.jpg