Daily Archives: June 25, 2016
Alfa Romeo Wants To Challenge The BMW 5-Series
Alfa Romeo will be coming up with some new models for the year 2020, and they will all be based on the “Giorgio” platform that the Italian brand has spent 5 billion Euros developing. So far, we have only seen one model—the recently introduced Giulia—out of those being planned. There’s certainly plenty of room for some imagination.
According to Alfa officials, a compact SUV—called the Stelvio—will be next in line. The car will share its mechanical features with the Giulia, and will boost Alfa’s presence in both sides of the Atlantic. To follow this is a larger sedan aimed at challenging the BMW 5-Series, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Audi A6.
Experts predict that the 5-Series challenger is similar to the Giulia, and will be offered either in rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The lower models in the range will most likely have the same turbocharged 4-cylinder engines.
Those who want more power need not worry. This sedan is bound to have a high-powered variant through a 505-horsepower, 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 the Giulia Quadrifoglio is known for. In fact, the new sedan can even produce more power from the same engine than the Quadrifoglio, Alfa’s head of product development Philippe Krief said.
It can even rival the bigger M-5, so power should not be a problem. But in an aim to fill the gap between the twin-turbo and the 276-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo four, Alfa engineers are more likely to come up with a variant that is less powerful than the V6.
At the very least, the use of the new 2.2-liter Alfa turbo-diesel will be highly welcomed in Europe, where 80 percent of the segment is powered by four-cylinder diesels. A six-cylinder diesel can also be expected.
What we’re hearing from Alfa is that it plans to produce 400,000 units of this said larger sedan.
Previewing The 2017 Volkswagen Touareg
Volkswagen just announced a series of updates for the 2017 edition of the Touareg SUV. The big differences can be seen in the interior details since the V6-powered midsize SUV will unfortunately remain unchanged mechanically at least.
It is renamed the Wolfsburg Edition, and includes a variety of upgrades, according to a report. The mid-level Lux trim level includes these features for 2017: a new brushed aluminum trim inside, stainless steel for the door entry sills and pedals, black headliner, standard heated and ventilated front seats, choice of all-black interior or two-tone Vienna leather seating, and contrast stitching on floor mats, steering wheel and shifter.
A Wolfsburg Edition badge is, of course, also included in the update.
For the wheels, Volkswagen Touareg Wolfsburg Edition buyers can opt between the 20-inch “Tarragona” alloy wheels with a diamond-turned finish or the 20-inch “Mallory” wheels finished in all black. In terms of trim level, another one exists just below the Wolfsburg Edition—the Sport with Technology Package trim level.
For the 2017 model, the Sport with Technology Package trim level includes the following: adaptive cruise control, a lane change assist system, forward collision warning with automatic braking, park distance control, and a heated steering wheel.
If you want something more from the mid-size SUV, you can splurge on the Executive trim level, which, above all of the mentioned upgrades, adds 21-inch alloy wheels.
However, if you’re expecting some upgrades under the hood, you’ll be sorely disappointed as the 2017 Touareg will share the same powertrain as its predecessor. All Touaregs will remain powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower, and is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
For now, Volkswagen has yet to release details and pricing for the 2017 Touareg, so you have to check back for that. No images have also been revealed, unfortunately, so we have to be contented with some classic renderings.