Experience has so far taught us not to take Alfa Romeo’s product plans too seriously, so will the latest one unveiled on May 6 be any different?
Well, according to a report from AutoNews Europe, Alfa Romeo is said to have started development of three new models included in that plan which will be essential to the company’s revival.
These are a midsize sedan previously rumored to be called Giulia which will take on the BMW 5-Series, a midsize SUV that will compete with models including the Audi Q5 and a flagship large sedan. The three models make up the first wave of eight new Alfa Romeo models which are part of a €5 billion investment aimed at increasing global sales from 74,000 units last year to 400,000 in 2018.
Scheduled to arrive in Europe in mid-2016 and in the U.S. by the end of that year, the midsize sedan (code-named Project 952) may not be called Giulia as previously reported. Italy’s BMW 5-Series rival will feature Alfa’s new range of direct-injection petrol engines with single or twin turbochargers. The lineup is expected to include a 2.2-liter four-cylinder rated from 180 to 330 hp and a 3.3-liter V6 with output ranging from 400 to more than 500 hp for the GTA high-performance version. Two diesels will also be available: a four-cylinder with 120-210hp and a V6 with 250-330hp.
The midsize SUV is set to follow in the second half of 2016, with the model expected to share its platform and engine lineup with the sedan. As for the large luxury sedan, which will compete with models like the BMW 7-Series and Audi A8, it will be based on the same platform as the midsize sedan and will offer powerful versions of the new engine range. However, no V8 powerplants are planned.
Alfa Romeo Giulia renderings via Thorsten Krisch
PHOTOS
