Alfa's Return

It's official. Alfa Romeo is finally returning to the U.S. market. For too many years we have been without the beautiful flowing lines and well sorted chassis' that Alfa is known for. And in 2008, we will get our first taste of the modern day Alfa Romeo.

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione6

It has recently been announced that instead of entering the market with some of it's new sedans, coupes, and convertibles, they have decided to make a powerful first impression...seriously. In 2008, the beautiful 8C Competizione coupe will be brought to the U.S. powered by Maserati's wonderful 4.2L V-8 which has in the past put out around 400 horses. The 8C Competizione spider will soon follow. These Alfa halo cars will pave the way for the return of the "full" line-up of Alfa Romeos in 2010 including the 159 sedan, Brera coupe, and Spider convertible. All of these cars will be offered in 2 main guises. The base model will be powered by a 2.2L I-4 engine co-engineered with GM during their short-lived partnership and will shuttle power through the front wheels via automatic or manual transmissions. Also, a model with a 3.2L V6 with 256hp will be available with Alfa's Q4 all-wheel-drive and a choice of either manual or automatic transmissions. When Alfa makes their return, they will utilize Maserati's dealership network to sell their cars. Alfa has been putting a lot of money into making their cars more luxurious and with better fit and finish. And from the pictures released, they seem to be doing an immaculate job.








Alfa Romeo Brera 5

Alfa Romeo Spider5

Alfa Romeo 159 Sedan6

The Fight for GM

Just when you thought the possible GM merger with Nissan/Renault was solidly under review, here they come, the largest automaker in Japan and soon to be the largest in the world to crash their party. While there have been no outright claims made, there have been many rumors floating around Toyota that there is an interest in having dealings with General Motors.

Being the biggest, Toyota is living in fear that if a deal such as GM/Nissan where to go through, their supremacy might be challenged. While it is clear that Toyota would not like to buy a stake in GM, it is poised to make GM an "offer they can't refuse" (Autoblog). Toyota believes that they possess more of the technology that GM needs to become a profitable company once again. Toyota has hinted that they would be interested in sharing engineering techniques, sharing platforms, and sharing technology to help GM get out of the red. What Toyota would get out of this is unclear but what is clear is that this could prove to be one of the greatest shakeups in the automotive world.

What's All the Rucus about GM and Nissan-Renault

Oh the humanity! Oh the horror!! A Japanese and American automaker merging, how could this happen?? Well, I suppose we don't have to worry too much yet, considering a decision hasn't even been made yet. But still, imagine the repercussions. Why would two automakers in the top 10 worldwide want to join forces?

Well, that's a great question. GM is in a downward spiral and it needs something or someone to help it out of the doldrums. They see Nissan/Renault as a great option. Head of Tracinda Corp. (who holds a 9.9% stake in GM) Kerk Kerkorian has introduced this thinking to help GM revamp it's car lineup and it's company profile. He proposes that Nissan/Renault alliance take a minority stake in GM, which would translate into in deapth technology sharing throughout the group. Carlos Ghosn, CEO of both Renault and Nissan, says that he would not support simple badge engineering (a practice widely spread throughout GM's brands). He would be very interested though in a wealth of technology sharing such as using the hybrid system GM has developed with BMW and DCX or allowing GM to utilize the power and efficiency of Nissan's famed VQ-V6 used in everything from the Nissan Altima to the Infiniti M35.

There is still much to overcome before a deal is even struck. While this kind of cooperation could greatly benefit both sides, it would not rectify some of GM's biggest problems, namely its issues with the UAW and it workers costs (health insurance, pensions, etc). Ghosn has also made it clear that regardless of the rumors, he will not take over as head of GM is the deal were to go through. And even though the heart of GM (the city of Detroit) is behind the merger (56% think it would be beneficial), there have been many mergers that seem ominously similar. Just recently, GM was forced to pay Fiat over $2 billion after it pulled out of their alliance. But company execs are confident this could help both companies and have started a 90-day project to research the benefits and losses of the alliance. For now, we can only wait.

What is your opinion? Do you think GM is going down inflames anyways and should not drag Nissan with it? Or do you think this could be GM's saving grace?

Is the US Finally Getting SMART?

"We're being invaded by clown cars!!" That will inevitably be the headline of all the major newspapers in 2008 when the famed SMART brand goes on sale in the U.S. The minicar that has been prowling the streets of Europe with its tiny 3-cylinder engines and rough diesels has finally been approved to enter the U.S. market at what seems to be the perfect time.

Since Hurricane Katrina ripped through the rural towns of Louisiana and Mississippi, oil prices skyrocketed sending gasoline past $3 a gallon. Now, almost a year on, gas is still hovering around $3.10 a gallon and people are finally taking notice. Over the past two or three years, there has been an obvious trend away from the massive SUV's and pickups of the early 20th century, evidenced by sharply falling sales figures. This year is poised to be one of the most incentive laden summers as dealers push to empty their lots for the 2007 model year. There is a new segment popping up that has drawn millions around the world for their economy and utility. These are the subcompacts or B-cars. Just last year Honda, Nissan, Dodge, and Toyota released brand new subcompacts with the intent of providing the fuel economy of a small 4-cyl with the utility of a small SUV, perfect for urban users or anyone on a tight budget. If this trend continues, I see a great future for the SMART brand.

In Europe, SMART has thrived selling many of it's trademark FourTwo hatchs and soft tops with a 660cc 3-cyl engine driving the front wheels. The brand has tried to diversify though all other models have eventually failed. The Roadster/Coupe with its light and strong chassis and RWD provided a spirited driving experience though never caught on with enthusiasts. Also, the ForFour hatch, while providing ample space for 4 adults, never accumulated the sales to sustain itself. And the planned ForMore small SUV never even got the green light for production.

Just as SMART is predicted to finally turn a profit, SMART's future in the U.S. seems brighter than ever. In 2008, Daimler-Chrysler has made a deal to sell its SMART ForTwo in United Auto Group dealers, a chain owned by Roger Penske. Sales will begin in the most heavily populated areas in big cities where the size and maneuverability of the ForTwo will be most appreciated. Also, when it enters the U.S., it will have just gone through a thorough redesign including new styling inside and out to supposedly "make [the SMART ForTwo] more appealing to U.S. tastes" (WhatCar? via Autoblog).

But not everyone is so excited about the SMARTs debut. Many believe that with our highways clogged with huge SUV's and 18-wheelers, they would feel unsafe. Many are afraid that if they were ever hit by an SUV hard while driving the SMART, they would have no chance for survival. One hopes that Mercedes (a Daimler-Chrysler brand) will contribute some of its advanced safety technology.

What do you think of the SMART introduction? Would you be interested in purchasing a SMART and if so why? Let us know how you feel about the SMART car as well as what you think could be improved upon.

Muscle Car Revival

What is it with retro designs first penned in the 60's being so popular in the 21st century? In the last 6 months alone, the muscle car segment, with it's heyday in the late 60's to early 70's, has moved to the forefront of many issues in the automotive industry. All of the big three have announced they are considering, have approved, or have released a new car with its roots deeply in past.

Just last month, Ford Motor Company finally put to the road the most powerful Mustang ever built using the tried and true method of a bigger motor in a smaller car. This technique was earlier applied to one of Carol Shelby's masterpieces, the 1967 GT500. Now in 2006, Ford and Shelby have teamed up again 40 years later to produce the 2007 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500. The GT500 ruled the streets in the 60's as one of the best muscle cars of its day with 355hp from a huge V8 (versus the new GT500 with 500hp via a supercharged V8). But the hood doesn't hide the only similarities. When the Mustang was redesigned in 2005, Hau Thai-Tang was heavily influenced by the 60's Mustangs that he saw driving around when he was a young boy. The current Mustang is one of the best selling in a long time as baby boomers who loved the car when they were young wish to finally realize their dreams of owning their dream car without the problems of a 40 year old car.

But Ford isn't the only one cashing in on the rush for retro cars. Both Dodge and Chevrolet had revealed concepts suggesting their return to the classic muscle car segment. At the 2006 North American International Auto Show, Dodge revealed its Dodge Challenger Concept, which borrowed heavily from the popular 1970 Dodge Challenger with its long and low stance and Hemi V8 under the hood, Dodge received an overwhelmingly positive response which encouraged Dodge to greenlight production just last week.


Not to be outdone, Chevy also showed its Camaro Concept sporting obvious connections to the 1969 Camaro but in a beautifully modern way. The concept packed a 6.0L V8 with 400 hp shuttled through the rear wheels. While GM execs refuse to say that the Camaro has a green light, they do carry a boyish grin on their face whenever the topic is brought up. And considering the current Mustang sells about 160,000 units per year, the necessary 100,000 units for GM to green light it shouldn't be a problem. Pretty soon, we could be looking at one of the biggest and baddest pony car showdowns ever.

But this retro design theme is not being applied solely to the pony car segment. Back when the Chrysler PT Cruiser was released, many were in awe of the retro design cues from past models. This design language was soon repeated throughout the industry, most recently in the 2006 Chevy HHR (Heritage High Roof) with styling cues from the original Suburbans. It seems that all the dreams of owning some of the most desirable pony cars of the 60's my finally be coming true. We can only hope that enough people see it that way to sustain production for more than just a couple years.

Now, it's up to you to let us know your opinions on this issue. Were you fascinated by the muscle bound cars of the 60's and happy to see them return or would you rather say good riddance? Let us know