Rapper M.I.A Explores Arabian Drifting In New Music Video

It’s no secret that Arabians are big fans of drifting their cars. Whether or not they do it because they love it or just because they are intensely bored is another story. But regardless, there’s no doubt that the sport of drifting has inflicted most of the middle east as of late.

One person to hop on board the drifting infatuation, unsurprisingly, is British rapper M.I.A. In her new music video for ‘Bad Girls’, M.I.A explores the side of her that the title suggests as a couple of older BMW 3-series’, an Alfa Romeo 156 and a Mercedes-Benz E-Class show off their drifting skills (known as hagwalah). The rapper even gets into the thick of things herself as she can be seen rapping on the windshield of a 3-series while it’s only on two wheels.

Whatever your thoughts about drifting hagwalah, this video is worth checking out for the cars alone. Let’s just hope that there were no accidents when filming like there usually is.

[Youtube]

Alfa Romeo Based Dodge Caliber Replacement Spied

Canadians are going to get their first taste in decades of what Alfa Romeo has been up to lately, even if it will be wearing a Dodge emblem. The replacement for the Caliber will be largely based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, so much so that it seemed the only real changes would be swapping the Alfa badges for Dodge badges. A recent spy pic somewhat confirms this.

What you see above is actually a four door version of the Giulietta. The Giulietta has traditionally been a hatchback and since the Caliber is a hatchback it was originally thought to come to our shores in that form. The pic either suggests otherwise or suggests that there will be at least two different body styles for the Caliber successor. The signature Dodge crosshair grille in the picture actually doesn’t fit the Italian face too badly.

This Caliber replacement (rumoured to be named the Hornet) is currently set to officially bow at the 2012 Detroit Auto show. No engine specs have been released yet but the 1.7 litre four cylinder which makes 232 horsepower that comes in the current top trim level of the Giulietta would make an excellent version of an SRT-4, no?

[KGP Photography via Autoblog Canada]

2013 Dodge Caliber To Bow At 2012 Detroit Auto Show

Since Fiat is now calling the shots at Chrysler, the brand as seen its misfortunes reverse in a big way. The result is sub-par product (see almost every model in the Chrysler/Dodge lineup) that has now been successfully refreshed to be more competitive. Unfortunately, one car that did not get a much needed make over is the Dodge Caliber. It continues to soldier on unchanged which is a big problem considering how Ford and Chevrolet have stepped up their compact segment game with the Focus and Cruze.

Well the Caliber hasn’t  been forgotten, in fact, it’s on schedule to be completely redesigned for 2013. And by redesigned, I mean it will essentially be a completely different car. The new Caliber is expected to largely be an Alfa Romeo Giulietta except styled as a a Dodge. Not a bad move at all. The new Caliber is expected to show its face at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show and go on sale in 2013. That puts its debut almost on par with Alfa Romeo’s return to Canada, which apparently has been delayed. Styling conflicts and an apparently picky CEO have been reported as they cause.

This gives Ford and Chevrolet ample time to eat up Caliber sales, however considering the rave reviews the Guilietta receives in Europe, the new Caliber could very well be worth the wait. Since it will be a completely new car, let’s hope Chrysler decides to give it a completely new name as well.

[Ward's Auto]

No Lancias Coming to Canada?

With the Fiat 500 officially on sale on our shores, it’s just the first of Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne’s plan of an Italian invasion. We will see many more Fiats, the return of Alfa Romeo, and even some Lancias. Or will we?

According to reports, the idea to bring the Lancia Ypsilon (pictured above) and the Lancia Delta has been shelved. The latter was even shown off at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show badged as a Chrysler. So, what gives? Well, apparently the launch of the Ypsilon was too close for comfort to the launch of the Fiat 500. There was a fear of the Ypsilon stealing the 500′s time to shine in the spotlight and cannibalizing 500 sales.

I can buy that, but why not just stagger the launches? Why cancel the plans all together?

Plans to sell the Chrysler 200, 200 convertible, 300 and Town & Country are apparently still on, however. They will be badged as Lancias.

So, not the greatest news, but I guess we should thank our lucky stars that we’re getting any Italian cars in the first place.

[Italiaspeed]

Alfa Romeo’s Canadian Return Delayed?

Along with the return of Fiat, most Canadians are eagerly awaiting the return of another Italian brand: Alfa Romeo. However it seems we will have to wait a bit longer because reports are now surfacing suggesting it will be delayed. Alfa Romeo was originally slated to return to Canada in the fall of 2012.

The report is now pegging Alfa’s return sometime in 2013 citing production and styling conflicts. It seems CEO Sergio Marchionne (the man we all have to thank for bringing the brands back in the first place and for making Chrylser way less embarrassing) does not like the new styling direction of the Giulietta – the car that’s supposed to replace the ridiculous Dodge Avenger and the recently restyled (but still terrible) Chrysler Sebring (now known as the 200). This inevitably means a delay for those vehicles as well when they come to the end of their cycles.

But this doesn’t just affect us Canadians. Since the Giulietta is currently sold in Europe and Marchionne wants to make it a global car, that means Europe will have to make due a gap in the lineup until designers can come up with something that pleases their seemingly anal boss. But hey, it’s better to have a delay to make sure you come up with the best product rather than rushing it. Chrysler can speak to experience with that.

[Auto News]

Alfa Romeo Giulietta Coming in 2012 As A Dodge

Beggers can’t be choosers I guess.

It would’ve been amazing to have the Alfa Romeo Giulietta in its current form, but apparently North Americans will have to settle for a Dodge version. It’s probably because the vomit inducing Caliber is scheduled to end its 5 year cycle in 2011. It will be officially dicontinued next year, so something needs to replace it and the Giulietta is a good fit.

As long as Chrysler doesn’t Americanize the design too much, it shouldn’t be too bad. Like I said, we’re lucky we’re getting the Giulietta at all.

We should also consider ourselves lucky as this likely won’t be the only Alfa to grace our shores as Fiat head Sergio Marchionne has promised at least 20% Italian influence into the faultering Chrysler brand.

Marchionne is also a Canadian, so thankfully he’s hooking us up with some sweet Euro product. Maybe we’ll even see some Canada only models? One would hope.

[USA Today]

Fiat & Alfa Romeo To Have Their Own Dealerships in North America!

Can you imagine having what’s pictured above in your neighbourhood to drive by everyday! Great news! You will!

You already know by now that since Fiat saved Chrysler from certain death, they’ve confirmed that the two Italian brands once sold here will be making their return as early as next year with the small but mighty Fiat 500 being the first model available for sale.

It was originally thought that the 500 would be sold here as a Chrysler with Chrysler badges, but Fiat must’ve realize how embarrassing that would be for everyone, so they then announced that the 500 will indeed be sold with Fiat badges.

But now they’ve taken it even further by promising that Fiat and Alfa Romeo will have their own dealerships. That’s right, you won’t need to bring a barf bag with you to test drive a Fiat or Alfa Romeo because there will be no Chryslers in sight! Well, that’s not entirely true. While Fiat & Alfa will get their own dealerships, they may be on the same site as Chrysler dealers, or they may even share the same building as Chrysler dealerships.

Right now the CEO of Fiat, Sergrio Marchionne, is planning 200 Fiat/Alfa Romeo dealerships across North America. As you’d imagine, that isn’t going to be cheap. Each brand new dealership is expected to cost $1 million. Then there’s the marketing which will cost an estimated $100 million. Oh well, you gotta pay to play. And it sounds like Sergio Marchionne definitely wants to play in our market.

[The Detroit Bureau]

Alfa Romeo Spyder Likely to Be Built In Ontario

In its 5 year business plan, head of Fiat Sergio Marchionne let us in on which Alfa Romeo models will be heading to Canadian soil. One of which is the Sypder.

During the presentation Marchionne was asked where the Canadian destined Alfa’s will be built, and he hinted right here in our backyard.

“That car may go to Brampton (Ontario)” replied Marchionne of the Spyder. Italian cars, Alfa’s specifically, aren’t exactly known for their reliability scores, so Canadian made Alfa’s is great news. If the Spyder gets built at the same Chrysler plant in Brampton, there’s a good possibility that other Alfa’s will be built there as well, which naturally, will create more jobs.

Expect Alfa Romeos to be available for sale sometime in 2012.

Fiat, Ferrari & Alfa’s Future All Laid Out For Us

Italian giant Fiat is going to be  hard at work for the next five years.

They have released a very detailed business plan for Ferrari, Fiat and Alfa Romeo. Why do we care? Well, aside from the fact that all three brands make ridiculously great cars, the business plan lays out what we’ve known for a while: Fiat and Alfa Romeo will be coming to Canada.

We’re extremely excited about that, but obviously, since Ferrari is Ferrari, they get first dibs on our coverage of their business plan.

And here it is. Ferrari will have six new models in the next few years. The 612 Scaglietti will get a replacement late next year with an expected addition of a hybrid set up. The V12 will stick around though, and it will likely be more powerful. The ridiculously good looking 458 Italia will spawn a Spyder version for those who prefer drop top thrills, and there is going to be a 599 GTB replacement as well. The California will be updated.

The biggest news is that the discontinued Enzo hypercar will indeed have a successor! No word of an expected release yet.

Check out Fiat and Alfa’s business plan for the North American market after the jump.

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Alfa Romeo Giulia to be First Model Sold in North America?

We already know (and are very excited) that Alfa Romeo is planning on returning to Canada, and now reports are suggesting that the next generation Giulia sedan will be the first model available for sale.

The pic you see above is a rendering of what the Giulia would look like. Nice! Unfortunately for us Canadians, Alfa has no plans on offering a hatchback version.You can blame the Amurricans for that one. Apparently, since Amurricans hate hatchbacks so much for some backwards thinking reason, Alfa canned a hatch version for us too.

But Alfa hasn’t completely dismissed the idea of selling a wagon version here.

We are expecting to see Alfa Romeo’s return to our soil in 2012. Can’t wait!

Welcome Back! Alfa Romeo Returning to Canada

Alfa Romeo left our market back in 1995 and mostly every car obsessed Canadian has felt something lacking in their lives ever since.

Alfa’s are traditionally quirky cars that never start, always break down and make you want to bludgeon it with a bat by the end of the day. BUT, they are such amazing high spirited cars, that most are willing to put up with all the problems. Afterall, a true petrol head doesn’t let something silly like reliability affect their car buying decisions, that would be way too sensible.

On top of that, they are achingly pretty, with the prettiest being the 8C you see pictured above.

So, when will we be able to find ourselves at a local Alfa dealer? Find out after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »