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Alfa Romeo to Return With Power and Style

After a 13-year absence, Alfa Romeo is returning to the United States this summer with a splash with the new 8C Competizione coupe, according to The New York Times.

Alfa withdrew from the American market in 1995 amid slumping sales brought on by a reputation for poor quality. But the brand has had a resurgence in Europe as its parent, Fiat, has infused cash into Alfa for new designs and improved mechanical systems.

Fiat is trying to build up a sports and luxury division featuring Alfa Romeo and Maserati. Fiat plans to sell the 8C through select Maserati dealerships (which are also Ferrari dealerships) in North America.

Fiat is positioning the 8C as a literal blood brother to supercars from Maserati and Ferrari, with which the 8C shares some parts.

At an estimated base price above $200,000, the 8C is easily Alfa’s most expensive model ever. The 450-horsepower V-8 coupe will be produced in limited numbers, and only 90 are expected to be available in the United States this year. Most are already spoken for, the company said. Prospective buyers might instead be wise to inquire about the convertible version due in 2009.

If the strong early demand for the 8C continues, Fiat said it would offer three more Alfa Romeo vehicles — the 159 sporty sedan, Brera 2+2 coupe and Spider two-seater — in the United States by late 2009 or early 2010.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 11:38 AM to Supercars | Permalink | Comments 0

Pittsburgh couple claims privacy invaded by posting of home photo

A Pittsburgh couple is suing Google for invasion of privacy, claiming its popular "Street View" mapping feature has made a photo of their home available to online searchers, according to thesmokinggun.com.

Aaron and Christine Boring accuse Google of an "intentional and/or grossly reckless invasion" of their seclusion and privacy since they live on a street that is "clearly marked with a 'Private Road' sign," according to an April 2 lawsuit the couple filed in Allegheny County's Court of Common Pleas.

According to the Borings, they purchased their Oakridge Lane home in late-2006 for "a considerable sum of money," noting that a "major component of their purchase decision was a desire for privacy."

But when Pittsburgh was added last October to the roster of cities covered by Google's "Street View" feature, the Borings allege, their "private information was made known to the public," causing them "mental suffering" and diminishing the value of their home (which cost the couple $163,000, according to property records).

The Borings are seeking in excess of $25,000 in damages and want a court order directing Google to destroy images of their home.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 11:18 AM to Consumer rights | Permalink | Comments 0

Luxury car sales show the rich are spending less

Suddenly the rich aren't getting richer — and luxury car dealers are joining other high-end retailers in feeling the pinch, according to USA Today.

Adding to a turnabout in once-resilient upscale goods, most luxury car brands saw sales drops last month.

Mercedes-Benz softened 3.7% compared with March last year, Autodata reports. BMW fell 8.7%, and Lexus plummeted 13.6%.

Overall, luxury vehicle sales are off almost 13% this year.

Purveyors of the finer things in life are finding their well-heeled customers are caught in the same economic riptide tugging at the less well-off.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 11:05 AM to Sales | Permalink | Comments 0

Backseat Driver: Seinfeld Fiat mystery solved

Thanks to Lenny Petrone of International Motor Group at 4657 Post Road in Warwick, we now know the identity of the Fiat that comedian Jerry Seinfeld was driving when he crashed about a week ago. It's a 1967 Fiat Dino 2.0 Coupe.

News reports - including an Associated Press story reprinted in The New York Times - had it as a 1967 Fiat BTM, but no such car exists. I'll let Lenny take up the story with his email to me:

"After a lifetime of being around imported cars, working in the field and owning an imported auto repair and sales business for over 27 years in Warwick R.I., I am very familiar with most Fiat's."

"I noticed the T.V. story a couple of days ago involving Jerry Sienfeld with a Fiat that he had just purchased. The pictures shown in the spot were of a 1967 Fiat Dino 2.0 Coupe. This model was not sold in the U.S. at that time but were imported by private individuals or importers."

"The reason this car became desirable was the fact that it was equipped with a 2.0 V-6 Ferrari engine that was also used in the Ferrari Dino a mid engine sports car. Today these cars still hold a high value in good condition."

Thanks Lenny!

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 10:06 AM to commentary | Permalink | Comments 0