Alfa Romeo Launches 2011MY MiTo in Europe

This week marks the commercial debut of the 2011 model year Alfa Romeo MiTo in Italy and on other major European markets. First shown at the 2011 Geneva Salon, the modestly updated MiTo comes with a fresh batch of exterior colors, different seat upholsteries, new optional equipment and Euro 5 compliant engines all fitted as standard with a Start&Stop system.

The starting price for the 2011MY MiTo in Italy is €15,500 ($21,800), which will get you in the Progression model equipped with a 78HP 1.4-liter petrol engine. The Distinctive trim level retails for €22,550 ($31,650) and features the 1.6-liter diesel engine with 120 horsepower. The other available diesel engine is a 1.3-liter JTDM-2 with 95HP, while the gasoline range is completed by the 1.4-liter MultiAir unit, available in three levels of power: 105 (naturally aspirated), 135 and 170 horsepower (both turbocharged).

The MiTo MY 2011 is offered in four trim levels (Progression, Distinctive, “Super” and Quadrifoglio Verde), while buyers can also choose from seven new alloy wheel designs and eleven body colors, among which a new metal-flake color called “Bronzo Metal”.

Thanks to the new Start&Stop system, fuel consumption is lower with the base 1.4-liter engine returning 5.6 liters/100 km (42 mpg) on the combined cycle, compared to 5.9 liters/100 km (39.9) of the 2010MY. The 135HP 1.4-liter Multiair turbo engine is now linked to a new-generation double-clutch TCT transmission that reduces the 0 to 100 km/h sprint to 8.2 seconds (0.2 seconds quicker). As for the diesel engines, Alfa announces that the service interval is now 35,000 km (21,750 miles).

The MiTo MY 2011 also debuts a new Blue&Me-TomTom multimedia system that connects the car's infotainment system with a portable navigation device. The fully-integrated system has 4.3-inch touch-screen that can also display phone, media and board computer information.

By Dan Miahalascu

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Dutch Man Builds Alfa Romeo GTV Bi-Motore with Two V6 Engines and 487HP [with Videos]

“What do you do when the power of an engine is no longer sufficient?” asks Stephan Lenior, the man behind Squadra Tuning, on his company’s website. While the solution for the majority would have been a heavily modified or perhaps a completely different engine altogether, for the owner of the Alfa Romeo tuning company based in Holland, the answer to that question was far more radical and complex.

To make a very long story short, Stephan’s solution to u the performance of his Alfa Romeo GTV V6 involved the fitment of a second six-cylinder engine at the back. Easier said than done of course, with the project turning out to be a rather complicated and time-consuming process.

Stephan documented the entire build on his company’s website and if our Google’s translation is correct (any help from our Dutch speaking readers would be appreciated, especially on the matter of the transmission), Stephan took a 3.2-liter V6 along with the sub frame and suspension bits from an Alfa Romeo 166 and placed them in the rear section of the Italian coupe. Together with the GTV’s front-mounted 3.0-liter V6, the two engines produce a combined output of 487-horsepower.

We are not entirely sure on this one, but it appears that the GTV is equipped with two 5-speed gearboxes, both sourced from a Lancia Kappa 2.4 JTD, and controlled by a single gear shifter.

The car also features a set of front disc brakes from the 166 mounted at the back, while the builder tried to compensate for the increased weight of the second powertrain by replacing certain components such as the powered seats and standard alloys with lighter equivalents, and removing unnecessary amenities like the air-condition and sound insulation.

Surprisingly, Stephan kept the GTV’s exterior look stock with the only telling feature about the build being the air vents on the boot.

The owner claims that the Alfa Romeo GTV Bi-Motore can accelerate from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in about 4.5 seconds and to 200km/h (124mph) in approximately 14 seconds, while theoretically topping out at around 290km/h (180mph), though for obvious reasons, Stephan has not yet tried to push the car -and his luck- to the limit.

Source: Squada-Tuning , Videos: Youtube

Specifications [Translated from Dutch]:

Engines: 1 x 3.0 24v, 3.2 24v x 1 Total: 6138 cc, 487 hp @ 6200 rpm, 577 Nm @ 5000 RPM
Gearboxes: 2 x 5-gears Lancia Kappa 2.4 JTD.
Front suspension: Koni yellow with Novitec GTV springs. Torsion rod GTV
Suspension rear: Alfa 166 with Koni yellow on height and size. Torsion bar 166 3.0
ABS brakes with original working
Brakes front: 330 mm original GTA Upgrade
Rear Brakes 278 mm original Alfa 166 2.4 JTD equipped with adjustable maximum brake pressure
Hydraulic handbrake.
Wheels and tires: OZ Ultraleggera with Pirelli PZero Nero 225/45 ZR 17 94W.
Fuel tank 90 liters, 2 fuel pumps
Exhaust system: exhaust system with 2 times EPS catalyst, oxygen sensor 4 times.
Curb mass: 1680 kg (with half full fuel tank)
Performance: top speed probably between 290 and 300 km / h in fifth gear at 6500 RPM 292 km / hour.
Acceleration 0-100 + / - 4.5 sec. 0-200: + / - 14.0 sec

VIDEOS

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Chrysler Group Celebrates Production Launch of 2012 Fiat 500 at Toluca Plant, May Also Produce Second Fiat Model in Mexico

Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne and Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon celebrated the start of the 2012 Fiat 500 production today at the Detroit firm’s Toluca plant in Mexico. The company invested $550 million USD, with the assistance of loans from the Mexican government, to build the subcompact model at the Toluca site.

Chrysler said the plant will build more than 120,000 examples of the Fiat 500 for export to the United States, Canada, and South America, as well as to China by the third quarter of 2011. The same factory also produces the Dodge Journey, which is shipped to the U.S. as well as its Fiat twin, the newly revealed Freemont that will be sold in Europe.

“With the assistance of the Mexican government, we have been able to prepare the Toluca Assembly Plant for production of the first Fiat, a vehicle that demonstrates the level of cooperation between our two companies and reintroduces the brand to the North American market after more than 28 years,” said Marchionne.

“Mexico is in an ideal position for production of this car. Because of its free-trade agreements with neighbors to both the north and south, it is a bridge between NAFTA and Latin America. And for the Mexican market, where the 500 has already been sold for several years, this marks an important shift from a vehicle imported from Europe to one that is built locally,” Marchionne added.

Speaking to reporters at the event, Marchione also announced that the company is looking to assemble a second Fiat model in Mexico, though he did not get into any specific details.

“We need to decide what we’re going to do with that plant,” Marchionne said. “The likelihood is that we will bring in an architecture that is more versatile and will give us an opportunity to produce more than one top hat or body style. Nothing has been decided.”

The company also confirmed that Alfa Romeo cars will go on sale in Mexico in June or July, starting with the Mito supermini, Giulietta compact hatch and the 159 saloon. Marchionne added that the 4C mid-engine sports coupe, which was shown in pre-production form at the Geneva Salon last week, would also be available in the near future.

Sources: Chrysler & Bloomberg

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