Aston Martin One-77: Live High-Res Gallery from Concorso d'Eleganza

The first complete version of Aston Martin's strikingly gorgeous One-77 supercar made its world premiere at this weekend's Concorso d'Eleganza on the shores of Lake Como, Italy, where it won the 'Design Award for Concept Cars and Prototypes. Aston Martin had previously shown a rolling chassis of the supercar in Geneva, but this was the first time we saw the final version that came complete with an interior and running gear.

Embodying everything Aston Martin stands for; the One-77 has proven itself as the most desirable automotive art form at its premiere today. We have achieved a new level of design and craftsmanship which has been clearly recognised by the public here in the homeland of design at Villa d'Este," said Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez.

The hand-made One-77 that will be produced in a limited run of 77 units (hence the name) is Aston Martin's proposal in the cream of supercars competing with the likes of the Bugatti Veyron and Ferrari Enzo.
Even though the supercar's exterior design is clearly influenced by the firm's latest crop, the One-77 somehow manages to have its own distinct character. Same goes for the interior which features a two-tone theme and is slathered in leather and carbon fiber.

Set to be priced around US$1.45 million or €1.1 million, the One-77 is powered by an evolution of the 6.0-litre V12 engines fitted to the DBS, DB9 and new V12 Vantage models that produces more than 700 horsepower which is transmitted to the road through the rear wheels via a new six-speed robotized gearbox with paddles shifters on the steering wheel.
With a projected weight of around 1,500kg or 3,300 lbs, the One-77 is said to have a top speed in excess of 200mph or 320km/h, with a 0-60mph (96km/h) time in approximately 3.5 seconds.

2010 Alfa Romeo 149 Rendering

In 2009, Alfa Romeo will replace the aging 147 sport hatchback with an all-new model that will share the same platform with the Lancia Delta and Fiat Bravo. Above is a rendering made by the guys over at Progetto940 who were apparently inspired from the 8c Competizione and its “mini-me” version, the MiTo. We also see some Seat Leon at the car’s rear-end, but overall, the artist’s impression of the 149 has a certain appeal. Questiuon is, will the actual 149 look like anywhere close to the rendering? Well, your guess is as good as ours.

2010 Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA teaser image released

Alfa Romeo has finally released a teaser image showing the front view of the hot MiTo GTA. MiTo GTA styling is inspired by the 8C Competizione.
Compared to the standard MiTo engineers have upgraded the engine to a turbocharged 1.8-liter that develops 240 horsepower. Other upgrades include a revised front, bigger wheel arches and bigger wheels.
So far we have no official details, but we expect that also brakes and suspension are upgraded for better handling. Changes are also expected to the interior. GTA will weigh less than the stock MiTo thanks to lightweight body panels made of carbon fiber.
MiTo GTA should be an excellent alternative to Mini’s John Cooper Works. MiTo GTA will debut next month at the Geneva Motor Show. Stay tuned for more!

2010 Alfa Romeo MiTo

2008 Geneva Motor Show: 2010 Alfa Romeo MiTo.
A striking black and silver version of Land Rover's acclaimed LRX cross-coupe concept makes its global debut at the 78e Salon International de l'Automobile, alongside the original white LRX revealed earlier to widespread acclaim (at NAIAS, Detroit, in January).

2010 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Buying Advice

2010 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Buying Advice
In a convenience of corporate marriage, the 8Cs and future Alfas will be retailed and serviced in the U.S. through Maserati dealers. There aren't many of those, which might be an issue if you live far from one and Alfa reliability proves no better than in the old days. As for your chances of landing an 8C at this point, they're not good for either the coupe or Spider. However, scouring the Internet may well turn up--what else?--a few "flips" listed by greedy speculators at prices way above what Alfa is asking. Otherwise, Alfa-deprived Americans will have wait for the more-affordable 159, Brera, and (non-8C) Spider.
2010 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Release Date: As Alfa has announced, the Spider goes on sale in spring 2009, which likely means U.S. availability that summer or fall.
2010 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider First Test Drive: We'd expect a worldwide press launch late this year, probably in some sunny and warm Mediterranean locale. Plans for a separate U.S.-media preview are unclear.
2010 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Prices: Alfa has yet to announce pricing--and may not until just before on-sale time--but sources expect the 8C Spider to start at 200,000 euros in its native Italy. At the euro's current exchange of $1.47, that would mean at least $294,000 in U.S. trim

2010 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Details

In other respects, the 2010 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider mirrors the companion Competizione (which, despite the name, is not intended for racing). That means lightweight carbon-fiber body panels, a shortened version of Maserati's new Granturismo 2+2 coupe unibody, and a 4.7-liter V8 originated by Ferrari, another member of the Fiat Auto family. (Incidentally, 8C is a historic Alfa designation for otto cylindri--eight cylinders.) The only transmission is a rear-mounted six-speed automated manual with steering-wheel paddle shifters. Also reprised for the 2010 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider are a four-wheel independent suspension with classic double-wishbone geometry, large four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, standard stability/traction control, limited-slip differential, hydraulic-assist rack-and-pinion steering, and 20-inch alloy wheels wearing Y-rated 245/35 tires in front and 285/35s in back. The coupe's front/rear weight distribution is 49/51 percent, near ideal for a sporty grand touring car. The Spider may end up a touch more tail-heavy, but perhaps not enough to notice on the road.
Cars with the Quadrifoglio (four-leaf clover) badge are expected to be very sporty drives, so the 2010 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider must be too. And that should be no problem, judging by initial reviews of the Competizione coupe. Road & Track magazine, for example, reports 0-60 mph at just 4.2 seconds, racecar-like cornering grip of 1.02g, "phenomenal" braking performance, and pleasantly neutral responses in fast direction changes. R&T also applauds the coupe's roomy-enough cockpit with its "first-rate" fit and finish and elegant trimmings of real carbon fiber, aluminum, and leather. Luggage space, however, is nearly non-existent, and the convertible should have even less--if that's possible.
No matter. Coupe or Spider, the 8C is not meant to be practical. It is, first and foremost, a rewarding "driver's car" in the Alfa tradition, as well as a comfortable and fast long-distance tourer. And that's all it needs to be for the well-heeled gearheads who are drawn to cars like this.
More importantly, the 2010 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider is more glamorous trumpeting for Alfa's return to the U.S. market in model-year 2011. This reportedly involves three models priced much lower than the 8Cs: the 159 sports sedan, the Brera 2+2 coupe, and a new version of the company's mainstream two-seat Spider (think Dustin Hoffman in "The Graduate").
With all this, Alfa Romeo's prospects are brighter than they've been in many years, and the small but loyal band of U.S. Alfisti must be well nigh ecstatic. Too bad the 8Cs are so few in number and gone so soon, but that door must close for the next one to open.
A Notable Feature of the 2010 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider
Like the Competizione coupe, the 8C Spider replaces a mechanical shift lever with console-mounted electronic pushbutton controls. There's no mechanical handbrake either, just another "by-wire" switch of the type increasingly common on high-end vehicles. More unusual, perhaps, are the several pricey options that cost little or nothing on most lesser cars, things like an iPod connection and a first-aid kit. Alfa evidently still has a few things to learn about the U.S. market.

2010 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Review and Prices

Consumer Guide's Impressions of the 2010 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider
It's been expected, but the Spider convertible version of Alfa Romeo's rare and rapid 8C coupe has car lovers drooling anew. And again, there won't be nearly enough to go around.
What We Know About the 2010 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider
Call this a case of one door opening as another closes. Alfa Romeo's 8C Competizione coupe started production last September on a 500-unit run that's expected to finish in early 2009. Soon after that, the Italian sports car maker says it will start selling a long-rumored convertible version, the 8C Spider, which previewed last summer as a "concept"--with a big wink and a nudge--at the tony Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance classic-car fest in Monterey, California. Like the coupe, the 2010 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider will be limited to 500 copies, with the U.S. again likely to receive about 100. The open-air 8C debuts this March at the annual Geneva Auto Salon in Switzerland.