Alfa Romeo Automobiles SpA ( Italian pronunciation: Ã, ['alfa ro'm ?: o] ) is a car manufacturer, founded by Frenchman Alexandre Darracq as ALFA . (" [SocietÃÆ'] Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili ", "Lombard Automobile Factory Company") on June 24, 1910, in Milan. This brand is known for sporty vehicles and has been involved in auto racing since 1911.
The company is owned by the Italian parent company Istituto per la Ricostruzione Industriale between 1932 and 1986, when it became part of the Fiat group. In February 2007, the Alfa Romeo brand became Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A., a subsidiary of Fiat Group Automobiles, now Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Italy.
The company that became Alfa Romeo was founded as SocietÃÆ' Anonima Italiana Darracq (SAID) in 1906 by French car company Alexandre Darracq, with Italian investors. At the end of 1909, the Italian Darracq car sold slowly and the Italian company partner hired Giuseppe Merosi to design a new car. On June 24, 1910, a newly established company named A.L.F.A., initially still in partnership with Darracq. The first non-Darracq car manufactured by the company was 1910 24 HP, designed by Merosi. ALPHA. ventured into motor racing, with Franchini and Ronzoni racing in Targa Florio 1911 with two 24-hp models. In August 1915, the company came under the direction of Neapolitan businessman, Nicola Romeo, who turned the factory to manufacture military hardware for the Italian and Allied war effort. In 1920, the company's name was changed to Alfa Romeo with Torpedo 20-30 HP as the first car to be given a badge.
In 1921, Banca Italiana di Sconto, which supported Ing. Nicola Romeo & amp; Co, bankrupt and government are needed to support the industrial companies involved, among them is Alfa Romeo, through "Consorzio per Sovvenzioni sui Valori Industriali". In 1925, railways were separated from Romeo's company, and in 1928, Nicola Romeo left. In 1933, state ownership was reorganized under the banner of Istituto per la Ricostruzione Industriale (IRI) by the government of Benito Mussolini, which then had effective control. The company struggled to return to profitability after the Second World War, and switched to small mass-producing vehicles rather than luxury models made by hand. In 1954, he developed the Alfa Romeo Twin Cam machine, which will remain in production until 1994. During the 1960s and 1970s, Alfa Romeo produced a number of sports cars, although the Italian government holding company Finmeccanica struggled to make a profit, so it sold the marque to Fiat Group in 1986.
Alfa Romeo has managed to compete in Grand Prix motor racing, Formula One, car racing, car racing, and rally. It has been competing as both the constructor and the machine supplier, through work entries (usually with Alfa Corse or Autodelta), and private entries. The first racing car was made in 1913, three years after the company's foundation, and Alfa Romeo won the first world championship for Grand Prix cars in 1925. The race victory gave a sporty impression on the marque, and Enzo Ferrari founded the Scuderia. The Ferrari racing team in 1929 as the Alfa Romeo racing team, before becoming independent in 1939. He has won the most marques in the world.
Video Alfa Romeo
History
Name
The company name is a combination of the original name, "A.L.F.A." ("Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili"), and last name entrepreneur Nicola Romeo, who took over the company in 1915.
Foundations and Early Years
The company that became Alfa Romeo was founded as SocietÃÆ' Anonima Italiana Darracq (SAID) in 1906 by French car company Alexandre Darracq, with some Italian investors. One of them, Cavaliere Ugo Stella, an aristocrat from Milan, became chairman of SAID in 1909. The company's initial location was in Naples, but even before the construction of the planned plant began, Darracq decided in late 1906 that Milan would become more suitable and thus land acquired on the outskirts of Milan Portello, where a new factory of 6,700 square meters (8,000 sqÃ, yd) was established. At the end of 1909, the Italian Darracq car was sold slowly and Stella, along with fellow Italian investors, set up a new company called A.L.F.A. (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili), initially still partnering with Darracq. The first non-Darracq car manufactured by the company was the 1910 24 HP, designed by Giuseppe Merosi, hired in 1909 for designing a new car more suited to the Italian market. Meros will continue to design a series of A.L.F.A. car, with a more powerful engine (40-60 HP). ALPHA. ventured into motor racing, with Franchini and Ronzoni racing in Targa Florio 1911 with two 24-hp models. In 1914, a sophisticated Grand Prix car was designed and built, GP1914, with four-cylinder engine, dual overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder, and twin ignition. However, the beginning of the First World War stopped production of cars in A.L.F.A. for three years.
In August 1915, the company came under the direction of Neapolitan businessman, Nicola Romeo, who turned the factory to manufacture military hardware for the Italian and Allied war effort. Gunpowder, aircraft engines and other components, compressors, and generators based on existing car engines in the company were produced in a very large factory during the war. After the war, Romeo invested his war profits in acquiring locomotives and train trains in Saronno (Costruzioni Meccaniche di Saronno), Rome (Officine Meccaniche di Roma), and Napoli (Officine Ferroviarie Meridionali), added to A.L.F.A. ownership.
Automobile production was not considered at first, but continued in 1919 as parts to complete 105 cars remained at A.L.F.A. factory since 1915. In 1920, the company's name was changed to Alfa Romeo with Torpedo 20-30 HP being the first car to be awarded a badge. Their first success came in 1920 when Giuseppe Campari won at Mugello and continued with second place in Targa Florio driven by Enzo Ferrari. Giuseppe Merosi continues as the chief designer, and the company continues to produce successful solid road cars and racing cars (including 40-60 HP and RL Targa Florio).
In 1923 Vittorio Jano was captivated from Fiat, thanks in part to the encouragement of a young Alfa driver named Enzo Ferrari, to replace Merosi as chief designer at Alfa Romeo. The first Alfa Romeo under Jano is the P2 Grand Prix car, which won Alfa Romeo as the world premiere championship for Grand Prix cars in 1925. For the road car Jano developed a series of small to medium 4- displays, and 6 inline 8-cylinder Machines based on P2 units that make up the company's machine architecture, with lightweight alloy construction, air hemisphere combustion chamber, centered plugs, two overhead per bank cylinder overhead lines and double overhead cams. Jano's design proved to be reliable and powerful.
Enzo Ferrari proves a better team manager than the driver, and when the factory team is privatized, it becomes Scuderia Ferrari. When Ferrari left Alfa Romeo, he went on to build his own car. Tazio Nuvolari often drove for Alfa, winning many races before the Second World War.
In 1928 Nicola Romeo left, and in 1933 Alfa Romeo was rescued by the government, which then had effective control. Alfa Romeo became the instrument of Mussolini's Italy, a national symbol. During this period built bespoke vehicles for the rich, with bodies usually by Touring from Milan or Pinin Farina. This era culminated with the Alfa Romeo 2900B Type 35 rider.
The Alfa plant (converted during wartime to machine production Macchi C.202 Folgore: Daimler-Benz 600 series built under license) was bombed during the Second World War, and struggled to return to profitability after the war. The luxury vehicle came out. Smaller, mass-produced vehicles began to be produced starting with the 1954 model, with the introduction of the Giulietta series of berries (coupons/sedans), coupes and open two-seaters. The three varieties share what will be a three-cylinder engine Alfa Romeo overhead Twin Cam, originally 1300 cc. This machine will eventually be enlarged to 2000 cc and will remain manufactured until 1995.
When I saw Alfa Romeo pass by, I gave a tip on my hat.
Postage
After motor sport continued after the Second World War, Alfa Romeo proved to be the car that was defeated in the Grand Prix event. The introduction of a new formula (Formula One) for single-seat racing cars provides an ideal setting for Tipo 158 Alfetta Alfa Romeo, adapted from a pre-war voiturette, and Giuseppe Farina won the first Formula One World Championship in 1950 in Juan Manuel Fangio securing the title second Alfa in a row in 1951.
In 1952, Alfa Romeo experimented with its first front-wheel drive compact front-wheel drive, "Project 13-61". It has the same layout, advanced-motor that transverse as a modern front-wheel drive car. Alfa Romeo made a second attempt towards the end of the 1950s under Project 13-61. It should be called Tipo 103 and resembles a smaller version of the popular Alfa Romeo Giulia. However, due to financial difficulties in post-war Italy, Tipo 103 never saw production. If Alfa Romeo produces it, it will precede the Mini as the first "modern" front wheel compact car. In the mid-fifties, Alfa Romeo signed an agreement with the Brazilian Matarazzo Group to create a company called Fabral ( FÃÆ'¡brica Brasileira de AutomÃÆ'³veis Alfa , "Alfa Brazil's car factory") to build Alfa Romeo 2000 there. After receiving government approval, Matarazzo withdrew and under pressure from Brazilian President Juscelino Kubitschek, the state-owned FNM company, started building the car as "FNM 2000" there in 1960.
During the 1960s, Alfa Romeo concentrated on competition using production-based cars, including GTA (stands for Gran Turismo Allegerita), an aluminum-powered version of the Bertone-designed coupe with a powerful twin-plug engine. Among other wins, the GTA won the Sports Car Club of America's Trans-Am championship in 1966. In the 1970s, Alfa Romeo concentrated on a racing sports car prototype with Tipo 33, with an early win in 1971. Finally the Tipo 33TT12 earned the World Championship for Makes Alfa Romeo in 1975 and Tipo 33SC12 won the World Championship for Sport Cars in 1977.
In the 1970s, Alfa Romeo was back in financial trouble and creative measures sought to support it, including a joint venture that ultimately failed with Nissan backed by Ettore Massacesi of parent company Alfa Romeo, the Italian government owned Istituto per la Ricostruzione Industriale ( IRI) and Prime Minister Francesco Cossiga. In 1986, IRI suffered huge losses, and the IRI president Romano Prodi put Alfa Romeo for sale. Finmeccanica, IRI mechanical arm holders and predecessors have Alfa Romeo since 1932. Prodi first approached fellow Italian manufacturer Fiat, who offered to start a joint venture with Alfa. Prodi initially did not support, citing the tense industrial relations between Northern and Southern Italy, with Fiat based in Turin and Milan-based Alfa.
Fiat withdrew its plans for a joint venture when Ford made an offer to acquire parts of Alfa Romeo and restructure the company, while increasing its holdings over time. However, Fiat made an offer to acquire the entire Alfa Romeo and offer job security to Italian workers, an offer that Ford did not want to match.
It also does not hurt either party involved that the acquisition by Fiat will keep Alfa Romeo in the hands of Italy. In 1986, the deal was concluded with Alfa Romeo joining traditional Lancia rivals into Alfa Lancia Industriale S.p.A.
Models generated from the 1990s combine the traditional virtues of Alfa from avant-garde styles and sports panache with the economic benefits of product rationalization, and include a "GTA" version of the 147 hug, Brera designed by Giugiaro, and an exotic high-performance called 8C Competizione (named after one of Alfa's most successful pre-war cars and race cars, 8C in the 1930s).
In 2005 Maserati was bought back from Ferrari and under the full control of Fiat. The Fiat Group plans to create a sports and luxury division of Maserati and Alfa Romeo. There is a strategic relationship planned between the two; machines, platforms and dealer possibilities will be shared across multiple markets.
In early 2007, Fiat Auto S.p.A. reorganized and four new car companies were created; Fiat Automobiles S.p.A., Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A., Lancia Automobiles S.p.A. and Light Commercial Vehicles Fiat S.p.A. These companies are wholly owned by Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.
Carabinieri and the Italian government
In the 1960s Alfa Romeo became famous for small cars and models specially designed for Italian police and Carabinieri; among them "Giulia Super" and 2600 Sprint GT. The Alfa Romeo color is used by the green/blue Polizia with white stripes and writing, known as "Pantera" (Panther), enhancing the aggressive look of the Alfa (especially the Giulia series), while the Carabinieri Alfas is a dark blue with white roof and the red lines, known as "Gazzella" (Gazelle) show the speed and agility of "Pattuglie" (patrol car). However, the term "Pantera" is used interchangeably and images help create perceptions that are unreasonable, determined and respected by the general public of the people who drive these cars, according to their history.
Since then, Alfas has remained the Carabinieri's preferred mountain (the arm of the Italian army supported only partly for civilian policing), the Polizia Autostradale (street police), the Guardia di Finanza (the fiscal law enforcement) and the conventional police (Polizia). In succession, the following Alfa Romeo Berlinas get support for Italian police and government jobs
- o Alfa Romeo AR51
- o Alfa Romeo Giulia
- o Alfa Romeo Alfetta
- o Alfa Romeo Giulietta
- o Alfa Romeo 33 (Polizia only in Stato)
- o Alfa Romeo 75
- o Alfa Romeo 164 (official vehicle)
- o Alfa Romeo 155
- o Alfa Romeo 156
- o Alfa Romeo 166 (official vehicle)
- o Alfa Romeo 159
- o Alfa Romeo Giulia (Carabinieri only)
- o Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Since the 1960s, the Italian Prime Minister has used Alfa Romeos (and more recently the Maserati Quattroporte) as the preferred government limousine. 164 and 166 have found a certain job in the last two decades.
On 24 June 2010, Alfa Romeo celebrates 100 years of its foundation.
Recent developments
Alfa Romeo has decreased sales. Some analysts concluded that automakers suffered huge operating losses in mid-2000 - estimated at around 15 percent to 20 percent of annual revenues, or about 300 million to 500 million euros per year. For 2010, it sold a total of about 112,000 units significantly lower than Fiat CEO Marchionne's global sales target of 300,000. Alfa then wants to reach 170,000 sales in 2011, including 100,000 Giulietta and 60,000 MiTo, but it actually sold 130,000 units that year. Its medium-term target is 500,000 units by 2014 including 85,000 from the North American market. In 2017 Alfa Romeo increased production by 62 percent, building a total of 150,722 vehicles in three company-owned plants.
Return to North America
Alfa Romeo was imported into the United States by Max Hoffman from the mid-1950s. Giulietta Spider was born at the request of Max Hoffman, who proposed an open version of Giulietta. In 1961 Alfa Romeo began importing cars to the United States.
In 1995, Alfa Romeo stopped exporting cars to the United States, the last model sold in the market to 164 sedans.
Since then, rumors of a payback have culminated with the announcement of a website stating "The long-awaited return of Alfa Romeo to the United States market will take place in 2007, with new models." In fact, Alfa Romeo's return to the United States was officially confirmed on 5 May 2006 by Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne. North American sales continued in October 2008, with the launch of the 8C Competizione low-coupe production. Also in 2008, Alfa Romeo and Chrysler are reportedly discussing the possibility of producing Alfa Romeo cars at some of the Chrysler manufacturing plants that were shutdown due to restructuring and cost cutting of the group companies. Instead, as reported by The Wall Street Journal reported in November 2009, Chrysler stopped several models of Dodge and Jeep while phasing in Alfa Romeo and the new Fiat 500.
The next significant milestone in North America's Alfa Romeo return comes in 2014, with the launch of a more affordable 4C coupe with two seats. That year, Fiat Group Automobiles SpA confirmed that its original agreement with Mazda Motor Corporation, for speculation creation of the new Alfa Romeo Spider based on the Mazda Miata, was halted jointly in December 2014 (with this Miata-based car, becoming the new 2015 Fiat 124 convertible). By 2015, the return of Alfa Romeo to this market is further strengthened by the look of the new Giulia car at the Los Angeles Auto Show. In February 2017, Chrysler featured the Alfa Romeo brand exclusively in three commercials during the Super Bowl LI.
Alfa Romeos US importer is FCA US LLC, FCA US LLC importing 4C, Giulia and Stelvio.
Maps Alfa Romeo
Design and technology
Technology development
Alfa Romeo has introduced many technological innovations over the years, and the company is often one of the first users of new technologies. His trademark double cam overhead machine was used for the first time in the 1914 Grand Prix, the first car with such a machine, 6C 1500 Sport, appeared in 1928.
Alfa Romeo tested one of the first electric injection systems (Caproni-Fuscaldo) in Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 with body "Ala spessa" in 1940 Mille Miglia. The machine has six electrically operated injectors, which are fed by a semi-high pressure circulating pump system.
Mechanical variable valve timing was introduced in Alfa Romeo Spider, sold in the US in 1980. Variable valve electronic valves were introduced at (Alfetta).
The 105 Series Giulia is an advanced car, using technologies such as all wheel disc brakes, and plastic radiator header tanks. It also has the lowest barrier coefficient (Cd) in its class. The same trend continues with Alfetta 2000 and GTV, which has a 50:50 weight distribution, standard fit and transaxle wheels.
The new innovations include the complete CAD design process used in Alfa Romeo 164, the Selespeed robotised/paddle control transmission used in 156; 156 is also the world's first passenger car to use common rail diesel engines. Multiair variable electro-hydraulic valve activation technology used in MiTo was introduced in 2009. In 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia comes with an electric brake.
Body Design
Many famous automotive design houses in Italy have received commissions to produce the concept and form of production vehicles for Alfa Romeo. These include:
- Bertone
- Giorgetto Giugiaro/Italdesign
- Pininfarina
- Zagato
- Centro Stile Alfa Romeo
The latter mentioned, Centro Stile, has quickly gained international credibility with its work. The 8C Competizione super-coupÃÆ'Â ©, and the MiTo hatchback is the result.
The construction techniques used by Alfa Romeo have been imitated by other car makers, and in this way the Alfa Romeo body design is often very influential. Here is a list of innovations, and if necessary, an example of imitation by other car manufacturers:
- 1950s: Monocoque body design in Giulia: Though not imitation, this construction technique is becoming so widespread, and has remained so to this day. 1960: Aerodynamics: Giulia series 116 has a very low Cd. Toyota is specifically trying to produce the same set of vehicles at the moment.
- 1970s: Fairing of bumper: To meet American accident standards, Alfa formulated styling design techniques to incorporate bumper into vehicle bodywork design as a whole so as not to damage their line. The culmination of this design technique was the Alfa Romeo 75 of the 1980s. The process is widely copied, especially in Germany and Japan.
- 1980s: Alfa 164: The design and influence of this car is almost completely out of proportion to the previous Alfas. 164 introduces a complete CAD/CAM in the manufacturing cycle, with very little direct made by hand in the vehicle. In addition, the effect of styling 164 continues into the modern line of Alfas today. Most manufacturers incorporate design ideas that were first expressed in 164 into their own designs, including greater dependence on on-board computers.
- 1990s: Pseudo coupons: Alfa 156 and 147, while four-door vehicles, represent themselves as two doors with a prominent front door handle, and a less visible back door cover. Honda has used this design style in the latest Civic hatchback, and a somewhat similar idea is also seen in the new Mazda RX-8 four-seat coupe.
- 2000s: Brera and 159: The design of this vehicle, by Giorgetto Giugiaro, has proven influential in the style of sedan and coupe, indicating that the concept vehicle is often immediately translated into the form of a road car, provided the initial design takes place using a CAD system./li>
The Alfa Romeo model has also inspired some very interesting and often beautiful concept cars. Here follows a short list of concept cars, and their impact on car design:
- 1950 - The B.A.T. car
The Berlina Aerodinamica Tecnica car prototype was designed by Bertone as an exercise in determining whether the design of streamlining and wind-tunnels will result in high performance on the standard chassis, and whether the vehicles produced will be suitable for the public. Alfa 1900 Sprint is the base of B.A.T. 5, 7 and 9. The last B.A.T. 11 is based on 8C Competizione.
- 1960s and 1970s - Descendants of Tipo 33
The Tipo 33 racing car, with its massive 2,000 cc V8 engine became the base for a number of different concept cars during the 1960s and 1970s, two of which eventually resulted in production vehicles. Most make their appearance at Auto Salon GenÃÆ'¨ve. Here's a short list:
- Gandini/Bertone Carabo (1968) - Marcello Gandini reveals the idea that will work in Lamborghini Countach.
- Tipo 33.2 (1969) - Designed by Pininfarina for the familiar design of the Ferrari concept car.
- Gandini/Bertone Montreal Concept (1967) - made his appearance at the Montreal Expo in 1967, the Giulia-based concept produced the production of the Alfa Romeo Montreal car with the Tipo 33 V8 engine variant.
- Bertone/Giugiaro Navajo (1976) - A fully polarized vehicle, and in some ways a symbol of Giugiaro's "Origami" flat plane.
- 1980s-today - Modern ideas
In general, the concept car for Alfa Romeo is generally a production vehicle, after several modifications to make it suitable for manufacture, and to provide driver and passenger safety. The Zagato SZ, GTV and Spider, Brera and 159 are good examples of Alfa Romeo style commitments in this direction.
- The future
The Alfa Romeo concept car has much emphasis on performance in combination with historical traditions. The Nuvola Concept, and the independently designed Diva Concept car have shown that this ethos is the center of the Alfa concept. The Centro Stile website also gives designers excellent directions in terms of line and shape combinations Alfa prefers to see in its car bodywork design process.
Symbol
Logo
The Alfa Romeo logo combines two heraldic devices traditionally associated with his birthplace, the city of Milan: the red cross, of the Milan emblem, and the biscione, a poisonous snake swallowing a Moor - the epitome of the House of Visconti, the ruler of the city in the 14th century.
The logo was originally designed in 1910 by a young Italian photographer from the technical office of A.L.F.A, Romano Cattaneo.
Origin
In June 1910, SocietÃÆ' Anonima Darracq became Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili, and set up his first model, 24 HP. The Council asked the chief engineer of Giuseppe Merosi to design a badge for the shell of a new car radiator; Merosi turned to his colleagues. One of them, Cattaneo, was inspired by the symbol he saw at the Castello Sforzesco gate to include the biscione logo. Merosi liked the idea, and together with Cattaneo came up with a sketch, then approved by managing director Ugo Stella; Cattaneo is entrusted with the final design.
The original badge is round, enameled brass, 65 mm (2.6 inches) in diameter, and has brought all the fixtures today: red cross on the white field of Milan on the left, green biscione on the light blue field on the left, all surrounded by a blue ring bearing the word "ALFA" at the top and "MILANO" at the bottom. In honor of the Italian King, the two words are separated by two numbers of eight knots - dubbed the Savoy knot in Italian, and symbols of the present House of Savoy. Originally a solid brass, the letters were converted into white enamel in 1913. In 1918, after the company was bought by Nicola Romeo, the words "ALFA" were replaced with "ALFA-ROMEO". In 1925, to commemorate the Alfa Romeo P2 victory in the first World Manufacturing Championship of 1925, a silver metal bouquet was added around the badge, used (in various forms) until 1982. The addition of the wreath has been enlarged. badges with a diameter of 75 mm (3.0 inches); in 1930 it was reduced back to 60 mm (2.4 inches).
Postwar evolution
In 1946, after the abolition of the monarchy and the proclamation of the Italian Republic, the eight nodes of the Savoy were replaced by two curved lines. Simultaneously the badge is completely redesigned, and subsequently reduced in size to 54 mm (2.1 inches), the diameter has not changed since then. Made of stamped steel, this new badge contains traditional elements - scripts, crosses, new biscione sticks and thin laurel bouquets - knitted with antique silver, above a uniform Alfa Red background has replaced the blue, white and light blue fields. This red-and-metal badge was used until 1950, when the company switched back to traditional emailed and colored; in 1960 the badge was changed from brass to plastic, with no substantial difference in design.
In the early 1970s, the all-new Alfa Romeo Pomigliano d'Arco factory (near Naples) was completed. When in 1972 Alfasud was produced there to be the first Alfa Romeo passenger car produced outside Milan, the word "Milano", the curved line and the hyphen between "Alfa" and "Romeo" were removed from the badges on all Alfa Romeos. At the same time it was redesigned, the most famous of which is to buy faces and words that are modernized biscione . After a lightweight restyling in 1982, which wiped the wreath and changed the letters and all the chrome details into gold, the iteration of this badge remained in use until 2015.
redesign 2015
On June 24, 2015, the company's 105th anniversary, the new logo was launched at a press event at the Alfa Romeo Museum; along with Alfa Romeo Giulia as part of the brand relaunch plan. The redesign is done by Robilant Associati, who has previously reworked several other Fiat Group logos - including Fiat Automobiles and Lancia.
Logo colors have been reduced from four to three: the green color of biscione , the red cross, and the dark blue ring surrounding it. Another change is the face of a new serif type, and the absence of a branched white and blue field, replaced with a single silver textured background.
Quadrifoglio
Since 1923, the quadrifoglio logo (also called 'cloverleaf') has become a symbol of Alfa Romeo racing cars and since World War II, it has also been used to designate trim models higher than range. The quadrifoglio is usually placed on the side panel of the car, above or behind the front wheel - on the front wing in the case of a modern vehicle. The logo consists of a green clover leaf with four leaves, containing a white triangle.
History of the symbol
The Quadrifoglio has been used on the Alfa Romeo car since Ugo Sivocci's death in 1923. As a friend of Enzo Ferrari, Sivocci was employed by Alfa Romeo in 1920 for driving on a four-man work-team-Alfa Corse - with Antonio Ascari, Giuseppe Campari, and Enzo Ferrari. Sivocci is considered to have enormous experience, but is often hampered by bad luck and perceived as the eternal second explorer. To ward off his bad luck, when Targa Florio arrived, the driver painted a white square with four green leaf clover (quadrifoglio ) in the middle of his car grille. Sivocci immediately succeeded, crossing the finish line first. The quadrifoglio subsequently became the symbol of Alfa Romeos racing with victory in Targa Florio. Almost as if to prove the magic effect of this symbol, Sivocci was killed while testing the new P1 Merosi at Monza, a few months after winning Targa Florio. The Salerno driver's P1, off the track at the corner, does not have quadrifoglio . Since this period in 1923, the body of the Alfa Romeo racing car has been adorned with quadrifoglio as a lucky charm. The white box was replaced with a triangle to commemorate Ugo Sivocci.
Modern usage
The first street car that bore the quadrifoglio was the Alfa Romeo Giulia TI Super 1963, a Giulia saloon car variant designed for competition but regularly sold; has a clove of four green leaves on its front wing, without a triangle. In the 1970s "Quadrifoglio Verde" or "Green Cloverleaf" became the trim level for every variant of the sportiest model, equipped with the most powerful engine. Alfasud, Sprint, 33, 75, 164 and 145 all have Quadrifoglio Verde versions. Also in the 1970s and throughout the 1980s, the four-leaf clover gold badge was used to show the variant of the most luxurious and well-equipped Alfa Romeo car, named "Quadrifoglio Oro" or "Gold Cloverleaf". Alfasud, Alfetta, Alpha 6, 90 and 33 have a version of Quadrifoglio Oro. Recently quadrifoglio was revived in 2007 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione and Spider eight-cylinder sports car. With the current Alfa Romeo MiTo and Giulietta, Quadrifoglio Verde is restored as the most sporty trim level in the range, and the clove of four green leaves on the front wing is once again the hallmark of the high-performance Alfa Romeos. Alfa Romeo sports sedan 2016, Giulia new, will be launched first in Quadrifoglio trim before the release of the basic model. Starting with a high-end model that uses the historic signature symbol, Alfa Romeo is trying to retake the North American market after several decades of absence.
Motorsport
Alfa Romeo has been involved with motor racing since 1911, when it entered two 24 HP models in the Targa Florio competition. In the 1920s and 30s it scored victories in many races and automotive events such as Targa Florio, Mille Miglia and Le Mans. Outstanding success continues with Formula One, Prototypes, Touring, and Fast Touring. Private racers are also entering some rally competitions, with good results. Alfa Romeo has competed both as a constructor and supplier of machines, through Alfa Corse entries, Autodelta and private entries. Alfa Romeo's factory racing team was transferred to Ferrari Scuderia Enzo Ferrari between 1933 and 1938. The drivers included Tazio Nuvolari, who won the German Grand Prix in 1935 at the NÃÆ'¼rburgring.
Production
According to Fiat's current CEO Sergio Marchionne, to achieve economies of scale, all new Alfa Romeo models will be built from the same basic platform. Even Maserati will share the component with some Alfas.
During the 1990s, Alfa Romeo moved production cars to other districts in Italy. The Pomigliano d'Arco factory produces 155, followed by 145 and 146, while the Arese plant produces 164 and the new Spider and GTV. 156 was launched in 1997, and became quite successful for Alfa Romeo; in 1998 was selected as "Car of the Year". In the same year a new ship, 166 (assembled in Rivalta, near Turin) was launched. At the start of the third millennium, 147 was released, which won the prestigious title "Car of the Year 2001". In 2003 the Arese plant was closed.
The Arese plant today is almost nonexistent and almost abandoned. What remains is a few offices and the Alfa Romeo Historical Museum, to be seen by Alfa Romeo fans.
In the 1960s, Alfa Romeo's main seats were moved from within Milan to a very large and adjacent area that stretched over the towns of Arese, Lainate, and Garbagnate Milanese. However, since then Alfa seats are known to be in Arese, because the office and main entrance there.
In the late 1960s, a number of European car manufacturers set up facilities in South Africa to assemble right-hand drive vehicles. Fiat and other Italian manufacturers set up the factory along with other manufacturers, Alfa-Romeos assembled in Brits, outside Pretoria in Transvaal Province of South Africa. With the imposition of sanctions by western powers in the 1970s and 1980s, South Africa became self-sufficient, and in car production increasingly relied on products from local factories. This led to a series of remarkable circumstances in which between 1972 and 1989, South Africa had the largest number of Alfa Romeos on the road outside Italy. Even aliens, the Alfa Romeos Brits plant was used from March 1983 to 1985 to build Daihatsu Charades for local consumption, but also for exports to Italy to limit Italy's limit on Japanese imports.
At the end of 1985, with the upcoming takeover of Fiat and an international boycott of the Apartheid government of South Africa, Alfa Romeo withdrew from the market and closed the factory. Ton of precious parts then bulldoze to the ground to avoid payment of import duty.
Automobiles
Current model
- Alfa Romeo MiTo
MiTo is a three-door sporty supermini officially introduced on June 19, 2008 at Castello Sforzesco in Milan; international introduction at the British Motor Show in 2008. MiTo production is about 15,000 cars per year.
- Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Giulietta is a small five-door family car that was officially revealed at the Geneva Motor Show 2010. It replaces 147. It is the current top Alfa sales with around 40,000 cars per year.
- Alfa Romeo 4C
The 4C is a small, lightweight rear wheels two sports car coupe seater. The car was revealed as a concept car at the 81st Geneva Motor Show in 2011. The production version was launched into the European market at the 83rd Geneva Motor show in 2013 and launched into the American market at the Los Angeles Motor show in late November 2013.
- Alfa Romeo Giulia
The new generation Giulia was introduced to the press at the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo di Arese, on 24 June 2015. This coincided with the company's 105th anniversary and saw the revised logo introduction.
- Alfa Romeo Stelvio
The Stelvio was launched in 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show. Stelvio is Alfa Romeo's first production SUV competing in the same category as the Porsche Macan, the Jaguar F-Pace, the Audi Q5 and the BMW X3.
Historical model
Light commercial trucks and light vehicles
In 1930 Alfa Romeo presented a light truck next to heavy LCV based on Bøssing construction. In the Second World War Alfa Romeo also built trucks for the Italian army ("35 tons anywhere") and later also for the German Wehrmacht. After the war, the production of commercial motor vehicles continued.
Working closely with FIAT and Saviem starting from the 1960s, different light truck models were developed.
The production of heavy LCV in Italy was discontinued in 1967. Large trucks continued to be built for several years in Brazil by a subsidiary of Alfa Romeo, FÃÆ'¡brica Nacional de Motores under the name FNM. The last Alfa Romeo van is Alfa Romeo AR6 and AR8, a rebadged version of Iveco Daily and Fiat Ducato. The company also produces trolleybuses for many systems in Italy, Latin America, Sweden, Greece, Germany, Turkey, and South Africa. Later, Alfa Romeo only concentrated on manufacturing passenger cars.
- LCVs
- Alfa Romeo Romeo (1954-1958)
- Alfa Romeo Romeo 2 (until 1966)
- Alfa Romeo Romeo 3 (1966)
- Alfa Romeo A11/F11 (1954-1983)
- Alfa Romeo A12/F12
- AR8 (based on first generation Iveco Daily)
- AR6 (based on Fiat Ducato's first generation)
- Alfa Romeo F20 (Saviem license)
- Truck
- Alfa Romeo 50 "Biscione" (BÃÆ'¼ssing-NAG 50)/80 (1931-1934)
- Alfa Romeo 85/110 (1934 - n/a)
- Alfa Romeo 350 (1935 - n/a)
- Alfa Romeo 430 (1942-1950)
- Alfa Romeo 450/455 (1947-1959)
- Alfa Romeo 500 (1937 - n/a)
- Alfa Romeo 800 (1940-1943)
- Alfa Romeo 900 (1947-1954)
- Alfa Romeo 950 (1954-1958)
- Alfa Romeo Mille (Alfa Romeo 1000) (1958-1964)
- Alfa Romeo A15 (Saviem license)
- Alfa Romeo A19 (Saviem license)
- Alfa Romeo A38 (Saviem license)
- Bus
- Alfa Romeo 40A
- Alfa Romeo 80A
- Alfa Romeo 85A
- Alfa Romeo 110A
- Alfa Romeo 140A (1950-1958)
- Alfa Romeo 150A (1958)
- Alfa Romeo 430A (1949-1953)
- Alfa Romeo 500A (1945-1948)
- Alfa Romeo 800A
- Alfa Romeo 900A (1953-1956)
- Alfa Romeo 902A (1957-1959)
- Alfa Romeo 950A
- Alfa Romeo Mille (bus) (Alfa Romeo 1000) (1960-1964)
- Trolleybuses
- Alfa Romeo 110AF (1938)
- Alfa Romeo 140AF (1949)
- Alfa Romeo 800AF (1950-1954)
- Alfa Romeo 900AF (1955-1957)
- Alfa Romeo Mille AF (Alfa Romeo 1000) (1959-1964)
Drafts
Design always plays a big role in the history of Alfa Romeo. There are many concept cars Alfa Romeo, which is often made by design houses and famous designers. The BAT concept series from the 1950s was a collaboration with Italian design house Bertone. Coaches and other famous Italian design houses such as Pininfarina, Bertone, Zagato, and ItalDesign-Giugiaro also play a major role in Alfa Romeo's history, and even today some models are designed and built by them.
Other productions
Although Alfa Romeo is better known as a car manufacturer, it also produces commercial vehicles of various sizes, railroad locomotives, tractors, buses, trams, compressors, generators, electric stoves, aircraft engines and airplanes.
Airplane engine
The Alpha machine was first used on a plane in 1910 in the Santoni-Franchini biplane. In 1932 Alfa Romeo built the first real aircraft engine, D2 (240 bhp), mounted on Caproni 101 D2. In the 1930s when the Alfa Romeo engine was used for aircraft on a larger scale; Savoia Marchetti SM.74, Savoia-Marchetti SM.75, Savoia-Marchetti SM.79, Savoia Marchetti SM.81 and Cant Z506B Airone all use Alfa Romeo-made machines. In 1931, a competition was arranged in which Tazio Nuvolari piloted his Alfa Romeo 8C 3000 Monza against Caproni Ca.100. Alfa Romeo built various aircraft engines during the Second World War; the most famous is RA.1000 RC 41-I Monsone, a licensed version of the Daimler-Benz DB 601. This machine makes it possible to build efficient fighter aircraft such as Macchi C.202 Folgore for Italian soldiers. After the Second World War Alfa Romeo produced engines for Fiat, Aerfer and Ambrosini. In the 1960s Alfa Romeo focused on improving and maintaining Curtiss-Wright, Pratt & amp; Whitney, Rolls-Royce and General Electric aircraft engines. Alfa Romeo also built the first Italian turbine engine, fitted to Beechcraft King Air. The Avio Alfa Romeo division was sold to Aeritalia in 1988, from 1996 it was part of Fiat Avio. Alfa Avio is also part of the team's development to the new T700-T6E1 engine to NHH NH Helicopter.
Marine engine
Alfa Romeo also produces marine engines. The first marine engine was produced in 1929. Then, for three consecutive years: 1937-1938-1939 with remarkable affirmations, Alfa Romeo demonstrated its constructive efficiency by contributing to the development of marine engines.
- (1938) 12 cyl (4,500) 121,710 km/h
Aero-engine
- Alfa Romeo D2
- Alfa Romeo 110
- Alfa Romeo 115
- Alfa Romeo 121
- Alfa Romeo 125
- Alfa Romeo 126
- Alfa Romeo 128
- Alfa Romeo 135
- Alfa Romeo Lynx
- Alfa Romeo Mercurius
- Alfa Romeo RA.1000
- Alfa Romeo RA-1050
- Alfa Romeo R.C.10
- Alfa Romeo R.C.34
- Alfa Romeo R.C.35
- Alfa Romeo AR.318
Marketing and sponsors
Over the years Alfa Romeo has been marketed under different slogans such as: "The race-winning family car" used in the 1950s in Alfa Romeo's 1900 marketing campaign, the "race since 1911" was used in most of the 1960s Alpha ads, In the 1970s the Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV was marketed as "if this kind of handling is good enough for our race car, this is good enough for you." Giulia Sprint GTA is marketed as "The car you drive to work is a champion". The latest slogans used are "Mediocrity is a sin", "Driven by Passion", "Cuore Sportivo", "Beauty is not enough" and today "Without our hearts will be a mere machine". Also the newer ones are: "This is not a car, it's Alfa Romeo.", One of them after the couple argued in Italian.
As part of its marketing policy, Alfa Romeo sponsors a number of sporting events, such as the Mille Miglia rally. It has sponsored the SBK Superbike World Championship and Ducati Corse since 2007, and the Goodwood Festival of Speed ​​for many years, and was one of the flagship brands in 2010 when Alfa Romeo celebrated its 100th anniversary. Alfa Romeo Giulietta has been used since the Monza 2010 race as a safety car in the Superbike World Championship. Alfa Romeo is also a sponsor of Eintracht Frankfurt club soccer shirts in the period between 2013-2016.
In 2002, Alfa Romeo I , the first super luxury Alfa Romeo cruise ship was launched. It finished first in at least 74 races including the 2002 Sydney - Hobart Race. Alfa Romeo II , commissioned in 2005, measuring 30 meters (98Ã, ft) of LOA. It sets a new time record for monohulls in the 2009 Transpac race, from 5 days, 14 hours, 36 minutes, 20 seconds. It finished first in at least 140 races. In mid-2008 Alfa Romeo III was launched for competitive racing fleet under IRC rules. Alfa Romeo III measures 21.4 meters (70Ã, ft) of LOA and features an interior design arranged after Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione.
The BBC Top Gear auto show has repeatedly stated the importance of owning Alfa Romeo cars as a car enthusiast, stating that "you can not be a true petrolhead if you never have/or want to own Alfa Romeo". Presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May continue to praise Alfas for their beauty and driving characteristics even though Italian cars have a long-term bad reputation for being unreliable. They argue that you (the owner) build a personal relationship with the car despite all the mechanical mistakes. Both Clarkson and May previously had Alfas (GTV6 for Clarkson and Alfa 164 for May) and both have stated that they regret selling their Alfas at most.
During the Super Bowl LI, Alfa Romeo runs three ads throughout the game; the brand is the only marque advertised by the FCA during the game, having exclusively focused on the Jeep brand in the Super Bowl 50.
See also
- Alfa Romeo Arese Plant
- Alfa Romeo Pomigliano d'Arco Factory
- Alfa Romeo Portello Factory
- Alfa Romeo Museum
- Circuito di Balocco
- Alfa Romeo in motorsport
- Category: Alfa Romeo engine
- Category: People Alfa Romeo
References
Further reading
- Borgeson, Griffith (1990). Alfa Romeo Tradition. Haynes (Foulis) Publishing Group. Somerset, UK. ISBNÃ, 0-85429-875-4.
- Braden, Pat (1994). Alfa Romeo Owner's Bible Cambridge: Bentley Publishers. ISBNÃ, 0-8376-0707-8.
- Stefano d 'Amico and Maurizio Tabuchi (2004). Alfa Romeo Production Cars. Giorgio NADA Editore. ISBNÃ, 88-7911-322-4.
- Hull and Slater (1982). Alfa Romeo: a History. Book Publishing Publishing Book. ISBNÃ, 0-85184-041-8.
- Objects, David (2000). First among the Champions. Osceola: Motorbooks International. ISBNÃ, 1-85960-631-8.
- Owen, David. Great Marques, Alfa Romeo. London: Octopus Books, 1985. ISBNÃ, 0-7064-2219-8
- Owen, David. Alfa Romeo: Always with Passion. Haynes Publications, 1999. ISBNÃ, 1-85960-628-8
- Moore, Simon (1987). Immortal 2.9. Parkside Pubns. ISBN 978-0-9617266-0-7.
- Mcdonough, E., & amp; Collins, P. (2005). Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 . Veloce Publishing. ISBNÃ, 1-904788-71-8
- Tipler, John. Alfa Romeo Spider, History complete. Crowood Press (UK), 1998. ISBNÃ, 1-86126-122-5
- Tipler, John. Alfa Romeo Giulia Coupe Gt & amp; Gta. Veloce Publishing, 2003. ISBNÃ, 1-903706-47-5
- Style, David G. "Alfa Romeo - The Legend Revived", Dalton Watson 1989. ISBNÃ, 978-0-901564-75-7
- Style, David G. "Alfa Romeo - Spider, Alfasud & Alfetta GT", Crowood Press 1992. ISBNÃ, 1-85223-636-1
- Style, David G. "Alfa Romeo - Milan Spirit", Sutton Publishing 1999. ISBNÃ, 0-7509-1924-8
External links
- Alfa Romeo International
- Alfa Romeo Press
- Alfa Romeo in Curlie (based on DMOZ)
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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