The future of Alfa Romeo will be revealed this Wednesday night at the historic Italian marque's museum in Arese outside Milan, where the car-maker was based between 1963 and Fiat's take over in 1986.
Corresponding with the celebration of the red-blooded brand's 105th anniversary, the first of a new generation of Alfa Romeo models will be unveiled to the world’s automotive media at 5:00pm on June 24 (1:00am AEST Thursday, June 25).
As evidenced by this first official teaser image, what we’re expecting is a premium mid-size sedan built on an all-new rear-drive platform, bearing the name Giulia and due on sale globally by next year.
Aimed directly at the BMW 3 Series, the new car will offer a range of four and six-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel powertrains topped off by a unique version of the twin-turbo petrol V6 that is currently used in Maserati models.
Grabbing the headlines is the suggestion the same engine will also be used in a new Ferrari model that will resurrect the Dino name. The Ferrari-derived Maserati-built engine will likely feature in a high-performance GTA variant of the new Giulia aimed at the likes of BMW’s M3 and Audi’s RS 4.
But the focus on the headline engine is white noise in the overall scheme of things. Giulia is the opening shot in what’s billed as a €5 billion investment in the rebirth of Alfa Romeo. The resurrection plan has had a number of false starts and to say Giulia is important is manifest understatement.
The new car is the product of a standalone secret development program that has been notable for both its scope and its security. Even this close to the unveiling, barely an image of the car nor any specific technical details or dimensions have been leaked.
motoring.com.au understands that eventually at least two four-door Giulia models will be offered – this week’s sedan debutante and a sleeker model along the lines of Mercedes-Benz’s CLA/CLS. Later, pukka coupe and cabriolet versions may be added.
Alfa Romeo’s new platform has been called ‘Giorgio’ in some quarters. Although initially believed to be derived from Maserati mechanicals it now appears the architecture that underpins Giulia is unique.
The rear-drive platform is believed to feature double-wishbone front suspension rather than the more common MacPherson struts and a multi-link rear set-up. Careful design sees the engines located in a ‘front-mid’ configuration to ensure optimum weight distribution.
The platform is all-wheel drive capable in both left and right-hand drive guises.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles boss Sergio Marchionne has promised all Alfa Romeo models and their mechanicals will be built in Italy. This is in part the reason the group’s collaboration with Mazda via the new MX-5 platform will be gifted to a Fiat-badged model rather than feature in a car with an Alfa badge.
We’ve detailed Marchionne’s plans for Alfa Romeo previously, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Australia's plans for the brand locally. Outlining the latest version of the rebirth plan in May 2014, the charismatic car czar promised Alfa Romeo would have eight new models (including two SUVs) to market by the end of 2018.
The annual production target set by Marchionne then was in the region of 400,000 units by the end of 2018. Last year Alfa Romeo production was less than 70,000 units.
Currently Alfa Romeo boasts just three model lines Down Under. The unloved MiTo light car will not be replaced in the new Alfa Romeo line-up but renamed sedan and hatch replacements for the Giulietta are key to the brand’s success both in Australia and globally.
The other model currently sold, the limited-volume carbon-fibre tubbed 4C coupe, which will be joined by the 4C Spider in November, is not likely to be a long-term model for the brand. Instead, Alfa Romeo will likely offer higher-volume, high-performance sports models perhaps wearing the badge 6C.
Two SUVs will take the brand into new territory but are seen as key for growth in both the US and Chinese marketplaces.