On June 19, 2008, Alfa Romeo officially entered the supermini class with the MiTo. Originally shown as the "Junior" earlier this year, the MiTo is named for its design shop in Milan, and its production shop in Torino. When it hits the US market in 2009, it’s expected to be priced a bit less than the Mini, at around $21,000.
In order to meet Italian legislation regarding new drivers, the entry-level MiTo has a 1.4-liter engine with a top speed of 165 km/h (103 m/h). Luckily, the rest of us can purchase the 1.4-liter turbo which tops out at 215 km/h (135 m/h) or the 1.6-liter JTDM (Fiat’s MultiJet Turbo Diesel) engine which reaches a quite respectable 198 km/h (123 m/h) top speed.
The aerodynamic curviness of this three-door Alfa is accented by the extended wheel wells, tear-drop headlights and LED taillights that leave figments of red trailing behind it at night (or so I imagine). Alfa introduced six new colors with this model, including the one I’m going to order: a midnight black with a micalised red undercoat that gleams through like rubies in the sunlight.
Before you start thinking this isn’t a family car, I have to mention that the back seats are equipped with child safety seat attachments and a third-seat option is available to fit a family of five. There is also a healthy amount of luggage room in the back, which expands if you leave three of your five people at home.
This car also represents the introduction of the "Alfa D.N.A." system (Dynamic, Normal, All-Weather). This allows the driver to select between driving conditions that adjust the engine, brakes, steering, suspension and gearbox. Dynamic mode reduces the power steering assistance and increases the engine response, even engaging in the boost-mode with the turbo or JTDM models. All-Weather mode puts more traction control at your service and makes the vehicle easier to handle in "low grip" (rain, snow, ice) situations.
I could go on about the suspension, the coilover springs that make this car corner like the inside wheels were tacked to the road, the safety features, the ABS system with sensors for each wheel, the "smart" air bag system, 36-50 mpg fuel economy, Bose® sound system, or the automatic dual-zone climate system, but I won’t. Suffice to say that this little beauty is on my short list for 2009. I’ll be first in line for a test-drive!
Lotus Clark Type 25 Elise: Dedicated to Jim Clark
June 10th, 2008 Annie Posted in Cars 2 Comments »
Just two days ago at the Scottish Classic Speed Fair, Lotus publicly unveiled the new Lotus Clark Type 25 Elise SC, made to commemorate Formula One driver Jim Clark, who held 25 Formula One wins before his death in 1968. At just over $70,000, the Clark is a throwback to the early days of Lotus Formula One with the dark green body cut by a yellow racing stripe. Lotus plans to limit production to 25 vehicles (Clark’s racing number), and sales will only be granted in the U.K. and Ireland. In addition, Lotus will make a contribution to the Jim Clark Memorial Fund with each sale.
An excerpt from the Lotus press release reads, “Power comes from a 1.8 litre non-intercooled, supercharged engine and uses intelligent cam switching technology, enabling the engine to switch to the high performance cam anywhere between 4000 and 6200 rpm. This clever feature gives the engine two characters, allowing the car to be driven economically or giving maximum performance for spirited driving.”
SPIRITED driving? You must be kidding. Can you imagine switching to high-performance at 5000 rpm? Given the fact that this car weighs slightly more than my cat, this clever feature may launch the car like a small green and yellow rocket. Wear your helmet, boys and girls.
Ferrari California – See It, Hear It!
May 23rd, 2008 Annie Posted in Cars 3 Comments »
It’s so darn pretty I can’t take my eyes off it. The new Ferrari California is set to debut at the Paris Auto Show in early October. This addition to the Ferrari V8 family has a 7-speed dual clutch transmission and can run from 0-60 in less than 4 seconds. In true California style, it’s boasts Ferrari’s first folding hardtop so you can cruise down 101 with the wind in your hair. If you have hair. If you don’t, no one is going to notice.
Want to know what it sounds like? Go to Ferrari California and listen to four soundclips of the 4300cc direct fuel injection engine sing eight octaves like only a Ferrari can.
Save your pennies and read more at these great links!
