New Fulvia?

[Neil]

Hi Guys,
Just popped over from my normal haunt of the Beta Forum to see if I could find anything here on the new Fulvia.
I had thought that all was doom and gloom up until I just read on another forum a recent post that the car will be in production in 2007. No, it wasn't 1/4/06.
If this goes ahead then it will be time to sell the family silver as I WANT ONE. I'd even stick a deposit down now. Probably a better bet than my present pension, but let's not start down that road here.
Seriously, the car just floats my boat and I'd love one, particularly if they were to bring out a HF (does it really stand for Heferlump?) version with more than the 140 horses talked about. 200 would be nice, eh?
Any good news, please post here otherwise keep the bad news until after Crimbo. Thanks!

[DJ]

If I can ever get the Gallery back online (coming closer Guys!) I have several pics of the prototype that I took at the Biscaretti Museum in Torino this year.

As I understand it, the proto was based on the FIAT Barchetta platform, which is no longer produced. Supposedly, the only platform they have available now is the Grande Punto which isn't big enough. Hence, the Fulvia is supposedly still in limbo. That's the story I've heard, anyway. With as much interest I've seen in the car, I'd think they'd consider building a platform for it.

[Shant Fabricatorian]

Bear in mind this is Fiat so things are liable to change at any moment, but the latest I heard is that what has been green-lighted is a Fulvia-lookalike coupe-convertible on a shortened Bravo/149 chassis, designed to take on the Merc SLK and Audi TT, due in 2009. Fiat are looking to shift around 20k units a year and think that they can sucessfully pitch it against these cars rather than the MX-5 while still shifting those sorts of numbers.

It will feature Fiat's new range of turbocharged four-cylinders (new 1.4T and 1.8T) from 150bhp up to possibly around 230bhp. Length will be no more than around 4.2m. The revised 'Compact' platform architecture has a modular rear suspension design so that the Bravo's torsion beam will in all likelihood be ditched for Progetto 940's (Alfa 149) multilink rear.

[Neil]

DJ, looking forward to the photos if you do find them.
Here are some others to tempt others into buying ......
http://lancia-fulvia-2003.skynetblogs.be/

Shanty,interesting information there. I'm not a fan of convertibles, but willing to make an exception!
230 horses is ample .......... up until the HF version! ;D

[Will]

Any idea what kind of price point this will be marketed for? Comparing to the SLK and TT doesn't indicate a whole lot as we are talking about a $43K (USD) and $33K cars respectively, and that's an awful big margin in price for the mid-compact market as far as comparable vehicles, particularly as the earlier comparison was to the MX-5, a car that sells in the low to mid 20's.

Not that I'm in the market for one personally here in the USA, but it'd be interesting to know whether it's slated to be a $20K, $30K, or $40K vehicle IMO. At the lower end of that spectrum , comparable vehicles (in the NA market) would likely be the Pontiac Solstice, aforementioned MX-5, and the Skyy?

[wmausbach]

Will,
I'm afraid that a 1.8 liter turbo is too small for the US market. After all the VW turbo is 2 liters now and most of the others are larger . The only exception is the new Mini but it is quite a bit smaller car. Love to see Lancia back in the US though. Fantastic looking car.
Wayne

[SubGothius]

As regards the page linked above, whatever winds up getting produced, I hope it looks more like the Nuovo Fulvia concept car (the pearl white car) -- which is to say, looks more like the original Fulvia -- rather than that blandish-looking "Autumno 2007 Lancia coupe/cabriolet" artist's rendering (the orangey-red drawing). :-\

Actually, I would have liked to see even that nuovo concept flaunting a bit more of the sharks-nose effect of the original Fulvia, with a more of a prominent beveled band wrapping from the sides across the front of the nose above the grill. Perhaps it's actually there, just hard to see in photos and more apparent in living sheetmetal, but IMHO that wraparound bevel band is one of the most distinctive signatures of the original Fulvia's iconic style.

[Shant Fabricatorian]

I am thinking that the likely price point for the high-end versions is going to be something in-line with low-end TT Roadsters, so whatever that works out as in local currencies. I gather that the car will look quite similar to the concept and maintain its general proportions - similar height, but a bit longer and wider. It will be front-wheel drive, but more powerful engines will get the new 'Q2' Torsen diff recently debuted in the 147 and GT to rave reviews.

So what about the Alfa Spider? To prevent overlap, the Alfa will get a significant powertrain overhaul in 2008 and head upmarket - the current 185bhp 2.2 JTS will be ditched in favour of the new 230bhp 1.8 turbo as an entry-level motor, and the V6s (all-new 3.0 and 3.5s under development) should crack the 300bhp barrier.

[Will]

Whoa, a 300HP Alfa Spider? SWEET- let's see those 124 owners try to keep up with THAT :)

I'll bet there are a few folks in the "V8's and Halibrands" crowd that would have a whole new attitude if exposed to a 300 pony spider.

I'm turning 40, is it midlife-crisis car time??!!? Prolly not, my midlife was likely about 21 :)

[SubGothius]

I'm turning 40, is it midlife-crisis car time??!!? Prolly not, my midlife was likely about 21 :)Wait, if your midlife crisis was around 21, and you're turning 40 now... only a couple more years to go before you're living on borrowed time! :o Better make the most of it... ;D

As I like to say: Life is a limited time offer while supplies last, so stock up now while the gettin's good! :D