2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Are supercars becoming less special?

There's little doubt that we are currently enjoying the golden age of automotive performance. Dozens of different models on sale today make over 500 horsepower, and seven boast output in excess of 700 hp. Not long ago, that kind of capability was exclusive to supercars – vehicles whose rarity, performance focus, and requisite expense made them aspirational objects of desire to us mortals. But more than that, supercars have historically offered a unique driving experience, one which was bespoke to a particular model and could not be replicated elsewhere. But in recent years, even the low-volume players have been forced to find the efficiencies and economies of scale that formerly hadn't been a concern for them, and in turn the concept of the supercar as a unique entity unto itself is fading fast. The blame doesn't fall on one particular manufacturer nor a specific production technique. Instead, it's a confluence of different factors that are chipping away at the distinction of these vehicles. It's not all bad news – Lamborghini's platform sharing with Audi for the Gallardo and the R8 yielded a raging bull that was more reliable and easier to live with on a day-to-day basis, and as a result it went on to become the best-selling Lambo in the company's history. But it also came at the cost of some of the Italian's exclusivity when eerily familiar sights and sounds suddenly became available wearing an Audi badge. Even low-volume players have been forced to find economies of scale. Much of this comes out of necessity, of course. Aston Martin's recent deal with Mercedes-AMG points toward German hardware going under the hood and into the cabin of the upcoming DB11, and it's safe to assume that this was not a decision made lightly by the Brits, as the brand has built a reputation for the bespoke craftsmanship of its vehicles. There's little doubt that the DB11 will be a fine automobile, but the move does jeopardize some of the characteristic "specialness" that Astons are known for. Yet the world is certainly better off with new Aston Martins spliced with DNA from Mercedes-AMG rather than no new Astons at all, and the costs of developing cutting-edge drivetrains and user interfaces is a burden that's becoming increasingly difficult for smaller manufacturers to bear. Even Ferrari is poised to make some dramatic changes in the way it designs cars.

Alfa Romeo Giulia leaks early

The new Alfa Romeo Giulia is set to debut June 24, but the eagle-eyed folks at CarScoops already found these two somewhat blurry shots of the upcoming sedan. While there's unfortunately no photo of the front, these images give an idea of what to expect from Alfa's future four-door challenger to the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. According to CarScoops, this is the Quadrifoglio Verde performance trim, and the blurry profile images certainly appear to show that insignia on the front fender. Don't worry about the mouthful of a name, though, because the far less vowel-filled Cloverleaf moniker is reportedly being used in some markets. Beyond the badge, this crimson Giulia has a short deck at the rear and large fender flares. Vents cut into the fenders also communicate the model's sporty intentions. The rear shot shows angular taillights and dual exhausts nestled in a diffuser down below. The Giulia badge is clearly visible, and there's a contrasting black lip spoiler running along the edge of the trunk. A set of black wheels completes the performance-tuned look. For now, hard facts about the Giulia's mechanical details remain largely a mystery. The engine range reportedly includes a V6 with some relation to Ferrari that possibly pumps out around 480 horsepower, and a turbocharged four-cylinder might also be available. Some portions of the chassis are rumored to be borrowed from the Maserati Ghibli, as well. A crossover sharing the same platform may join Alfa's lineup in 2016. Related Video:

Alfa Romeo 4C Spider brings roofless Italian performance to the well-heeled masses

Following through on its Geneva concept and year-end rumors, Alfa Romeo has introduced a roofless version of its mid-engine 4C at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. Like the Lotus Elise, the canvas top on the 4C Spider isn't some fancy automatic roof. Instead, owners will need to manually sort things out. Unlike the Elise, at least, the 4C's top is easier to manage when both fixing and removing from the mid-engined sports car's body. For those that prefer the security provided by a hard top, a removable carbon-fiber roof will be added after launch. Aside from that change, most of the tweaks for the 4C Spider have to do with options and equipment. As we explained in our original post, opting for the topless version of this turbocharged Italian will still get you to 60 in just 4.1 seconds, while Alfa claims the 4C Spider can still pull 1.1 lateral g. Check out our full gallery of photos of the new 4C Spider, direct from the floor of the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, at the top of the page. And for more on Alfa's second US product, check out our original post, right here.