(from Alfa Romeo Press Release) Alfa Romeo once again unveils its new models onto the world market at the Geneva event. Indeed, following on from the Alfa 159 and Brera in 2005, the 159 Sportwagon and Spider in 2006, and its Personalisation Programme going by the name of Alfa Unica in 2007, it is now the turn of the alluring Alfa 8C Spider .  read more »

Alfa Romeo doesn't want you thinking that, like most manufacturers, the important changes come in the face. To prove the point, they've released photos of their revised 2008 Alfa Romeo Brera and Spider without releasing photos of the nose so as not to confuse those of us who consider the Brera to be one of the best looking cars on the planet . For 2008, the exterior changes include the introduction of a new color (Ice White) and new 18-inch wheels. On the inside, the models get seats adjusted to be more ergonomic and sporting as well as updates to the controls and dash surfaces.  read more »

While we saw the Top 50 finishers of the 24 Hours of LeMons race at Thunderhill last month, we didn't get to see the bulk of the photographs I shot, nor did we see a lot of the stuff sent in by members of the various teams. That's because my laptop's hard drive took a dive during the race and I lost the best stuff... but now the sick Maxtor has yielded up its contents and we're ready to take a look at the long-awaited ber Gallery. Many thanks to all the team members who have been so patient about this; you know who you are! We're going to sort the teams by car number; everyone who managed to get a car out on the track should be here. We've tried to provide links to team-supplied images and video whenever possible. Enjoy!  read more »

As if we needed more reasons to love the Alfa Romeo Brera , the gold standard for hatchback hotness, the Italians have teamed with Prodrive to make a British-only S version. The suspension has been adjusted to meet the needs of twisty English roads without adding harshness. Both the 3.2 V6 and 2.2 I4 equipped models receive a refined exhaust note and 19-inch alloys inspired by the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione . There are just 500 of these special models being produced so our British readers should act fast. Oh when oh when will they release the Brera uSa?  read more »

Technically, the Peugeot Mi16 beat the Mercedes-Benz 6.9 in last Friday's Choose Your Eternity poll, but we're talking 327 to 317 votes here. When all is said and done, however, France still needs to take on Britain in a PCH Superpower Challenge...  read more »

(from Alfa Romeo Press Release) With the Mi.To, Alfa Romeo wishes to offer a new generation of Alfa aficionados the most compact sports car ever. An up-to-date and innovative car, a name redolent of history. The name Mi.To has great evocative resonance for Alfa Romeo , since it was chosen as a sign of a deep-seated link between the past and future of the brand: between Milan, the city of design that brought the cars style into being, and Turin, which will be responsible for its industrial production. A decision that highlights the brands strong desire to consolidate its Milanese roots.  read more »

We gave the preview of the Mitsubishi Prototype S last month , now, here come the offical unmasked pics. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is to give the Prototype-S concept for a sports hatchback its global debut at the 78th Geneva International Motor Show which runs from March 4 through March 16 at the Geneva Palexpo exhibition and conference complex (opening to the general public on March 6.) Just as Concept-X (2005 Tokyo) and then Prototype-X (2007 Detroit) announced the new Lancer and Lancer Evolution X (ten), Prototype-S will follow in the footsteps of the much-acclaimed Concept-Sportback show car (2005 Frankfurt) to preview the shape of the forthcoming Lancer Sportback. When launched later in the year, this 5-door hatchback variant of the new Lancer family will be the most important of all in Europe, representing 70% of the forecasted Lancer volume in the overall region and 80% in the UK. Sporting a powerful metallic orange - similar to the one selected for Lancer Ralliart at the Detroit Auto Show a few weeks ago - Prototype-S will add the convenience of a lift-gate and flexible rear seating to the driving dynamics of the new Lancer range. It will hit the same unconventional buttons as Lancer Sports Sedan, albeit in a hatchback format, benchmarking the likes of Alfa Romeo with the 156 / 159 Sportwagons (dynamic benchmark) and of Saab with the legendary Saab 900 Turbo Combi-Coup (aspirational benchmark). Mirroring this aspiration: a sporty wedge-like profile, sharply chiselled lines, assertive stance born from a long wheelbase and wide track proportions, a high-shouldered rear end and the very expressive rear roof spoiler will embody Mitsubishis vision for a flexible sports sedan in the C/D sector, away from the traditional hatchbacks. Fittingly, the Mitsubishi Prototype-S will blend elements from Concept-Sportback (the overall concept), Lancer Evolution X (the execution) and Lancer Ralliart (240ps / 343 Nm 2.0 litre turbo engine, Twin Clutch SST gearbox, full-time 4WD drivetrain featuring Mitsubishi Motors Active Center Differential), as well as proposing a further evolution of Mitsubishi Motors Jet Fighter grille. The "S" means Sportback, and this show car forecasts a future production vehicle that will probably carry that moniker. The Sportback is crucial for the European market, where hatches account for the majority of car sales. Up front, you essentially have the Lancer Ralliart's nose, which is dressed up with more ornate, concept-style headlamps and foglights. Head around to the car's rump, and you can almost see Mitsu's people drawing a line in the sand, daring the 5-door WRX to come over and "play." The sloping rear hatch is topped by a large, body-colored roof spoiler, and restyled rear lighting wraps from the lid onto the quarter panels. Dual exhaust tips poke through a diffuser insert on the rear bumper, and stylish split-spoke wheels in a gunmetal finish occupy the lightly-flared fender cutouts. Mechanically, it seems that the Prototype S is outfitted with the same running gear as the Lancer Ralliart. The 2.0L turbo four delivers 240 PS (236 hp) and 343 Nm (253 lb-ft) of torque through a dual-clutch setup to a full-time AWD system with an active center differential. It's cool, we want it, and most importantly, it'd fit -- after all, Subaru markets the WRX here as both a sedan and a hatchback. Come on, Mits. Go tit for tat with them and bring this one across the pond after you give it to Europe.  read more »

If you're the type that prefers the looks of a drop-top to a coupe, then this should make your day. These are the first shots of a production model spider of the Alfa Romeo 8C that will be shown at Geneva next month and yes, it's the drop-top version of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Wert fell in love with this summer. Hell, even a coupe guy like myself has to admit that it is an achingly beautiful car. I don't even particularly like white as a color, but somehow when you look at an Alfa 8C, you just don't care what hue it's in. Alfa say they plan on making only 500 of the beauties, which means that we probably won't be buying one used on the cheap anytime soon. Which is a damn shame because the 8C's power will come from the same sonorous 450 HP 4.7-liter V8 under the hood of the coupe. And with the top down, we're sure it'll sound even better. Press release after the jump.  read more »

After a 13 year absence, Alfa Romeo will return to the United States with its Competizione sports car. It's a lovely machine, to be sure, but with an estimated price tag of $200,000, it won't exactly have a pronounced presence...


Marty Jerome

This is the sexiest, most desirable, most fabulous-looking car you can buy today. This is how Fifth gear start by describing the Maserati Granturismo and for the most part we agree. The whole focus of the Maserati GT is on comfort, with ample passenger space and an extremely quiet engine on the inside. However, in a world where the BMW M3 offers much more engine power with a much lighter body resulting in greater performance for a lower price, the Maserati seems to be outdone. I know we are talking about a GT but the balance between driving pleasure and driving comfort is perhaps weighted a little too much towards the latter. At the end of the day the Trident shows itself off proudly on the Maseratis body leading us to expect a bit more pep in what instead feels more like a lumbering cruiser powerful, yet unable to perform when needed and rather emotionally unsatisfying. To be precise, it has the feel of a 4-door car that is missing two doors.  read more »