Mid Florida AROC
Unoffical Web Site
Home     Newsletter     News     Contact Us     Calendar     General     For Sale     Shows     Links     Tech Info     Viva 2009      

 

I just thought I would share pictures of the new interior in our '87 Spider Veloce. There were too many different shades of tan and I also wanted a tan top boot to match. So, a business I have used a number of times on Porsches and the Alfa did seats, door panels, carpet and boot. I also added the wood shift knob with the logo. It is all custom and not intended to be OEM. I think it came out ok and if the weather isn't too bad Saturday, we will bring it to the meeting. Happy New Year!  Steve Sanford 

      

              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Alfa Romeo Car Could Be Built In Canada        Manufacturing.Net - January 14, 2010

TORONTO (CP) -- Chrysler's top executive says the next Alfa Romeo sports car may be built in Brampton, Ont., if the project is launched this year.

Sergio Marchionne says he has instructed Alfa Romeo managers to redevelop its business case for the iconic car.

He noted, however, that although Alfa has a great brand and history, it remains "a drag" on resources at Fiat.

Marchionne said a decision would be made before the end of the year for the Brampton plant, which builds the Chrysler 300 sedan, Dodge Charger and Challenger sports cars.

Insiders say the Alfa car would need to generate sales of at least 10,000 to 15,000 annually in North America to become viable.

The Brampton plant could easily handle the extra production, since output of three cars it produces has dropped in recent years.

Last year, AutomotiveCompass, a U.S.-based research firm, said Fiat would move assembly of the Alfa Romeo 169 E-segment sedan to Brampton from an operation in Italy.

The firm also noted that its sources in Alfa and the parts industry indicated production of the niche vehicle would start in 2012.

Marchionne, who is trying to turn around Chrysler after Fiat became a partner last year, also confirmed that the company will be investing in the Brampton plant's aging paint operations

 

 

Marelli, Brembo are among key Italian suppliers to the Alfa Romeo MiTo

Steven Wingett
Automotive News Europe -- January 17, 2010 22:00 CET
Suppliers to the Alfa Mito
Recent stories on this subject
 

Italian suppliers contribute substantial content to the Alfa Romeo's entry-level car, the MiTo hatchback, which was launched at the British auto show in 2008.

Magneti Marelli provides the telematics system, the exhaust system and the rear lamps and fog lamps while MTA, an electronics components specialist, supplies the power distribution box, radiator cap and battery terminals.

Brembo S.p.A. supplies brake components while trim specialists Saturno contributes the sun visors.

Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT) builds the MiTo's engines. Two gasoline and one diesel engine were available from launch, each mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

The diesel lowers particulate emissions by 80 percent and CO2 emissions by 20 percent compared with FPT's previous-generation powerplants. The turbocharged gasoline engine reduces fuel consumption by 30 percent compared with the previous-generation design.

The MiTo's 1.4-liter non-turbocharged gasoline engine was designed to meet new Italian laws, which limit the weight-to-power ratio of vehicles for drivers who have just passed their driving tests.

Important non-Italian MiTo suppliers include TRW Automotive, which delivers the electric powered steering (EPS) mechanical gear. This fully electric system eliminates the need for hydraulic fluid, along with the associated hardware demands and problems of leakage. It is estimated that EPS saves automakers about 190,000 liters of hydraulic fluid for every 100,000 vehicles produced. It also helps reduce fuel consumption.

BATZ Automotive Systems supplies the pedal box. By replacing steel with plastic parts, the Spanish supplier has achieved a weight reduction of 1.25kg per vehicle. In addition, the "snap-fit" union design has removed the need for screwing and welding, making the assembly process easier.

Alfa Romeo builds the MiTo in Turin. The car's name, MiTo, is a composite of Milan - where the car was designed - and Torino (Turin).

Speaking in June 2008, the then-Alfa Romeo CEO Luca De Meo said MiTo production was targeted at between 70,000 and 80,000 units per year but later the company announced reduced production in the wake of the economic downturn.

MiTo prices start at 10,745 pounds (12,147 euros) in the UK.