Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne spent his visit to the 2011 L.A. Auto Show alternating between proudly displaying Alfa Romeo offerings and denying rumors that the storied brand was up for sale. He did both with his trademark smile and the good humor that usually marks his press interactions.
First the rumors that Alfa Romeo and/or Ferrari were going to be sold in part or whole. ”Oh please,” he said ”I think we’re going to hold tight and fight.” The rumors have been swirling as Fiat as a whole has been struggling to remain profitable. Also, Ferdinand Piech, CEO of Volkswagen, has made it abundantly and publicly clear that he would love to acquire Alfa Romeo. Piech is going to have to wait for a very long time according to Marchionne.
Now, for the centerpiece offering that Alfa had at the show. The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept was rehashed in L.A. The car is expected to go into production at the end of 2012 and will be marketed as a 2013 model. It is going to feature a 1.8L four cylinder engine strapped to Alfa’s six speed TCT twin clutch automatic. That will put 200 horsepower at its owner’s command. The 4C will weigh in the neighborhood of 1,875 lbs. Alfa is accomplishing the low weight with a composite body and aluminum frame. MSRP is targeted at $60,000. This is meant to be the new flagship car for Alfa Romeo.
It is good to see Machionne in good humor and deflecting rumors of a sale, especially to Volkswagen. It would be almost disgusting to see a company known for underpowering everything it builds take over Alfa. From the looks of the 4C concept, Alfa Romeo should see sales increase in the near future. Maybe that will quiet all of the rumors.
The world has gone insane!!! That what many of the conservative gear heads may utter. It was so unusual that in the late 90’s automakers that never had been in the off-road segment started building SUV’s. Mercedes ML, BMW X5, Audi Q7, and even Porsche with its Cayenne, just to name a few… Nowadays, it appears that virtually all the major car brands entered this segment. An all of this is taking place with escalating gas prices, fight against global warming and the world’s consequences of the financial crises – people need bigger, stronger and faster SUVs.
With Maserati and Alpha SUVs coming to the market as soon as 2013 the Italians are sure to get their part of the pie.
The major question then becomes, will a Jeep-based Alfa make much sense for the North America? Will an added dose of luxury and style find its niche in the American market? Will the North American buyers pick a reasonably priced, somewhat a little more expensive, yet more luxurious and stylish Alfa-badged SUV over more common Jeep counterpart? Most likely, the new Alfa Romeo will surpass the luxury and will have the sporting spirit as opposed to its “donor.” In addition, it will not come equipped with Jeep HEMI V-8, but in stead the “Italian” will boast a turbo diesel and a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 with 280 hp.
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