Alfa preps Quattroporte-based luxury ‘loon

Newswheel staff :: 22 November 2006 :: Filed under Saloon, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Maserati Quattroporte, Europe & UK, US

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Rear-wheel-drive revolution

Alfa Romeo’s recent history is a litany of false dawns and aborted rebirths. So, we’re loathe to predict a real renaissance for the beleaguered Italian brand. And yet the evidence is beginning to mount up. Most tangibly, of course, Alfa officially launched the productionised 8C Competizione super coupé at the Paris show in September. Now comes a very plausible story regarding a rehashed Alfa variant of Maserati’s Quattroporte uber saloon…

According to Autocar Magazine, the new model will usurp the 167 saloon in Alfa’s line-up. Based on the next generation of the Quattroporte, it’s expected to be offered with both V6 and V8 lumps (the latter likely to be the same unit used in the 8C Competizione), will be built at Maserati’s Modena plant and is due out in 2009. Assuming Alfa hits the 2009 target, it will of course be the first rear-drive Alfa saloon in 17 years. For Stateside dwelling Alfa fans, it’s also worth noting that the new model is central to plans to reintroduce the brand to North America.

Moreover, with Maserati’s recent realignment away from Ferrari and closer to Fiat HQ, a platform sharing effort with Alfa is something of a no brainer. Not only will it provide Alfa Romeo with crucial rear-drive credibility. It also gives Maser the production volumes it needs to make developing its own platforms viable.

Linkage:
Autocar