Tuesday 4th October 2011

New 300bhp 1.8 For Alfa Romeo

Alfa plans powerful new four-pot for 2013

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Alfa Romeo is working on a new 300bhp, 1.8-litre four-cylinder motor that will meet the super-strict Euro 6 and US Tier2Bin5 emissions regs, which are due to hit in 2014 (the Euro 6 bit, at least).

The new engine will, according to reports in the Italian press, be an all-aluminium unit, with Fiat's clever Multiair variable valve tech, high-pressure direct injection and a high-capacity turbo.

The new engine will be in production in the early part of 2013 and is set to make its debut in the new Giulia (the successor to the 159), though we won't see that in Blighty until early 2014.

Since the new engine can be mounted either transversely or longitudinally, however, it is also likely to serve beneath the bonnet of Alfa's forthcoming flagship saloon, which will be rear-wheel drive (yay!) and based on the next-gen Chrysler 300C (boo...)

"This is a key step in our efforts to reposition the brand Alfa Romeo for global distribution. The introduction of the brand in the U.S. market in 2013 remains our primary goal, "says Harald J Wester, Fiat's Chief Technology Officer and head of Alfa Romeo and Maserati brands. "The efforts of resources across the Group for development of gearboxes and transmissions that meet the specific needs of Alfa Romeo are proof of our renewed commitment to the development of this brand."

[thewheelman]

[britsportscars]

Turbo lag?

[Riggers]

thewheelman said:

Not impressed then?

[angusc43]

RWD - Yey!
4 Pot - Boo!

[utgjon]

300BHP

RWD

Alfa?


But what will everyone moan about now?!

[Kong]

doogz said:

britsportscars said:

Turbo lag?

What?

I believe he was refering to the "1.8 litre" "high-capacity turbo" and "300 bhp" part. Thats usually a recipie for turbo-lag, however with moden valve timing i doubt it will be too much of a problem.

[y2blade]

utgjon said:

300BHP

RWD

Alfa?


But what will everyone moan about now?!

it already happened...see the numpty above you shouting "turbo lag"

[Rawwr]

utgjon said:

But what will everyone moan about now?!

That peaky 4-pots can't have character or soul or something. You know, the usual shet.

[gizard]

Hmm will this slot into the Alfa 4c then - looks like lotus might have their work cut out..........

[Johnboy Mac]

utgjon said:

300BHP

RWD

Alfa?


But what will everyone moan about now?!

Nothing, I'll hold fire on the yank chassis & general build quality, all being well it will be better than a 5 Series ,

[Adrian W]

And I suppose it will have a 5 year 100,000 mile warranty, who's kidding who, it's PR bull.

Think about it 300bhp from an 1800, with reliability

[Riggers]

utgjon said:

300BHP

RWD

Alfa?


But what will everyone moan about now?!

What about the Chrysler underpinnings?

[p1doc]

angusc43 said:

RWD - Yey!
4 Pot - Boo!

true but new emission targets favour blown fours compared to glorious sounding sixes
martin

[Liquid Knight]

New 4C engine?

Edited by Liquid Knight on Tuesday 4th October 14:03

[ZesPak]

yes please, in the 4C

[SteveHall30]

For petrol engines, the Euro 6 regulations appear to be exactly the same as Euro 5, it's just diesil engines that are stricter.
http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/environment...

So, that fact they even brought this up at all must mean, it's a diesil engine. Why else would their marketing people bring up pointless facts?

Edited by SteveHall30 on Tuesday 4th October 13:07

[V88Dicky]

Another turbo 4-pot.

I'm losing the will to live.

Is it impossible to build anything else these days?

Even just one more cylinder?

Please?

Pretty please?

[Chunkychucky]

If this went in the 4C with around 300bhp and the proposed ~850kg kerb weight, this would absolutely fly. Then the only thing to do would be to get rid of the mugh-maligned DNA system and fit a decent manual gearbox! Although a DSG subsitute would maybe be bearable.

[MX7]

Adrian W said:

And I suppose it will have a 5 year 100,000 mile warranty, who's kidding who, it's PR bull.

Think about it 300bhp from an 1800, with reliability

I tend to agree. It wouldn't surprise me if it's nearer 200bhp by the time it comes to fruition.

[anonymous-user]

doogz said:

I don't quite follow. Are you insinuating it can't be reliable with those basic stats?

300bhp from 1.8 litres is very highly strung, I imagine it'll be very particular about maintenance but all the same I wouldn't expect it to manage high mileages. Reliable while it lasts, maybe, but how long will it last?