Fiat lays down its future

AN AMBITIOUS four-year future model plan by Fiat has shed new light on what the Italian brand has in store for Australia when it relaunches here in a little over 12 months.

Presented to Italian government, local authorities and trade inions on last week, the plan announces no fewer than 20 new Fiat Group models over the next four years – ranging from a new micro car to be called the Fiat 500 to a large new Alfa Romeo model to be positioned above the current 166 luxury sedan flagship.

Along with a further 23 facelifted models, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne also announced a number of new Lancia models, including a new small car, large car and 4WD – but none of these left-hand drive vehicles will be sold in Australia.

Mr Marchionne said the new models represent a continuation of the revitalisation of the Fiat Group’s product range that began two years ago and which represents an investment of 10 billion Euro (AUS$16 billion).

First Fiat cab off the rank for Australia will be an all-new joint-venture small 4WD based on Suzuki’s new Grand Vitara.

Due to be launched at the Frankfurt motor show next month, the new Fiat 4WD should join the Punto hatch and Croma wagon on sale here around the end of next year.

A new C-segment car, likely to be the Stilo hatch replacement, will also be launched in Europe next year and is set join the expanding Fiat range – which could also include a micro 4WD based on the Suzuki Liana replacement here in 2007.

The Fiat 500 micro-hatch will be launched in Europe in 2007 and, if sold here as an even smaller Fiat than Punto, should arrive Down Under in 2008.

Along with a host of new Fiat commercial vehicles, including all-new Ducato and Scudo models to appear in 2007 and a new Holden Combo-rivalling small commercial dubbed MiniCargo in 2008, the plan includes facelifted versions of the Punto and Croma in 2008 – 2009 in Australia.

As for Alfa Romeo, the plan reveals the Brera Spider and 159 Sportwagon will be launched this year, most likely at next month’s Frankfurt motor show, before joining the 156-replacing 159 medium sedan on sale here next year.

A 147 small hatch replacement is also slated for European release in 2007 (2008 in Australia), while the 2008 European model year will comprise facelifts of the 159 sedan and Sportwagon, and Brera coupe (left) and Spider – as well as a "future high-end range" which should include an even larger sedan than the 166.

We should see the rumoured Maserati V8-engined 159 GTA well before then, however. A notable omission from Alfa’s future model plan is a small 4WD based on the Kamal concept, which was originally due to be launched in 2006.

Since doing the motor show rounds, Alfa announced Kamal would not be based on the Grand Vitara like Fiat’s 4WD, but rather it will employ the 159’s premium AWD-equipped platform.

Now it appears Alfa’s 4WD has either stalled completely or been pushed further out than 2008.

WHAT’S COMING
ALFA ROMEO
159 medium sedan	mid 2006
Brera coupe	late 2006
159 Sportwagon	late 2006
Brera Spider	2007
GT coupe facelift	2007
147 small hatch replacement	2008
159 medium sedan/wagon facelift	2009
Brera coupe/Spider facelift	2009
High-performance range	2009
FIAT
Croma large wagon	late 2006
Punto light hatch	late 2006
Fiat 4WD	late 2006
Stilo small hatch replacement	mid 2007
Ducato van replacement	2007
Scudo commercial	2007
Punto van	2007
MiniCargo small van	2008
Fiat 500 micro hatch	2008
Future MPV	2009
Minicargo Panorama	2009
Punto facelift	2009
Croma facelift	2009