For a considerable number of years Alfa Romeo has found itself in a downward spiral, which has seen sales plummet and deliveries drop to less than 75,000 cars per annum. To put things into perspective, Volkswagen delivered 5,930,000 cars in the same period last year. Things however are starting to (slowly) look up. Now that the Fiat Group has completed its acquisition of Chrysler, it can now set about rebuilding its ageing model portfolio.
Fiat Chrysler Automobile CEO, Sergio Marchionne, plans to outline the company's recovery in a special announcement set for May 6. We already know that Alfa is set to ditch two of its current three-car line-up in favour of developing a range based entirely on rear-wheel drive platforms, which could see it trying to take on some of its more upmarket rivals.
It is believed that no less than six all-new models will be announced, starting with what is expected to be called the Alfa Giulia, the successor to the 159, seeing Alfa Romeo return to the mid-size saloon market. Also expected to be announced will be two SUVs, likely to be B- and C-segment sized and if executed well should help bolster sales outside Europe, which currently stand at just 10 per cent of all Alfa turnover. A smaller crossover SUV could be rolled out quickly if Alfa were to use the same platform as the new Jeep Renegade.
The existing 4C sports car could be joined by a less extreme two-seat cabriolet providing the shared technology development between Fiat and Mazda continues. There is huge potential for a modern-day Alfa Romeo Spider, especially if it could harness the same chassis as the next generation MX-5.
Complementing the new models will be a raft of highly efficient engines that are currently in development within the group. Some will be based on the 1,750cc petrol unit that is in the 4C, although sources inside Alfa have indicated that for its larger, more upmarket future models, it may tap some of Ferrari's engine resources, which, considering that the Maranello-based firm is experimenting with downsized turbocharged engines, may not be as far-fetched as it first sounds.
Anything else?
If speculation surrounding Marchionne's grand plan from Alfa Romeo is to be believed, we could witness a burst of new models over the next two to three years, but the question remains as to whether the public will be ready to invest again in the Italian brand.