Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Volkswagen is on a buying spree now a days that would help its ambition of becoming the biggest automaker on the planet by displacing Toyota Motor co. as No. 1

According to reports from Automotive News Europe, Volkswagen is keen to buy Fiat’s troubled sporty brand Alfa Romeo. The report has been confirmed to ANE by two senior executives from VW who did not want to be named. A high-placed Fiat executive on the other hand has told ANE, on condition of anonymity that “We have no intention of selling the brand to VW”.

Fiat has already charted a turnaround plan for Alfa which was announced by CEO Sergio Marchionne in April this year. The plan hopes to turn Alfa Romeo into a “full line premium car maker” selling 500,000 units by 2014 helped by six new model launches one of which, the Giulietta, has already been launched.

VW CEO Martin Winterkorn had told reporters in April that he admired Alfa but said VW group is in the middle of taking over Porsche and is not planning to add another brand.

Volkswagen lately has developed serious appetite for anything Italian. The company recruited from top Alfa executives Walter de’ Silva as its design chief and Luca De Meo as marketing boss. It also owns Italian supercar brand Lamborghini and took a 90 percent stake in Italdesign Giugiaro earlier this year.

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Germans have yet again dominated this year’s International Engine Of The Year (IEOTY) awards which are judged by a panel of 65 renowned motoring journalists from 32 countries. The awards ceremony took place yesterday in Stuttgart, Germany.

Topping the list with the most coveted of them all, the IEOTY awards has gone to VW’s 1.4 Liter TSI Twincharger for second year running. The sheer versatility  and combination of power and economy continues to impress the motoring scribes from all over the world. The engine when mated to VW’s DSg gearbox emits just 144 g/km of CO2 while consuming just 6.2 liter of the precious fuel per 100 kilometers in the 170 bhp tune!

VW came out on tops with four overall wins followed closely by Mercedes Benz and BMW which won in 3 catagories each.

The judges also acknowledged Fiat’s brand new 1.4 Liter Multiair Turbo engine by giving it the title of the best new engine of the year 2010.  The electro-hydraulic system patented by Fiat powertrain technologies claims 10% improvement in power, 15% improvement in torque and 10% improvement in economy over a similarly specc’d traditional petrol engine. The engine consumes just 6 liter of fuel every 100 kilometers while delivering an impressive 170 bhp of maximum power.

The best performance engine of the year award went to Mercedes Benz yet again with the AMG 6.2 liter engine delivering the goods. The engine got a total of 220 points to be titled no. 1 followed in the distance by Porsche’s 3.8 liter flat six scoring 125 points.

The Green engine of the year went to Toyota Prius’s combined powerplant. The latest version features a more powerful 1.8 liter atkinson cycle 4 cylinder engine delivering 98 bhp at 5200 rpm. Together with its electric motor, the hybrid system generates a total of 134 bhp, an improvement of over 24 bhp compared to the previous generation. Toyota has also won the sub-1 liter engine of the year with is three cylinder unit in Aygo.

Jump over for the complete list catagory wise winners and their total points.

Best New Engine Of The Year 2010

1. Fiat 1.4-litre MultiAir Turbo (Alfa MiTo, Giulietta) 228

2. Ferrari 4.5-litre V8 (458 Italia) 200

3. Volkswagen 1.2-litre TSI (VW Polo, Golf, Seat Ibiza ST, Škoda Octavia, Yeti) 134

4. Mercedes-Benz 4-litre Hybrid (S400) 76

5. VW 3-litre TSI Hybrid (VW Touareg, Porsche Cayenne) 71

6. BMW 4.4-litre V8 (X5 M, X6 M) 68

Green Engine Of The Year 2010

1. Toyota hybrid 1.8-litre (Prius, Auris) 216

2. Fiat 1.4-litre MultiAir Turbo (Alfa MiTo Giulietta) 106

3. Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger (VW Golf, Scirocco,
Jetta, Touran, Tiguan, Seat Ibiza Cupra) 104

4. BMW Diesel 2-litre Twin Turbo (123d, X1 23d) 79

5. Honda hybrid 1.3-litre (Insight, Civic) 67

6. Mercedes-Benz Diesel 2.1-litre (C-Class, E-Class) 58

Best Performance Engine Of The Year 2010

1. Mercedes-AMG 6.2-litre (C 63 AMG, S 63 AMG, SL 63 AMG,
CL 63 AMG, E 63 AMG, CLS 63 AMG, ML 63 AMG) 220

2. Porsche 3.8-litre flat six (GT3, 911 GT3 RS) 125

3. BMW 3-litre DI Twin Turbo (135i, 335i, 535i, X5 35i,
X6 35i, Z4) 67

3. Ferrari 6-litre V12 (599 GTB) 67

5. Nissan 3.8-litre Twin Turbo (GT-R) 64

6. BMW 4.4-litre V8 (X5 M, X6 M) 60

Sub 1-Liter Engine Of The Year 2010

1. Toyota 1-litre three-cylinder (Toyota Aygo, IQ, Yaris/Vitz,
Citroën C1, Peugeot 107, Subaru Justy) 301

2. Smart Diesel 799cc (Smart Fortwo) 247

3. Mitsubishi 999cc three-cylinder Turbo (Smart Fortwo) 237

4. Opel 1-litre three-cylinder Twinport (Opel Agila, Corsa, Suzuki Alto, Splash) 131

5. Mitsubishi 999cc three-cylinder (Smart Fortwo) 76

6. Kia 1-litre four-cylinder (Picanto) 75

1 Liter – 1.4 Liter Engine Of The Year 2010

1. Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger (VW Golf, Scirocco,
Jetta, Touran, Tiguan, Seat Ibiza Cupra) 307

2. Fiat 1.4-litre MultiAir Turbo (Alfa MiTo, Giulietta) 254

3. Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI Turbo (VW Golf, Scirocco, Jetta, Skoda Superb, Octavia, Audi A1, Audi A3, Seat Leon, Altea/XL) 241

4. Volkswagen 1.2-litre TSI (VW Polo, Golf, Seat Ibiza ST, Skoda Octavia, Skoda Yeti) 146

5. Honda Hybrid 1.3-litre (Insight, Civic) 87

6. Fiat 1.4-litre Turbo (Fiat Punto Evo, Abarth 500, Abarth Grande
Punto, Bravo, Linea, Lancia Delta, Alfa Romeo Mito, Giulietta) 70

1.4 Liter – 1.8 Liter Engine Of The Year 2010

1. BMW-PSA 1.6-litre Turbo (MINI Cooper S, Clubman Cooper S, Peugeot 207, 308, MINI JCW, Clubman JCW) 268

2. Toyota Hybrid 1.8-litre (Prius, Auris) 185

3. Audi 1.8-litre TFSI (Audi A5, A4, A3, TT, Seat Leon, Altea/XL/Freetrack, Exeo, Skoda Octavia, Superb, Yeti, VW Passat, Passat CC) 133

4. Mercedes-Benz 1.8-litre Supercharged (CLC, C-Class, SLK, E-Class) 98

5. Alfa Romeo 1.7-litre DI Turbo (159, Brera, Spider, Giulietta) 84

6. Volkswagen 1.6-litre TDi (VW Polo, Jetta, Passat, Audi A3, Seat Ibiza, Seat Leon, Altea/XL/Freetrack)

1.8 Liter – 2.0 Liter Engine Of The Year 2010

1. BMW 2-litre Twin Turbo Diesel (123d, X1 23d) 293

2. Audi 2-litre four-cylinder TFSI (Audi A4, A4 Allroad, A5,
A5 Sportback, A6, Q5, S3, VW Scirocco, Jetta, Passat, Tiguan,
Golf, Seat Leon, Cupra R, Exeo, Skoda Octavia RS) 215

3. Audi 2-litre four-cylinder TFSI (Audi TT, VW Eos, Golf, Seat Leon, FR/Cupra, Seat Altea/XL/Freetrack) 156

4. Honda 2-litre four-cylinder i-VTEC (Civic Type-R) 150

5. Mitsubishi 2-litre Turbo (Evo, Lancer) 73

6. Subaru 2-litre Diesel (Impreza, Outlook, Forester, Legacy) 71

2.0 Liter – 2.5 Liter Engine Of The Year 2010

1. Audi 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo (Audi TT RS) 269

2. Mercedes-Benz Diesel 2.1-litre (C-Class, E-Class) 185

3. Subaru 2.5-litre flat-four turbo (Forester, Impreza, Legacy) 123

4. Ford 2.5-litre Hybrid (Ford Fusion Hybrid, Mercury Milan Hybrid) 110

5. BMW 2.5-litre DI six-cylinder (Z4 23i) 101

6. Honda Diesel 2.2-litre DTEC (Accord, Accord Type S, CR-V) 82

2.5 Liter – 3.0 Liter Engine Of The Year 2010

1. BMW 3-litre DI Twin Turbo (135i, 335i, 535i, X5 35i, X6 35i, Z4) 332

2. BMW Diesel 3-litre Twin Turbo (335d, 635d, X3 35d, X5 40d, 740d) 278

3. Audi 3-litre DI Supercharged (S4, S5) 125

4. Jaguar/Ford/PSA Diesel 3-litre (Citroën C5, C6, Peugeot 407 Coupe, Jaguar XF, XJ, Range Rover Sport) 117

5. Porsche 2.9-litre flat-six DI (Boxster, Cayman) 109

6. Audi/VW 3-litre TDI (Audi A4, A4 Allroad, A5, A5 Sportback, A6, A6 Allroad, Q5, Q7, VW Touareg, Porsche Cayenne)

3.0 Liter – 4.0 Liter Engine Of The Year 2010

1. BMW 4-litre V8 (M3) 267

2. Porsche 3.8-litre flat six (GT3, 911 GT3 RS) 179

3. Nissan 3.8-litre Twin Turbo (GT-R) 156

4. Porsche 3.6-litre Turbo (911 Turbo, 911 S Turbo GT2) 150

5. Porsche 3.8-litre flat six DI (911) 119

6. Porsche 3.4-litre flat six DI (Boxster, Boxster Spyder, Cayman S) 89

Above 4.0 Liter Engine Of The Year 2010

1. Mercedes-AMG 6.2-litre (C 63 AMG, S 63 AMG, SL 63 AMG, CL 63 AMG, E 63 AMG, CLS 63 AMG, ML 63 AMG) 236

2. Ferrari 4.5-litre V8 (458 Italia) 146

3. Jaguar 5-litre V8 Supercharged (Jaguar XF, XJ, XK, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport) 126

4. BMW M 5-litre V10 (M5, M6) 84

5. BMW 4.4-litre DI Turbo (550i, 750i, X5, X6) 80

6. Porsche 4.8-litre Turbo V8 (Panamera, Cayenne) 79

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There is no mistaking this for anything else apart from Alfa Romeo! Simply Gorgeous!

Whats common to the new Audi A1, BMW 1-Series, Volkswagen Golf  and Ford Focus? They are all high volume C-segment cars which are central to any automaker’s success in markets like Europe. With new emerging markets like India, China and Brazil, the C-segment and their derivatives are going to be the biggest volume spinner for any manufacturer.

Not to be left out in race, Fiat will introduce their brand new global C-platform in Geneva in a few days time under the stunning new Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Designed by Alfa Romeo style center there is no mistaking the new Giulietta other than a properly good looking Italian car. Its a car that tugs your heart the hardest and that it Giulietta’s distinguishing factor apart from the technology that has gone into it.

‘Beauty is only skin deep’ and to justify the adage the new Giulietta comes with impressive dynamic and comfort features. The all new C-segment (simply titled Compact) is designed to be stronger than its predessors with over 90% of the structure made of high and ultra high tensile strength steel. The platform is modular meaning it can accomodate a variety of different lengths and widths making up for a variety of vehicles.

The Giulietta comes with a range of dynamics enhancing technologies like the DNA mode selector which offers Dynamic, Normal and All-Weather driving modes and Fiat’s Q2 electronic front-wheel drive differential. Three variants have been announced – two Quadrifogilo Verde models fitted with 235 bhp 1.75 litre turbocharged petrol engine, two distinctive models with 170 bhp 2.0 litre  JTDM turbocharged diesel engine and a base model with 170 bhp 1.4 litre Multiair turbocharged petrol motor.

All the engines are mated to a standard six speed transmissions while the Multiair and JTDM engines can be had with optional dual clutch automatic transmission.

Alfa Romeo has employed a number of weight saving components to the front and rear suspension by employing aluminium instead of steel reducing unsprung weight that aids handling and also increases rigidity.

The new Giulietta measures 14.3 feet in length, 4.8 feet in height and 5.9 feet wide.

Jump over for the detailed press release and feast you eyes on the gallery images of the gorgeous Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

Image Gallery: Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Press Release

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta introduces the brand new “Compact” architecture

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta introduces an entirely new architecture – “Compact” – designed to satisfy the most demanding customers in terms of road-holding, agility and safety. It ensures both exceptional dynamic performance and high comfort levels, thanks to the refined technical solutions employed for the suspension; a new-generation steering system; a light and rigid structure created from materials such as aluminium and high-strength steels, with avant-garde manufacturing techniques. Furthermore, driving satisfaction and comfort can be adapted to the meet every customer’s specific needs thanks to the Alfa DNA selector, a device that customises the vehicle’s behaviour to suit different road conditions and driving styles.

So, the new Alfa Romeo is a completely new car which, drawing on the spirit of its famous predecessor, is without a doubt a sports car capable of expressing both great agility over the most demanding routes and providing comfort on everyday roads. Plus, thanks to a specific suspension calibration offered by the Sport Pack, the sportiness of the new Giulietta can be further enhanced.

The new “Compact” architecture continues Fiat Group Automobiles’ architecture rationalisation strategy – preceded by the “Mini” architecture for segment A and the “Small” for segments B and L0 – and is a true “point of departure” from previous architectures due to the new content introduced, the materials used and the levels of performance achieved. Also, from the earliest design stages, the aim was to create a new architecture that would allow future Fiat Group Automobiles segment C vehicles, starting with the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta, to be ranked “best in class” in terms of handling, steering feel, performance to weight ratio, ride comfort, NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness), safety (active and passive) and climatic comfort.

First of all, the underbody represents a generational leap in terms of the materials used. The entire structure is now significantly stronger and provides better performance without any increase in weight with respect to the previous generation. All this is thanks to the ever wider use of high and ultra-high strength materials, which now make up more than 90% of the total mass of the system: some structural parts, designed to provide high strength and the ability to absorb impact with minimal deformation, have been made from hot-pressed tempered steel.

Moreover, lightweight materials have been used for several structural elements bolted to the body structure. For instance, the front beam connecting the front struts and the third load path are made from extruded aluminium. The rear bumper beam and the third load path energy absorption elements are made from Xenoy (a thermoplastic with excellent energy absorption properties in relation to weight). The third load path energy absorption elements absorb the energy of low-speed impacts with obstacles and support the bumper in impacts with pedestrians. Employing these solutions has provided a weight reduction of 8.5 kg at the front and 4 kg at the rear with respect to conventional steel structures, without compromising safety performance.

Another new feature of the underbody is its modularity, which makes it ideal for use on a family of vehicles with different wheelbases. This modularity is provided by several central floor panels and the side members and does not affect any part of the front and rear structures. This reduces outlay to a minimum and means that the system can be applied to other vehicle systems without modification.

Many of the systems and components that make up the “Compact” architecture have been thoroughly revised with respect to the previous generation, improving performance and reducing weight (-35% for both the framework of the rear seats as well as the magnesium alloy cross car beam).

Giulietta offers exceptional handling performance and comfort levels thanks above all to the new suspension system employed. The Mc Pherson front suspension in particular was revised to offer maximum rigidity under side loads, reducing the weight thanks to the use of aluminium (saving 4 kg with respect to cast-iron solutions). The rear suspension is, on the other hand, brand new: the layout is a sophisticated, cutting-edge Multilink that does not compromise the useful volume of the luggage compartment and, thanks to the aluminium wishbones, allows for a weight reduction of over 10 kg with respect to conventional Multilink systems.

In addition, the new electric power steering system ensures an excellent steering feel and is integrated with the vehicle’s active safety systems. The climate control system was also specifically designed to provide the best climatic conditions in the passenger compartment, while significantly reducing over-consumption of fuel (30% less than a conventional system). Similarly, thanks to specific technical features, exceptional noise and vibrational quality values have been achieved.

In terms of passive safety, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta was produced to obtain the maximum Euro NCAP rating, as demonstrated by over fifteen thousand hours of mathematical modelling, 80 crash tests, 150 tests on a HyGe slide and more than 100 tests on components and sub-systems. In detail, the new third load path increases the energy absorption potential of the vehicle front end and reduces both inertial forces and passenger compartment intrusion, thereby ensuring optimum passenger protection at higher impact severity. Safety is guaranteed by 6 airbags (as standard on the entire range); three-point seatbelts with double pretensioners and load limiters; the collapsible pedal unit and steering column; the second-generation anti-whiplash system and the Isofix mountings.

Lastly, in terms of active safety, the new architecture of the Alfa Giulietta was designed to integrate the vehicle’s different systems and exploit them to the full, thus emphasising the three set-up functions (Dynamic, Normal and All Weather) available through the Alfa DNA selector. This device, fitted as standard on the entire range, is designed to modify the operating parameters of the engine, gearbox, steering system and Q2 electronic differential, in addition to the behaviour logic of the Vehicle Dynamic Control system (VDC). Giulietta will also be introducing Pre-Fill – a new function – activated when the DNA is set to Dynamic, which uses the VDC system to provide the driver with the quickest braking response possible. These sophisticated features which improve the dynamic control of the vehicle are supported further by the Dynamic Steering Torque (DST), a function which provides the driver with a feed-back torque at the steering wheel that helps him to perform critical manoeuvres correctly, before the VDC intervenes to prevent loss of control.

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