Alfa Romeo 8C Spider

Alfa Romeo 8C Spider concept car will be produced a limited series of only 500 units. Powered by 4.7 liters V8 engine (just like the coup? counterpart), 8C spider can delivers 450 hp and is coupled with a 6-speed F1-style paddle shift gearbox and a rear-wheel drive system.

Alfa Romeo Competizione

The Alfa Romeo Competizione is a sports car produced by Italian automaker Alfa Romeo. It was first presented as a concept car at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show and later released for sale for the 2007 model year.

The car uses a modified Maserati platform and powertrain (Maserati 4200, GranTurismo) and features a Ferrari/Maserati derived 90 degree cross-plane dry-sump lubricated 4.7-litre V8 assembled by Ferrari.


The top engine performance figures may be summarized as a maximum power of 331 kilowatts (450 PS) at 7000 revolutions per minute, a peak torque of 480 newton metres (354 lbf·ft) at 4750 rpm (80% at 2500 rpm) with an engine redline of 7500 rpm and rev limiter of 7600 rpm.[7] The V8 engine has variable timing in intake valves and compression ratio of 11.3


The six–speed transaxle gearbox has computerized gear selection by means of levers behind the steering wheel and may be used in Manual-Normal; Manual-Sport; Automatic-Normal; Automatic-Sport and Ice modes. The gearbox can shift in 175 milliseconds when using Sport mode. The 8C also has a limited slip differential.


It is fitted with specially developed 20 inch tyres: 245/35 at the front and 285/35 at the rear, fitted on perforated rims in fluid moulded aluminium. The 8C brakes have been called "phenomenal" by Road & Track magazine, with a stopping distance of 32 metres (105.0 ft), when travelling at an initial speed of 97 kilometres per hour (60 mph).


The official top speed is announced to be 292 kilometres per hour (181 mph) but it might be higher, with estimations that it could be around 306 kilometres per hour (190 mph) according to the Road & Track magazine. An Alfa Romeo engineer also stated that it is faster than announced top speed.

1968 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale

The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is an extremely rare and cool road car built by Alfa Romeo. Only 18 are reported to have been made, plus three design studies based on the 33 Stradale the 33.2, Iguana and Carabo.

The Stradale, first built in 1967, was based on the Autodelta Alfa Romeo T33 racing car. The car, designed by Franco Scaglione, and built by Carrozzeria Marazzi, made its debut at the 1967 Turin Motorshow.

Built in an attempt by Alfa to make some of its racing technology available to the public, it was the most expensive automobile for sale to the public in 1968 at US$17,000 (when the average cost of a new car in 1968 was $2,822).

The Stradale is believed to be the first production vehicle to feature dihedral doors, also known as butterfly doors. The Stradale also features windows which seamlessly curve upward into the 'roof' of the vehicle.

The race-bred engine bore no relation to the mass-produced units in Alfa's more mainstream vehicles. Race engineer Carlo Chiti designed an oversquare (78 mm bore x 52,2 mm stroke) dry-sump lubricated 1,995 cc (121.7 cu in) V8 that featured SPICA fuel injection, four ignition coils and 16 spark plugs. The engine used four chain-driven camshafts to operate the valve train and had a rev-limit of 10000 rpm. The engine produced 230 bhp (172 kW) at 8800 rpm in road trim and 270 bhp (200 kW) in race trim.

In another break from convention, Alfa used a six-speed transaxle gearbox by Valerio Colotti. The car takes 5.5 seconds to reach 60 mph (96.56 km/h) from a standing start and has top speed of 260 km/h (160 mph

Volvo V50

In Volvo nomenclature, "V" stands for "versatile." Versatility is great, but as the departed V40 wagon proved, it says nothing about excitement -- not when the other elements in the mix are drab sheet metal and mediocre performance. The Volvo V50 was conceived to replace this less-than-memorable small wagon, and it improves on the formula by offering more style and the opportunity for greater performance.

The compact V50 has been dubbed a "sport wagon" by Volvo. With its bulging fenders and grooved hood, this Volvo looks, dare we say, ripped. And it lives up to the "sport" part through its sharp handling and sprightly acceleration -- as long as you opt for the turbocharged engine, that is. With that turbo under its hood, the Volvo V50 feels nimble and brisk. Alas, the V50's normally aspirated base engine is far less impressive.

Still, with either power plant, this upscale small wagon is enjoyable on the inside, offering a design that's as ergonomically correct as it is distinctive. There are also plenty of safety features, with a lineup that includes side-impact and head curtain airbags, active head restraints and optional built-in booster seats for children. Combine all this with the utility offered by the available all-wheel drive, and Volvo's V50 distinguishes itself as providing plenty of "V" without being boring to drive or own.

Volvo XC60

Volvo XC60 Offer Feel as Secure Purchasing a New Volvo as You Do Driving One The Safe + Secure Coverage Plan offers you tremendous value by saving you thousands of dollars on your vehicle repairs, and provides you peace of mind during your ownership experience. In fact, Volvo has the lowest cost of ownership of any luxury brand according to IntelliChoice.
Disclaimer † No security deposit required. Monthly payment of $419, based on $33,245 MSRP of 2010 XC60 3.2 FWD, includes destination charge. Lessee is responsible for excess wear and mileage over 10,000 miles/year at $0.18 / mile. *Safe + Secure Coverage Plan excludes tires. **72 months at $16 per month per $1,000 financed. APR offer is not compatible with Volvo Allowance. Take new retail delivery from retailer stock between May 1, 2010 and June 30, 2010. Please visit www.volvocars.com/us/safeandsecure or your local Volvo retailer for details on the Volvo Safe + Secure Coverage Plan and for further details specific to leased vehicles. Car shown with optional equipment. Advertised lease payment and financing excludes taxes, title, and regis. fees and are available for qualified customers through U.S. Bank. Payments may vary, as retailer determines price. Offers available at participating retailers excluding Alaska. See retailer for details. Source form: Car

Volvo XC90

Volvo does things a little differently from other premium brands in

the automotive world. For this Swedish manufacturer, safety and

kid-friendliness are just as important as luxury amenities and driving

performance, and in no vehicle is this more apparent than the

Volvo XC90, a midsize seven-passenger SUV.

Innovative safety features aside, the XC90 is merely adequate relative

to the premium midsize SUV competition. Zestier performance is available

elsewhere, as are more cavernous cargo holds. With more and more

modern competitors measuring up to Volvo's high safety standards,

the aging XC90 isn't the slam dunk for families that Volvo products

used to be. It remains capable, though, and arguably safer than ever

thanks to some new tricks.

Current Volvo XC90

The Volvo XC90 is available in two versions: 3.2 and V8. Available

with front- or all-wheel drive, the 3.2 is the entry-level model and

carries a 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine rated for 235 horsepower.

Mileage suffers a bit on the XC90 V8, but the 311-hp 4.4-liter V8

provides strong acceleration, moving this 4,600-pound SUV

to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds. All-wheel drive is standard with the V8.

The 3.2 comes with five-passenger seating (with the third-row

seat optional), while the V8 comes with seven-passenger seating.

As this is a premium SUV, almost all major safety and convenience

features are included, even on the base model. Major options

include a rear entertainment system with dual screens, a DVD-based

navigation system, a Dolby Pro Logic II surround-sound audio

system and an interior air quality system, as well as an ultra-luxurious

executive package for the V8 model.

Easily one of the safest SUVs on the market, the Volvo XC90

pioneered Roll Stability Control. This bit of technology uses

a gyro sensor to identify every SUV owner's greatest fear,

a potential rollover, and activates the stability control

system to try to avert it. Another interesting feature is the

Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), which monitors

images from a pair of cameras mounted in the side mirrors

and warns the driver via an indicator light when another

vehicle moves into the XC90's blind spot. Of course, the

XC90 also provides staples like side curtain airbag protection

for all three rows, anti-whiplash seats and an emergency

communications system. Volvo crash safety is legendary,

and indeed, this midsize SUV has scored well in NHTSA

and IIHS testing.

In reviews, we've found that the XC90 drives just as

you'd expect a safe, heavy Volvo SUV to drive. Ride quality

is smooth and the cabin stays quiet, while handling is competent

but not particularly sporty. Equipped with AWD, the XC90 makes

an excellent snow vehicle but isn't intended for serious off-road romps.

V8-powered models are considerably more satisfying to drive

than six-cylinder XC90s.

Despite its advancing age, the seven-passenger Volvo XC90 is one

of our top recommendations for families shopping for an SUV.

Although its on-road performance is merely average as luxury

SUVs go, the XC90 still offers a winning combination of safety,

solidity and style.

Used Volvo XC90 Models

The XC90 debuted for the 2003 model year. Changes have

been limited over the years. The V8 joined the fray in 2005,

while the 3.2-liter six-cylinder engine debuted in 2007 as a

replacement for the 208-hp, 2.5-liter turbocharged inline five-cylinder

(known as the 2.5T) offered through 2006. Used XC90 shoppers

will also come across T6 models (sold from 2003-'05), which had a

268-hp, twin-turbocharged, 2.8-liter inline six-cylinder. Although

acceleration was adequate with either of these turbo engines, their

power bands really weren't well suited for duty in a heavy SUV.

However, if you test-drive a used XC90 T6 or 2.5T and find its

performance to your liking, there's no reason not to buy it.

Source from: Car

Volvo C70

The Volvo XC70 is an all-weather version of the V70 midsize wagon that boasts all-wheel drive as well as increased ground clearance and SUV-like styling cues. The latter two features are mostly for show, however, as the XC70 has never had much in the way of serious off-road hardware. What the XC70 has consistently offered is the sure-footedness of all-wheel drive, and it has become progressively more stylish and luxurious through the years, while maintaining its SUV-grade cargo space and superior reputation for safety.

The current generation Volvo XC70 is downright stylish all over, and it continues to offer many of the same virtues as previous versions: confidence-inspiring all-wheel drive, top-notch safety, a luxurious cockpit and enough cabin volume to satisfy all but the most haul-happy families. With the base inline six-cylinder engine, however, performance is lackluster -- other midsize wagons and a handful of crossover SUVs are both more satisfying to drive and comparably or more frugal at the pump. The turbocharged T6 model addresses the speed issue at least. The XC70 is a solid family vehicle, especially for those living in colder climates. Still, there are competing models that have similarly appealing traits, as well as superior power and/or efficiency.

Under the hood of the base model is a 3.2-liter inline-6 that sends 235 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. Those numbers may look good on paper, but the XC70's actual acceleration performance and fuel economy are decidedly unimpressive. The T6 shares the six-speed transmission and AWD system, but adds a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 that pumps out a more satisfying 281 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

The stylish XC70 should please any family that requires all-weather capability, carlike handling and an upscale cabin with plenty of cargo space. With the proliferation of crossover SUV offerings in recent years, however, there are numerous competing models that boast similar strengths along with better overall performance, particularly compared to the base 3.2-liter engine. We'd recommend taking a good look at what the market has to offer before you ante up for the current XC70, though those who ultimately go with the Volvo likely won't be disappointed.

Current Volvo XC70

The Volvo XC70 technically competes in the midsize wagon segment, although its standard all-wheel drive and SUV-like features make it competitive with crossover SUVs as well. Compared to a regular V70 wagon, the XC70 stands out, thanks to increased ground clearance (2.7 inches higher than the V70) and more rugged styling details that include cladding on the lower body sides and different front and rear fascias.

Offered in base 3.2 or uplevel T6 trim, the XC70 comes standard with plenty of convenience and upscale features, including alloy wheels, skid plates, roof rails, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity and an eight-speaker audio system. The T6 adds bigger wheels, dual exhaust outlets and a "watch dial" instrument cluster. Major options include leather upholstery, a navigation system, a rear-seat entertainment system, satellite radio and adaptive bi-xenon headlights.

Used Volvo XC70 Models

The present XC70 debuted in 2008. The most notable change since then has been the arrival of the T6 model with its turbocharged 3.0-liter engine; for 2008, the XC70 was available only with the base 3.2-liter inline-6.

The XC70 debuted in 1998 as the "V70 Cross Country" (XC for short) an upgraded trim level for the V70 wagon. With its advanced safety features (including side airbags from its inception), capacious interior, all-wheel-drive utility and trendy SUV looks, this endearingly boxy people mover quickly became a strong seller. Powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter five-cylinder engine, the first-generation V70 XC was rated at 190 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque -- adequate in its day, but not exactly scintillating. Many buyers probably weren't even aware that the V70 XC came standard with skid plates, one of the few examples of genuine off-road equipment on this "SUW."

In 2001, the second-generation V70 XC was introduced. Like its V70 sibling, the new V70 XC sported a sleeker shape and a new platform shared with the first-generation S80 sedan, as well as a striking interior layout largely borrowed from the S60 sedan. In 2002, Volvo changed business tactics, dropping the "V70" from the car's title and marketing it separately from the V70 line as the Volvo XC. In 2003, the "70" designation returned, giving us the first official Volvo XC70.

Second-generation cars could be equipped with a navigation system for the first time. The 2.4-liter engine was tweaked to produce 197 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque, yielding satisfactory if not thrilling performance. In 2003, the 2.4-liter mill was replaced by a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that pumped out 208 hp and a healthy 236 lb-ft of torque, which made the XC70 feel rather quick. Rear-seat room was improved over the rather cramped first-generation car, though we still weren't overly impressed, and a third-row seat was available in every model year except 2007. Other available features included adjustable rear seats, four-zone climate control and a DVD entertainment system with front headrest-mounted TV screens.

Well-optioned second-generation XC70s were pricey in their day, but depreciation has helped matters somewhat. Still, the European and premium status of Volvos frequently translates to an expensive repair bill, should you run into problems. Those looking for a used Volvo XC70 should consider a certified pre-owned car or one that still has the factory warranty. If you care about performance, 2003 and later XC70s are the logical choice, as they offer a useful 26 extra lb-ft of torque as well as 11 more hp. Otherwise, you won't be missing much if you go with the 2001 or 2002 model.

Source from: Car