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Are supercars becoming less special?

There's little doubt that we are currently enjoying the golden age of automotive performance. Dozens of different models on sale today make over 500 horsepower, and seven boast output in excess of 700 hp. Not long ago, that kind of capability was exclusive to supercars – vehicles whose rarity, performance focus, and requisite expense made them aspirational objects of desire to us mortals. But more than that, supercars have historically offered a unique driving experience, one which was bespoke to a particular model and could not be replicated elsewhere. But in recent years, even the low-volume players have been forced to find the efficiencies and economies of scale that formerly hadn't been a concern for them, and in turn the concept of the supercar as a unique entity unto itself is fading fast. The blame doesn't fall on one particular manufacturer nor a specific production technique. Instead, it's a confluence of different factors that are chipping away at the distinction of these vehicles. It's not all bad news – Lamborghini's platform sharing with Audi for the Gallardo and the R8 yielded a raging bull that was more reliable and easier to live with on a day-to-day basis, and as a result it went on to become the best-selling Lambo in the company's history. But it also came at the cost of some of the Italian's exclusivity when eerily familiar sights and sounds suddenly became available wearing an Audi badge. Even low-volume players have been forced to find economies of scale. Much of this comes out of necessity, of course. Aston Martin's recent deal with Mercedes-AMG points toward German hardware going under the hood and into the cabin of the upcoming DB11, and it's safe to assume that this was not a decision made lightly by the Brits, as the brand has built a reputation for the bespoke craftsmanship of its vehicles. There's little doubt that the DB11 will be a fine automobile, but the move does jeopardize some of the characteristic "specialness" that Astons are known for. Yet the world is certainly better off with new Aston Martins spliced with DNA from Mercedes-AMG rather than no new Astons at all, and the costs of developing cutting-edge drivetrains and user interfaces is a burden that's becoming increasingly difficult for smaller manufacturers to bear. Even Ferrari is poised to make some dramatic changes in the way it designs cars.

2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia and 2024 Stelvio will be $1,800 less expensive

A month after Alfa Romeo revealed the 2024 Giulia and Stelvio for our market, both are less expensive than at launch. All Giulia and Stelvio trims bar the Quadrifoglio have had their MSRPs cut by $1,800. The discount appears to be another move by Stellantis brands here to reposition themselves to achieve the kinds of success that has eluded them so far. Cars Direct picked up on the price cuts in Alfa Romeo order guides. When it asked the automaker what gives, an Alfa Romeo spokesperson replied, "The reduction in pricing is a lifecycle direction for Stelvio and Giulia to enhance market competitiveness." Read: We want to give German Three shoppers more reason to give us a better look. The coming model year of the sedan and SUV isn't on the Alfa Romeo site yet. Cars Direct says the entry-level Giulia Sprint will start at $44,075 after the $1,595 destination fee, the Stelvio Sprint will start at $46,370. The sedan hides a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine up front making 280 horsepower and 306 pound-feet of torque, all of that sent to the rear axle. Zero to 60 miles per hour takes 5.5 seconds, fuel economy comes in at 24 miles per gallon in the city, 33 mpg highway, 27 mpg combined, and Alfa provides a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty. The BMW 330i is also powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, this one making 255 hp and 295 lb-ft. The stoplight dash takes 5.6 seconds, fuel economy is rated at 25 city, 34 highway, and 29 combined. Thanks to pruning the price, the 2024 Giulia starts off $720 less expensive than the 2023 330i that opens the bidding at $44,795 after the $995 destination fee. The problem is that once you start comparing like-for-like, it's not clear where you'll end up. For instance, the Giulia comes on 17-inch wheels, the BMW on 18-inch wheels. According to the configurator for the 2023 Giulia, upgrading to 18-inch wheels costs $1,725. The Giulia comes with black leather seats, the only alternate interior option a set of red leather seats for an additional $2,000. The BMW comes with Sensatec seats, but buyers have five choices in leather seat colors, four with contrasting stitching, each of which adds $1,500. Point being, if you upgraded the Alfa Romeo to 18-inch wheels and upgraded the BMW to leather, the sedans are only $495 apart.

Stellantis says its 2021 performance has been better than expected

MILAN — Stellantis softened up investors ahead of its electrification strategy event on Thursday by flagging that 2021 got off to a better-than-expected start despite a chip shortage that has hit automakers worldwide. Stellantis, which was formed in January from the merger of Italian-American automaker Fiat Chrysler and France's PSA, faces an investor community keen to hear how it plans to come up with a range of electrified vehicles (EVs) to rival Tesla. At its "EV Day 2021" kicking off at 1230 GMT, Stellantis will disclose significant investments in electrification technology and connected software as it aims to be an industry frontrunner, it said in a statement. In April, Chief Executive Carlos Tavares said it would offer low-emission versions — either battery or hybrid electric — of almost all of its European models by 2025, and they should make up 70% of European sales and 35% of U.S. sales by 2030. Stellantis, the world's fourth-biggest automaker, has 14 brands in its stable, including Jeep, Ram, Opel, Fiat, Peugeot and Maserati.   Stellantis EV Day coverage: Dodge will launch the 'world's first electric muscle car' in 2024 Fully electric Ram 1500 will begin production in 2024 Jeep will have 4xe plug-in hybrid models across the lineup by 2025 Stellantis teases mystery electric Chrysler concept Stellantis previews 4 electric platforms: Here's how they'll be used Fiat says all Abarth models to be electric from 2024 Opel Manta E will be the electric revival of the classic German coupe Stellantis says its 2021 performance has been better than expected   At a similar EV strategy event last week, French rival Renault announced that 90% of its main brand models would be all-electric by 2030, whereas previously it had included hybrids in its target. Germany's Volkswagen, the world's second-biggest automaker after Toyota, expects all-electric vehicles to make up 55% of its total sales in Europe by 2030, and more than 70% of sales at its Volkswagen brand. Stellantis said its margins on adjusted operating profits in the first half of 2021 were expected to exceed an annual target of between 5.5% and 7.5%, despite production losses due to a global shortage of semiconductor supplies. Stellantis shares listed in Milan were down 2.6% at 0920 GMT, underperforming the broader European car index. Bestinver analyst Marco Opipari said Thursday's news was positive but that the stock was suffering from profit taking as it had moved up about 20% since the end of April.