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The 2016 Alfa Romeo 4C should sound even better

We love the raw simplicity of the Alfa Romeo 4C – it is first and foremost a driver's car, and a great one at that. So while there are a number of updates for the 2016 model year, none of them mess with the 4C's inherent enthusiast-centric nature. In fact, these enhancements should only, well, enhance the overall driving experience. The thing we're most excited about is a new Akrapovic dual-mode titanium exhaust. Not only does this option relocate the exhaust tips to the center of the 4C's rump, it uses asymmetrical mufflers and a link pipe with a built-in resonator to create what we assume is an even better exhaust sound. The Akrapovic setup works with the Alfa's DNA drive select modes – in Dynamic and Race, things are loud and resonant, but in Natural and All-Weather settings, there's a quieter tone. Other 4C updates are less obvious. There's some more carbon fiber trim both inside and out, some new color combinations for the leather sport seats, and the Spider's premium audio system and lockable storage containers are now standard on the Coupe. Pricing isn't confirmed in Alfa's release, but from what we find on the company's consumer site, the Coupe starts at $55,900 and the Spider comes in at $65,900. Based on the 2015 models we tested, that means the added content has bumped up the Coupe's price by $2,000, and the Spider sees a modest $405 hike. Read all the details in the press blast below. ALFA ROMEO 4C AND 4C SPIDER ADD MORE PERSONALIZATION OPTIONS FOR 2016 New for 2016, Alfa Romeo is offering even more carbon fiber: - All-new carbon fiber halo offering elevates the 4C Spider's technical look, while hinting at its exclusive carbon-fiber monocoque chassis - All-new Carbon Fiber Trim Package further proliferates 4C and 4C Spider's use of carbon fiber on interior vents, instrument cluster surround and instrument panel and shift bezels - Bespoke Italian style: A new premium leather interior with Tobacco and Black sport seats paired with a Black leather interior with Tobacco accent stitching is now available - All-new Akrapovi?

Alfa Romeo brings back the Quadrifoglio Verde

With a history as rich as Alfa's, the brand has a wealth of symbology to draw on. Of course the Alfa Romeo logo itself has its own clout and allure, as do nameplates like Giulietta, Giulia and Spider. But another symbol from the marque's 104-year history is the Quadrifoglio Verde. The green clover leaf has adorned the most hardcore performance Alfas since 1923. The emblem was brought back to distinguish the top versions of the MiTo and Giulietta in 2009, both of which are now headed to the Geneva Motor Show in even more enticing form. The new three-door MiTo QV packs a 1.4-liter turbo four driving 170 horsepower to the front wheels through Alfa's six-speed dual-clutch transmission, giving it a 0-62 time of 7.3 seconds and a 136-mph top speed. The latest five-door Giulietta QV, meanwhile, packs a 1.75-liter turbo four with 240 horsepower – the same engine and six-speed DCT as the 4C, only turned around to drive the front wheels from the front end. It's good for a 6.6-second sprint to 62 and a 150-mph top speed. Both models come with a host of upgrades both inside and out, details of which you can read in the press release below. But one of the most enticing parts is the matte grey finish which Alfa is offering on both models, and which only makes us anticipate the marque's eventual return to the North American market that much more. The 'Quadrifoglio Verde' is back on Giulietta and MiTo - The legendary 'Quadrifoglio Verde' that has identified the top performing cars by Alfa Romeo since 1923 is back on the new versions - Giulietta celebrates its 60th anniversary with a new 'Quadrifoglio Verde' - True expression of Alfa Romeo's DNA, this car marks the debut of the new 240 HP 1750 Turbo Petrol engine with all-aluminium direct injection - State-of-the-art 'Alfa TCT' 6-speed twin dry clutch transmission - It's the same engine/transmission as the Alfa Romeo 4C supercar - Giulietta's flagship model can exceed 240 km/h and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.6 seconds - New intake system highlighting Alfa Romeo's typical full, enveloping engine sound - New steering wheel, new instruments with dedicated graphics and QV logo and new leather and Alcantara seats, wraparound and sporty, with built-in headrest - New matt Magnesio Grey body colour exclusively created for the 'Launch Edition' special series produced in a limited edition of only 500 vehicles.

FCA is setting a five-year strategy: Here's how the last one played out

We're slightly more than four years removed from Sergio Marchionne last five-year plan for FCA, a tell-all where the Italian-American automaker divulged its plans for the 2014 through 2018 model years. It was a grand affair, where Sergio told FCA investors that all was right in Auburn Hills, Alfa Romeo and Maserati were making comebacks, and the fifth-gen Dodge Viper received a mid-cycle refresh. You can read every last one of those past predictions right here. We're on our way to Europe to see Sergio's sequel, coming out Friday straight from FCA's Italian headquarters. (Bloomberg reports a plan to expand Jeep and Ram globally, combine Alfa Romeo and Maserati into a single division for an eventual spinoff, and downsizing Fiat and Chrysler. Also, EVs.) But before we arrive in Italy and find out exactly what Marchionne has planned for 2019 through 2023 as his last act as CEO, let's take a minute to tally up the results of his last term based on the same scoresheet we used in 2014. Now, we're only five months into 2018, so much of this — including vehicles like the Ram HD and Jeep Grand Wagoneer — could still debut this year. For those, we'll mark things TBD. We're not going to draw any conclusions or make any objectionable remarks. We're simply going to let the stats speak for themselves.