Alfa Romeo Berlina Da Corsa Concept Study

The Berlina Da Corsa is a design exercise for an Alfa Romeo sports sedan penned to feels at home on both the track and public roads that was created by Seongjun Ko, a Transportation Design graduate from Hongik University in South Korea. The Berlina Da Corsa which roughly translates to Racing Sedan in Italian, borrows heavily in design from classic Alfa Romeo models such as the GT 1300 Junior and the 1750 GTV from the '60s and '70s.

One of the most prominent features of Seongjun's design is the unique roof system that employs a 'stretchable metal' housing flexible wires that change shape through the use of an electric current. The system applied on the Alfa Romeo concept study, which appears to be similar in design to the one used on the BMW GINA roadster, allows the rear section of the roof to be lowered for use on track or raised to enhance rear passenger space.

We're no design specialists, but in his attempt to create a car long enough to provide enough room for the rear passengers, Seongjun seriously messed up the Berlina Da Corsa's proportions - not to mention that the styling of the front and rear part of the car look like they belong to two totally different vehicles. And what's up with the total absence of rear windows? Isn't the Berlina Da Corsa supposed to be a sedan that can accommodate rear passengers with some sort of comforts? Not a bad idea overall, but we reckon that the study needs work not only to look the part but also to make some sense.

Source: Hongik University , Via: Cardesign

Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA 240HP Live Shots and Video from Geneva

Revealed as a concept in Geneva, Alfa Romeo's high-performance MiTo GTA show car is said to preview a production model that could follow as early as 2010. In line with the famous GTA (Gran Turismo Alleggerito) signature, Alfa's MINI Cooper JCW rival prioritizes weight reduction while power comes from a new 1.8-liter turbocharged engine producing 240HP. Hit the jump for live photos as well a video of the car that was shot during Alfa's press conference at the Geneva Motor Show.

Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA 240HP Concept - Official Photos

Don't be fooled by Alfa's "concept" moniker; the MiTo GTA that we'll be seeing at next week's Geneva Motor Show is the real thing and it will find its way into production. Set to rival Europe's hottest small cars like the 211HP MINI Cooper S JCW and the 197HP Renault Clio RS, the MiTo GTA is powered by Fiat's all-new, direct-injection, 1.75-liter turbocharged four-pot that produces a hefty 240-horsepower.

Justifying its GTA logo (Gran Turismo Alleggerito - light grand tourer ), Alfa's engineers have reduced the MiTo's weight by using carbon fiber on the tailgate spoiler, the roof and the mirror fairings and aluminum for the braking system, suspension and some parts of the chassis.

To enhance the MiTo's dynamic qualities, Alfa completely revised the operating parameters of the suspension, lowering it by about 20 mm and added a new "active suspension system" that stiffens the rear end by means of shock absorber control. The GTA also features a revised steering wheel system for a more direct and precise feeling as well as a new, lightweight braking system from Brembo.

The MiTo's looks have been beefed up with a functional bodykit that is said to improve the car's CX drag coefficient and increase downforce. Up front, the GTA gets a new bumper with two wide air intakes, a redesigned grille and a windscreen wiper deflector. From the side, the GTA stands out thanks to the 19-inch alloy wheels, blacked out side skirts and engine cooling air vents which bring to mind the 8C Competizione.

The sexiest part of the GTA in our opinion is its rear end that features a massive diffuser incorporating two large diameter exhaust pipes in the middle and a redesigned tailgate made from carbon fiber that incorporates an integral spoiler with a wing which is wider in the upper and side sections.

Inside, Alfa said that the MiTo GTA Concept gets a set of four sport seats with the 4-point seatbelts attached to the rear roll, dark leather trim and a new sport steering wheel.