H Alfa Romeo στο Παρίσι δεν παρουσιάζει κάποιο νέο μοντέλο, αλλά την ειδική έκδοση της MiTo, την SBK special edition. Έχει δημιουργηθεί για τη συμμετοχή στο παγκόσμιο πρωτάθλημα Superbike και βασίζεται πάνω στην Quadrifoglio Verde. Διαθέτει δίχρωμο εξωτερικό και φορά 18″ ζάντες. Διαθέτει μεγάλα φρένα της Brembo με κόκκινες δαγκάνες και φορά την ανάρτηση Alfa Active με ρυθμιζόμενα αμορτισέρ. Στο εσωτερικό διαθέτει Sabelt bucket καθίσματα, alcantara επενδύσεις, αλουμινένια πεντάλ, διζωνικό ηλεκτρονικό κλιματισμό, σύστημα πλοήγησης Blue&Me και ειδικό ταμπελάκι.
Μηχανικά φορά τον 1.400αρη MultiAir απόδοσης 170 ίππων με τα 0-100 χλμ/ώρα να τα κάνει σε λιγότερα από 7 δευτερόλεπτα με μέση κατανάλωση 4,8 λίτρα/100 χλμ. Η παραγωγή του θα περιοριστεί στις 200 μονάδες με την Alfa Romeo να μην έχει ανακοινώσει τις τιμές του.
Επίσης η Alfa Romeo παρουσιάσε την MiTo SBK Special Series η οποία διαθέτει σπορ πίσω προφυλακτήρα, ζάντες 16, σήματα SBK, χρωμιομένα διακοσμητικά, και πλαϊνούς καθρέπτες από τιτάνιο. Στο εσωτερικό διαθέτει “Carbon look” ταμπλό με το SBK λογότυπο να είναι τοποθετημένο στα καθίσματα. Το πακέτο θα είναι διαθέσιμο σε όλες τις MiTo εκτός από αυτές με τον 1.400αρη κινητήρα.
[Πηγή: Alfa Romeo | Live Photos: Autoblog.nl]
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Alfa Romeo at the 2012 Paris International Motor Show
Alfa Romeo is back at the Paris Motor Show with a spectacular stand that brings the brand’s more dynamic and vital spirit to the fore. The exhibition area unfolds like a winding, dynamic road, the ideal scenario for experiencing the emotion that only Alfa Romeo cars can offer, thanks to their agility, power and safety. Specifically, this year the cars on display and the stand itself celebrate the now consolidated partnership established in 2007 between Alfa Romeo and the “Eni FIM SBK Superbike World Championship”, a winning combination that best conveys Italian motor racing style and experience around the world.
Four MiTo vehicles parade through this picturesque scenery: a Safety Car version used in the SBK world championship, two versions that will be launched on the market in upcoming months that are derived from precisely the MiTo Safety Car – a 170 HP Superbike Limited Edition of 200 cars and a Turbo TwinAir Superbike Special Series – and lastly an Exclusive version with Sport Pack. An Aprilia superbike motorcycle that rider Max Biaggi uses in the SBK championship stands out beside these sporty interpretations of the model.
More in detail, the public can admire the source of inspiration for the two Special Series, the Alfa Romeo MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde 1.4 MultiAir 170 HP which is the “Eni FIM SBK Superbike World Championship” Official Safety Car. Sporting its exclusive Rosso Competizione colour, the car took to the track on the warm up laps and before every race, in addition to the other competitions scheduled on Superbike World Championship days, such as the Supersport World Championship, FIM Superstock 1000 Cup and Superstock 600 European Championship.
The spotlights are also trained on the Giulietta, which the public can admire with its refined Collezione pack and exclusive “Sportiva” trim level, inspired by the legendary Quadrifoglio Verde that has always been the symbol of technical excellence of Alfa Romeo creations. These are two important product innovations that will contribute to consolidating the outstanding sales performance the Alfa Romeo Giulietta has reached up to now: over 165,000 units have been ordered around the world since its launch in mid-2010 until today.
Lastly, brochures and certain dedicated publications at the stand will be introducing visitors to the products of FGA Capital, a joint venture of Fiat Group Automobiles and Crédit Agricole specialised in the automotive segment. The finance company is operative in all the major European markets, and in France with FC Finance, with a sole mission: supporting the sales of all Fiat Group Automobiles brand vehicles by offering innovative financial products with high added value services targeted to the dealership network, private customers and companies.”
Alfa Romeo and the “SBK Superbike World Championship”
Alfa Romeo and the “Eni FIM SBK Superbike World Championship” are crossing the finish line of the sixth year in a row of partnership during the current season. The brand has Top Sponsor and Official Safety Car of the motorcycling championship since 2007, sharing the same values of sportsmanship, technology and safety at the highest levels.
It is a key, high-visibility partnership. The “Eni FIM 2012 SBK Superbike World Championship” is broadcast by 104 TV stations for a total of nearly 4000 hours on air throughout the racing season, in addition to a growing public both at the track (over 1 million participants) and at home (more than 2 billion viewers in 180 countries around the world in 2011).
The Official Safety Car baton passed to the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde in the current 2012 edition of the “Eni FIM SBK Superbike World Championship”. The model is a concentrate of sportiness, efficiency and safety, a car able to fit into the best Alfa Romeo tradition by accepting its history in terms of dynamic performance, without making compromises when it comes to efficiency and everyday convenience.
MiTo SBK, also in numbered limited edition
Alfa Romeo is presenting two world previews in Paris: the MiTo SBK Limited Edition 1.4 170 HP QV and the MiTo Superbike Special Series. They both celebrate the most prestigious and hardest fought championship, Superbike, the motorcycling event that Alfa Romeo has participated in since 2007. More than all the rest, Alfa Romeo is the brand able to convey the spirit experienced inside the tracks.
SBK Limited Edition 1.4 170 HP QV Special Series in 200 units
Rising up out of the base of the sportiest version of the model – the “Quadrifoglio Verde”, the legendary symbol that has distinguished some of the most “aggressive” Alfa Romeo products – the new MiTo SBK Limited Edition sets itself apart with a few new elements that emphasise its impression of a car with a “vice-like grip on the ground”: from its side skirts to its rear dam, in addition to its 18″ titanium alloy rims from beyond which the red of the Brembo brake calipers is evident.
Offered with the sporty aluminium pedal unit, Cruise Control, dual zone climate control system and Blue&Me system, the powerful MiTo SBK Limited Edition can “wear” two body colours (black and Alfa red) that can be matched with three roof shades: black, Alfa red and the new Cristallo white. The same sporty imprint has been given to the interior, enhanced by the Sabelt seats with a wraparound carbon fibre backrest made with the innovative RTM (Resin Transfer Moulding) technology that teams great mechanical resistance with smaller dimensions and lightness. The central Alcantara® fabric is distinguished by the Alfa Romeo logo, reproduced in an absolutely original way. It is all embellished with new red stitching that exalts the craftsmanship of the product on the leather trim of the gear lever knob and steering wheel, the latter complete with radio controls. Lastly, the central panel of the dashboard is made truly unique by the SBK Limited Edition plate with progressive numbering from 1 to 200.
The exclusive MiTo SBK Limited Edition version is fitted with the most powerful engine in the range, also awarded by an international jury as the “best new engine of the year 2010”, the 1.4 Turbo MultiAir 170 HP. Alfa Romeo has chosen to equip it with some cutting-edge solutions to bring out the qualities of the model listed above: road holding, agility, active safety and driving feeling are emphasised thanks to an engine which has one of the world’s highest specific power values and a chassis worthy of a higher category. The pièce de résistance of this engine version is its outstanding weight/power ratio, which has always been one of the key factors behind the success of Alfa Romeo cars on the road and the race track. It is at the top of its category with 6.7 kg/HP. At 124 HP/litre, this engine is also one of the world leaders in specific power. This is a point worth dwelling on, because it proves the effectiveness of the philosophy of “downsizing”, aimed at producing high-tech engines to achieve better performance accompanied by drastic reductions in fuel consumption and emissions. Indeed, it is this latter area which provides the most fantastic evidence of the technical level achieved: 4.8 l/100 km and 139 g/km of CO2 (in the extra-urban cycle) are closer to what you would expect from an economy car than a compact sports car that goes from 0 to 100 km/h in just over 7 seconds.
The new MiTo SBK Limited Edition is fitted with the “Alfa Active Suspension” system. The system, through the control of the shock absorbers, reduces oscillation of the car body in all driving conditions, ensuring maximum safety, comfort and driveability. In particular, thanks to the many parameters controlled by the new device, it is possible, for example, to counteract load transfer in acceleration, by stiffening the rear and guaranteeing meteoric acceleration with maximum traction. Using the same principle, it is possible to make the suspensions interact with the braking system and steering to obtain more effective control of the dynamics of the vehicle.
The system is also able to identify the driving and road surface conditions to then choose the most appropriate control mechanisms, in addition to harnessing the reaction speed due to the high calculation capacity and to the specific technology of the shock absorber solenoid valves. The end result is an instantaneous response, with controls applied in real time, to assist the perception and technique of the driver.
In addition to providing high-level technological performance, the new “active suspension system” guarantees outstanding comfort in conditions of everyday use. Thanks to the “Sky Hook” function, the device isolates the passenger compartment, making it completely protected from outside stresses and strains. Thanks to this system, the chassis is therefore able to modulate its performance according to the usage conditions or the driver’s wishes.
SBK Special Series
Available with all the engines in the range – except for the 1.4 70 HP and 1.4 170 HP petrol engine – the new SBK Special Series offers several of the aesthetic features of the Limited Edition version. On the outside, the peculiarities of this version include 16″ titanium alloy rims, chrome-plated spoiler and exhaust, mirror fairings in the shade of titanium, sporty rear bumper, black fog light frame and the new titanium “SBK” logo placed on the rear of the car. The aggressive look of the MiTo SBK Special Series is enhanced by four body colours – black, Alfa red, Tornado blue and Cristallo white – combined with three roof shades: black, Alfa red and the brand-new Cristallo white.
The same racing spirit is found on the inside with the “SBK” logo on front head restraints and the black “carbon look” dashboard. Standard equipment includes manual climate control system, radio with CD/MP3 player and leather steering wheel.
The MiTo SBK Special Series can be customised further with the original SBK kit that includes some of the features of the Limited Edition version: “SBK Limited Edition” sticker, side skirts, rear dam, racing pedal board, red brake calipers and 17” or 18″ titanium-finished alloy rims.
The MiTo SBK Special Series on shown in Paris is powered by a Turbo TwinAir 85 HP engine, an example of the very best motor engineering in terms of technology, performance and eco-friendliness. The two-cylinder “International Engine of the Year 2011” delivers 85 HP at 5500 rpm of top power and a torque of 145 Nm at 2000 rpm.
In detail, the revolutionary Turbo TwinAir engine uses MultiAir technology combined with specific fluid dynamics optimised for maximum fuel efficiency. The adoption of the turbocharger results in excellent performance and, above all, great flexibility and response, with all torque available from 2000 rpm and constant up to 3500 rpm.
The new engine therefore stands out for its excellent performance that translates into response, thrills and fun at the wheel, but where TwinAir technology really takes the lead is in reducing consumption. By using the Start & Stop device and the smart alternator, the MiTo with TwinAir engine has the lowest value of CO2 emissions with petrol engines in its segment: 98 g/km. This means a considerable reduction in fuel consumption and emissions (up to 30% less than an engine with equal performance). In fact, it’s a petrol engine with the fuel consumption and running costs of a diesel engine. It’s the perfect engine for urban driving, with low consumption but capable of great performance and vigour in more challenging situations at the same time.
Finally, it is well worth mentioning that only on Alfa Romeo MiTo does this innovative engine continuously interact with the Alfa DNA dynamic selector allowing to select which of the two personalities of the engine to enhance. With a simple flip of the switch, the driver can select more performance (Dynamic) or more cost-effective running (Natural). Depending on the position selected, the calibration of the engine control unit varies, with a 35 Nm reduction in torque (from 145 in Dynamic mode to 110 Nm in Natural mode).
The new Sportiva version and the Collezione pack now complement the Giulietta range
Alfa Romeo Giulietta is introducing two major innovations to keep playing a primary role: the refined Collezione pack and the exclusive “Sportiva” trim level inspired by the legendary Quadrifoglio Verde which has always symbolised the pre-eminence of Alfa Romeo creatures.
Available on Progression, Distinctive and Exclusive trim levels, the Collezione pack includes shiny chrome door mirror fairings and door handles, 17” alloy rims with a new pattern and dark grey finish, headlights with dark trim and new two-tone black and tobacco leather seats with contrasting stitching.
The second innovation for Giulietta is the Sportiva outfit with petrol and diesel engines both for manual and automatic transmission dedicated to customers who want a car with exciting performance, top-level technological equipment and great looks.
Giulietta Sportiva may be equipped with 1.4 120 HP turbo petrol, 1.4 MultiAir 170 HP turbo petrol – and also with Alfa TCT double clutch automatic transmission – and the 1.6 JTDM 105 HP, 2.0 JTDM 140 HP and 2.0 JTDM 170 HP turbo diesel engines, the latter also with Alfa TCT.
The new trim level, identified by a special external badge, has a sporty low ride, 18″ alloy rims and 225/40 tyres, side skirts and oversized Brembo brakes with red calipers. Compared to a traditional system, it ensures better brake efficiency, shorter braking distances and prompter brake response in addition to a more comfortable ride and optimal suspension efficiency. Headlights with dark trim, satin door mirror fairings and tinted windows complete the exterior style of the new Giulietta Sportiva.
Features of the dark sporty interiors include aluminium racing pedal board, leather and micro-fibre racing upholstery with red stitching (Distinctive) or red or black leather with red stitching (Exclusive), aluminium kick plate with Quadrifoglio Verde logo, leather steering wheel with matte black trim and red stitching and a burnished brushed aluminium insert on the dashboard.
With the introduction of the Sportiva trim levels and Collezione pack, Giulietta aims at consolidating its excellent commercial results. During the first six months of 2012 Giulietta gained a 2.6% share of its segment in Europe and 16.6% in Italy, where it was the best selling compact saloon in its segment for several months. In absolute terms, over 165,000 units of the model have been ordered worldwide since Giulietta was launched in the middle of 2010.
All the strengths of Giulietta
Customers are not alone in appreciating Giulietta. In fact, the car has been accumulating numerous international accolades and awards ever since its launch. Its considerable success hinges on simple considerations: Giulietta kept the promises that she made at launch, about superlative handling and driving pleasure, outstanding quality and limited running costs, excellent space and comfort and category-leading active and passive safety.
Driving pleasure
Giulietta has assumed a place in the tradition of the best Alfa Romeo models, drawing on its heritage of dynamic performance, without compromising on efficiency and convenience in everyday use. The secret behind this performance is drawn from continuous technological research, which finds its utmost expression in the Giulietta. This is demonstrated by the “Compact” architecture – created with high-resistance materials which allowed the weight of the structure to be limited – Dual Pinion active steering, the sophisticated suspension configurations, the Alfa DNA dynamic driving selector and the multi-award-winning MultiJet and MultiAir engines. These are the innovations which spelt success of the project, together with the Alfa TCT transmission, which completes the extraordinary technological make-up of the car.
Safety as a strength
For those who think that safety detracts from performance, the Giulietta turns the tables, taking its place as one of the safest cars in its category. In addition to the undisputed dynamic features of Giulietta all versions fit plenty of standard equipment, such as six airbags, ESP, three-point seat belts with double pretensioner, anti-whiplash system and third loading line for excellent passenger compartment protection. These are followed – again as standard – by certain systems which are unique in this category, such as Alfa DNA with electronic Q2, the system which allows torque to be transferred to the outer wheel when cornering, to prevent understeer at the front, with benefits for the car in terms of traction, safety and driveability. And there’s more: DST, which prompts the driver to correct their driving in the event of an emergency, through impulses at the wheel. Finally the Pre-fill system guarantees maximum promptness during emergency braking. All these features translate into an extremely high active and passive safety level. The car earned five stars in crash tests according to the strictest parameters introduced by Euro NCAP since it was first introduced, scoring 97% for adult passenger protection. Giulietta is still today the benchmark in the compact sector for safety.
Space and comfort
Giulietta achieves an excellent standard of comfort, on the firm foundation of a build quality which is impressive on every level. For example, the superior driving comfort is due to the longitudinal and vertical filtering capacity of the suspension.
The same applies to the passenger compartment sound insulation, with side windows which are thicker by 25% and double seals at the doors. In tests, it proved the best among its direct competitors, both in terms of articulation index and in the 50 km/h on paving test.
As far as interiors are concerned, Giulietta combines the appearance of a true sports car with great everyday practicality. Comfort is a strong point: the high quality of the materials used for the dashboard and the ergonomics of the interior space in general contribute to a great on-board experience. There hasn’t been any compromise on load capacity either, thanks to a luggage compartment with a very regular shape which can be exploited to the full, with a width of 1023 mm between the wheel arches and a maximum capacity of 350 litres. These are the elements which underpin a far-reaching success, encompassing a broad customer base, including families.
Lastly, the dynamic feeling that the car offers at the wheel has no parallel: in the roll test, like a true Alfa Romeo, the Giulietta demonstrates the lowest gradient value among all its direct competitors.
The best indices for reliability, residual value and customer satisfaction
Some important indices confirm the build quality of Giulietta, placing it at the top of segment. Take servicing, for a start: compared to the competition, Giulietta is the car which requires the least servicing in its first 3 years or at 90,000 km. All this demonstrates the efficiency and low running costs which led to the success of the car not only among individuals but also in fleets, where the Giulietta is Italy’s best-selling car and is making its way into the corporate policies of Europe’s biggest companies.
Another indication of the Giulietta’s superior quality is the maintenance of its value over time: according to independent third parties such as Eurotax, it can boast the best prices for a car in its segment on the used car market. Market values after twelve months are 68.5% in Italy, 77.5% in the UK and 66.9% in Spain. But Giulietta also wins out among the compacts in terms of residual value in all other markets.
A further confirmation of Giulietta’s build qualities is found in customer satisfaction: 98% say that they are satisfied and almost all (90%) recommend the car, 15 points above the market average for models at launch. The analysis offered by the customers demonstrates that characteristics such as handling, comfort and efficiency are those that give most satisfaction, and satisfaction grows as the mileage increases.
Efficiency: the optimal relationship of performance to consumption-emissions
The excellent performance/consumption ratio confirms the Giulietta’s exceptional efficiency, a value which is further increased thanks to the introduction of the Alfa TCT. With the new automatic transmission, the car achieves excellent values for the segment, improving on the already impressive standard set by the manual gearbox: on both engine versions – 1.4 TB MultiAir 170 HP and 2.0 JTDM 170 HP – which allow TCT, the jump from 0 to 100 is improved and, at the same time, there is a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions of CO2.
With regards to the power/emissions ratio, Giulietta is best in the petrol engines class. That’s not just in relation to engines with the same power, but even in relation to versions with lower power. More in detail, Giulietta1.4 TB MultiAir 170 HP TCT has a top speed is 218 km/h with just 7.7 seconds needed to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h. Even if with this excellent performance, the fuel consumption and emissions are extremely low: 5.2 l/100 km over a combined cycle and 121 g/km of CO2, values that make the Giulietta the most environmentally-friendly and efficient petrol-powered compact on the market, even when compared with manual gearbox versions of competitors with distinctly lower power ratings and performance.
Even when fitted with the 2.0 JTDM 170 HP diesel engine, the values are at the top of its category. In fact, compared to the same manual gearbox version, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h changes from 8.0 seconds to 7.9 seconds, fuel consumption (combined cycle) drops from 4.7 l/100 km to 4.5 l/100 km, while CO2 emissions reach a level equal to 119 g/km (124 g/km with the manual gearbox). The low running costs of this car, combined with limited consumption, also make it an ideal choice for corporate fleets.
Heir to a great tradition, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta TCT blends the best in driving feeling and performance with a car which is comfortable and cutting-edge across the board. The innovative Alfa TCT twin clutch transmission completes the car’s comprehensive technological offer and will allow it to increase coverage of the compact segment in Europe by approximately 10%. Additionally, the new version will also be able to compete in markets which are dominated by automatic transmissions, such as Japan and Australia. And the initial data confirms the appreciation of the public: from the start of ordering to date, the demand for Alfa TCT automatic transmissions on the car is 15% of the total, thus already above the European average, promising great sales success for the future.
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