Italian sports cars

Remember me? Alfa Romeo set for U.S. return

Chrysler has awarded 86 Alfa Romeo franchises in the United States and Canada ahead of the Italian brand’s limited return of the Alfa Romeo 4C coupe later this year. The franchises are in 33 states, primarily in California, Texas and Florida, according to the automaker. Seventy-nine of the initial 82 franchises in the United States were given to existing Fiat dealers. The initial supply of Alfa Romeos will be limited. Only 1,500 Alfa Romeo 4Cs will be distributed in North America annually. A mid-sized Alfa Romeo sedan, based on the brand’s new Georgio architecture, is expected to debut in Europe in late 2015. But it won’t arrive in the United States until at least 2016. The two-seater already is available

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2012 Fiat 500 and 500 convertible Gucci editions to be available by December 2011

Fiat announced it will be launching 2012 Gucci editions of the Fiat 500 and the 500 convertible toward the end of this year. The Gucci editions have colorful interiors and the will come with Gucci collections featuring track suits, sunglasses, a watch and other travel accessories. The cars will be officially launched at the New York Fashion week on September 8th. The new Fiat cars will be made available in North America by December 2011. The 2012 Fiat 500 will feature a 101-horsepower, 1.4-liter FIAT MultiAir engine with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmissions. The car will have 16-inch alloy wheels with sports tuned suspension. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has

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Fiat 500, 2012 car review

The new 2012 Fiat 500 is cute, fun to drive and fuel thrifty. Many young drivers interested in the 500 may never have heard of Fiat’s reputation for selling troublesome cars here decades ago. But then, Italy’s Fiat wasn’t the only troublesome foreign car, and it’s a whole new auto world now. The 500 is built with modern equipment that didn’t exist in Fiat’s spotty old days. when some joked “Fiat” stood for “Fix it again, Tony.” The 500 is hardly unproven. Chrysler-controlled Fiat says more than 500,000 Fiat 500s have been sold in 80 countries since 2007. The 500 resembles Italy’s revered Cinquecento (500 in Italian), which arrived about a half century ago. Almost four million Cinquecentos were made

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Rodeo Drive Concours honors Italy and its legendary cars

The Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance will celebrate “The Art of Italian Motoring” on June 19, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. The annual event will take place as the country of Italy marks the 150th anniversary of its unification. In celebration, Rodeo Drive will pay tribute to some of the most famous names in Italian design and lifestyle. “The annual Father’s Day event will highlight a WORLD CLASS combination of automobiles, motorcycles and designers featuring Italian makes and models,” said Bruce Meyer, event chairman. “We hope to curate the best selection of Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Fiat, Lamborghini, Lancia and Maseratis from Southern California and the Western United States for this year’s tribute to Italy.” Legendary Italian motorcycles are also invited to

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