Posted on Saturday 28 June 2008
Alfa Romeo sees the introduction of more rear-drive performance models as a key factor in establishing itself as a genuine rival to premium European rivals such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, but developing the suitable technology is proving to be an expensive process. The carmaker already builds the RWD 8C Competizione supercar but its running gear is shared with exotic brands Maserati and Ferrari and is too expensive to be used in Alfa’s more affordable models.
Speaking with AutoTelegraaf at the launch of the new Mi.To hatch, Alfa Romeo CEO Luca de Meo confirmed the carmaker’s next RWD model, the successor to the 166 sedan, won’t be based on 8C running gear because the platform is too expensive. Other possibilities for the new sedan included using the Maserati Quattroporte and GranSport platforms but these also proved too costly and were ruled out.
Development of the new sedan, likely to be called the 169, has been put on hold for a year, pushing back its launch date to around three years from now.
Another solution is to license an existing design from another carmaker, and that’s now likely to happen over the next couple of years as Alfa updates its lineup and prepares for its relaunch into North America. Carmakers rumored to be in talks with Alfa’s parent company Fiat include Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar (through new owner Tata).
Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
Anybody have the link to the interview? Too bad the 169 is getting delayed, I had hoped they decided to use the Quattroporte platform…
Now that would finally prove some serious competition for the 5 series, E class and A6 if put in an Alfa Romeo. I’m getting bored of the Germans owning the upper sporty/luxury segment.
I don’t see how using three existing platforms can be expensive.
why not make the 169 essentially a stretched 4 door 8C.
Well AFAIK, 8C uses a modified Maserati GranTurismo platform, which is essentially a shortened Quatroporte platform, so it’s almost the same thing. All of these cars cost way more than the price bracket 169 is aiming at. Since the Quatroporte platform is actually very good (supposedly BMW is using it as a dynamics benchmark for their upcoming 7 series), I had hoped Alfa would bite the bullet regarding costs and actually make a remarkable, 5 series beating, 169. A benchmark, halo car that would shake up the market which is kind of predictable. Maybe they can still make it with a cheaper platform, but I guess it won’t be that “special” if it’s based on Jaguar XF, Merc E class or Cadillac CTS platform.
Foxfire, you pretty much shot yourself in the foot by saying the 169 would be based on a Merc or a CTS, that’s just daft! Yes, they’ve got too go RWD,nuff said but not based on the 8C. Thats just daft, it would put them out of any price bracket that they’re aiming for! Look for a decently priced Alfa based on something light and rigid like an all aluminium Jag chassis, that’s what I can gather from the boot shaped country..
donkebaza,
Why did I shoot myself in the foot? According to rumors, 3 remaining possible donor car platforms are Mercedes E class, Cadillac CTS and Jaguar XF. All of them are approximately in the same price bracket and hence the cost associated with the platform is probably similar amongst those cars. Using the Maserati would surely raise costs, but would negate the need to pay a license to another carmaker and you could use the economies of scale to your favor. My point was that margins on higher end cars are significantly higher than on the lower end of the scale. Since Fiat group can afford it (Maserati has been loosing money for decades until recently), I was hoping 169 based on a Quattroporte would be a low margin, halo car that would be used to build image and market share, making enough income for the project to break even. Once they reestablished themselves in the marketplace, the economies of scale would only work in their favor.