Inside Line has learned that Fiat plans to resurrect the Alfa Romeo 166 sedan (1998-2007). The new sedan, known internally as Project 169, would switch from front-wheel-drive architecture to a rear-drive setup and share its basic structure with the next-gen Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger.
All three sedans would be sold primarily in North America and Chrysler's Brampton, Ontario, plant seems most likely.
The Alfa version would apparently use unique powertrains and have significantly different suspension tuning.
Sources close to the project suggest the new platform architecture might also spawn the next Alfa Romeo Brera and even a resurrected Alfa Spider, but this is unconfirmed.
And, yes, we're again hearing that Chrysler will borrow Fiat's A-segment (Fiat 500/Panda, Alfa MiTo), B-segment (Fiat Grande Punto) and C-segment (Fiat Bravo, Alfa Milano, Alfa Giulia) platform architecture to develop a new line of small and midsize cars. The Milano and Giulia would replace the Alfa 147 and 159, respectively, and if all goes well, those could be built in the U.S. alongside Chrysler and Dodge versions.
Yes, indeed, if all goes well...
IL Exclusive: Alfa 166 Replacement To Be U.S.-Built
So that's the old Alfa 166 in the above picture. Follow the jump to watch Jeremy Clarkson's Top Gear road test of the 166.
smihal says:
08:30 AM, 09/24/09
RWD! yay!
Sharing its basic structure with the next-gen Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger! Not so much.....
stovt001 says:
08:45 AM, 09/24/09
The IL news article says in the title it will be U.S. built, but the article itself says Ontario. Given how this entry says North America, I take that to mean the U.S. thing was an error. Right?
compliance says:
09:02 AM, 09/24/09
Badge engineering all over again.
arm51 says:
10:51 AM, 09/24/09
smihal - Hate to tell you, but it's FWD...as most Alfas are.
arm51 says:
10:52 AM, 09/24/09
Or maybe I should pay attention to the article and see what they're going to do with the new model compared to the old. My apologies!
jederino says:
02:00 PM, 09/24/09
Sharing platforms is a brilliant way to share R&D. There's plenty of room for each automaker to change the myriad other variables for different results.
estreka says:
06:14 PM, 09/24/09
If Alfa builds their equivalent of the Miata off Chrysler's fullsize platform, I'm guessing neither will do well.
Fiat seems to think they got a deal when they bought Chrysler for nothing, but what they'll eventually find out is that the value of the brand is more of a debt.
cwc1 says:
07:04 PM, 09/24/09
At least its engine isn't covered up by a bunch of cheap plastic.