[BMW269]

REVEAL: 24 JUNE 2015

Date of new Alfa Romeo announced by Marchionne



Sergio Marchionne – the man who scared entire Italy when he waved Luca Cordero di Montezemolo goodbye a few days ago – has stated a date on which we can expect to see the new Alfa Romeo. And a very symbolic one at that; June 24th 2015. Yes indeed, the exact date on which the brand from Portello (and later on Arese) is to turn 105 years old. We don’t know what baffles us most; Di Montezemolo leaving Ferrari or the new Alfa being announced for halfway through 2015 already.



‘Already?’ we hear you thinking with astonishment. Of course it is long overdue, but we’re amazed that this new important Alfa should be ready by as early as June already given it is still in a very early stage of development at this moment. The first testing phase of ‘Progetto 952’ has only just been spotted, while preparations for the production in Cassino can’t have started earlier than a few weeks back. This means they’ll have their work cut out if they plan to respect this schedule. We expect that the model presented next summer will only be a concept (though a close-to-production-ready one), while the assembly line should be ready by the end of 2015.



Another way to look at it is that Marchionne had no other option than to release a date sooner or later. Even though the man loathes the announcing of exact dates, he practically had no other choice this time. Last year at a press conference he even stated that those wanting to know the date should take a look at the inside of his thigh, as that’s where the exact date was tattooed. But the big boss no longer gets away with such kinds of jokes this time around, as analysts need to start believing in the investment plan for Alfa Romeo, especially considering the IPO on Wall Street is right around the corner. A few years ago Marchionne said that they were working on Alfa Romeo at the speed of light and that 2015 was the year when we could expect the first tangible results. Seems like he wasn’t lying.

Shortened Ghibli recognizable as Alfa Romeo ‘Progetto 952’



The shortened Ghibli has again been spotted and now clearly proves this project has nothing to do with Maserati, but instead with the development of a new Alfa Romeo which was christened ‘Giulia’ by the media a long time ago already. What its actual name will be is just as secret as its design, but at least we now know for a fact that this is an Alfa Romeo in progress.




Progetto 952 is the name for the new D-segment Alfa with rear-wheel drive. The interior gives away its codename, while we also spot a skillfully built temporary center console. The 900-indication sounds like music to every Alfist’s ears as it indicates a new era in the glorious history of ‘il Biscione’. The Giulia’s predecessor – the 159 – was codenamed 939 and the Giulietta wore the number 940. A successor to the 159 was at first scheduled before the Chrysler-takeover (Progetto 944) but died an early death due to tactical reasons. The same counts for the development of a new flagship (Progetto 941).



The air vents inside the interior are exactly the same as those found in the Ghibli (though they’re positioned to the side of the car in the Maser rather than in the middle), while we notice a steering wheel that seems to be derived from the one in the Jeep Cherokee. The cover is the only thing that’s borrowed from the American D-segment SUV on Fiat’s CUSW-platform. Below the center console we spot Alfa’s DNA ‘manettino’. The front of the car shows us an entirely different air intake than the one on the Maserati, while dots on the bodywork around the grille seem to indicate the shape of a ‘Scudetto’. No doubt then that this is the D-segment Alfa Romeo and it seems to us that Fiat is not exactly trying to hide that fact from the world.



Autoedizione

[Red Bread]

Alfa can't make a website work for the US, I'll be shocked if this car ever gets here.

[Mavus]

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/alfa-ro...-ar165427.html

[BMW269]

Hearing some very, very promising things. I really hope this is as they say a Ferrari compact sports-sedan with Alfa badge.

Aside the entry gasoline and other gasoline engines, it is to get a 1.8l I4 Biturbo making 300 PS/400 Nm, and a top ranging 2.9l V6 Biturbo making 480 PS, with potential 520 PS.

But I don't want to get my hopes too high and get disappointed as it is most often the case.

[ShocknAwe]

Gorgeous car as always.

[BMW269]

Spotted at Cassino, where it will be produced:

[Red Bread]

Wow, those are some great proportions. Would love to see it here, but would be shocked to actually see it make it.

[Cuz5150]

I'll believe it when it hits my local Chrysler/Jeep dealers..........Until then, its the same thing since 1994.............."Alfa Romeo is returning to the US" . Right..................

[BMW269]

[yousefnjr]

Leakededed:

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/06/23/a...leaks/#image-1

[pjhusa]

Spotted these leaked pics today. I like.

What is the group consensus on this one shot?

[Piggieback]

Looks interesting, but I will withhold judgement until a full shot comes out. The rear exhaust trim looks a bit to aggressive however it might just be a the angle of the shot. I would venture to say that its probably built on some mainstream frame, and that leaves me concerned about the handling/fun department. Any reason anyone would ever buy an alfa is for the fun factor, if that's questionable, well lets just say they're not really known for their reliability.

[DocWeatherington]

IDK.. it looks like it should have some good looks... question is what's the complete package and how soon will they target the M3..

Either way, hopefully it brings something awesome to the class especially with the know how of Ferrari..

[DrivenByE30]

From this angle, it looks like a mini Maserati Ghibli with an agressive rear end...: which is to say: not a bad thing at all, if not better than the Ghibli

[pjhusa]

Originally Posted by DrivenByE30

From this angle, it looks like a mini Maserati Ghibli with an agressive rear end...: which is to say: not a bad thing at all, if not better than the Ghibli

Now we have to wait on how it drives...

[A2Z]

Originally Posted by pjhusa

Spotted these leaked pics today. I like.

What is the group consensus on this one shot?

I see hints of Acura ILX and Mazda 3 sedan from this shot. I do like the wheels, however. Although, from what I hear, isn't this based off of the Chrysler 200?

[RoundelM3]

I see Dodge Dart, which is probably the chassis used for this, seeing as how the Dart was based on Alfa underpinnings. Let's hope it's not FWD. The following is from Wikipedia:

"The current version of the Dodge Dart is a compact sedan based on a slightly enlarged Fiat Compact platform and debuted at the 2012 North American International Auto Show on January 9, 2012.[6] The Dart was Dodge's first compact sedan since 2005, when the Dodge Neon was discontinued as part of the end of the PL platform.

The Fiat Compact platform, on which the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is built, was enlarged 1.5 in (38 mm) in width and with a 3.7 in (94 mm) longer wheelbase and is now called the Compact U.S. Wide (CUSW) platform."

[IEDEI]

THIS is going to be the 'family car' i buy to join the 1M in the garage when it comes out. VERY excited about it. Alfa is back!

[the_phew]

I assume it's transverse/FWD layout with DCT-only.

In other words, an Acura without Acura's reliability. Pass

[jazza]

[eric@helix]

I like everything except those goiters around the exhaust tips.

[pjhusa]

Originally Posted by jazza

[IMG]http://i57.tinypic.com/2dqknde.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i59.tinypic.com/2qipiyh.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CIPY-naWUAEe5sC.jpg:large[/IMG]

That front just doesn't work.

It doesn't fit with the rest of the car...