It was the year 1992 when Alfa Romeo with the fast 155 seemed to say goodbye to the rear wheel drive, with some satisfaction from BMW ... The purists remember the Alfa 75 as the last bulwark of the Milanese house, but among the news that there we will propose, in addition to the rear-wheel drive, a dominant FCA return may arise among the Armed Forces.
The memory of the Twin Spark
Put the fast and aspirated Twin Spark retired, the strategies of FCA to face the fierce competition optimizing even more the performance consisted of inserting the turbocharger on all petrol and diesel engines that today start from powers of 120 horses attesting to the top of the 510 hp with the powerful Alfa Ferrari engine derived from the 488 GTB.
The severe judgment of the millions of alfists in the world after the acquisition of Fiat in the 90, albeit linked to indelible memories like the 4 boxer aspirated 1.7 Quadrifoglio, could turn into pure enthusiasm for the Arese home now that seems determined to aim even more so on the sportiness of the brand and to keep the manual transmission option available at all times.
"A winning cooperation between Alfa and Maserati"
A necessary union that has given excellent results, the number one Marchionne commented to the press, above all to contrast the German Porsche and BMW competition in the world. However, for us common mortals this FCA initiative would result in an even higher ranking for Alfa, not surprisingly back on track as SAUBER. Fiat then in addition to the utilitarian, could occupy the performance - see the massive return of Abarth - the quiet middle space of the Biscione, a brand that from 2019 announced the presentation of the new rear-wheel drive Giulietta, similar to a Giulia but two volumes, and with powers starting from 150 cv.
... and as for the hybrid?
The Alfa project would be called Mild Hybrid that translated would mean "slightly hybrid" and this we bring back to cheer the pure Alfisti who will not be removed from the traditional engine dialogante.
This would be an average SUV but it is still covered by company secrecy; of it we know that it will adopt a 2 turbo petrol liter combined with a 48 volt system with an electric-powered turbine and powers of the order of 350 / 400 horses. Nothing really bad!
Considerations…
The driving torque offered by electric motors is enviable while remaining skeptical and questioning about these silent cars that do not feel when they arrive, but it is also good to emphasize that electronics can improve without eliminating.
Just think of modern electric power steering that lighten the load of the engine, but in this regard we could already define as hybrid a car equipped with a turbo system that, at low revs, is electrically activated instead of gas pressure, or a sort of POWER BOOST to the rescue of the most burning sprint.
The interests that gravitate around oil - including wars - are certainly not few and although the livability of the environment is peculiar for all of us a massive electrification is perhaps more suitable for public transport, buses and taxis. Provided you use them though ...
The questions a bit 'taboo on the total or hybrid systems to 50%, often overshadowed for partisan interests, concern the duration, costs and mileage of lithium-ion batteries, but also the costs of replacement or regeneration ; so long as our motorist can not afford a new car every luster ...
What interests are at stake? Ask yourself this question is inevitable if we consider all the anti-pollution classes that have followed the elimination of lead from gasoline. It may surprise you to know that most of the Italian used car park is sold in Eastern European markets, but the air you breathe "should" be the same ...
An FCA Jeep for the Army
It would seem to be more and more insistent, but the mouths are sewn, the hypothesis of the arrival of a 4x4 FCA in operational livery, but we still do not know if it will be Wrangler or Renegade - more suitable for the services of Safe Roads - and even if we can talk about leasing as it happens for the carabinieri. What is certain is that Land Rover is out of production and that we speak, although diplomatically, a return to the very valid Made in Italy:?
In this context, FCA would like to delocalize the production of cars in Poland by converting the Italian plants to the flagship of the most famous productions such as Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Jeep.
News for the Arma dei Carabinieri?
The order for the Armed Forces torn from Seat to FCA was not really painless, but the return of the Giulia or of New Giulietta among the gazelles of the Arma dei Carabinieri.
This would be the 2.2 jtd version by 180 horses which, partial armor aside, would maintain all the sporting and handling characteristics of the series versions.
Currently Giulia is present in Meremerita with only two examples of pure blood with 510 horses, set up like gazelles, but used for events and for the noble night service used to transport organs, much more expensive and complex if carried out with the helicopter.
I met a driver of the fireball, a pinned chosen, passionate more than ever, confirming the compulsory formative and selective passage from his friend Gordon de Adamich on the Varano de 'Melegari circuit, home of the CIGS, International Center of Safe Driving, one of the most renowned pilot schools.
During friendly demonstrations, Arese's 2.9 biturbo V6 would have made the Lamborghini HURACAN of the Police eat dust, of which if you'll want to talk later, perhaps with a service on the historical museum.
I tried the candidate "all'Arma"
On the square of the Motor Village Italia in Milan in via Grosio, where I am received by a trained and courteous staff, a yellow 4C is parked, to which I spontaneously direct myself, if it were not that the test vehicle for Difesa Online is the 2.2 from 180 cv.
I tried to scramble it a bit on the Arese Alfa Romeo circuit to look for its limit by strictly setting it in dynamic and observing its characteristic "binocular" instrumentation, which turns towards a sporty red color.
Already after the first lap, despite the simplicity of driving, the Giulia immediately conveys familiarity but also a lot of power, always controllable. But the one that literally caught me was the road holding out of the ordinary. There is no way to make controlled crossbars and if just exaggeration begins faithfully to wag his tail, a behavior that reminds me of the 156 and 159. Its structure dialogues at the same time with steering, brakes and traction also based on lateral forces and when you crush the lady of Arese immediately runs away without gaps, while if scali literally attacks you to its seats profiled for 180 horses.
A new generation of Alfa probably more associated with supercar behavior - even diesel - rather than sedans.
Really a lot of technology in its aluminum engine, even for consumption that is average on the 15 km / l, but noteworthy are the transmission in carbon fiber and the turbine with variable geometry and rotating speed sensor, a novelty this, on some bearings. A sophisticated one Multi link the rear and a front McPherson subdivides exactly 50% of its 1370 kg to the ground, making it unique in terms of stability and control compared to the segment's competitors, both in Germany and elsewhere.
So much technology comes from the Formula 1, like the innovative self-adaptive pressure brake system Brake by wire - without pump - which provides readiness and stopping spaces out of the ordinary. The new ones Multijet turbodiesel that already push 1300 turns, are twin shaft with two counter-rotating axles that cancel noise and vibration making this car as fast as a petrol with its 240 km / h but also making it a quick and easy car city, certainly a little 'special.
Coming back from the trial I find the carabinieri
And immediately I wonder what I had done ... but in reality our friends were at Motor Village Italia to pick up the 2.9 V6 biturbo after the service and the replacement of the tires. “The winter can hardly bear them”.
The staff also provides me with the Giulia Veloce Q4 with 210 cv and sequential TCT gearbox, tremendously fast and intuitive, but of this electrifying adventure if you want we'll talk about it. For now I can only say that it is simply fantastic.
Super bus with Irizar Italia stars
The elegant Irizar buses supplied to the Army and the Guardia di Finanza, which go alongside the Iveco and Sitcar, are well 34, but for the Army the livery is the metallic gray of representation.
I wanted to meet two leaders of Irizar Italia, the Spanish bus multinational famous for the beauty of its aerodynamic lines and for the comfort and power of its buses. Antonio Bornacci and Adriano Eandi, have revealed to me the secret of the success of the "Integrale" series (not as a traction). Indeed Integral i4, i6 and i8 have a load-bearing alloy body, as for cars, and not a heavy frame. This aspect, which maintains rigidity and sensitivity of driving, reduces consumption and pollution, increasing performance especially when associated with Scania and Daf engines.
Irizar I have driven several for long stretches and I have to confirm over the handling, the attention of the Spanish brand for the comfort of the driver, an aspect not secondary.
I thank the mobile nucleoradio of the Carabinieri and in particular the Motor Village Italia of Milan for their excellent professionalism, but also the courteous director of the Arese Alfa Romeo Historical Museum.
A special thanks and a wish for his future to the young photographer (18 years) Luca Aspesi that I wanted to involve in the service done with commitment.
(photo: Luca Aspesi / Sauber F1 Team / Defense / web)
