New 158 (rear drive only & 4x4)

[Volken]

Italiaspeed.com, gives insight what makes a rather drastic decision
of Fiat to make her in-house brand (slave), compete with Bmw.

Alfa 158 will be made only as rear wheel drive provided some SW models will also grace 4x4 drive.

I have heard hints of thee changes but thought this be only vision
of future, alas, not so.

So Alfisti are you ready for rear drive ? ;-)

http://www.italiaspeed.com/news_2003...3_073news.html

[vsix]

http://www.italiaspeed.com/news_2003...4proto158.html

[Volken]

Thanks Vsix,

I havent seen this.
This one has Alfa nose and brings some hope at last.
I dont mind rear drive either.
But only one that could benefit the same is GTA.

[Volken]

Jimster and Vsix

You were absolutely right about this be new Maserati.
While in between things and my attention to forum reply was somewhat slow, I’ve actually managed to quote incorrectly and from the crystal clear source.

On the same page was clearly written that this is Maserati but since right next to the one was the new 158 and also and I’m irritated by GM decisions as it is, I made an error.

I just actually had time to read properly the page and laughed of my ridicule claims.Hahaha….

Pardons and Mea culpa

Volken = shame of the week

Moderator - punishment would be in order

[Jimster]

It's all good


Now report to the nonspecific forum for your punishment right away

[Jimster]

just another side-point- this being in the article vsix gave us- anyone else think they are trying to disguise the 158 as a 166????

[Volken]

Exactly what I wanted to post reflecting the same doubts.
Examine the pictures I’ve posted about the final look,…on closer look she has 157 badge !!!

Now how that could be?

a) We know Alfa has no plans or place in range program to include as
of this moment 157 range because it would be meaningless between
present 156 & 166 range.

b) We know 158 will come out - announced early next year

c) It is already mentioned in the press report, that there is significant
shift in size of 158 toward 156.

d) Alfa made decision (uncreative one), to pursue German syndrome
all models-in-house must look the same starting with new face 147
transplanted to present 156 re-style.


This all leads to maybe not final but certainly logical conclusion:
Alfa 166 replacement will obviously have the same face like 147/156.
This all leads to point that what was named as 156 replacement for new year is really replacement for 166 !

As I said in previous posts, why would brand with model that is renaissance in financial sense of Alfa Romeo, now suddenly create two new refreshes,while in the last one they wouldn’t change
anything-because when model is successful like 156 you don’t gamble with success ingredients.

Only from point of financial cycle of parts, switching to new 147 look, and then next year making entirely new 156 is unacceptable and unreasonable for company that was prior of 156
almost in mist of bankruptcy and with no foreseeable prospect.

This intensity of most successful model upgrade/refresh in mid segment is something that not even Suburu or Hyundai would make this hasty.

Or we are to witness ( I doubt),period of every two years new model arrival.I hope not. I wouldn’t want to be a test dummy while they are deciding that it is more lucrative to release unfinished cars and then repair them on the fly.

Truth of this is already observed with each models called for some replacement, and if you observe closely, those calls are mainly from top German boys and generally upper class range.

[Volken]

Well Jimster,

You havent confirmed might this be shared suspicion or I path
alone in this thought?