The second most problematic child in the Fiat-Chrysler Group after Lancia, is also the one with the greatest prospects for future growth – just as long as the Italians get their cards right and finally begin investing in products.
Of course, we’re talking about Alfa Romeo, which is trying to tell the world that it’s slowly getting back on its feet with the presentation of a new concept model for a sharply styled sports sedan that will join the highly-anticipated production version of the 4C mid-engine coupe at next month’s Geneva Auto Salon.
Named ‘Gloria’, the study is the work of the European Design Institute (IED) of Turin in collaboration with the Alfa Romeo Style Centre. It might break cover in Switzerland, but the Gloria was designed to appeal to consumers in the North American and Asian markets.
“In effect, the saloon remains a symbol of elegance and prestige for these markets, associated with the idea of comfortable space both at the front and the rear, expressed by the length of the model,” said Alfa Romeo in a statement.
At 4,700mm long, 1,920 mm wide, 1320mm high and with a wheelbase of 2,900mm, the four-door Gloria is very close in dimensions to the Audi A5 Sportback. Alfa said that the car was designed to be propelled by “a state-of-the-art V6 or V8 biturbo engine”, by which it means the new powerplants introduced in the Maserati Quattroporte.
“We asked the students in the Master programme to give us their completely independent interpretation of a new Alfa Romeo saloon,” said Lorenzo Ramaciotti, Head of Fiat & Chrysler Design. “During development, we commented, discussed and guided the projects in order to get the most from their spontaneous expressions of creativity. The result was stimulating and marked by professional and creative excellence.”
More information about the Gloria will be released at the Geneva Auto Salon.
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