http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArtic ... tta/247385
Fiat S.p.A. has a new Compact vehicle architecture that will soon underpin 700,000 Chrysler group vehicles annually in the US. and 300,000 in Europe by 2014. This architecture will be seen first in Europe at the Geneva Motor Show next month on the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta sporty hatchback. Fiat and Chrysler are working together to create a widened version of the architecture, called Compact Wide. This is intended to underpin at least seven new models for the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands. The Compact Wide architecture will be seen on Chrysler group cars, two compact sedans that will replace the Chrysler PT Cruiser and the Dodge Caliber in 2012.
Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne predict that the combined Compact/Compact Wide architecture volume will exceed 1 million units each year within four years. The Compact architecture’s modular design means that it can underpin vehicles of wheelbases of various sizes and lengths.
Fiat said that for the new architecture, it benchmarked Alfa Giulietta competitors such as the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series models.
At the Fiat’s testing grounds in Balocco, Stefano Re Fiorentin, Fiat’s head of advanced engineering, said that to develop the Compact architecture, the company searched for “best-in-class performances” when it comes to handling and steering response, weight-to-power ratio; noise, vibration and harshness, and active and passive safety.
The Alfa Romeo Giulietta will be quieter and better-riding than a VW Golf, and more agile than a Ford Focus, according to its makers. The all-new five-door hatchback will be launched at Geneva next month, and is the first Alfa model to utilise a new compact chassis.
As a result, Alfa is already claiming European class supremacy in handling, steering feel, performance-to-weight, ride comfort, NVH and safety, according to Matteo Benedetto, the Giulietta project manager.
For comparison tests, Alfa engineers chose the model they feel marks the “sweet spot” in the range, the 170bhp turbocharged MultiAir 1.4 litre with twin-clutch paddle-shift gearbox.
Priced similarly to VW Golf’s range, the Giulietta is likely to follow the same three-tier line-up (Touring, Lusso and Veloce) as the Mito, though there will be an even zippier 1.8-litre, 235 bhp Cloverleaf version at the very top. Most models will be in British showrooms by June.
The new chassis on which the Giulietta is based is also earmarked for a range of Fiat-Chrysler group vehicles that will eventually include sports cars, 4x4 saloons and SUVs.
Fiat Group chief, Sergio Marchionne, says the Alfa marque’s prospect of being launched in the US depend heavily on whether the Giulietta achieves its European targets first.
He is determined that the car, whose name was changed from Milano at the last minute after a dispute with Milanese workers, will reinstate the marque’s reputation for fine handling and performance.
While Alfa Romeo made a limited return to the United States with the 8C Competizione, a full scale onslaught could occur in 2012. During a speech last week, Fiat's CEO Sergio Marchionne said "I'm a lot more confident now that Alfa Romeo will reconstitute a product offering that is acceptable globally, and more in particular in the United States and Canada. There is a strong likelihood that the brand will be back here within the next 24 months."
While details are limited, Alfa Romeo's North American lineup would likely include the 159 replacement dubbed Giulia (a mid-sized sedan and station wagon) and a Chrysler 300-based 166 replacement. These models could be joined by the MiTo, considering several have been spotted in Metro Detroit.
Alfa's return to the U.S. could be a key turning point for the brand. In past decade, sales have been in a virtual freefall. Last year, Alfa was only able to sell 102,000 vehicles - a decline of 101,000 units compared to the year 2000.
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Marty Howard
2011 NASA SE Factory Five Challenge Champion
Track Events Logistics Coordinator - TZC/THSCC
2007 Factory Five Challenge Car.
http://www.mh-motorsports.com
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