Fiat on the Dragon

Fiat on the Dragon
EVENT INVADES THE ROADS OF EAST TENNESSEE
By Larry Smith .

The highways and back roads of East Tennessee experienced an Italian automotive invasion as over 100 proud Fiat owners descended upon this mountainous region for a weekend of exhilarating drives and unbeatable camaraderie. The 3rd annual Fiat on the Dragon event, founded by longtime enthusiast Brett Melancon, proved to be an overwhelming success with almost triple the participants from its inaugural run in 2013. The reason for this incredible growth is simple: The event caters to Fiat 500 and Abarth owners, many of whom were introduced to the brand upon its return to the US marketplace four years ago. Of course, all vintage models are welcome as well. Another big draw is the fact that the weekend is anything but a typical car show, in which prized automobiles are trailered, parked and mutually admired.

Instead, the itinerary is structured around exciting, day-long drives, which take full advantage of the area’s twisting roads and magnificent scenery. The Talley Ho Inn in Townsend, a tiny hamlet that serves as a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, was the centralised hub for all activities. Organised drives included spirited runs on the event’s namesake, the legendary Tail of the Dragon, which blazes a trail through the Tennessee/North Carolina border with 318 hairpin curves in only 11 miles.

Also on tap were the Devil’s Triangle, a growing favourite amongst the event’s thrill-seeking participants, and scenic drives to Rugby, Big South Fork and Fontana Dam. With dedicated support from presenting sponsors Fiat Club America and Eurocompulsion/H.P.S.I., Fiat on the Dragon is quickly cementing its status in the Fiat community as a can’tmiss event for both the gearhead crowd and those who simply enjoy getting their beloved 500s out on the open road. And for many, it’s the friendships, both established and new, that make the biggest impactof all. A love and passion for Fiat cars creates an unbreakable bond, on the road and off. For information on the upcoming 2016 Spring event, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ FiatOnTheDragon

DESIGN Alfa Romeo Giulia

Alfa Romeo’s new Giulia must have been one of the most eagerly awaited and longoverdue brand flagship revivals in recent years; not only as a direct replacement for the discontinued 159 productline, but also as the spiritual rebirth of the classic Giulia, on the 105th anniversary of this iconic marque. The original Giulia (1962-1978) was ‘the’ stylish and sporty limousine of the ’60s and ’70s, significantly contributing to Alfa Romeo’s image as a manufacturer of first class sports-limousines, featuring technical goodies such as two overhead-camshafts, a five-speed gearbox and disc-brakes all as standard.

Fast-forward to 2015 and after a slow-birth and an eleventh hour redesign ordered by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ (FCA) big cheese Sergio Marchionne, the final result was certainly worth the wait. The latest rebirth is even more a driving machine than an icon reloaded. Featuring the return to rear-wheel drive – a first since the 75 of the late ’80s – a 50:50 weight distribution, a rumoured top-speed of 200mph and a 510hp (503bhp) engine developed by non-other than Ferrari, are all goosebump guarantors for petrolheads the world over. Styled under the direction of Alfa Romeo and Maserati Design Director MarcoTencone, the stylistic influence behind the gorgeous Alfa Romeo 4C, this new four-door Alfa Romeo is essentially a downsized Maserati. Visually, in its top-spec ‘Quadrifoglio’ guise the Alfa Romeo will certainly run neck-and-neck with AMG and M-GmbH’s finest and cause sleepless nights in both design and engineering offices between Affalterbach and Munich, respectively. Designwise the sporty four-door features an aggressive front fascia with plenty of mesh-grill insertsand active aerodynamics, previously only seen on flagship supercars of the prancing horse.

 It becomes instantly evident that aerodynamics played a key role in the design development, with bonnet and wing vents, aerodynamic side skirts, a boot mounted spoiler and rear diffusor detailing; make no mistake, this car means business. Official interior images have yet to be released, but Alfa Romeo has already communicated that the Giulia will feature premium materials in a driverfocused environment, supported by up-todate touch-screens and infotainment. The expectations have been high and the very first sneak-peak at the official unveiling has been very promising. If Alfa is able to auto-fire derivatives over the next decade, then the brand has a good chance to re-earn its former laurels and redirect Alfa Romeo to the elevated position of its heydays.

Fiat Barchetta 20th Anniversary

A trip organised by the Barchetta Club of Italy visiting Verona and Turin
Report by Philip Healey

Day 1 After a two day drive and 850 miles from Calais, we arrived in Modena the night before the meeting. Day 2 As soon as we arrived at the restaurant Esse esse in Maranello, we sensed we were in motor country, as we saw the latest Ferrari Provas being tested along the back roads, we knew we were in for a good time! The restaurant had been the pre-arranged place to meet Barchetta Club members who had driven up from Rome and Naples, around 20 cars. We had a superb lunch followed by a visit to the Ferrari museum followed by a drive in convoy to the hotel on the shores of Lake Garda. Members from the Dutch and German clubs had arrived there so we now numbered around 70 cars. Dinner of unlimited pizza and Czech beer followed before late bedtime.

Day 3 Up for a 09.00 briefing then a convoy of around 70 cars right into Verona centre, Piazza Bra. What a magnificent sight made even better when the remaining crews from Holland and Germany arrived making a line up of 102 cars. This provided a great photo opportunity for many of the tourists of all nationalities who were very curious about the car and its history. We were the sole Brits but we flew the Union Jack with great pride. Afterwards back to the hotel for another superb evening of pasta and vino.

Day 4 Another early briefing, then ‘make your own way’ to Torino, 3.5 hours away down a very fast moving motorway. Joined a small convoy cruising at 90mph on the motorway. Then to the old Fiat Lingotto factory, now a hotel, for a drive up onto the famous rooftop test track, sadly no longer used. The drive up, much like that of a multi story car park, was exhilarating in itself and the view from the top was second to none, but over 100 barchettas made a truly wonderful picture. From there we moved across Turin, in the rush hour and 34° of heat, to hotel Olympic, where it became a work of art to fit us all into the underground car park. The evening meal was outside on the rooftop, great food.

 Day 5 Another early briefing. We followed a small group to the Museo Automobili di Torino.
 Thenafter lunch off to Piazza Vittoria for another exhibition of cars. That evening was a gala dinner in a fabulous restaurant by the river. The guests of honour were three guys who designed the Barchetta and they signed autographs all night like rock stars. Day 6 Last day of the trip. A visit to Fiat Centro Storico, a great little Fiat museum, cars, boats, planes. Finally off to Mirafiori Motor Village with a final lunch with our new amici Italiana, followed by two laps of the test track following a 595 Abarth. By then it was late afternoon, so after our goodbyes we set off for Susa then a further two days driving through France to the joys of Calais and the port workers strike! But a wonderful trip with a lifetime of memories of the heat, food and mad Italians in their barchettas. A great celebration of the ‘little boat’ we all love.