Alfa Romeo to Begin SUV Production in Early 2016
Alfa Romeo will start building its first SUV in early 2016, sharing its platform and engines with the Giulia, as part of a €5bn investment in the brand.
Alfa Romeo will begin production of its first SUV at the end of the first quarter or start of the second quarter of 2016, according to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) CEO Sergio Marchionne. The new model, known internally as project 949, is the second key launch in Alfa’s relaunch plan after the Giulia saloon.
The SUV will share its underpinnings and powertrains with the Giulia, using FCA’s new Giorgio rear-wheel-drive platform. This architecture is central to Alfa’s strategy for competing with premium rivals, targeting models like the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. According to Marchionne, Alfa Romeo has already spent €2bn of the €5bn earmarked for the brand’s revival, much of it on developing this platform and new engines.
SUV launch timing and market plans
Production is scheduled to begin around March or April 2016. Alfa Romeo expects to have the SUV in European dealerships by September or October of that year. A US launch is planned for roughly three months after the European debut. This timetable puts Alfa’s SUV in direct competition with established German premium brands during a period of renewed investment in its model range.
The SUV is a major part of Alfa’s aim to reach 400,000 annual sales by 2018, a steep increase from the 70,000 units sold the previous year. At present, Alfa Romeo’s range is limited to the MiTo and Giulietta hatchbacks and the 4C sports car. The Giulia and the upcoming SUV are intended to reposition the marque as a genuine rival to German premium brands.
Engineering and investment details
The Giorgio platform, developed for the Giulia and the SUV, is rear-wheel-drive and designed to support all-wheel-drive variants. Investment has focused on new powertrains and the flexibility to underpin multiple models. This approach mirrors the modular strategies used by rivals to spread costs and offer a range of body styles from a single architecture.
