Future Alfa Romeos to get RWD

[PanterroR]

If Alfa Romeo is serious about competing with Germany’s premium labels it will eventually have to drop its FWD only lineup. Latest reports claim that is exactly what’s going to happen over the next couple of years as Alfa updates its lineup and prepares for its re-launch in North America.

The news comes from an Alfa factory manager who told the guys at AutoWeek.nl that Alfa’s future lineup would include more RWD cars. Next year will see the launch of the first RWD Alfa since the early 1990s’ 75 sedan and Spider in the form of the all-new 8C Competizione sports coupe.
The 8C is only the start of a new era for Alfa, revealed marketing manager Renzo Barbirato. The 169 flagship sedan that’s expected to bow in towards the end of 2009 will also be RWD as will Alfa’s other models. The only car that won’t be RWD is the entry-level Junior hatch, which will remain FWD because of cost limitation, explained Barbirato.

Another avenue Alfa is exploring is the introduction of high-performance AWD models. The first of these will likely be the new GTA 159 sedan, which has recently been spotted circling the Nurburgring.


Source: Motor Authority » Future Alfa Romeos to get RWD


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Now, that would be great.

 

[PanterroR]

Alfa Romeo could use Cadillac RWD platform

Posted on Thursday 24 January 2008



If Alfa Romeo is serious about competing with Germany’s premium labels it will eventually have to drop its FWD only lineup but the carmaker’s low volume status makes developing a brand new premium RWD platform unfeasible. One solution is to license an existing design from another carmaker, and latest reports claim that’s exactly what’s going to happen over the next couple of years as Alfa updates its lineup and prepares for its relaunch into North America.

Alfa Romeo was previously in talks with Mercedes-Benz over a possible platform sharing deal but all discussions between the two carmakers have come to an end. Alfa is said to be looking for a premium design for a new flagship saloon as well as the replacement for the current 159 sedan. Germany’s AutoBild is now reporting that Alfa could use Cadillac’s first-generation Sigma platform for its new cars (the original Sigma platform was used for the first-generation CTS and current STS sedans in Cadillac’s lineup).

According to the source, every Alfa model positioned above the 147 hatchback will eventually become RWD. Some of the cars that will switch to RWD include the next Alfa Spider, Brera Coupe, 159 and the all-new 169 flagship. The report also goes on to claim sister-brand Maserati will use the platform for a new 2+2 seater coupe, roadster and small sedan.
Next year will see the launch of the first RWD Alfa since the early 1990s’ 75 in the form of the all-new 8C Competizione sports coupe, and by the looks of things we’re in store for a whole lot more.

 

[Tarek]

Awesome news,i've always considered Alfa and this is a great news for me

 

[bmer]

So "169" will be the first standard production model to have RWD?