If you remember correctly, at the turn of the 1980s and 1990s, Alfa Romeo passed under the wing of the Fiat concern , and thus the strategy of the Italian brand changed. Model 75 is referred to as the last true Alfa , as it still had rear-wheel drive. All newer models had front- or all-wheel drive. Now there is hope that Alfa Romeo could return to its roots .
For now, this is not officially confirmed information, but according to published facts, the automaker wants to return to rear-wheel drive . That would be the best thing for the brand. And why suddenly such a radical change? According to the revealed details, it looks like CEO Sergio Marchionne has changed everything. Alfa Romeo has always been a dynamic car company competing with BMW and Mercedes, but this is not the case nowadays and that should change.
The change in strategy consists mainly in the fact that Alfa Romeo will develop together with Maserati a completely new modular platform , which will become the basis for two sedans and two crossovers. The first "swallow" will be the long-awaited Giulia , which should be produced from 2015 and thus become a competitor of the BMW 3 series. A year later, another model will arrive with the old-new name Alfetta (it should also be in the Sportwagon version), and it will be to compete with the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes E Class. The new Alfetta will be slightly smaller than the older 166, and should be equal in size to the Maserati Ghibli .
Unfortunately, the mentioned crossovers are currently in vogue, and therefore Alfa Romeo must also enter this segment. In 2017, we will see a rival for the BMW X1 and a year later again for the BMW X3 and Audi Q5. All new models will have a decent design, sporty style and good driving characteristics thanks to the new platform, which will also ensure a reduction in weight .
We don't know anything about the engine range yet, but it is almost certain that most of the engines will be taken over from Maserati, including the twin-turbocharged six-cylinder or the eight-speed ZF automatic transmission . In a few years, the Italian brand will have two sedans, two crossovers, a roadster based on the Mazda MX-5 and the recently introduced 4C in its portfolio. You're probably wondering what will happen to Giulietta and MiTe , right? There is no mention of them anywhere, as they have front-wheel drive and that would not be good for the brand. So either both models will get rear-wheel drive or they will be moved to automotive heaven…
Source: carmagazine.co.uk
