Alfa Romeo and Maserati’s future product plans have been revealed to investors and the media, revealing a cross section of new performance cars, and ubiquitous SUVs to help ensure juicy future profits for the vulnerable Italian manufacturer.
Alfa Romeo has confirmed it will launch a new 8C supercar coupe by 2022. Powered by a 700bhp twin-turbocharged V8 – likely to be heavily based on Ferrari’s next V8 engine for the 488’s replacement, but unlike its front engined predecessor (built between 2009 and 20013) the new 8C will be mid-engined. The engine’s power output will be supplemented by an electric motor driving the front axle.
Built on a carbon-fibre monocoque chassis, the new 8C will be aimed at established junior supercars such as Audi R8 and McLaren 570S, as well as Aston Martin’s forthcoming mid-engined supercar. And, of course, the 488.
Joining the 8C will be a new Alfa Romeo GTV coupe also scheduled for 2022. This new four-seat coupe will have, Alfa has confirmed, 600bhp and be all-wheel drive. Power is most likely to be an updated version of the 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine currently fitted to the Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio models, but will include upgrades such as electrically driven turbochargers, helping boost power to the magic 600bhp figure.
Built on an updated version of the current Giulia’s platform the new GTV will be a direct rival to Audi’s RS5, AMG’s C63 and the next all-new BMW M4, of which all three will either have been replaced with all-new models or approaching their launch when the new Alfa hits the road.
Away from the headline grabbing sports cars, Alfa also announced a new Giuliettaand C-Segment SUV will arrive by 2022, along with a premium sector (Cayenne/X5) SUV. The Mito and 4C coupe and spyder won’t be replaced, the latter served by the new GTV and 8C. All new Alfa Romeos will also be offered with electrified powertrains by 2022 with diesel engines phased out.
Maserati also revealed that will finally build its Alfieri sports cars coupe and cabrio scheduled for a 2020 launch after first being shown at the 2014 Geneva motor show. Built on an aluminium spaceframe chassis, the Alfieri will do without the carbonfibre tub of the future 8C, mounting it’s Ferrari-sourced combustion engine ahead of the driver. The grand tourer will initially be available in PHEV form, but will also eventually be available as a full battery electric vehicle in time, as will the next generation Levante and Quattroporte.
Those cars will also be up for a complete overhaul, based on an all-new platform, and with purely-Ferrari sourced powertrains. As with Alfa Romeo, diesel engines are due to be phased out and replaced with performance-orientated plug-in hybrids according to Maserati. The Ghibli will also be up for replacement with an all-new model, while a sub-Levante SUV should appeal to BMW X3 and Jaguar F-Pace buyers.
All of these bold claims must be taken in with a caveat though, as FCA boss Sergio Marchionne is soon to be making way for a successor, after a failed attempt ensure the company’s future through a merger with a rival manufacturer. FCA also remained suspiciously silent in regards to the fate of Fiat and Chrysler themselves, central brands to the FCA group, but both struggling to maintain any traction in the current market. As FCA continues to try and find sustainable ways of growth, a future product line up like this is just the first step in the process.
This article originally appeared at evo.co.uk
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