Alfa Romeo’s Product Plans Through 2016 Allegedly Leak Online

The Greek website Autoblog.gr claims to have obtained Alfa Romeo's proposed product plans for the next four years, a time frame that includes the Italian automaker's proposed return to the U.S. (Here's our recent take on which vehicles you can expect here.) The plans are laid out on what appear to be presentation slides, and even though they are somewhat vague, the product breakdowns back up most of what we already knew about Alfa's upcoming products, both globally and for the States. The documentation details the company's aggressive product expansion through 2016 from its current, weak two-model lineup (the subcompact MiTo and compact Giulietta) to nine entries.  The larger slide includes a graph placing nine new Alfa Romeo models on two axes based on price and size. There is one B-segment model, followed by one C-segment, three D-segment vehicles, one E-segment, and three "specialties." The B-sized ride is the MiTo hatchback and the C is the Giulietta (which shares its architectural basis with the new Dodge Dart). The D-sized players are the upcoming Giulia mid-sized sedan and wagon, as well as a compact crossover based on the next Jeep Compass/Patriot. The E-segment offering will be a large, rear-drive sedan loosely based on that Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger bones that also will underpin the upcoming Maserati Ghibli. Finally, the specialty Alfas, all of which are sports cars, include the mid-engined 4C coupe and roadster, plus the new Duetto/Spider rear-drive roadster that will be architecturally twinned with the next Mazda Miata. Comparison Test: 2013 Dodge Dart Rallye vs. 2012 Ford Focus SE Instrumented Test: 2013 Fiat 500 Turbo First Drive: 2013 Dodge Dart 2.0L Automatic Also among Autoblog.gr's leaked info is an unlabeled timeline showing which models will arrive each year between now and 2016. (It's unclear from the documentation whether the years are calendar years or model years.) The current MiTo is aging, so our guess is that its replacement falls under the 2013 header, although we don't expect it to be sold in the United States. That year should bring a refreshed Giulietta, too. Next to arrive will be the all-new 4C for 2014, followed in 2015 by the Duetto/Spider, the Giulia sedan and wagon, and the compact crossover. Finally, 2016 will see the arrival of the large E-segment sedan and probably a fully redesigned Giulietta. (Other interpretations: The rear-drive flagship may be a 2015 entrant, and may be assembled in North America given that one icon lacks an Italian flag. The 4C coupe and roadster timing might also be staggered.) Alfa's slides include a strong emphasis on becoming a "truly global premium brand" with "significant sales" in NAFTA (North American) and EMEA (European, Middle Eastern, and African) markets. The brand is currently due here in 2014, a target we look forward to seeing Alfa Romeo meet after years of false promises regarding a return to the U.S. from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

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