When will Alfa get back to form?
Discussion
Just read the review of the Mito in CAR and it's a bit mixed. After the dissapointment surrounding the dynamics of the (standard) Brera it seems like they've mixed up their priorities a little bit.
They remain gorgeous, highly-desirable cars, but how difficult would it be to do away with some of the mod-cons, lose some of the weight and bring back some of the driver involvement?
Can't say I'm in the market for either, but I was looking forward to seeing the Mito knock cars like the Mini off the top spot and it just doesn't sound like it's going to.
They remain gorgeous, highly-desirable cars, but how difficult would it be to do away with some of the mod-cons, lose some of the weight and bring back some of the driver involvement?
Can't say I'm in the market for either, but I was looking forward to seeing the Mito knock cars like the Mini off the top spot and it just doesn't sound like it's going to.
MG511 said:
This looks promising...
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/Alfa-Rom...
What do they mean "The defunct 166!" http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/Alfa-Rom...
Chris71 said:
CAR were pretty damning about the steering and, to a lesser extent, the suspension. The overall impression was of a bit of a missed opportunity dynamically.
Most cars with electric power steering suffer from the same issues.I don't think anyone has worked out how to get proper feel from these new-ish electrical systems.
Alfa_75_Steve said:
Chris71 said:
CAR were pretty damning about the steering and, to a lesser extent, the suspension. The overall impression was of a bit of a missed opportunity dynamically.
Most cars with electric power steering suffer from the same issues.I don't think anyone has worked out how to get proper feel from these new-ish electrical systems.
Being serious for a second, I suppose the idea behind EPAS is a combination of efficiency and (largely) production cost. I completely agree with the comments about the wider audience and if sales are on the up that can only be a good thing for Alfa. However, it strikes me that there are plenty of companies offering comfortable, well-equiped vaguely sporty cars. However, I always associated Alfa with something a bit more zesty and involving... a sort of baby Maserati, rather than an Italian Mercedes.
Chris71 said:
I completely agree with the comments about the wider audience and if sales are on the up that can only be a good thing for Alfa. However, it strikes me that there are plenty of companies offering comfortable, well-equiped vaguely sporty cars. However, I always associated Alfa with something a bit more zesty and involving... a sort of baby Maserati, rather than an Italian Mercedes.
The problem for Alfa is that when they built the sort of cars you describe, not enough people bought them and they ran out of money. In that respect, you're right that they're sort of a baby Maserati. If they sell enough bread-and-butter cars to survive then maybe they can turn their hand to something more exciting. That said, I don't think there's an awful lot wrong with the current range compared to their rivals, many of which I tried before buying the 159.
Edited by jamieboy on Friday 15th August 11:52
I haven't read the reviews on the Mito yet, but I hope they do well with it. I've owned 5 Alfa's in the past and put up with their 'issues' because they were great to drive, at least as good as anything else performance/handling wise, and had real character. Their recent cars seem to be somewhat off the pace, particularly weight/performance/mpg. If BMW can make a success of building driver oriented rear wheel drive cars why can't Alfa? Realistically I guess it's too late for them to go back to RWD now, but they need to lose weight and up the performance.
taznuv said:
they need to lose weight and up the performance.
A bit more performance never goes wrong, but the weight thing is overplayed, I think.Each variant of 159 saloon is lighter than the equivalent 3-series, and is roughly comparable in weight to the equivalent Mondeo, Laguna, etc.
Not to say they wouldn't be better if they were lighter, but no moreso than pretty much every mainstream car on the market today.
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