New Alfa to be based 1-series chassis.

[ulrichd]

Just found this over on Autoblog.

"...while the BMW 1 Series' architecture could put Alfa back on the rear-drive performance map.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/28/f...-with-bmw-too/

[tommy]

Hmm - a 1 series platform with a nicer Alfa interior would be a great combo.

[ZIPNBYE]

To heck with the interior...if they could make it look like the Alfa 8C...pure sex on wheels.

[Breville]

Freekin great combo. BMW engineering and Alfa design. Perfect company.

[Deda]

that is goiong to be an interesting product.

[fijigabe0]

and it will be sold as a Chrysler in the US!!!

[Severious]

Well, That would be interesting.... an Alfa that still had all the features working after a year....Insanity!

[NYSPEM3]

Am I the only one thinking the MiTo is fugly?

[Hula-Hula]

Originally Posted by NYSPEM3

Am I the only one thinking the MiTo is fugly?

I like it, I saw it live at n?rburgring last summer and it was freakin hot. The italians sure know how to make a red look red!

Wow alfa and BMW sounds like an amazing combo, if it will be cheaper with similliar driving pleasure as the 1-series I think we have a winner!
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Coach Handbags
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condominiums sale Pattaya

[135i_TT]

Wait its gona be sold as a chrysler but is a combination of BMW and Alfa??? That doesnt make sense and if chrysler is selling it I wouldnt even think about looking at it... ive heard and seen all the trouble and prblms chrysler/dodge has and they dont last and theyre just a mess.... id be realllllllllllllllly disapointed if bmw or alfa combined with chrysler/dodge.. thats my opinion... and from responses ive seen from some people here they hate the 135i so they probably wont like the idea of the combo or anything...

[atr_hugo]

Originally Posted by 135i_TT

Wait its gona be sold as a chrysler but is a combination of BMW and Alfa??? That doesnt make sense and if chrysler is selling it I wouldnt even think about looking at it...

OK - here's the skinny, Fiat is purchasing 35% of Chrysler from Cerberus (stock transaction). Fiat is the umbrella company for Alfa (not to mention one of my all time favorite manufacturers, Lancia).

Fiat has been trying to find a way back to the US market for both Fiat and Alfa branded cars. Now that they control a good chunk of Chrysler they have access to a distribution and service network.

The Alfas and Fiats that'll be sold in the US will probably be built in existing Fiat facilities for the foreseeable future. Some Fiats may eventually be built in Chrysler plants.

I got a buddy that's owns a Chrysler store and next I run into him, I'll ask how he sees the Fiat move. (His is a Chrysler only store, he had a Dodge/Jeep store for a bit but never consolidated them - somebody made him an offer $$$$$ so they could sell Jeeps ; -).

[atr_hugo]

Originally Posted by Pirate

I believe Daimler still owns about 20% of Chrysler?

Not because they want to.

[Robert]

Now with the bmw chasis I hope they don't mess up the steering and suspension. The 8c is absolutely gorgeous and I love to pieces but TG's reviews were not flattering at all. It's an eye candy.

[ihavedrivenanm1]

And thus begins the downfall of BMW [if this "rumor" is true].

In the econo world platform and parts sharing may be OK but in the performance/luxury world it has always spelled disaster.

Ford and Jaguar, Mercedes and Chrysler, etc.

Just think how it makes a Jag owner who just spent $60K-$70K on his XJ8 feel to know that the $30K Lincoln in the next lane has the same engine, platform, and switch gear.

Or how the Mercedes E-Class owner feels about the Chrysler in front of him having the same platform and despite them being very nice cars Audi has always been an also-ran to it’s German brethren because of its Volkswagen underpinnings.

Even Fiat realized that the Ferrari marquee was being harmed just by supplying engines to Maserati but at least they stopped before the damage was done.

Sure, BMW has/does own/owned other marquees - Bentley, Range Rover, Mini, etc. But they just owned those brands. They didn't supply parts or platforms. The production of BMWs and those other cars was completely separate [save for Rolls Royce once using the engine block from the 750 for the Phantom].

Nope, nothing good will come of this for BMW lovers. It may help the owner’s bottom line but not the people who love, buy, and drive their cars.

Oh well...

[Barbera335]

Originally Posted by ihavedrivenanm1

And thus begins the downfall of BMW [if this "rumor" is true].

In the econo world platform and parts sharing may be OK but in the performance/luxury world it has always spelled disaster.

Ford and Jaguar, Mercedes and Chrysler, etc.

Just think how it makes a Jag owner who just spent $60K-$70K on his XJ8 feel to know that the $30K Lincoln in the next lane has the same engine, platform, and switch gear.

Or how the Mercedes E-Class owner feels about the Chrysler in front of him having the same platform and despite them being very nice cars Audi has always been an also-ran to it’s German brethren because of its Volkswagen underpinnings.

Even Fiat realized that the Ferrari marquee was being harmed just by supplying engines to Maserati but at least they stopped before the damage was done.

Sure, BMW has/does own/owned other marquees - Bentley, Range Rover, Mini, etc. But they just owned those brands. They didn't supply parts or platforms. The production of BMWs and those other cars was completely separate [save for Rolls Royce once using the engine block from the 750 for the Phantom].

Nope, nothing good will come of this for BMW lovers. It may help the owner’s bottom line but not the people who love, buy, and drive their cars.

Oh well...

There is alot of wrong information here, Go look at an 02 or 03 Range Rover. It shares very much with an E53. Everything from body electronics to the Navigation system, switchgear, etc. It uses the same M62TU engine and 5 speed automatic trans. Even the climate control microfilter is the same part. The same goes for Mini, the first generation used the same body electronics as an E46 and the current Mini uses E90 body electronics right down to the CCC system. As for Rolls Royce, it rolls on a modified E66 platform using a worked over N63 and ZF 6 speed from the 760. There is absolutely nothing wrong with platform sharing and electronics sharing as long as it is done right. It is only logical and a great cost saving measure. All manufactures do it and your naive to believe otherwise.

[ptack]

The article (which is speculative) says that Alfa is looking at the 1 OR the Mini. It will probably depend on how eager BMW is to make a deal. In the end, it's not likely to produce a product for the US market for a couple years and if it's carrying the Alfa badge it's not going to be large numbers either.

[PPower]

I would love to see a 1 series hatch w/ Alfa Romeo design. Absolutely awesome. Especially if BMW won't bring a hatch to the US, let Alfa do it. That would make for a great differentiation.

Fiat really needs to use RWD platforms for the Alfa and Lancia lines, but they have been just using their own Fiat and GM fwd platforms for how long now? This would be an excellent companion to the 8C with their new US debut. I just feel like if Alfa comes with a FWD lineup, they'll end up very low on the luxury totem pole one notch above Saab.

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by ihavedrivenanm1

And thus begins the downfall of BMW [if this "rumor" is true].

In the econo world platform and parts sharing may be OK but in the performance/luxury world it has always spelled disaster.

Ford and Jaguar, Mercedes and Chrysler, etc.

Just think how it makes a Jag owner who just spent $60K-$70K on his XJ8 feel to know that the $30K Lincoln in the next lane has the same engine, platform, and switch gear.

Or how the Mercedes E-Class owner feels about the Chrysler in front of him having the same platform and despite them being very nice cars Audi has always been an also-ran to it’s German brethren because of its Volkswagen underpinnings.

Even Fiat realized that the Ferrari marquee was being harmed just by supplying engines to Maserati but at least they stopped before the damage was done.

Sure, BMW has/does own/owned other marquees - Bentley, Range Rover, Mini, etc. But they just owned those brands. They didn't supply parts or platforms. The production of BMWs and those other cars was completely separate [save for Rolls Royce once using the engine block from the 750 for the Phantom].

Nope, nothing good will come of this for BMW lovers. It may help the owner’s bottom line but not the people who love, buy, and drive their cars.

Oh well...

I highly doubt jag and merc owners are aware of what other models are using the same transmission or engine. In this day it is impossible to make money selling cars w/o sharing parts between models.

[ages944]

Originally Posted by ulrichd

Just found this over on Autoblog.

"...while the BMW 1 Series' architecture could put Alfa back on the rear-drive performance map.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/28/f...-with-bmw-too/

maybe it would be friggin cheaper than the 1er too. Italian looks with German brawn would make for a great combo.