2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Alfa Romeo 4C priced at $53,900* in US, gains 342 pounds vs Euro version

We're out in California driving the Alfa Romeo 4C as we write this – which is the good news. The bad news is that we can't offer up any driving impressions of the car for another few days. On the other hand, we can provide a few interesting non-driving-based tidbits from the launch program, with which to further enlighten you about Alfa's upcoming "compact supercar" (that descriptor comes direct from Alfa CEO Harald Wester, for what it's worth). So, for starters, the price. When Matt Davis drove the European-spec 4C in the fall of last year, he guestimated that the starting price for the US would hover around $55,000. As it turns out, that was a pretty good guess. Eventually, the starting bill on a 4C will be $53,900, plus a significant $1,295 for destination, netting out to $55,195 out the door. That price might sound inline with what you'd expect for an Italian quasi-supercar, but it's not likely what you'll actually pay if you buy one. We're told that $62k to $65k will be the sweet spot for 4C sales in the US. What's more, if you simply have to have a 2015 model, you'll have to pony up a healthy $69,695 (that's including destination), for one of just 500 examples of the launch edition that will be sold here this year. In addition to a serialized plaque that will certify your historic purchase, the launch edition cars get the larger optional wheels in a dark-finish, the sport suspension, sport exhaust, and some other bits and bobs. Finally, while we're happy to report that the curb weight of the feather-light 4C will stay below the magical 2,500-pound mark (2,495 lbs., wet), it has still gained some 342 pounds versus the European-spec car. The added weight is down to a beefier carbon-fiber tub and additional US safety equipment. It's also fair to mention that the ultra-light European model was arrived upon thanks to a homologation rule with the EU, that (among other things) will limit 4C sales on the continent to just 1,000 units per year. We'd expect that to evolve as the model stays on sale. Stay tuned for our full review of the car, thick carbon-fiber and all, early next week.

Lightly-camouflaged Alfa Romeo Stelvio snapped testing

With the Alfa Romeo Stelvio's expected reveal date at the Los Angeles Auto Show quickly approaching, we're not surprised to see prototypes testing in broad daylight with less and less camouflage. But even these latest spy shots make it difficult to determine details about the upcoming SUV. Just like before the headlights are disguised by heavy tape, but appear to be nearly identical to the ones found on the Giulia sedan. There's also a small v-shaped grille at the front with two rectangular ones on the bottom of the front fascia. The hood has three oddly-shaped ridges, but those are probably more camo to disguise actual creases. Previous SUVs were spotted with much smaller ruffles on the hood. The overall profile of the prototype remains the same as the ones we've spotted earlier with a design that mimics the Porsche Macan. The bulbous rear end of the SUV hasn't changed much either. The familiar taillights are still taped off, but appear to be taken straight from the Giulia. The massive exhaust tips, though, are new and would be more at home on a sports car. With the Stelvio expected to get the same gasoline and diesel powertrains as the Giulia, the weapon-sized exhaust tips on the prototype hint towards the possibility of the SUV getting the 2.9-liter V6 from the Giulia Quadrifoglio. Related Video: Featured Gallery Alfa Romeo Stelvio Exterior Spy Shots View 12 Photos Image Credit: CarPix Design/Style Spy Photos Alfa Romeo Crossover SUV alfa romeo giulia alfa romeo stelvio

Alfa Romeo Disco Volante Spider is a beauty in blue

Be still our beating hearts. The beautiful blue sportscar you see above is the Alfa Romeo Disco Volante Spider. It's the latest work from Italian design house Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary. As you can see, it's a work of art, but what you can't see is that, like the hardtop version that came before it, this car is actually based on the bones of an Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. That means it's bound to be a rare beast, since only 500 8C coupes and 500 8C Spiders were ever built. Apparently, just seven of these droptops are planned, and each one will be painted in a different color. The hue we see on the car that's debuting at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show is called Blue Ceruleo, which we figure pretty much means Sky Blue. Here's hoping at least one comes in a green scheme similar to the one shown off at Geneva back in 2014. We don't have any details about what powers the Disco Volante Spider, but we'd guess it uses the same 4.7-liter V8 and six-speed semi-automatic transmission that powered all the original 8C models. That would mean 444 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, a 0-60 run 4-ish seconds and a top speed of around 180 miles per hour. But the actual performance seems mostly superfluous to the Disco Volante Spider's real mission, which is to look pretty. You'll want to check out our image gallery for more close-up shots. And if you just can't get enough, it seems that someone with early access to the show floor in Geneva smuggled in a camera. Check out the video above. Related Video: Related Gallery Alfa Romeo Disco Volante Spider by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera View 17 Photos News Source: SellerieCimes via YouTube Design/Style Geneva Motor Show Alfa Romeo Convertible Luxury Special and Limited Editions Performance 2016 geneva motor show carrozzeria touring superleggera