VW to buy Alfa Romeo?

[AR116]

Instead of harping on ancient history have a look at  "Wheels Car of the year 2009" Volkswagen Golf

Sorry I don't read Wheels or any other car magazine. BTW 2009 is ancient history for me anway, I'm looking to 2011. I don't think i was harping on about ancient history because i believe a good car is determined by how well it stands the test of time. This is why cars like the giulia's, gtv's, 156 and other alfas still look great and drive great despite being part of ancient history. I'd like to see your golf in 10 years to see if it stands the test of time.

[Sheldon McIntosh]

dont own and then have the embarrassment to expalin to my MD why the car keeps breaking down all the time!!

Why would MD care about your 147 breaking down, he only cares about Transaxles. 

[MD]

Ah you'd be wrong there Sheldon. Transaxles are immediately after 38 double "D" cups..

[AR116]

Paul, aren't they turbo and supercharged

Sheldon, your right as usual, I meant to write  Twin Charged, not Twin Turbo.

Very clever engine. It won Innovation Award & Best new engine in the international engine of the year awards in 2007.

Paul,

Thats ancient history technology. I do recall an italian manufacturer by the name of lancia using this technology way back in 1985 and 1986 to great success so you are about 25 years behind. They should give that award to lancia and charge VW with stealing the idea.

[MD]

Sequential charging I think is much older than that as it was around during the second world(if not before) war and used in aircraft. To be fair, I think it was only supercharging as turbo technologies came later but the idea was certainly there.

[Sheldon McIntosh]

Also a little unfair to compare Group B rally technology with road technology.  (I assume you're talking about the Delta S4?)  The Group B engines were probably built to last about 1000km.

[Paul Gulliver]

Gee, i never thought i would find my self defending German cars on an Alfa Forum but here goes.

I'd like to see your golf in 10 years to see if it stands the test of time.

Like or dislike German styling i think even the dullest observer would be able to recognize a 10 year old Golf. Kind of like a Porsche 911 The styling elements are seminal and timeless.

Thats ancient history technology. I do recall an italian manufacturer by the name of lancia using this technology way back in 1985 and 1986 to great success so you are about 25 years behind. They should give that award to lancia and charge VW with stealing the idea.  

Nissan in their 350Z also employed this technology long before the VW Golf . If you take the time to read the post I was just making a statement of fact that it won Innovation Award & Best new engine in the international engine of the year awards in 2007

[Sheldon McIntosh]

*Psst Paul - Nissan used it in their Micra in the late 80s, not sure they used it in the 350Z, but I have been wrong before.  Once.  Quickly edit your post, no-one will notice.*

[Paul Gulliver]

Sheldon . I might of got a little ahead of myself on that last post. You could get a twin charged 350Z in America as an aftermarket option. But not from the factory

[wankski]

Sequential charging I think is much older than that as it was around during the second world(if not before) war and used in aircraft. To be fair, I think it was only supercharging as turbo technologies came later but the idea was certainly there.

yep, 2 stage superchargers, execution different, but idea the same... they used a '2 gear' gearbox to change the rpm of the supercharger to be more effective at higher altitudes, probably around in number from 1940 on...

[lombardi]

I LOVE alfa romeo for theyre uniqueness,but unfortunately in the last few years they have lost that special alfissima,just look at the mito and the new giulietta,might sound bitter but god they are looking very giapponese at this time,only thing really is the badge,jeez the new giulietta looks like a subaru,saw it in rome alongside a sub,i could hardly distinguish them.hresay look at the 70s 80s and the individuality of say the alfetta,gtvs suds and so on,this vehicles where without question alfissima,so i am not surprised that with globalisation news like this will be more common-i reiterate,hang on to those classic alfas of the past as i am afraid the good days are finished and the world becomes oneand individuality is tossed aside for greater profits and multinationalism and personally if its vw or hyundai it does not really matter,they are all a level below the alfissima brand.

[MD]

There are some basics that we haven't yet addressed.

When companies buy out another one or simply buy out certain lines from competitors and rebadge it as their own there is a predictable consequence. The new product gets pigeon holed to a certain strata within the overall product range because to do anything special with it may impact upon stuff they already have in the existing range and so two poducts would be competing against each other in the same company.

What that means  in the VW context is that Alfa would most likely be allocated a market slot in the range and that would be that as opposed to be able to do their own free wheeling like they always have (before Fiat). Now is that the sort pf pigeon hole car ownership us Alfa devotees that have stuck with the brand with a passion second to none for decades going to take that crap? Hell no. We want innovation, individuallity and that unmistakable Alfa something. Build quality we have learned to live with and tolerate otherwise we wouldn't keep coming back for another one .

We can walk with our wallets just like anyone else if we have to.

[JOHN G]

Fiat CEO Says Won't Sell Alfa Romeo Brand, No Talks With VW


RIMINI, Italy (MF-Dow Jones)--Fiat SpA (F.MI) Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne said Thursday that he won't sell the Italian carmaker's sporty Alfa Romeo brand.

"There are no talks" with Volkswagen AG (VOW.XE), Marchionne said, speaking to journalists after giving a speech to a Catholic youth rally at this eastern Italian beach town.

German newspapers reported earlier this month that Volkswagen was interested in buying Alfa Romeo.

-By Francesca Chiarano,

No need to worry Mikey!
Now if we can just get the bastards to build another lightweight transaxle along the lines of the Il Monstro ES 30 SZ.
John

[Sheldon McIntosh]

Now if we can just get the bastards to build another lightweight transaxle along the lines of the Il Monstro ES 30 SZ.

We can but dream I suppose.  BTW, another one came into the country a couple of months ago, heading for Tassie I believe.

The only thing that worries me about Marchionne's words is that they're a little too similar to the old "The coach has the full backing of the board.."  two days before he's sacked.

[branko.gt]

....
Now if we can just get the bastards to build another lightweight transaxle along the lines of the Il Monstro ES 30 SZ.
John

Lightweight ? At 1260kg it is not the heaviest of cars but not that lightweight. By comparison, it is heavier than 3l 75 (1210kg)
the composite panels used on "il mostro" are actually heavier than comparable steel panels would be. It is a great car for may reasons but lightweight it is not.


on the subject of Fiat vs. VW, i do not trust Fiat to manage AR into anything other then mediocrity like they have done with Lancia. Fiat actually has no idea what to do with Alfa and have openly expressed the intention to get rid of the baggage of history and "backward looking" alfisti.