So they were supposed to be in the US, then not, then they were, then it's postponed. Any definitive word? And are they swapping their cars over to rear wheel drive? After abandoning the configuration, they've put out some great cars, but still fwd. And lastly, there have been rumors that Alfa is working on its own V8, apparently due to wording that fwd and awd cars will never use anything larger than a V6. Anyone have any info? I'd love to be able to buy something like a neo-GTV6 or a mini-8C.
I doubt they'll abandon FWD anytime soon for the lower-end brands in the FIAT empire. From what I can see/read here in the UK, there is a lot of cross-pollinating going on inside FIAT so I can't really see Alfa developing their own engine. Take another one and tweak it, yes. All new, doubt it. IIRC the 8C is a tweaked Maserati. Not that this makes it worse or anything.
Since Fiat came into the picture, they say the new 169 will be built on the next-gen LX platform. Not sure if I'm thrilled with the news. Seems a bit heavy, but then again, the 169 is a luxury car.
The last real alfa was the milano. From the 164 on they are pretty much nicer fiats. I doubt you will see rwd come back (at least on any large scale) or a special alfa engine.
Alfa may have jumped the shark with mass-production fwd platforms, but this is a "for real", proper machine:
They didn't do too badly with the old Alfasuds, either:
Well Alfa has said recently that they wish to return to rear wheel drive to combat the Germans, and they've made no attempts to be discreet that they are looking for platforms to replace their front drivers.
oldsaw wrote: Alfa may have jumped the shark with mass-production fwd platforms, but this is a "for real", proper machine:
That is beautiful in ways that make me hurt inside but it is rumored to be one awful car to drive. Top Gear was not enamoured (Yeah, I know they are entertainment not fact) nor was some other big press that should have just lied so I'd want one until my dying day.
If it's just a tweaked Maserati, then it probably uses Maser's flappy-paddle gearbox, which TG, for one, have nothing nice to say about. So, that probably lets the side down, in terms of driving pleasure.
Still, the Montreal was supposedly rubbish to drive (too much power for the chassis), but it looked and sounded fantastic. And the Transaxel cars (like the GTV6), also had crappy gearboxes.
How bad could the Competizione be, really 
.
I was going to mention the thing about the 8C being awful to drive, and Clarkson saying it was art "because real art can't have any functional purpose." I don't know why I didn't. Hmm.
Still beautiful car.
Still, the Montreal was supposedly rubbish to drive (too much power for the chassis),
Wow, it isn't rubbish at all. The 105 chassis is good for that amount of power, no problem. The ZF gearbox is a bit notchy, but better than all of the 116 chassis cars (Alfetta, etc), and better than any BMW shifter I've tried. The brakes, though, are not up to the task. I think the calipers (which were just 105 brake calipers with spacers to fit the calipers around vented disks) are too flexible. Also, the car was nose-heavy, so it doesn't handle as well as a GTV.
Now you've got me thinking about the engine sounds from that T33-based V8. Yummy.
drmike wrote: Now you've got me thinking about the engine sounds from that T33-based V8. Yummy.
Any mention of Alfa V8s makes me lust for this car.
how could anyone NOT love this car. Best ever.
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