This Autocar image shows how a new Alfa Romeo SUV could look when it arrives in 2010.
The all-new Alfa Romeo 149, the front-drive Focus rival due for launch next year, will share its platform with the SUV, and could also underpin a bigger saloon and possibly even a new Coupé and Spider.
Alfa bosses insist that the ultra-flexible platform, which will also be utilised in modified forms for Fiat and Lancia models, is starting life as a pure Alfa Romeo project.
It is being used to create a “beautiful” Ford Kuga-sized SUV crossover which revives the 2003 Kamal concept.
That idea was canned — it was certainly ahead of its time — but now Alfa believes that it must have a small SUV in its model line-up if its planned 2010 re-entry into the US is to get off to a flying start.
The platform can also be used as a basis for a replacement for today’s 159 saloon, which will be lighter but no smaller.
Meanwhile, the company is still believed to be in “super-secret” talks with Jaguar to source a rear-wheel drive platform for a bigger Alfa luxury saloon, for which it believes there would still be a demand.
Fiat Group boss Sergio Marchionne invited Jaguar/Land Rover’s Ratan Tata to join the Fiat board last year, and the pair are understood still to be talking on the subject. (Thanks to Autocar for News and Pictures)
The all-new Alfa Romeo 149, the front-drive Focus rival due for launch next year, will share its platform with the SUV, and could also underpin a bigger saloon and possibly even a new Coupé and Spider.
Alfa bosses insist that the ultra-flexible platform, which will also be utilised in modified forms for Fiat and Lancia models, is starting life as a pure Alfa Romeo project.
It is being used to create a “beautiful” Ford Kuga-sized SUV crossover which revives the 2003 Kamal concept.
That idea was canned — it was certainly ahead of its time — but now Alfa believes that it must have a small SUV in its model line-up if its planned 2010 re-entry into the US is to get off to a flying start.
The platform can also be used as a basis for a replacement for today’s 159 saloon, which will be lighter but no smaller.
Meanwhile, the company is still believed to be in “super-secret” talks with Jaguar to source a rear-wheel drive platform for a bigger Alfa luxury saloon, for which it believes there would still be a demand.
Fiat Group boss Sergio Marchionne invited Jaguar/Land Rover’s Ratan Tata to join the Fiat board last year, and the pair are understood still to be talking on the subject. (Thanks to Autocar for News and Pictures)
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