Five new Alfa Romeos on way

A leaked Alfa Romeo product plan has revealed five new models are on the way, including two saloons, an SUV and a new Spider. But it’s the 4C sports car that will lead the line-up – and we can reveal more details about the Porsche Cayman rival, which is set to be faster than first thought.

The 4C arrives in 2013, to be followed by a BMW X5-rivalling SUV, a five-door MiTo supermini, the 159-replacing Giulia, a new Spider and finally, late in 2014, a rear-wheel-drive saloon which will aim to take on the BMW 5 Series.

To go with the all-new model line-up is a new 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine that will debut in the 4C with 300bhp. The two-seater will sit between the Porsche Cayman and Cayman S in terms of performance, and power will be delivered to the rear wheels using Alfa’s new TCT dual-clutch gearbox.

When Alfa unveiled the 4C Concept at the Geneva Motor Show in March this year, it weighed just 850kg thanks to a carbon fibre chassis developed by Italian motorsport firm Dallara. Expect the production car’s low kerbweight and 300bhp engine to combine for a 0-62mph time of just over five seconds and a top speed of 155mph.

At present, Alfa plans to build around 20,000 4Cs over a five-year production run beginning at the start of 2013, with prices kicking off at around £40,000.

It will also be sold in the US, marking Alfa’s return to North America – and it will be joined by a host of new models, which are being developed thanks to the Fiat Group’s alliance with Chrysler and Jeep.

An Alfa Romeo SUV has been on the cards ever since the Kamal was seen at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show. While that car never saw the light of day, a new 4x4 is scheduled for early 2013. The newcomer will be based on Jeep’s Grand Cherokee and use a 238bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel. Still called Kamal, it will retain the Cherokee’s practicality, but Alfa will add sporty handling to the mix. It will be built at Chrysler’s plant in Detroit and cost around £45,000.

Coming in early 2014, the Giulia will replace the 159. It will revive the Giulia name used in the Sixties and Seventies, and rival the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. The engine line-up taps into Fiat’s latest MultiAir technology. As well as the 1.4-litre turbo petrol from the Giulietta – with 118bhp or 168bhp – a range-topping Giulia Cloverleaf will be offered with the new 300bhp 1.8-litre turbo from the 4C. Big UK sellers will be the diesels, with 110bhp to 200bhp.

THE new convertible will arrive in 2014 and – after the Brera Spider was dropped from the line-up this year – will be the only drop-top in the range. Alfa wants it to be stylish and fun to drive and have a high power to weight ratio. With that in mind, expect to see lightweight aluminium used in its construction, along with a range of high- powered engines such as the 168bhp 1.4-litre turbo and the 200bhp 1.75-litre turbo from the Giulietta Cloverleaf.

A successor to the range-topping 166 – which was discontinued back in 2007 – will arrive at the end of 2014. Likely to be called 169, it will use the platform of the latest Chrysler 300C, and be powered by Chrysler’s 3.6-litre V6 petrol and a V6 diesel. Aimed at the BMW 5 Series, it will be available with rear and four-wheel drive, and come with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It should be very stylish, comfortable and sharp to drive.

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