Alfa Romeo 149

[sakiss]

Alfa 940(149)
3/5p 2007/8

1.6 115hp
1.6JTS 130hp
1.9JTS 160hp
2.2JTS 185hp
2.2JTS Turbo 250hp
3.2V6 JTS 260hp Q4
1.6JTD M-JET 120hp
1.9JTD M-JET 150hp
1.9JTD M-JET TwinTurbo 200hp

GTA.... 3.6V6 JTS 350

.2JTS...2/2JTS Turbo with 250 against Α3 2.0FSI Turbo 200hp

148 1.6 115hp(2006) A3 1.6 102hp
148 1.6JTS 130hp(2006) A3 1.6FSI 115hp 116i 115hp
148 1.9JTS 160hp(2006) 118i 130hp(2005)
148 2.2JTS 185hp(2006) A3 2.0FSI 150hp 120i 150hp
148 2.2JTS Turbo 250hp(2006) Α3 2.0FSI Turbo 200hp 125i 218hp(2005)
148 3.2V6JTS Q4 280hp(2006) A3 3.2V6FSI Quattro 255hp(2006)

Wheelbase 2,65m
4,3m x 1,8m x same with 147(height)

http://members.chello.nl/willem.patt...8_rear_800.jpg

[sakiss]

http://www.d-signet.it/images/autopareri/front.jpg
http://www.d-signet.it/images/autopareri/back.jpg

[sakiss]

Not long ago, a batch of photographs taken within the Alfa Romeo Centro Stile circulated the internet, boosting interest in the future Alfa 147 replacement, Progetto 940. At first sight the photographs, which revealed a duo of small clay models and a 1:1 wall tape drawing, portrayed design proposals for a car that matched the 147 in terms of proportion. It soon became apparent, however, that the photographs revealed no further details of the Alfa Romeo 147 replacement, and were described by insiders as ‘looking very different’.
The photographs turned out to bear slightly more resemblance to the design used on Progetto 921, the Alfa Romeo Kamal, which has been haunted ever since its birth with a stop-start development history. This was particularly true for the 1:1 scale wall tape drawing, which boasted a large ground clearance to match.
A second, more intriguing possibility for the clay models arose, with mention of a project that had silently come and gone, completely out of public knowledge. Consideration had apparently gone into the development of a small Alfa Romeo, to be positioned below the 147. Unfortunately, more questions than answers were triggered by the photographs, although one reasonably researchable curiosity was sparked, namely how far Progetto 940 exactly is in the development phase, and when we can expect to see the final product.
Earlier this year, it was stated that Alfa Romeo 147 replacement prototypes were already undergoing trials on test tracks, with excellent handling characteristics being observed. Coupled to the observation of a 1:1 scale body, at the Zagato facility on Via Arese, and the project appeared to be well underway. No photographs have so far been revealed, however, and it has now become apparent, with fresh information, that the car is not quite as far in its development phase as initially perceived.
Currently, a general design has been chosen, and is undergoing the feasibility phase at Elasis. Using the advanced 'Unigraphics' system, general parameters are used to test the practicality of the design. Not only constraints, but also comfort factors are tested, such as visibility, distance of gearlever, and legroom. Dimensions of technical features are also fitted into the car, such as the engine, and suspension components. The extremes are represented by two-dimensional cross sections, which are positioned within the virtual model.
Engineering work is also underway, which usually starts as soon as a general exterior shape has been derived. In the case of the Alfa Romeo Kamal, mules based on Fiat Stilo Multiwagon bodies were built by the Stola company, and used to test the general platform, and driveline. Recently, the decision to change the platform for the Kamal, for the third time, has resulted in a temporary halt in the use of old mules. By using mules, Alfa Romeo can develop the engineering side of the project alongside the styling, saving valuable time.

For testing the interior design after feasibility has been conducted, Elasis use the “Virtalis” virtual reality system. Fiat also use the system to incorporate all data held on a vehicle, to embrace aerodynamics, crash test, focus group analysis, manufacturing and marketing.

Metodologie Sviluppo Prodotto (MSP), a department of Elasis, has been researching VR capability since the late 1990s and introduced Digital Mock-Up techniques into Fiat and sister company Alfa Romeo. In mid-2002, Gennaro Monacelli, manager of the MSP group at Elasis, decided to interlink ergonomics with real mock-ups.

First phase of the program included the creation of a parametric car in which all the physical relationships between elements of the vehicle’s interior could be electronically controlled. This was linked to a VR system, with the driver wearing a headset. The driver could then touch (real) proposed controls and sit in a (real) proposed seat in a virtual car.
In May of last year, the system was enthusiastically described by Monacelli. “Currently, altering the distance ratios of the various elements takes a few seconds and altering the physical seats and steering wheels takes about an hour. This means our top management can easily check out different configurations early in the design process without too much time commitment.

"Such comparisons are simply not possible with a wholly physical model, where creating a new one might not only take weeks but is costly to produce. Likewise, CAD does not allow you to truly feel the car, yet with this system, we can take CAD data and create a VR model ready for its first ergonomic evaluation in half an hour.”
Different drivers can also be used in the virtual realty system, to allow for the simulation of a complete range of human dimensions. Elasis are aiming to lower the time required for the system to prepare itself for a new driver to a minute. When this goal is reached, the system will then be regarded as the high speed, flexible design environment originally envisaged.
“We believe our adoption and investment in advanced VR techniques will generate better designs because we will genuinely have considered all the options and have thoroughly benchmarked them against our competitors. We will initially be focusing on the driver’s comfort and the quality of interior and exterior visibility. Beyond this application, the protocols we have developed are feeding into Fiat’s Virtual Reality Network, which will ultimately encompass all the Group’s activities in a co-operative working environment. VR will become the standard workstation for an engineer, just as CAD systems began to be about fifteen years ago.”
Adding ruggedised force feedback is the next target for Elasis and Virtalis, and is currently under development. Once this feature is enabled, Fiat dealers will be able not only to show how a customer’s car might look in different colours and lighting conditions but also allow them to experience textures created by the various finishes. Elasis is sponsoring research at the University of Padova into how VR is accepted by the general public.
The use of virtual reality will ensure that the Alfa Romeo 147 replacement will be a class-leader in comfort, irrespective of the customer type. The typical comfort problems, associated with both short and long drivers, will be an issue of the past. By replacing traditional techniques with such systems, development time can be used more effectively. Alfa Romeo are not exploiting the system to develop cars in ground-breaking times, instead they are using the systems to develop ground-breaking cars. The Alfa Romeo 147 replacement, both in three and five door format, is expected to be revealed towards the end of 2006.

[alfaholico]

Sakis, you are amazing!!!!!!! Is the 149 the replacement for the 147? Yia sou patrida!!!!!!!

[johnei]

The 149 definitely looks like the 8C from behind - and I've seen sketches of this car somewhere else too. I like the idea of using computers for things and making adjustments to dimensions but it seems until the computer tells you that the cupholder with something in it blocks access to the radio or a/c or likes to eject the cup when going round corners then it will remain imperfect to actual testing.

[sakiss]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfaholico Sakis, you are amazing!!!!!!! Is the 149 the replacement for the 147? Yia sou patrida!!!!!!!

[Blu Hollandese]

Cool, thanks for the info!!! you're a heck of spy!!

[sakiss]

THE ALFA ROMEO 147 HAS WON ITSELF ANOTHER IMPORTANT TITLE BY CLAIMING THE PRESTIGIOUS ANNUAL '24 ORE DI AUTO' HELD AT THE MISANO CIRCUIT

The Alfa Romeo 147 has won itself another important title by claiming the prestigious annual '24 Ore di Auto' held at the Misano circuit.

The race, held on the 11th and 12th of May, was organised as usual by 'Cars' magazine on the Adriatic Misano race track, and the winning car this year was a 1.6-litre TwinSpark powered Alfa 147.

This latest endurance victory comes just weeks after a JTD-powered Alfa 147 scorched to victory in the Nuerburgring 24 Hours, its third consecutive win in what is self-billed as the 'world's toughest race'. A former winner of highly prestigious 'European Car of the Year' award, these two latest victories prove that the Alfa 147, recently given its mid-life update, is just as dynamically fresh as ever.

The specialist Italian review publication each year organises a marathon twenty four hour race that puts to the test high-volumes models in order to determine their levels of reliability, durability and of course performance. This year the magazine chose petrol and diesel engined models from the hotly-contested C-segment, picking twenty one cars from eleven different manufacturers. All the cars chosen had 115 bhp available. As well as the Alfa 147 1.6TS, other strong rivals for the race included a Renault Megane 1.6 16v, Audi A3 1.6 FSI, Toyota Corolla 1.6 VVT and Honda Civic V-TEC Sport.
The driving duties were entrusted to a number of leading Italian and foreign motoring journalists, which included three of the top European specialist car magazines: Autocar from Great Britain, Autovisie from Holland, and ViBilagare from Sweden.

The journalists were joined by regular test drivers, and all drivers rotated between the cars over the twenty four hour period. Television coverage was provided by the cameras of Motor RAI TG2.

Always pushing the cars to the limit, the only stops permitted by the organisers were regular pit visits to change the pilots, refuel the cars, and to change the Michelin-supplied 'control' tyres and the brakes. The winning Alfa 147 1.6TS completed 642 laps of the Adriatic circuit which equated to 2606.5 kilometers. During the 24 hours they replaced the front brake pads once and the front tyres three times. The car used 626.1 litres of petrol during the run, which meant that the Alfa 147 travelled 4.163 km per litre of petrol.

IL 24 ORE DI AUTO, MAY 11/12, 2005 - RESULT: PETROL CATEGORY:

1st Alfa Romeo 147 1.6 TS 642 laps (2606.5km) av. speed 108,542 km/h, 2nd Honda Civic 1.6 V-TEC Sport +4 laps, 3rd Citroën C4 Coupé 1.6 16V +7 laps, 4th Toyota Corolla 1.6 VVT-i +11 laps, 5th Mazda 3 1.6 16V +12 laps, 6th Ford Focus 1.6 Ti-VCT +13 laps, 7th VW Golf 1.6 FSI +15 laps, 8th Audi A3 1.6 FSI +16 laps, 9th Renault Mégane 1.6 16V +19 laps, 10th BMW 116i +21 laps

[dretceterini]

If the car actually looks like the b/w design drawings, it will be a very attractive car.

[alfaholico]

This is a little off topic, however, hear me out. I took my new LR3 to the car wash and a young couple was admiring it. I'd say they were in their late 20's. I acknowledged his kind words, but ended my comment by saying, "It's not an Alfa!" Hmm, he says, Alfa Romeo. And then I go on to brainwash him with all of Sakiss amazing stats and propaganda and I tell him that when they return to America, that's the car to buy. There is an entire generation of people that have no idea what an Alfa is!!!! Keep yours in shape, make sure they purr, and promote the marque you love at every chance. Sakiss, keep up the good work!!! Yia sou patrida!!!!!!!!

[sakiss]

[dave_fonz_164]

if the future 149 looks anything like that, alfa is gonna sell them in huge numbers

[johnei]

That's a very unconventional approach - making the smallest car of the lineup use most of the styling elements of a hugely popular showcar/supercar - that looks like a endurance racer.

[johnei]

Not withstanding my previous remarks - I'm glad to see that it looks like the 149 (or 147 replacement) will come with the q4 system as well. I think that would do well to help sell the 3.2L version. Also it seems there might be a 166 coupe - but its hard to say. Also, what is with Alfa letting people wander around their test facility and take pictures - with specs sheets taped in the windows. Given the amount of info Sakiss seems to get it Alfa has a very loose corporate secrecy policy - at least compared to everyone else.
http://www.italiaspeed.com/2005/cars...locco/2106.htm

[sakiss]

Photoshop

http://img314.imageshack.us/img314/4591/940m5wf.jpg