By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(May 4, 2014) The relaunch of Alfa will take more than just product. However, it is what form that product will take that has the industry talking. About the time you read this, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) CEO Sergio Marchionne will be ready to outline his new industrial plan for the company. It promises to be a very different report than the one he delivered in 2010.

At that time, Marchionne peddled an “affordable premium” strategy built around front-drive platforms used throughout the Fiat empire. In 2012, the refreshed MiTo hatchback would be joined by a five-door model that would be sold in the U.S. A new Alfa Spider would launch that same year on a variant of that platform, and a new Giulia sedan, station wagon and SUV would join the global product mix.

This SUV, which was to be smaller than the 2014 Cherokee, would be shared with Jeep. Two years later, the Giulietta sedan (on which the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 are based) was to be heavily modified, and spawn a D-class SUV.



In no time, this plan began to change. Word leaked out that the designs for the new Alfa family were meeting strong resistance from Marchionne, and had been sent back for more work.

Then came the surprise announcement that Fiat and Mazda would join forces to build the next Alfa Spider on the 2015 Mazda Miata, but with unique bodywork and Italian engines. The 4C mid-engine sports car then joined the parade, and almost as suddenly plans for the Alfa Spider were put on hold. Reports stated that, In order to quell political and union ire, Marchionne had to agree to build all future Alfas in Italy. The Fiat brand will get the convertible to be made with Mazda.

The latest plan reportedly has Ferrari building the engines and Maserati providing the rear-drive platforms for Alfa’s new range. This isn’t as far-fetched as it seems. Speculation has a modified version of this architecture being used for the next-generation Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and the replacement for the Challenger. Adding an Alfa sedan and SUV to the mix is relatively easy.

 More difficult is modifying this structure to build an entry-level sports/luxury vehicle that can compete with the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class, and Jaguar’s new all-aluminum XE. All will share a multi-link independent rear suspension. However, it is uncertain whether Maserati’s dual-wishbone aluminum front suspension will make the cut. A less expensive design might be used on the Chryslers and Alfas to help keep costs in line.

At least one SUV (possibly to be joined by an off-road coupe variant) also will be pulled off the smaller car, as will the next Alfa Spider. In order to eliminate competition with Maserati’s own Granturismo coupe and convertible, the Spider will be a smaller vehicle that uses a 300 hp 1,750 cc turbocharged inline four, as well as a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter V6. Rumors persist, however, that a turbocharged, 2.0-liter, Ferrari-engineered version of the 2.4-liter Tigershark inline four may be offered in place of the V6. A hybrid model also is in the plans.

Ghibli will spawn new Alfas, Dodges, Chryslers.

All Alfas will offer an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters. It’s as yet unknown whether or not the Spider and small sedan, especially in four-cylinder form, will offer the option of a manual transmission, though this is thought to be unlikely. Today’s multi-speed automatics outperform manual gearboxes in terms of fuel efficiency, and focusing on one transmission can dramatically reduce engineering, development and production costs as well as allow engineers to run the engine closer to the edge in terms of emissions.

In addition, like the Maseratis on which they are based, the new Alfas will use a suitably modified version of Chrysler’s Uconnect infotainment system and electrical structure. To cut costs, most of the underbody structure will be shared, though some of the upper structure and most of the exterior panels will be stamped in aluminum.

It remains to be seen if this will be the final Alfa revitalization plan, or just the latest. Time is running out for the evocative brand’s relaunch, and the highly leveraged Fiat empire has other fires to fight. These include making its European assembly operations more efficient; launching new models and expanding the Fiat brand beyond the 500; improving sales in Russia, India and Brazil; gaining market share in a flat European market rife with discounts and deals; winding down the Lancia brand; and quantitatively improving vehicle quality.

It’s a large task, and one that leaves no room for further delays in relaunching Alfa.

The Virtual Driver