Alfa Romeo recently presented its four-year roadmap, where a number of new models will make their way to market by 2022. The Italian automaker’s bold plans is aimed at expanding its coverage of the market from 46% currently to a more substantial 71%.
The most exciting part of the roadmap is the return of two iconic nameplates, the GTV (Gran Turismo Veloce) as well as the 8C. Both will be part of Alfa’s line of “specialty” vehicles, joining the likes of the 4C Coupe and 4C Spider.
Focusing on the GTV first, the performance car will feature a 50:50 weight distribution as well as seating for up to four passengers. As for the engine, it will come with an e-booster (electric turbocharging) for a total of 600 hp, which is more than the 2.9 litre twin-turbo V6 (505 hp) in the existing Giulia Quadrifoglio. An all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring is also touted.
As for the design, the car loosely resembles a two-door version of the existing Giulia, albeit with aggressively flared wheel arches and a noticeably different headlamp design. The roadmap mentioned that a new platform will be introduced, and the GTV could be one of the models to benefit from it.
New engines are also part of this plan, along with an electrification strategy. This includes conventional hybrid and plug-in hybrid systems, with the latter allowing for an all-electric range of over 50 km and a 0-100 km/h time of around four seconds. Diesel engines appear to have no place in Alfa’s future.
Moving on, Alfa also provided information about the resurrection of the 8C, which will come with a twin-turbo mid-mounted engine and an electrified front axle. The company claims the hybrid system (possibly a plug-in type) will serve over 700 hp and allow the car to do 0-100 km/h in under three seconds.
The accompanying image reveals rather sleek shape, with the four-leaf cloverleaf badge seen just ahead of the rear wheels. As the new flagship, the 8C’s carbon-fibre monocoque chassis will likely be entirely bespoke.
The 8C name was previously used on the 8C Competizione, which was made in both coupe and convertible forms (500 units each). The name has also been used for a number of road, race and sports cars in the 1930s.
Aside from the new specialty models, Alfa Romeo will also introduced updated versions of its Giuletta, Giulia and Stelvio. Long-wheelbase versions of the sedan and SUV will also be introduced in countries like China, which Alfa says will become the largest premium market in the world by 2022, surpassing even the United States.
To match car buyer’s insatiable love for SUVs, a compact size model will slot in below the Stelvio, while a larger one will look to take on the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE and Audi Q7. All upcoming models will be offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, up to Level 3 autonomy and connected systems. With this roadmap, Alfa is looking to increase its global sales from about 170,000 units currently to 400,000 units by 2022.
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GTV!
finally….after decades