Alfa Romeo confirms eight new models by 2018

Alfa Romeo will unveil eight new models between now and 2018 as the Italian carmaker completely restructures its line-up – and sets its sights firmly on Germany’s main premium manufacturers.

Rear-wheel drive and BMW-like 50:50 weight-distribution will return to the Alfa Romeo range, in cars like the new Giulia sports saloon (due in late 2015) and a future executive saloon due to battle the Mercedes E Class and Jaguar XF from 2016.

Alfa’s plans also include two new compact family cars (one expected to be an estate) from 2016 to replace the current Giulietta, and two new SUV models. There will be no replacement for the Fiat Punto-based MiTo supermini – Fiat’s new range of small cars will fill the gap instead.

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The most exciting news for Alfa enthusiasts is the promise of a development of the 4C, to be included in the Cloverleaf performance car family. It’ll be unveiled in late 2015, with Alfa Romeo promising that as far as the 4C goes: ‘the best is yet to come’.

The new Alfas, powered by a new range of technologically advanced petrol and diesel engines, will be built in Italy, Alfa Romeo has announced.

An explosion of eight new Alfa Romeo models is aimed at rocketing sales from 74,000 units today to 400,000 annually in just five years. The Fiat-Chrysler group as a whole stands on the brink of a massive product offensive, with Jeep, Fiat, Chrysler and Maserati all promising monster growth before the end of the decade.

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The ambitious comeback follows three years of stagnation for the Alfa Romeo line-up, in which it has offered only the Giulietta and Mito hatchbacks, while the Giulia saloon has been beset by styling rethinks and engineering setbacks before the final decision to go after the BMW 3 Series with rear-drive and proper driver-focused dynamics.