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Report: Alfa Romeo Spider said to get modern styling, 168 horsepower

Filed under: Convertible, Alfa Romeo

Take a good look at the picture (and the high-res image gallery) of the Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta concept by Pininfarina, because the production Spider that will be a joint development with the coming Mazda MX-5 Miata isn’t expected to look anything like it. According to a report in Autocar, designers at Fiat’s Centro Stile couldn’t figure out how to translate the concept to a production car.

We’re being told that the new Alfa roadster will be styled to match the modernity of the brand’s lineup, accented by “historic design themes,” and that its exterior is near final approval. Apparently, the traditional Alfa grille will be flanked by “lower intake whiskers” and headlights that are nothing like those on the 4C. To be built alongside the Miata in Japan, it will share certain platform hardpoints like the front bulkhead and engine compartment, but won’t have any body panels in common with the Mazda.

Only one engine is expected to be slotted in that bay: the 1.4-liter MultiAir with 168 horsepower. Those ponies will be charged with moving a roadster said to come in at no more than 2,420 pounds, with shifting performed by a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. If that information is correct, that would give it one more horsepower and 20 or more pounds less weight than the current manual-transmission Miata Sport. Comparing like-for-kind-of-like, it would have 10 more hp and be at least 122 pounds lighter than the current automatic-equipped Miata Sport.

Alfa Romeo Spider said to get modern styling, 168 horsepower originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jul 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Novitec Alfa Romeo 8C Spider is a sexy, 600-horsepower monster

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Kompressor by Novitec

Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Kompressor by Novitec – Click above for high-res image gallery

Beautiful as it is, the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione is widely regarded as a miserable handler. That could be chalked up to the 1990s-era Maserati platform on which it was built, but one way or another, the very thought of giving such such an archaic chassis more power to contend with could be the worst idea since New Coke. But that’s not about to stop the boffins over at Novitec.

The German tuning firm has a penchant for tuning Italy’s finest, and have this time turned their attention to the 8C Spider. Bolting on the same supercharger and intercooler as it did with the Maserati GranCabrio, Novitec has cranked output from the 4.7-liter V8 up from 450 horsepower and 346 pound-feet of torque stock to a certifiable 600 hp and 434 lb-ft, figures which Novitec pegs as good for a 0-62 sprint in 3.9 seconds (down from the stock model’s 4.2).

The modifications applied to the sexy Spider also include a remapped engine control module and a variable stainless steel exhaust. No word on a brake upgrade, but you’d have to be even crazier to dial in that much muscle without the shoes to keep it in check. Thankfully, however, Novitec has tinkered with the suspension, fitting new coils and adjustable dampers along with Pirelli-coated modular wheels (21 inches up front, 22 in the rear) in silver on the port side and black on starboard. With all that power on tap, we can only hope the modifications to the suspension prove enough to handle it all.

Gallery: Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Kompressor by Novitec

Novitec Alfa Romeo 8C Spider is a sexy, 600-horsepower monster originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 May 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Honda also on the lookout for spider menace

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Safety, Honda

It looks like Mazda isn’t the only automaker getting cozy with spiders. According to the Los Angeles Times, Honda has discovered that some of its vehicles may be plagued by the same arachnid infestation that caused 52,000 Mazda6 sedans to recently be recalled. Those vehicles were discovered to have spider web blockages in their fuel evaporation systems, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration feared that a fuel leak could result. Honda has discovered that the same species of yellow sac spider that sets up residence in those vehicles is also more than happy to call certain 2008-2009 Accord models home as well.

Honda has not seen fit to issue a recall for the problem, though the automaker has sent out a Technical Service Bulletin to its dealers. Service technicians will be on the lookout for any blockage and address the issue as necessary.

At this point, it’s still unclear as to why this particular species of spider finds the evap systems to be a suitable environment, and there’s no information on which regions of the country have had the most instances of infestation. Either way, we won’t be surprised if Honda is the last automaker to have its Spidey Sense atingle.

[Source: Los Angeles Times |

Report: Honda also on the lookout for spider menace originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PETA recommends solving your Mazda’s spider problems by… donating your car

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Recalls, Mazda

2009 Mazda6 in the snow

2009 Mazda6 – Click above for high-res image gallery

People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is offering a unique – if unlikely – solution to 2009-2010 Mazda6 owners who have felt the bite of the company’s recall to chase away gas-loving spiders. They want you to donate your ride to them. The animal-rights group is soliciting donations from any of the 52,000 affected Mazda customers who would rather see the spiders saved than murdered at the hands of mechanics.

Once they’ve chased the itsy-bitsy spiders from the car’s evap pipe, PETA says they’ll use the donated Mazda sedans to champion their cause. PETA says that this won’t be the first time they’ve received cars from animal loving donors: a PETA member who was terrified of mice once donated a brand-new Jeep to the organization after she found a mouse living in it. The mouse was saved, just as the spiders will be.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Mazda6 s Grand Touring

[Source: PETA]

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PETA recommends solving your Mazda’s spider problems by… donating your car originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Barrett-Jackson 2011: Rick Hendrick’s 2002 Ferrari 360 Modena F1 Spider *Update: w/video

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Auctions, Videos, Ferrari

2002 Ferrari 360 Modena F1 Spider at Barrett-Jackson 2011

Rick Hendrick’s 2002 Ferrari 360 Modena F1 Spider – Click above for high-res image gallery

Are you playing Speed’s Online Fantasy Bid Game? If not, this is the perfect chance to start, as it’s just about to hit the auction block – Bid away, you could end up winning a prize, such as an Apple iPad. These Ferrari 360s can typically be had for anywhere from $75,000 to $95,000… but this is Mr. Hendrick’s personal low-mileage car and it’s on the Barrett-Jackson stage, so our guess is that a $100,000+ winning bid is certainly possible.

With that out of the way, let’s take a look at this particular machine. Saying that Rick Hendrick owns a couple of cars is like saying the crowd at the 2011 Barrett-Jackson auction likes to throw back a couple of drinks. As an auction night marches on, the bartenders tip jars fill up faster and prices start to climb. Rick Hendrick is hoping they don’t cut anyone off because a few of his cars will be rolling across the stage… including his 2002 Ferrari 360 Modena F1 Spider.

Looking splendid in its traditional red paint, the drop-top Italian sports car shows just 1,936 miles on the odometer. Only 379 convertible paddle-shift cars were built and this one was kept inside when the weather was anything other than sunny. We’re guessing it drove it a little more aggressively than he plans to drive his new Chevrolet Volt.

Check out the official auction listing here, and head on over to Speed to watch live streaming coverage of all the festivities.

*Update: Click past the jump to watch the Ferrari go across the block.

Gallery: 2002 Ferrari 360 Modena F1 Spider at Barrett-Jackson 2011

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Barrett-Jackson 2011: Rick Hendrick’s 2002 Ferrari 360 Modena F1 Spider *Update: w/video originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 18:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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