Italia in America & an Odd Audi

The Frankfort Motor show brought out some interesting sights. For one, the Porsche 918 is finally ready. The first hybrid Porsche looks amazing and is even quite close to the concept photos we’ve been looking at for a couple of years. But what really stole the show was Audi’s Nanuk Quattro. It’s an Audi R8 and an Audi Q7 in one. Its supercar meets SUV, Dakar Rally meets LMP, and odd meets cool. It is based off of the next generation R8, but it comes with big tires and lifted suspension. Remember the Italdesign Parcour concept? It’s pretty much same thing, but with an Audi badge and a good chance at production. The Ferrari F12 is also causing a lot of stir lately as well.

The F12 has been out for a while now and has gone through the rigors of every magazine and website test driving it, and came out pretty damn clean. V12 in the front, power at the rear, hypnotizing sound from the exhaust, and don't forget the impressive amount of grip and balance. Ferrari has really nailed it with this one. It’s a sorted out Ferrari sportscar, which is rare and something not to be ignored. Almost every Ferrari that comes out gets picked on, picked over, and microscopically checked. I think people like to look for faults in Ferrari’s and the fact that this one seems to almost not have any is a testament to it’s greatness. You might disagree, but I would buy the F12 over the 458 Italia.

As for the bad news; all is not well in Italy, and by Italy I mean the US. Fiat’s comeback to the US has been sort of….shall we say soft? Uneventful maybe? Kind of how I’d imagine an Italian army invasion in the US would've been. You’d see more of them, they’d catch your attention, but then you’d go on about your day as if everything was normal. That’s how Fiat is now. I see 500s every now and then, I think “cool”, and then continue on daydreaming about the F12. Auto dealers aren't as happy with Fiat’s soft entrance either. Only two models have been released (500 & 500L), sales are down, and most dealerships aren't profitable. Plus, Maserati will now be responsible for selling the Alfa Romeo 4C in the US instead of the planned Fiat dealers. So all is not bright for Fiat and I’m beginning to doubt a successful return for Alfa Romeo as well. This is where I think the Chrysler IPO could help out. By going public Chrysler could raise the funds to successfully re-launch Fiat, Chrysler, and bring over Alfa Romeo. Fiat could extend the line-up to include the Bravo, Freemont, and a commercial Doblò. Alfa Romeo could include the 159, 159SW, and 4C. Chrysler could continue doing what they’re doing because I think it is working. My only suggestion would bring back the Barracuda under the SRT name. 2015 SRT HEMI ‘Cuda just has a ring to it, no? 

Stay tuned because later this week I will be uploading photos and a video from some spy footage I got of the new Porsche 918 out on a test drive. 

photo by nicolas-serre