Alfa Romeo BC
Might this stunning coupe be the first Alfa model to go on sale in the U.S.? That's what those perennial teases in Milan are suggesting now. The hottest rumors have Maserati building a limited-production run of about 600 8Cs in Modena for Alfa starting in September on modified GranSport Coupe underpinnings. The engine is a 450-horse, 4.7-liter version of Maserati's Ferrari-derived V-8. The svelte bodywork is carbon-fiber, and the chassis is free of Skyhook electronics. If the Italians stick to the plan (don't hold your breath), 99 8C coupes will arrive stateside, priced near $200K. The roadster is DOA.
TO SUM UP: The ultimate Italian tease.
Audi A5
The Geneva 2003 Nuvolari show car hinted at this sporty new coupe, the first on Audi's new A4 platform, which pulls the transmission partially alongside the engine, with a separately mounted front differential. The production model makes its debut this year at Geneva. It's on sale late this year, before the next-generation A4. Later, we'll see an A5 convertible, which essentially replaces the A4 cabrio. The A5 Spaceback, based on last year's Roadjet concept, hasn't been approved for the U.S. yet.
TO SUM UP: Audi shoots for the 3 Series coupe/convertible market.
VW Passat R36
Having earned instant cult status with its GTI-based R32, Volkswagen is hoping to rekindle similar magic with an R36 version of its range-topping Passat 4Motion 3.6 sedan and wagon. Optimized intake and exhaust breathing account for most of the added 20 horsepower (bringing the total to 300). No chassis mods have been announced, apart from brawny 235/40R18-inch footwear, but the interior and exterior are spiffed extensively by Volkswagen Individual-a new sub-brand like Mercedes's Designo. The design work was done in Los Angeles and first shown at SEMA, but no plans have been announced to sell R36s here.
TO SUM UP: Cool looking, but a tough sell at $40K-plus.
BMW 1-Series
On-again, off-again plans to bring BMW's entry-level compact to the United States are on again. The problem was that 3 Series pricing for the U.S. didn't leave that much room below. Now, with well-equipped 3s going into the mid-$40s, there's room. Four years after the 1 Series hatchbacks launched in Europe, BMW will send over a new four-door sedan in late 2008, then possibly a two-door coupe, convertible, and perhaps even a sport van from BMW's RFK project, which have a new name, "F," as in F1, F5, etc.
TO SUM UP: When the 3 Series is too much and the Mini isn't enough.
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