New Alfa Romeo Giulia to revive Alfa glory days.

Next Alfa Romeo Giulia set for the end of 2015, with boss vowing to “learn from past mistakes”

The launch of the 4C sports car provided some rare good news in 2013 for Alfa Romeo – a brand reduced to producing just two model lines at the time. But Alfa’s real resurrection is still to come, and begins at the end of 2015 with the launch of a new BMW 3 Series and Jaguar XE rival, called the Alfa Romeo Giulia.

“We’ve already gone public in Detroit that we’re working hard on the next phase of Alfa, and it’s a severe rethink of everything we’ve done,” said Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne. “By the end of 2015 you will see cars that are representative of Alfas going forward.”

Our exclusive images show how the compact exec could look, combining a distinctive shield grille with swept-back headlights, a flowing crease along the shoulder line and wraparound tail-lamps. It’s not as flamboyant as you’d expect, but buyers in this class aren’t looking for anything outrageous – and it’s what’s under the skin that’s key to Alfa’s future.

At the recent Geneva Motor Show, Marchionne spoke of the need to get back to the “lightweight, rear-wheel-drive, good looking, powerful cars Alfa was once known for”.

The Giulia will be the first phase in that plan. “Some features will be the first time on the market for any model, and not just the powertrains,” Marchionne added. “Don’t underestimate the work that we are putting into this: we have learned from past mistakes.  

Not the Prettiest design study from AutoExpress, I just hope it is far better.

“We didn’t have a front-wheel-drive architecture until Fiat showed up. We need to think about these things again and make our cars relevant. Just look at the 4C – that level of creativity and ingenuity needs to go into every Alfa.”

Alfa is planning to target the US and Chinese markets by axing its front-drive hatchbacks in favour of a range of global cars – headed by the Giulia – in the next three years. The saloon will be closely followed by an SUV in 2016 and a more rugged version of the Giulietta, called the Giulietta Cross.

Further down the line, Marchionne wants a larger 5 Series rival, although a modern Alfa Spider – which was in the product plan for 2015 – could now be badged as an Abarth or Fiat instead.

REPORT HERE