Andrea Malan Correspondent covering the Italian market for Automotive News Europe [email protected] +39 335 564 83 82 See All Staff Page Recent Stories Why Alfa Romeo picked Lexus as the Tonale's quality benchmark Alfa's overall benchmark has been BMW since the creation of Stellantis last year from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group. However, when it comes to quality, the Italian brand's boss picked another rival to emulate. Cupra Born provides sportiness but range anxiety remains The Cupra Born helped me answer a key question: Could a full-electric compact hatchback become my one and only car? Ferrari Purosangue SUV will get V-12 power CEO Benedetto Vigna said the V-12 was the right option for the market because of the performance and driving experience it could provide. How Ferrari makes its V-6s sound like V-12s The Ferrari 296 GTB's numerous innovations include something special for the ears and it's not a high-tech, multi-speaker entertainment system. Ferrari adds 296 GTS targa to plug-in hybrid lineup The 296 GTS has an automatic targa top that takes 14 seconds to deploy at speeds of up to 45 kph (28 mph). Ferrari harnesses e-power to make the 296 GTB a top player in key niche Ferrari and its supercar competitors are beginning the transition to electrification, with smaller engines coupled to electric motors that produce equal or better performance than gasoline engines alone. Ferrari teases its first SUV The Purosangue will be unveiled by the end of this year and with deliveries expected to begin in 2023. Earlier spy shots hint at the vehicle being more of a crossover than a traditional SUV. VW's Cupra will launch sporty hybrid SUV based on the Audi Q3 Sportback The Cupra SUV will be sold with mild and plug-in hybrid drivetrains, with the plug-in variant offering an electric-only range of 100 km (62 miles). VW's Seat unit is hit by chip shortage, impact of Ukraine war Seat output has been paused or slowed because of shortages of chips and parts from Ukraine. Automakers thrived in 2021 despite chip crunch, flat sales, rising materials costs Consumers were willing to pay higher prices per vehicle because supply could not keep up with demand. This year is looking less rosy. Maserati unveils Grecale SUV with powerful engines The Grecale sits on a Maserati-reworked version of the Giorgio platform that underpins the Alfa Romeo Stelvio midsize SUV. How Mazda plans to offer a Euro 7-compliant diesel Mazda’s isn’t done with the diesel even though demand for the powertrain dropped 34 percent last year and Euro 7 emissions rules are poised to make diesels more expensive than ever.  Mazda takes aim at BMW, Audi with CX-60 flagship SUV Mazda hopes its new flagship in Europe, the CX-60 midsize SUV, will be a rival to the BMW X3 and Audi Q5, helped by the addition of the brand’s first plug-in hybrid variant. Ferrari halts orders for best-selling F8 Tributo coupe, Spider Ferrari did not say why it had halted sales for the two popular models, but an executive said production would continue. Last month, Ferrari said it had enough orders on its books to cover production well into 2023. Dacia Spring offers affordable price but tricky range The Dacia Spring has been an instant success in Italy because it is one of the most affordable full-electric vehicles on the market as the Renault Group subsidiary looks to appeal to both eco- and cost-conscious buyers. Load More
Andrea Malan Correspondent covering the Italian market for Automotive News Europe [email protected] +39 335 564 83 82 See All Staff Page