News

Alfa Romeo Teases a New C-SUV

Alfa Romeo is once again aiming squarely at the heart of the premium crossover market. During Italy’s National Automotive Industry Roundtable, organized by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT), Stellantis offered the first official glimpse of the brand’s next-generation C-segment SUV—a model that could redefine Alfa’s future.

The teaser image is deliberately restrained, revealing only a sliver of the rear styling. Even so, it carries the unmistakable Alfa Romeo flair, with sculpted surfaces and a distinctive lighting signature hinting at a crossover that intends to blend Italian design with modern technology rather than simply follow the crowd.

The significance of this vehicle extends far beyond a single product launch. First announced during Stellantis’ Investor Day 2026 as part of the company’s ambitious Fastlane 2030 strategy, the new C-SUV is set to become one of the pillars of Alfa Romeo’s lineup. It will compete in one of the industry’s most fiercely contested segments, taking on established rivals such as the BMW X1, Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and Volvo XC40.

Underneath the dramatic styling will be Stellantis’ STLA Medium architecture, a platform engineered from the outset to support multiple powertrain technologies. Rather than committing exclusively to electrification, Alfa Romeo is taking a flexible approach, confirming that the SUV will offer multi-energy powertrains. That strategy gives the company the ability to serve markets where demand for electric vehicles is accelerating while continuing to cater to buyers who prefer hybrid or combustion-powered options during the industry’s ongoing transition.

For enthusiasts, there’s another reassuring detail: the vehicle is being designed at Alfa Romeo’s legendary Centro Stile in Turin. While modern platforms often lead to concerns about shared components and diluted character, Alfa’s design studio has consistently demonstrated an ability to inject genuine personality into the Stellantis era, as seen with the latest Junior and Tonale.

Production will remain firmly rooted in Italy. The new SUV will roll off the assembly lines at Stellantis’ Melfi plant, reinforcing the company’s commitment to maintaining domestic manufacturing for one of its most strategically important premium brands.

Timing also plays a crucial role. Alfa Romeo has confirmed that the official unveiling is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2027, giving engineers and designers ample time to fine-tune what could become the company’s highest-volume model. In today’s market, where premium compact SUVs account for an increasingly large share of sales, getting this formula right is essential.

The teaser may reveal only a small piece of sheet metal, but its message is clear. Alfa Romeo isn’t preparing just another crossover—it’s preparing the model that could define the brand’s next decade. If it delivers the style, driving dynamics, and emotional appeal that enthusiasts expect from the Milanese marque while offering the technology and versatility modern buyers demand, the upcoming C-SUV could become Alfa Romeo’s strongest contender yet in the premium mainstream.

Source: Alfa Romeo

NEW CARS

The Final Bugatti W16 Mistral Rolls Out as the Brand Looks to a Hybrid Future

Bugatti has built its last W16 Mistral, bringing to a close one of the most extraordinary engine programs in automotive history. After two decades of quad-turbocharged, 16-cylinder excess that powered the Veyron, Chiron, and finally the roofless Mistral, the legendary W16 has officially taken its final bow.

The 99th and final W16 Mistral rolled out of Bugatti’s Atelier in Molsheim wearing an elegant two-tone finish in Pearl and Sparkle, a subtle but fitting choice for a car whose defining message is etched into its identity: “The last of its kind.” While Bugatti has already shifted its focus toward the hybrid-powered Tourbillon and its new La Manufacture production facility, this final Mistral serves as a reminder of an era that redefined what was possible from an internal-combustion engine.

Unlike many farewell editions that rely on decals and commemorative badges, Bugatti treated the final Mistral as a rolling tribute to the people, engineering, and history that made the W16 legend possible. The cabin features a dedicated plaque with the car’s silhouette and farewell inscription, while the interior pairs Magnolia leather with Grey Carbon Matt trim for a restrained, timeless appearance.

The details go far beyond color choices. Ettore Bugatti’s signature appears embroidered into the headrests, machined into the door sills, and even replaces the standard Bugatti script on the inside of the engine cover. An armrest insert crafted in frozen crystal by Lalique, titled Spirit of the Wind, celebrates the historic partnership between Bugatti and the famed French crystal house, while a custom falcon motif on the gear selector and door panels reflects the owner’s Middle Eastern heritage instead of the brand’s traditional dancing elephant sculpture.

It’s exactly the kind of personalization Bugatti’s Sur Mesure division has become known for. During the Mistral’s production run, every one of the 99 cars became a unique commission, with owners working directly with designers and craftsmen in Molsheim and Berlin to create one-off specifications. Earlier this year, Bugatti showcased the porcelain-inspired Blanc Éternel, demonstrating just how far the customization program could stretch beyond conventional automotive design.

The Mistral’s significance, however, goes far beyond bespoke craftsmanship. Introduced during Monterey Car Week in 2022, it wasn’t simply another limited-production Bugatti—it was designed as the ultimate celebration of the 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16. And before customer deliveries even began, the roadster cemented its place in the record books.

In November 2024, Bugatti factory driver Andy Wallace piloted a specially prepared W16 Mistral World Record Car to 453.91 km/h (282 mph) at Germany’s ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg, officially making it the fastest open-top production car ever built. It was an appropriately outrageous farewell for an engine that had spent twenty years rewriting the limits of road-going performance.

That same record-setting car recently reached another milestone when it was officially delivered to its owner during the Silverstone Grand Prix weekend, symbolically closing the chapter just as the last production example left the factory.

Despite its staggering performance, the W16 Mistral never abandoned the philosophy established during Ferdinand Piëch’s original vision for the modern Bugatti: build a machine capable of exceeding 400 km/h while remaining refined enough to drive comfortably to the opera. The Mistral arguably distilled that dual personality better than any Bugatti before it. With the roof removed, occupants could experience every mechanical note of the 1,578-horsepower W16 while still wrapped in handcrafted luxury.

Now, production is complete. Ninety-nine examples were built, each uniquely tailored to its owner and each representing the final road-going application of one of the most ambitious engines ever installed in a production car.

The automotive industry is rapidly moving toward electrification and hybrid performance, and Bugatti’s next chapter with the Tourbillon promises astonishing technology of its own. But the W16 occupies a place no successor can replicate. It wasn’t simply an engine—it was a statement of engineering ambition, built during an era when the question wasn’t whether something should be done, but whether it could be done.

With the last W16 Mistral now leaving Molsheim, one of the greatest internal-combustion powertrains ever created has officially reached the end of the road. And if there’s ever been a machine deserving of the phrase “the last of its kind,” this is it.

Source: Bugatti

Tuning

ABT RS3 630

The Audi RS3 has always been one of the most entertaining cars in the performance compact segment, combining everyday usability with the unmistakable character of Audi’s legendary 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine. But ABT Sportsline believes this icon deserves something far more exclusive — and significantly more powerful.

As part of its 130th anniversary celebrations, the German tuning specialist has revealed the second model in its three-part limited-edition series: the ABT RS3 630. Limited to just 30 examples worldwide, this heavily modified Audi Sport machine transforms the already impressive RS3 into a 630-horsepower tribute to one of the automotive world’s most charismatic engines.

Following the launch of the spectacular ABT Sportsline RS6-LE 800 based on the Audi RS6 Avant, the RS3 630 represents the smaller — but no less exciting — member of ABT’s anniversary trilogy.

More Power From Audi’s Five-Cylinder Legend

Under the hood remains Audi’s celebrated 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine, but ABT engineers have extracted a significant amount of additional performance through a combination of software calibration and hardware upgrades.

The result is a massive jump from the factory RS3’s already healthy 400 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque to an astonishing:

  • 630 horsepower
  • 700 Nm of torque

That represents an increase of 230 hp and 200 Nm, turning Audi’s compact performance hatchback into a machine capable of challenging cars from much higher segments.

The engine’s unique five-cylinder soundtrack remains the centerpiece of the experience. With its uneven firing order and distinctive growl, the 2.5 TFSI has become one of the most recognizable performance engines in modern automotive history — and ABT’s creation serves as a celebration of what may soon become a disappearing breed.

More Than 300 km/h in a Compact Audi

ABT has not officially revealed the RS3 630’s 0–100 km/h acceleration time, although the standard Audi RS3 already completes the sprint in a rapid 3.8 seconds.

Instead, the company highlights the car’s extraordinary top speed capability: the ABT RS3 630 can exceed 300 km/h, placing it in territory normally reserved for much larger sports cars.

The additional performance can be activated or adjusted through the myABT smartphone application, allowing owners to control the upgraded engine calibration directly through the vehicle’s infotainment system.

A More Aggressive Look With Track-Inspired Hardware

The RS3 630 is not simply a software upgrade. ABT has redesigned the car’s appearance and chassis to match its increased performance.

The special edition rides on 20-inch ABT High Performance HR20 wheels finished in gold, wrapped in performance tires measuring 245/30 R20. The combination gives the compact Audi a much more aggressive stance while improving grip and handling capability.

Aerodynamic upgrades include several carbon-fiber exterior components, designed not only to enhance the visual appeal but also to improve stability at higher speeds.

To handle the additional power, ABT equips the RS3 with a specially tuned suspension system featuring adjustable settings and modified stabilizers on both axles. The result should be a sharper, more controlled driving experience while maintaining the RS3’s everyday usability.

A Collector’s Edition With a Farewell Message

Inside, every ABT RS3 630 receives the expected anniversary treatment, including a special “1 of 30” plaque that confirms its exclusivity.

The price for this limited-production performance compact starts at €67,500, excluding the cost of the donor Audi RS3 itself. That means the final price will place the ABT creation well above the standard model, but collectors are unlikely to view it as just another modified hatchback.

According to ABT CEO Hans-Jürgen Abt, the RS3 630 is more than a celebration of the company’s 130-year history. It is also a farewell tribute to Audi’s iconic five-cylinder engine, a powerplant whose future in Europe is becoming increasingly uncertain as manufacturers move toward electrification and stricter emissions regulations.

The End of an Era

The Audi five-cylinder has survived decades of automotive change, from rally legends to modern performance cars. The RS3 has arguably become its final and most refined expression.

With 630 horsepower, a production run of only 30 units, and a mission to preserve the character of an engine that may soon disappear, the ABT RS3 630 is not just a tuned Audi.

It is a rolling farewell letter to one of the most distinctive engines of the modern era — a compact performance car built for enthusiasts who still believe character matters as much as numbers.

Source: ABT Sportsline

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