Fiat to Introduce Two New Dodge-Based Sedans in China and Russia by 2013

As time goes by, Fiat SpA’s integration with the Chrysler Group LLC deepens and the results become more evident with the two carmakers making several plans for the future. Speaking at Fiat's annual shareholders meeting on March 30, Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed plans to launch two new Dodge-based sedans in China and Russia.

The first sedan will be a compact model built on the next generation Dodge Caliber, which is expected in the USA next January. According to an Autonews report, this model will enter production in China in the second half of 2011, while timing for the Russian launch has not yet been disclosed. The other four-door saloon will be a mid-size model based on the replacement for the Dodge Avenger, which is scheduled for launch in the USA in 2013. It will go on sale in China and Russia the same year.

Both sedan models make use of a 40mm wider version Fiat's new Compact Wide architecture that underpins the Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback. The same platform will also be used on future Jeep compact and mid-sized SUVs.

According to the report, the Italian automaker is still contemplating the launch of the compact sedan model in Western Europe, while the mid-size saloon may enter the European market under the Lancia brand.

We’ll remind you that Lancia is also considering the launch the current generation Chrysler 200-based Flavia sedan, which was shown as a concept at last month’s Geneva Motor Show, by the end of the year. If Lancia goes ahead with both plans, then the Dodge Avenger-based model will replace the Flavia.

Sources: Fiat, Autonews [Sub. Req.]

2011 DODGE AVENGER F/L [CURRENT GENERATION]

New Dodge Charger TBi Powered by Alfa Romeo’s 1.75 Liter Turbo Engine

Now here’s some news we weren’t expecting. The Chrysler Group announced today the premiere of a new variant of the 2011 Dodge Charger bearing the TBi moniker, which stands for Turbocharged Boosted Induction. The Charger TBi is powered by a four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine sourced from sister company Alfa Romeo. The Italian flavored 1.75-liter powerplant is the same one found on a variety of Alfa models including the Giulietta and 159, as well as the upcoming 4C sports coupe previewed in Geneva last month.

On the 2011MY Charger, the force-fed four-pot delivers a maximum output of 225HP and a peak torque of 250 lb-ft / 340Nm at just 1,900 rpm.

The Detroit automaker said that the gasoline engine “ensures performance that matches or exceeds that of a 3.0-litre V6 whilst still delivering the moderate fuel consumption which is typical of a compact, 4 cylinder unit”. The new powerplant will be matched exclusively to a new automatic "TCT" twin dry clutch transmission with eight gears.

According to Dodge, the Charger TBi completes the standard 0-60mph sprint in 8.1 seconds while returning an estimated average fuel consumption of 25mpg city and 32mpg highway. In comparison, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 model is rated at 18mpg and 27mpg respectively. More details are expected to be released before the end of the day so stay tuned.

PHOTO GALLERY 2011 DODGE CHARGER

Alfa Romeo Launches 2011MY MiTo in Europe

This week marks the commercial debut of the 2011 model year Alfa Romeo MiTo in Italy and on other major European markets. First shown at the 2011 Geneva Salon, the modestly updated MiTo comes with a fresh batch of exterior colors, different seat upholsteries, new optional equipment and Euro 5 compliant engines all fitted as standard with a Start&Stop system.

The starting price for the 2011MY MiTo in Italy is €15,500 ($21,800), which will get you in the Progression model equipped with a 78HP 1.4-liter petrol engine. The Distinctive trim level retails for €22,550 ($31,650) and features the 1.6-liter diesel engine with 120 horsepower. The other available diesel engine is a 1.3-liter JTDM-2 with 95HP, while the gasoline range is completed by the 1.4-liter MultiAir unit, available in three levels of power: 105 (naturally aspirated), 135 and 170 horsepower (both turbocharged).

The MiTo MY 2011 is offered in four trim levels (Progression, Distinctive, “Super” and Quadrifoglio Verde), while buyers can also choose from seven new alloy wheel designs and eleven body colors, among which a new metal-flake color called “Bronzo Metal”.

Thanks to the new Start&Stop system, fuel consumption is lower with the base 1.4-liter engine returning 5.6 liters/100 km (42 mpg) on the combined cycle, compared to 5.9 liters/100 km (39.9) of the 2010MY. The 135HP 1.4-liter Multiair turbo engine is now linked to a new-generation double-clutch TCT transmission that reduces the 0 to 100 km/h sprint to 8.2 seconds (0.2 seconds quicker). As for the diesel engines, Alfa announces that the service interval is now 35,000 km (21,750 miles).

The MiTo MY 2011 also debuts a new Blue&Me-TomTom multimedia system that connects the car's infotainment system with a portable navigation device. The fully-integrated system has 4.3-inch touch-screen that can also display phone, media and board computer information.

By Dan Miahalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

Dutch Man Builds Alfa Romeo GTV Bi-Motore with Two V6 Engines and 487HP [with Videos]

“What do you do when the power of an engine is no longer sufficient?” asks Stephan Lenior, the man behind Squadra Tuning, on his company’s website. While the solution for the majority would have been a heavily modified or perhaps a completely different engine altogether, for the owner of the Alfa Romeo tuning company based in Holland, the answer to that question was far more radical and complex.

To make a very long story short, Stephan’s solution to u the performance of his Alfa Romeo GTV V6 involved the fitment of a second six-cylinder engine at the back. Easier said than done of course, with the project turning out to be a rather complicated and time-consuming process.

Stephan documented the entire build on his company’s website and if our Google’s translation is correct (any help from our Dutch speaking readers would be appreciated, especially on the matter of the transmission), Stephan took a 3.2-liter V6 along with the sub frame and suspension bits from an Alfa Romeo 166 and placed them in the rear section of the Italian coupe. Together with the GTV’s front-mounted 3.0-liter V6, the two engines produce a combined output of 487-horsepower.

We are not entirely sure on this one, but it appears that the GTV is equipped with two 5-speed gearboxes, both sourced from a Lancia Kappa 2.4 JTD, and controlled by a single gear shifter.

The car also features a set of front disc brakes from the 166 mounted at the back, while the builder tried to compensate for the increased weight of the second powertrain by replacing certain components such as the powered seats and standard alloys with lighter equivalents, and removing unnecessary amenities like the air-condition and sound insulation.

Surprisingly, Stephan kept the GTV’s exterior look stock with the only telling feature about the build being the air vents on the boot.

The owner claims that the Alfa Romeo GTV Bi-Motore can accelerate from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in about 4.5 seconds and to 200km/h (124mph) in approximately 14 seconds, while theoretically topping out at around 290km/h (180mph), though for obvious reasons, Stephan has not yet tried to push the car -and his luck- to the limit.

Source: Squada-Tuning , Videos: Youtube

Specifications [Translated from Dutch]:

Engines: 1 x 3.0 24v, 3.2 24v x 1 Total: 6138 cc, 487 hp @ 6200 rpm, 577 Nm @ 5000 RPM
Gearboxes: 2 x 5-gears Lancia Kappa 2.4 JTD.
Front suspension: Koni yellow with Novitec GTV springs. Torsion rod GTV
Suspension rear: Alfa 166 with Koni yellow on height and size. Torsion bar 166 3.0
ABS brakes with original working
Brakes front: 330 mm original GTA Upgrade
Rear Brakes 278 mm original Alfa 166 2.4 JTD equipped with adjustable maximum brake pressure
Hydraulic handbrake.
Wheels and tires: OZ Ultraleggera with Pirelli PZero Nero 225/45 ZR 17 94W.
Fuel tank 90 liters, 2 fuel pumps
Exhaust system: exhaust system with 2 times EPS catalyst, oxygen sensor 4 times.
Curb mass: 1680 kg (with half full fuel tank)
Performance: top speed probably between 290 and 300 km / h in fifth gear at 6500 RPM 292 km / hour.
Acceleration 0-100 + / - 4.5 sec. 0-200: + / - 14.0 sec

VIDEOS

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