Alfa Romeo outlines five-year plan

FIAT Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has outlined the five-year plan for its Alfa Romeo premium brand, which is projected to see annual global sales top 400,000 units thanks to the introduction of several new models, including returning sportscars and critical SUVs.

 

Two new performance-focused models will serve as flagships for Alfa Romeo, with the 8C and GTV nameplates set to return on a pair of two-door sportscars.

 

Alfa Romeo has confirmed that 8C will combine a mid-mounted twin-turbocharged petrol engine – likely the 2.9-litre V6 from the Giulia QV – with a front-axle electric motor for a combined power output of more than 522kW.

 

A lightweight carbon-fibre monocoque chassis will also play a role in allowing the third-generation 8C sprint from standstill to 100km/h in less than three seconds.

 

The GTV will adopt a similar formula with its E-Boost electric turbocharger, which helps to produce more than 447kW of power alongside an internal-combustion engine while completely eliminating turbo lag.

 

Alfa Romeo’s Q4 all-wheel-drive system with torque vectoring will help send the GTV’s outputs to the ground, while perfect 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution and seating for four passengers is set to be on offer.

 

As such, the GTV is likely to be mechanically related to the Giulia mid-size sedan and will go toe to toe with the Mercedes-AMG C63 S coupe and BMW M4 Competition when it arrives.

 

The 8C last appeared in Competizione coupe and Spider soft-top guises from 2007 to 2010, with the pair limited to 500 global units each during their respective production runs.

 

Meanwhile, the GTV – or Gran Tursimo Veloce – has not been seen since 2005, while its Spider soft-top derivate lasted a year longer.

 

Alfa Romeo’s global segment coverage currently stands at 46 per cent, but will grow to 71 per cent in 2022 after it releases two other new models, a small SUV and a large SUV, that sit either side of the recently-introduced Stelvio.

 

Additionally, new-generation versions of the Giulietta small hatchback, Stelvio mid-size SUV and Giulia have been confirmed, but the MiTo light hatch and 4C sportscar appear to not be due for replacement.

 

As a result, Alfa Romeo expects its global sales to grow to 400,000 units – a 135.3 per cent increase over 2018’s expected total – with margins of 10 per cent by 2022.

 

Key to Alfa Romeo’s growth will be its introduction into key markets, such as the US and China, where stronger dealer networks are set to be established.

 

In China, where premium sales are expected to increase by 26 per cent in the next four years, Alfa Romeo intends to become a factor with the addition of long-wheelbase variants of the Giulia and Stelvio.

 

Annual global Alfa Romeo sales are expected to grow from 66,000 units in 2014 to about 170,000 examples in 2018, representing a growth of 158.6 per cent over the previous five-year period. However, this figure is down from the 700,000 examples projected for 2018 by the previous five-year plan.

 

The Americas and China are also projected to command a significant slice of Alfa Romeo’s global sales this year, at 16 and six per cent respectively, while still trailing behind Europe and Africa (74 per cent combined).

 

Alfa Romeo sales have improved significantly in Australia this year, with 401 examples sold to the end of April, representing a 44.8 per cent increase over the 277 deliveries made during the same period in 2017.

 

The Giulia and Stelvio have shouldered most of the load, with the former contributing 193 units while the latter has added 86 sales since hitting local showrooms in earlier this year.

 

The aforementioned small and large SUVs will play a critical role in growing Australian sales further, giving Alfa Romeo access to segments it has not entered before.

 

Diesel engines will also be discontinued globally as Alfa Romeo shift its attention towards electrification, including series-parallel and plug-in hybrid powertrains that deliver improved performance and efficiency.

 

The entire Alfa Romeo model line-up will be completely electrified by 2022, including six plug-in hybrids, while Level 2 and Level 3 autonomous technologies are set to be standardised at this time.

 

GoAuto contacted FCA Australia to see if any of these new Alfa Romeo models will make their way into local showrooms, but the company declined to comment.

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