What they got was a narrow-bodied subcompact with so-so styling, a plasticy dashboard, a shocking lack of equipment and an overinflated price tag. Not to mention Kim Cattrall in the TV spots. If this sounds strangely familiar to our older readers, you’re right on the money. Twenty-three years before the crossbred Tiida hit Australian shores, another mongrel was being birthed in Europe.
It was 1983, and Alfa Romeo had just launched the Arna, an acronym for “Alfa Romeo Nissan Autoveicoli”. The Arna was essentially a N12 series Nissan Pulsar / Cherry with the engine, transmission and front suspension from Alfa’s popular if rust-prone Alfasud. Built in Alfa’s new Pratola Serra factory near Naples, the Arna had the mechanical reliability of the Alfasud and all the style and grace of the Cherry.
In other words, it was a dog.
Although it was available with either of Alfa’s 1.2L or 1.5L flat-four boxer engines, the fact remains that it was a dull Japanese hatchback built by the same uncaring, unionized Italian labour force that had built the Alfasud. In one final irony, the Arna was deported exported to Japan as the Nissan Pulsar Milano, probably giving the Japanese peoples their first (and last) taste of ‘80s Italian engineering.
The Arna died a quiet death in 1987, replaced with the Pininfarina-designed Alfa Romeo 33. The 33 was by no means a great car, though after the Arna, many Alfaistas would have welcomed an yearly rail pass with open arms. Nissan continued to sell the Cherry / Pulsar in Europe, though never met great success in Europe’s highly competitive subcompact car market until the launch of the K11 Micra in 1992. For both manufacturers, the Arna was a miserable failure, remembered only by auto watchers such as yours truly.
By Tristan Hankins
_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________
_______________________________VIDEOS_______________________________
According to a press invitation sent out today, aside from the already confirmed and teased 2011 9-5 Sportcombi, Saab's Geneva Motor Show stand will host the premiere of a brand new concept model and either facelifted or special edition versions of the 9-3 range.
As previously reported, Saab wants to revive the 1950s 92 model, so it’s possible that the concept car will announce just that. Furthermore, a report on the Saabs United website claims that the design study will also showcase the brand’s new design language under Saab Design Chief Jason Castriota.
The enthusiast site also asserts that the updates to the 9-3 could be a special edition version of the cabriolet called “9-3 Independence Edition” to commemorate one year from the day Spyker bought Saab from General Motors (February 23, 2010), and a Griffin-badged variant of the sedan model.
By Csaba Daradics
Source: Saabsunited & Saab via Autoblog
_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________
The rather modest cosmetic upgrades include a front apron along with discreet side skirts and a rear apron that makes space for the new rectangular-shaped quad tail pipes. The luxury fastback's stance can be further enhanced with a lowering kit and a choice of various alloy wheels available in sizes from 19- to 21 inches.
ABT Sportsline also offers a variety of power kits for the A7's range of engines. Starting with the popular in Europe 3.0-liter V6 TDI, after the German firm's engineers tweak the turbo diesel unit, power jumps from 245HP to 282HP, while a second stage kit that brings an in-house turbo charger can boost the TDI's output to 310HP and 610Nm or 450 lb-ft of peak torque. For the gasoline lineup, ABT's offerings are limited for the time being to the 3.0-liter supercharged V6, which gets a jump from 300-horses to 410HP.
_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________
_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________
David Cardoso, the artist who in the past has brought us design studies such as Renault Twist MPV and Audi Hydron, has envisioned a possible successor to the Grandis in the form of the Flexis. Appearing to be smaller than the Grandis - with seating more likely for five instead of seven - the Flexis takes it’s styling cues from the Opel Meriva, Peugeot 3008 and 2012 Ford Focus.
Overall it’s a good expansion on Mitsubishi’s current design language, and a far sight better than when Mitsubishi tried applying its new corporate face to the aging Colt. You can check out our full gallery below or voice your opinion in the comments section below.
By Tristan Hankins
Designer: David Cardoso
_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________
