Alfa Romeo future plans detailed

[conaero]

Alfa Romeo Giulia Sportswagon.

Alfa Romeo is once again readying itself for a new product push.

Parent company Fiat Chrysler Group's CEO, Sergio Marchionne, has told Automotive News a new plan for Alfa Romeo is imminent.

"We continue to work in a pretty determined fashion in trying to reshape the Alfa Romeo platform and I think we will be in a position to outline more at the end of the first quarter of 2014," Marchionne is quoted as saying.

A new rear- and all-wheel-drive underpinning to be shared with Chrysler and Dodge in the US is believed to be key to the product expansion, though there is no further word on the Italian brand's plans to axe the Giulietta and MiTo small cars, as was rumoured earlier this year.

Another vital element of the product expansion is the new Giulia model, which would give Alfa Romeo a competitor to the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. However, that model has been pushed back on several occasions, and a loose reveal date of 2014 may be jeopardised as rumours of internal arguments.

The car needs to appeal to not only European tastes, but as a world car. Autocar UK quotes Fiat Chrysler Group global design boss Lorenzo Ramaciotti as saying the new Giulia has been a challenge.

“Alfa Romeo is the hardest design challenge we face,†Ramaciotti says. “There is a lot of expectation, so what we do has to be remarkable but stand the test of time.â€

The Giulia is expected to be powered by a 1.7-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with about 177kW in many markets, while the US-market model will likely borrow a Chrysler-soured Pentastar 3.6-litre V6 engine, as seen in the Chrysler 300. As a product of the new underpinnings, it will likely be offered in both rear- and all-wheel-drive.

A new large sedan based on the Chrysler 300 and Maserati Ghibli to rival the Audi A6, BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class and a family SUV spin-off will likely follow from late 2015.

Alfa Romeo appears to have been the troublesome child in the Fiat Chrysler Group family of brands. In April 2010 Marchionne stated Alfa Romeo should be able to sell 500,000 vehicles by 2014, but that has since been revised down to 400,000 (September 2011) and then 300,000 (October 2012).

 

[conaero]

Sorry, not liking this TBH.

 

[Supercharged16v]

Doesnt look like much, does it ?

I'd hate to see Alfa turning into similar designs as the competition...

have you guys seen what FIAT did with the 500 L ? Its like the Mini Countryman !!!!

Jesus !!!

 

[Shant Ole]

The 500L is like airplanes. It has a folding table on the back of the front sits so people can eat

 

[WTI]

Does any one still think selling Alfa to VW/Audi would be a bad idea?
They have De Silva design wise.

I'm not a massive fan of the mito or Giulietta and I'm not very optimistic about future designs.

 

[conaero]

Does any one still think selling Alfa to VW/Audi would be a bad idea?
They have De Silva design wise.

I'm not a massive fan of the mito or Giulietta and I'm not very optimistic about future designs.

It would be good if the brand wants to make money, it would be bad if the brand wants to make great cars.

So an Alfa with the V-A-G 1.8T engine in it would be fast and built well but it would loose all its soul and become just another Euro Box.

As for the Italians selling it, I think not. They are not like the British where Jonny Foreigner can wave his chequebook, the Italians are more interested in history than money where as we arnt.

I mean, it would be a brave man who takes one to Bristol Italian Day....you would get humiliated!

 

[WTI]

V-A-G don't seem to have done too bad with Lamborghini.

 

[conaero]

V-A-G don't seem to have done too bad with Lamborghini.

Do you think...I dont agree.

I was lucky to be lent this by a mate for a few days, it was a most exciting school run as my youngest Freya would testify too. The power is savage, and the exterior is brilliant too but it did leave me a bit numb. Its the sort of experience I think I would get if I drove a Nissan GTR....fast but numb.

After I had it a few days I was tired of it and the interior was really bland too, very, dare I say it, Germanic!

This was the hardcore Balboni edition with more power and RWD instead of the Quattro system.

Oh, and German build quality....hum, I think not, Gearbox lunched itself at 10k miles, bill was around the £18k mark from memory!!!!

 

[Shant Ole]

You can feel that "German" thing when you see and sit in a Lamborghini. Great cars im not saying but i wouldnt have one