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 TI
stands for Turismo Internazionale, the acronym that Alfa Romeo used to
assign only to its best-equipped cars. Such cars were derived from standard
production models that underwent styling changes and mechanical changes
to create. Today the ti letters are making a comeback on Alfa cars. They
designate a sporty kit available for the Alfa Romeo range. The code stands
for quality and a guarantee that the changes have been made in the factory.
TI cars are designed for younger, sporty drivers and offer greater driving satisfaction, more handling and more braking capacity. In other words, the dynamic behaviour of a car that spices your everyday driving experience with racetrack sensation. All in all, a car for those who demand the very best when it comes to sportiness. And want it to be known without ostentation. Hence the styling decision not to change the exterior shape of the standard production cars too radically but limit the changes to a few features without resorting to flashy spoilers. From the outside, the cars are still recognisable but simply look meaner with a more vice-like grip on the road, an effect that is enhanced by wide tyres, alloy wheels and sideskirts. Inside, a TI interior can be identified by sporty configuration seats plus leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob. More sporty touches are added by an aluminium sill plate and black facia and ceiling. All these parts change according to the model. |
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| Fiat have offered a preview
look at the Punto based B-MPV, ahead of its debut at the Geneva Motor Show
which opens its doors to the public on 6th March. The marque's first foray
into the emerging 'Compact MPV' sector has seen a great deal of thought
going into producing a concept that will attract buyers who previously
would not have considered a Fiat.
With a raised seating position, Fiat have aimed to create a pleasing and comfortable environment for the occupants of this 5-seater. The dashboard, with its Ypsilon-style centrally mounted instruments, feeds down to the high-mounted gearstick, a cue drawn from the Multipla. The seats have been designed for maximum flexibility, including the option of floding down the front seats to create a table, while the rear seats tilt back 45º. The B-MPV offers up to 6 airbags (front with two activation stages, sidebags and windowbags that also protect the rear passengers); adjustable front seat-belts (with pretensioner and load limiter) and three point rear belts (including a central position). It is also well-equipped for active safety with ABS with EBD and Brake Assist as standard while ESP can be added as an option together with a Hill Holder for easier hill starts. The power unit range available at the launch will include a petrol-driven 1.4 16 valve unit and the brand new 1.3 Multijet 16v, both combined with a manual or robotised 'Dualogic' gearbox. These will be quickly followed by a 1.2 16v and a 1.9 JTD Multijet. |
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| Fiat have released first
images and information on the as yet unnamed 'Project 169' mini car, replacement
for the Seicento and Panda. Fiat are quietly confident that this new car
will catapult them back to where they have always led, making small 'city'
cars.
The new small car is highly compact but offers trademark spacious interior space. At just 354 centimetres in length, 158 cm in width and 153 cm in height, the 'Project 169' can accommodate four to five people. It is equipped with one of the roomiest luggage compartments in the segment with a capacity of more than 200 litres. The 'Project 169' is available with five doors and plans to make flexibility one of its strengths. The rear seat can split and slide. The car's handling and visibility are also among the best in its category. Examples include a gearlever in the centre of the facia, Multipla-style, in an excellent ergonomic position (a radical new feature for the segment), Dualdrive electric power steering (standard on medium-high versions) and a higher driver seat position that affords customers greater visibility and mastery of the road. The new "mini" will hit the ground running by offering the new 70bhp 1.3 Multiject 16v common rail diesel engine. This new addition will be backed by the tried and tested 55 bhp 1108 cc and the 1.2 8v engine that delivers a maximum power output of 60 bhp. These are paired with two gearboxes: a 5-speed manual unit and a new Dualogic unit with sequential and automatic operation. The engineering configuration of this up-to-date, reliable model is enhanced by devices not all superminis can offer. 'Project 169' customers will be able to order a huge clear Skydome roof, a manual or automatic climate control system, a parking sensor and a Hi-Fi system complete with CD player, sub-woofer and radio controls on the steering wheel. |
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| The world premiere of the
Alfa GT Coupé, commonly referred to as the "Sprint", derived from
the Alfa 156 and due to go on sale at the end of this year, will take place
at next month's Geneva Motor Show. Alfa Romeo are giving little detail
away of the Bertone-styled 2+2 Coupe except its four engine options: The
140 bhp 1.8 T.Spark will power the entry-level model, joined by the 165
bhp 2.0 JTS and the 140 bhp 1.9 JTD Multijet 16v, while a GTA version will
be equipped with the 250 bhp 3.2 V6 24v engine.
With a length of 4.48 metres, width of 1.76 metres and a height of 1.39 metres, the Alfa GT Coupé is aggressive and compact (its wheelbase is 2596mm), with a shape marked by certain distinctive traits that define its strong personality and render it immediately recognisable. |
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 Geneva
will host the world début of Concept X, the first appearance of
a concept Alfa Romeo crossover vehicle, essentially a Sportwagon GTA dressed
up in swages of plastic bodywork and a raised suspension, in similar mould
to Volvo's new saloon-drawn SUV.
Alfa Romeo claim to have "poured much energy into one ambitious goal: to make another of the elegant sports car for which Alfa is justly famous but give it an entirely new and unique shape. Concept X calls on a complex, sophisticated interplay of allusions that hark back to Alfa's traditions in the sports car sector while also including attractive ideas that look to the future and new developments in the SUV - MPV segments in particular. A mix of style and design that represents a distinctive crossover of cultures. Concept X is a fusion of different vehicle types. The model combines the off-road performance of an SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) with the driving satisfaction and handling characteristics of a compact Alfa Romeo. At the same time, it offers a versatile, functional passenger compartment typical of a Multi Purpose Vehicle due above all to clever use of space and a wide range of seat configurations. Concept X uses the GTA's 250 bhp 3.2 V6 24V power unit, mated to an electronically-controlled four wheel drive system with three differentials and a Torsen system plus double wishbone front and rear suspension layouts. The 156 bodyshell comes with usually four doors while a Stilo-style innovation sees the rear window opening independently of the tailgate. The boot capacity is also estimated to be in excess of 400 litres while a big central tunnel houses numerous oddment compartments and drinks holders. Other innovative features include a big, clear roof and rear seats that can be stowed away out of sight. The load compartment formed with the back seats down is flat and easily accessible. The car's all-terrain appearance, the chassis and engine protection and the 20" wheels with special tread leave little room for doubt: the Concept X was created to overcome any road or weather condition. |
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| Alfa Romeo have revealed
images of the long serving GTV and Spider's restyling exercise that will
be unveiled in Geneva early next month. Cosmetically, the two models whose
sales have tailed off in recent years, will receive a much larger and more
aggressive "heart" grille in keeping with the current family look. This
feeds up into the bonnet which offers much more prominent swages that fan
out to the rear corners.
A deeper front spoiler echoes the 147GTA with its similar shape and indicator/side light housing. Elsewhere, the rear bootlid has received a mildly reprofiled edge. Inside, the dashboard has been reworked, while a new centre console now houses the optional sat-nav system as well as radio and ASR controls. New seating trims are available, to seats that have been lowered as Alfa seek to improve the model's centre of gravity. Two new engines are offered. The 240bhp 24v 3.2-litre V6 tops the range, and with a 255km/h top speed claimed, the GTV becomes Alfa Romeo's fastest ever production car. This is joined by the 165bhp 2.0-litre JTS unit, while a reworked 150bhp 2.0-litre TwinSpark propels the entry-level version. |
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