Alfa Romeo Going Upscale with Maserati's Help

Alfa Romeo is not for sale. This much has been reiterated time and time again by Sergio Marchionne, whose burgeoning automotive empire includes the storied Italian marque, despite the best efforts of the Volkswagen Group (in its Italian buying craze) to scoop it up. But what does Fiat have planned for the Alfa brand it's holding on to so dearly? The brand's line-up currently consists exclusively of two hatchbacks: the MiTo and the Giulietta. But that's set to change soon with new models in the pipeline.

In speaking with Automotive News Europe, Marchionne indicated that Alfa could get a new flagship sedan to be built on a rear-drive platform borrowed from Maserati - likely the architecture being developed for the new Ghibli (as opposed to the larger Quattroporte). If plans were to proceed, it would be built in Italy and marketed around the world, and would be big enough to be chauffer-driven - a critical feature for markets like China. Taking the place vacated by the discontinuation of the 166 sedan in 2007, the new flagship sedan wouldn't be the tie to bind Alfa and Maserati together.

The two brands are run by the same chief executive (Harald Wester), and are tipped to partner on the production of the Alfa 4C, which could spawn more powerful version for Maserati. These models would join a revitalized range for Alfa Romeo that is set to also include the new Giulia sedan (replacing the old 159) and the new Spider being developed together with Mazda's next MX-5 Miata. Marchionne refused to confirm if an Alfa crossover was in the works, but did indicate that if such a model were to be built, it would be built in Italy - unlike the new Maserati Levante that will be produced by Jeep in the United States.