2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Rwd on 2040-cars

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Alfa Romeo 4C Spider is dead after 2020, but look at this 33 Stradale Tributo

The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider is finally making its exit. Alfa quit selling the coupe in America starting with the 2019 model year, and now the roofless version will wrap up with the 2020 model year. There will be no 2021 4C Spider in the U.S. Alfa is not killing the 4C without a bang, though. In conjunction with the announcement of the car’s U.S. departure, Alfa has announced a 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo special edition model. ItÂ’s meant to honor the 1967 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, which is the iconic roadgoing version of the Tipo 33 race car. ItÂ’s gorgeous and works as a fitting send off to the mid-engine sports car that kickstarted AlfaÂ’s return to North America. There are a number of things changed or added with the 33 Stradale Tributo, but the single biggest difference is the red transparent finish to the carbon monocoque chassis (pictured above). The normally black exposed carbon fiber is now a glowing and translucent red, and itÂ’s rather striking. Additionally, Alfa paints it in an exclusive shade of red: Rosso Villa dÂ’Este tri-coat. It gets gray-gold wheels, a two-tone black and “tobacco” (brown) interior and special badging on the dash, side sills and center console. Everybody who buys one will also get a special, numbered book that goes over the 4C in detail. All 33 Stradale Tributo models will be fully loaded with options, too. Most importantly, it gets the Akropovic exhaust and race-tuned suspension. Alfa says a standard 4C with every option would be “thousands more,” so hey, youÂ’re getting a deal. The 33 Stradale Tributo will start at $81,590, and only 33 will be built. Considering that Alfa has only sold 92 4C Spiders throughout all of FCAÂ’s 2020 reported sales so far, they might be easier to get than you think. If you want one, Alfa says you should email (yeah, weird) them at: sales@alfaromeo.com. Related Video:

Alfa Romeo working on high-performance engines

During the big Fiat Chrysler Automobiles FCA US LLC announcement of its five-year plan earlier this year, the strategy for Alfa Romeo was easily summarized by brand boss Harald Wester: "Go back to the Alfa Romeo that people admired." Easier said than done. With the 4C as one step in that procedure, we might see the next when the company unveils its midsize sedan in June with a trio of new engines with up to 480 horsepower. Anonymous sources at suppliers are already making some big claims about the new mills to Automotive News Europe. The top of the heap is reportedly a 2.9-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 making up to 480 hp, based on the 3.0-liter engine in the Maserati Quattroporte and Ghibli. Below it is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that's claimed to produce between 180 hp and 330 hp for rear- or all-wheel drive applications. Finally, there's potentially a 2.2-liter turbo-diesel four with between 135 hp and 210 hp. Little has been officially announced about the midsize sedan, but it was possibly spied testing recently hidden under the body of a Ghibli. It was rumored to be rear-wheel drive with a size between the BMW 3 Series and 5 Series, and a high-performance GTA version was also speculated. According to ANE, the vehicle won't be called the Giulia and won't hit the market in the US until 2016. In addition to the midsize model's engines, FCA is also reportedly working on an updated version of its 3.0-liter diesel V6 sourced from VM Motori with new 275-hp and 340-hp versions. They are likely slated for Alfa's future large sedan and SUV. News Source: Automotive News Europe - sub. req.Image Credit: Copyright 2014 Drew Phillips / AOL Alfa Romeo Technology Sedan FCA alfa romeo giulia fiat chrysler automobiles

The cars of notorious dictators

It's good to be the king, at least until your people have had enough of you. Last week, we brought you famous presidential cars. This week, we're going to the opposite end of the political spectrum, looking at what history's mad men drove throughout their repressive and violent regimes. These dictators were absolutely powerful, and absolutely corrupt. More nightmares for their people than rulers, their iron-fisted control gave them the ability to satisfy any wild desire with nearly limitless funds. While they all splurged on luxury goods, cars were a particular passion of many dictators. Cars make a powerful statement to the public about wealth, status and control. It's how you are presented at ground level to your adoring masses or mortal enemies. A custom luxury car with plenty of armor plating reinforced the specialness and "otherness" of the ruler to friend and foe alike. Muammar Gaddafi, Libya, 1969 - 2011 Lybia's President for Life Muammar Gaddafi fancied himself not just a car enthusiast, but a car designer for the masses as well. He supposedly designed a car called the "Saroukh el-Jamahiriya" or Libyan Rocket. It had a 230-horsepower V6 and the nose and tail of a rocket. He was trying to produce a safer car. What makes it safe car? Tough to say. Not a lot was ever released it. Apparently the el-Jamahiriya did come with airbags and collapsible fenders in case of a collision. A spokesperson said "The invention of the safest car in the world is proof that the Libyan revolution is built on the happiness of man." We'll just have to take his word for it. When he wasn't designing his own cars, Gaddafi was ordering up custom rides, large and small. Besides a heavily armored BMW 7 Series and a Mercedes S-Class stretch limo, Gaddafi had this custom Fiat built at a cost of $260,000. The gold in the trim is real gold (of course) and comes with some touches that are pure Gaddafi. For instance, the Fiat badge was replaced with an outline of the continent of Africa, with Libya cut out in green. Rebels seized the Fiat and Gaddafi's other trappings of power after putting an end to Gaddafi's 42 years in control. Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, Haiti, 1971 - 1986 Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier was the second-generation dictator of Hati from 1971 to 1986. He made life hell for his people for 15 long years, starting when his father died when he was just 19 years old. Imagine if Justin Beiber was given a tiny island nation to run.