Auto Avio Costruzioni Makes a One-Off Alfa Giulietta

Laurent Miller, the man who bought the Auto Avio Costruzioni brand name eight years ago, has churned out his third tuned Alfa Romeo.

This time Miller decided to turn his attention on the Giulietta, Alfa’s five-door hatch. The car features a unique two-tone paint job with Alfa dark grey for the lower body and a Lamborghini-sourced “White Ballon” pearl color for most of the upper part of the car and the wheels.

Read more »

Touring Superleggera Dances to the Tunes of the Alfa Romeo Disco Volante in Geneva [Photos + Video]

Felice Bianchi Anderloni, the man who founded the Milan-based Carozzeria Touring, had once said that “Weight is the enemy, air is the obstacle”. With a brief to design a car that would be “insensitive to the wind”, Touring’s designers created the now famous, Alfa Romeo 1900-based C52 Disco Volante racing concept back in 1952.

Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the impressive concept, Touring Superleggera unveiled the Disco Volante 2012 at the 82nd Geneva Motor Show which will be produced in a limited number.

It’s a two-seater coupe with a front-central (i.e. placed behind the front axle) engine and a transaxle drivetrain.

The new Disco Volante features an integrated front bonnet and wings and a distinctive rear end, while at the same time borrowing some details from the 1952 original like the partly covered front wheels and the pronounced waistline.

Read more »

1950’s Alfa Romeo Disco Volante Reborn as an 8C Competizione-Based Limited Production Model

When a car is nicknamed “Flying Saucer”, odds are that it has an out of this world shape. This was true for the Alfa Romeo Disco Volante (the name is Italian for flying saucer) which was unveiled as a concept car in 1952 boasting a drag coefficient of just 0.25.

The original Disco Volante is revered so much by Alfa fans today that it was chosen for the statue donated to Alfa Romeo's centenary celebrations in 2010.

Milan-based coachbuilder Touring Superleggera, which cooperated with Alfa Romeo in the creation of the original car, has plans to debut a modern-day version at the 82nd Geneva Motor Show in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the iconic Alfa.

Just like the original, the 21st century Disco Volante will be built on an existing Alfa Romeo. This time around, it won’t be the 1900 and its 158HP engine but the 8C Competizione chassis, around which Touring’s craftsmen will construct a bodywork reminiscent of the 1950's car but made out of hand-beaten aluminum panels and carbon-fiber.

Read more »

2011 Novitec Alfa Romeo 8C Spider

Engine 4.7 liter V8, Aspiration supercharger, Torque 434 lb-ft @ 5400 rpm, HP 600 hp @ 7300 rpm, HP/Liter 127.7 hp per liter, 0-62 mph 3.9 seconds, Top Speed 190 mph.

The World’s Most Powerful and Fastest Alfa Romeo: 8C Spider with 600-hp Supercharged Engine and a Top Speed of 190 mph
The most powerful and fastest street-legal Alfa Romeo of all time comes from NOVITEC, the world leader in tuning for the automobiles from Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Lancia. Power output of the Alfa Romeo 8C, Coupe and Spider, jumps to 600 hp thanks to a high-tech supercharger system. Top speed grows to 190 mph. In addition, the tuner offers a stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system, a custom-tailored tire/wheel combination with 21- and 22-inch diameters and a height-adjustable sport suspension.
The limited-edition sports car is based on the technology of the Maserati GT. For this reason NOVITEC adapted a development by sister company NOVITEC TRIDENTE, which specializes in tuning the models carrying the trident emblem, to the 8C. The high-tech supercharger conversion for the 4.7-liter V8 was modified to fit into the space under the hood of the Alfa Romeo 8C.

The supercharger is driven by a cogged-tooth belt directly from the crankshaft and thus breathes more power into the eight-cylinder four-valve engine even at very low engine speeds. Maximum boost pressure is limited to 0.37 bar. The mechanical charging system is rounded out by a water-to-air intercooler with dedicated radiator, and by custom injectors.
Newly calibrated mapping for injection and ignition ensure a potent and harmonious power delivery and clean emissions.

Performance figures are accordingly impressive: The compressor conversion, which sells for EUR 19,900, boosts power output of the 450-hp stock V8 by 150 hp. The maximum rated power output of 600 hp is available at 7,300 rpm. Peak torque jumps to 434 lb/ft torque at 5,400 rpm.

This elevates driving performance to a level never before attained by a street-legal Alfa Romeo: the sprint from rest to 62 mph is shortened to just 3.9 seconds. Top speed increases from standard 180 mph to 190 mph.

The optionally available NOVITEC stainless-steel sport exhaust system for the Alfa Romeo 8C benefits more than just power yield. The integrated flap system varies the exhaust note depending on engine speed from sporty to racing-like. The exhaust system with its four tailpipes is designed to perfectly fit into the standard cutouts in the rear apron.

While the body of the 8C Coupe or Spider remains untouched, NOVITEC adds some thrilling highlights to the appearance of the two-seater with three-piece NA3 wheels. To further emphasize the wedge-shape design of the 8C, the specialists chose a staggered combination with 21-inch diameter in front and 22 inches on the rear axle. The alloy wheels feature five double spokes and are available in any desired color. In sizes 9×21” and 11.5×22” they fill out the available space in the wheel wells perfectly. The matching high-performance tires are supplied by Formula 1 supplier Pirelli in sizes 255/30 ZR 21 and 315/25 ZR 22.
The height-adjustable NOVITEC threaded coil-over suspension is precisely calibrated to these king-sized tires. It allows each driver of the Alfa Romeo to select ride-height and damper rates to suit his or her personal taste.

Upon customer request NOVITEC also personalizes the cockpit of the 8C with exclusive appointments made from the finest leather and Alcantara in any desired color.

For additional information please contact:
NOVITEC Automobile GmbH
Hochstrasse 8
D-87778 Stetten
Germany
Phone: +49 / (0) 82 61 / 2 13 48
Fax: +49 / (0) 82 61 / 2 16 40
E-mail: info@novitec.net
Internet: www.novitec.com

NOVITEC ROSSO USA
18471 NW Chemeketa Ln Unit C
Portland, OR 97229
Phone: 503-336-0176
E-mail: rosso@novitecrosso.com

Exotica Motorsports
Phone: 360-607-0709
Fax: 360-326-1584
E-mail: info@exotica-motorsports.com
Internet: www.exotica-motorsports.com
About Exotica Motorsports
Exotica Motorsports was founded by Jason Godsil to be the best parts supplier in the marketplace for high-end luxury and exotic sports cars. Exotica Motorsports has spent many years ensuring that we stay true to our roots and only offer the finest parts from the premier tuners from around the world. Combine this with superior customer service and Exotica Motorsports is second to none in the industry. Exotica Motorsports currently represents companies like Novitec, Elite, ASI, Premier 4509, as well as many other premier tuners. If you don’t see it in our website then it probably isn’t good enough.

2011 Alfa Romeo 4C Concept

Engine 1.75 liter, Weight 1874 lbs, Aspiration turbocharged, HP over 200 hp , HP/Weight under 9.4 hp per liter, HP/Liter over 114.3 hp per liter, Top Speed over 155 mph.

World Premiere: the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept
At the 81st Geneva International Motor Show, the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept will make its debut, a compact "supercar" which represents the true essence of a sports car, according to the brand's values: performance, Italian style and technical excellence aimed at maximum driving pleasure in total safety.

The new concept presents the classic formula of the two-seater, rear-wheel drive coupé with its engine at the centre, a length of approximately 4 metres and a wheelbase of less than 2.4 metres: dimensions which serve both to emphasise the compact size of the car and to accentuate its agility. Distinguished by its graceful and clean external lines, the same principles are also applied to the inside, with the Concept's specific on-board design maintaining features and devices which directly reflect the car's sporting spirit.

On the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept technology and materials derived from the 8C Competizione find a home - carbon, aluminium, rear-wheel drive - and technology derived from Alfa Romeo models currently on sale: the 1750 turbo petrol engine with direct injection, the "Alfa TCT" twin dry clutch transmission and the Alfa DNA dynamic control selector.
Quite simply, this vehicle screams Alfa. Its sports car soul creates a unique driving sensation, both on the road and when racing, where its velocity and transverse acceleration become even more demanding.

Born from the experience acquired through the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione and 8C Spider models, the new concept car shares its rear-wheel drive with the exclusive supercars as well as its philosophy based on achieving maximum driving pleasure and the proverbial Alfa Romeo road handling. This is an objective which the 8C Competizione and the 8C Spider pursue mainly through their increased power, while the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept follows the route of limited weight, made possible by extensive use of carbon, which also plays a structural role and guarantees exceptional agility with a weight/power ratio which is lower than 4 kg/HP. The chassis supports a body crafted completely from carbon, inside which there is space for the driver and passenger, while the rear frame structure and the crash boxes use aluminium extensively. The final result is a significant reduction in weight, limited to less than 850 kg, as well as the optimisation of the vehicle's centre of gravity, which gives the advantage of increased agility and drivability on the most challenging roads.

The name "4C Concept" is suggestive of the sports driving pleasure which only the spectacular "4 cylinder" 1750 Turbo Petrol engine which offers over 200 HP can bring. Already featured on a number of models in production, for example the Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde, the engine boasts cutting-edge technical solutions such as direct injection, dual continuous variable valve timing, turbocharger and the revolutionary scavenging control system which eliminates turbo lag.

Located centrally in the rear of the vehicle, the engine in the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept ensures performance which matches or exceeds that of a 3 litre engine whilst still delivering the moderate fuel consumption which is typical of a compact, 4 cylinder engine. Coupled with the new automatic "Alfa TCT" twin dry clutch transmission, launched only a few months ago on the MiTo and which will soon be available on the Giulietta, the powerful 1750 Turbo petrol engine allows the 4C Concept to reach a top speed of over 250 km/h and to accelerate from 0 to 100km in under 5 seconds. The vehicle integrates its Alfa DNA technology perfectly, a true philosophy which brings together all of the on-board technology, making it enjoyable and customisable for the driver and further accentuating the "competitive" nature of the Concept compared to other vehicles currently on sale.
The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept has an extremely sophisticated suspension layout (high quadrilateral at the front, MacPherson at the rear) to ensure maximum agility and road handling. This solution, along with the rear-wheel drive and the extraordinary weight/power ratio, ensures Alfa Romeo driving pleasure, enhanced even further by the weight distribution (40% on the front axle and 60% on the rear axle). The Concept takes up the Brand's sporting tradition, taking us back to its origins, when agility and the weight/power ratio were the keys to a successful racing vehicle, and combining these aspects with the Alfa Romeos which take to the road every day.

This car is not simply an exercise in style created for the Motor Show; it will be on sale in 2012 and is set to reinforce Alfa Romeo's global growth.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Engine 1.75 liter TBi inline-4, Aspiration turbocharged, HP 235 hp, HP/Liter 134.3 hp per liter.

Alfa Romeo at the 80th International Geneva Motor Show
The Giulietta is the undisputed star of the booth and of the Alfa Romeo Centenary. With the new car - capable of expressing both great agility over the most demanding routes and providing comfort on everyday roads – the Brand continues in its custom of presenting all its new products and features in a world preview on the occasion of the Geneva Motor Show.
Indeed, after the Alfa 159 and the Alfa Brera in 2005, the Alfa 159 Sportwagon, the Alfa Spider in 2006 and the Alfa 8C Spider in 2008, now is the time to present the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.
The Giulietta is a five-door hatchback, with an evident Alfa Romeo appearance, capable of expressing both great agility over the most demanding routes and providing comfort on everyday roads. This is thanks to the new "Compact" architecture which, thanks to the refined technical solutions employed for the suspension, the dual pinion active steering, the fine materials used and the manufacturing technologies implemented, allows the Giulietta to achieve excellent levels both in terms of on-board comfort as well as its dynamic and safety features (active and passive).
From May this year, the model will be on sale progressively on all the major markets, while visitors of the Geneva Motor Show will be able to admire five different models: two Quadrifoglio Verde versions fitted with the 235 HP 1750 TBi, two Distinctive versions with 170 HP 2.0 JTDM and a Distinctive version fitted with the 170 HP 1.4 MultiAir Turbo petrol.
The name of the new car is an obvious tribute to the mythical Giulietta which, in the Fifties, caught the imagination of generations of car enthusiasts, making the dream of owning an Alfa Romeo and enjoying the high level of comfort and technical excellence accessible for the first time.