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We've already reported on Alfa Romeo's impending transition to an entirely rear- and four-wheel-drive lineup, and our European correspondent Georg Kacher stated that one of the brand's key models going forward would be a compact SUV. Now, Auto Express reports that this Alfa Romeo SUV will arrive in 2016, a year earlier than we previously predicted.
This yet unnamed SUV will ride on the new rear- and four-wheel-drive platform that's set to underpin the new compact Alfa Romeo Giulia sport sedan. Whereas the Giulia will aim to compete with the venerable BMW 3 Series, its SUV counterpart sets its sights on the BMW X1. This plan, along with the rumored Alfetta midsize sedan and larger crossover, is part of Alfa Romeo's goal to increase global sales to 300,000 units per year by 2016. This model will be the brand's first-ever SUV, coming more than 10 years after Alfa Romeo first showed its Kumal SUV concept (pictured) at the 2003 Geneva auto show.
AE says that this SUV could go on sale in 2016, presumably after the debut of the Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan. It's unclear whether these new Alfa Romeo models will be sold in the U.S. or not. According to Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne, the Alfa Romeo brand's return to the U.S. will begin with the Alfa Romeo 4C sports car set to arrive in the second quarter of this year. More Alfa models are slated to follow in 2015, and they will be sold in select Maserati and Fiat dealers.
Stay tuned for more news about Alfa Romeo as this Italian automaker embarks on its ambitious plan for the future.
Source: http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/1403-report-alfa-romeo-compact-suv-coming-2016
