Alfa to return to RWD

Many rumors about this car. Based on current Maserati QP? Based on current Jaguar XF if Tata Motors buys Jag/Land Rover and comes up with a deal with Fiat? Who knows. I find it difficult to believe that it will be an all new platform (too short a time span from now til then) so chances are it'll be based on something that's out there now.

 

I suppose Alfa is getting good at doing rebodies of existing platforms. Maybe the 169 and others will be larger volume applications.

 

Yeah, but having a car based on a Maserati is not such a bad thing, it could be worse. I just hope they eventually come to the US. I still don't know how they're going to do it by 2010 (current time of entry?) without any dealer network in place, too few Ferrari/Maserati dealerships.

 

The Maserati based platform seems to be the way they will go.I remember all the auto
magazines saying the new Alfa V6 24 valve was GM based(does GM make an all aluminum chain driven 24 valve 3.2 V6?).I think that rumor was started
because of the GM and FIAT merger talk.I dont think we will see any front wheel drive Alfas
is the USA(other than the old 164's).The 169 based sedan/coupe and spider will all be
rear drive Maserati based.

 

Nice. Personally I like awd and think that is the best way to go. I also think they need to get back in the states so I can buy one!!!

 

How's that, then?

 

Maybe he means the magneto-shocks?

 

¿Que?

Ferrari licenses the magnetorheological-fluid shock technology used in the Corvette, and the Cadillac Corvette-derivative, for the the shocks in the 599.

 

Yeah..I have a pic of the forthcoming 169 from a Chinese car magazine here that has affiliations with Autocar UK. Seems like a Pshop on a Qport though. Don't laugh..them chinese are serious about cars...
As for the GM 3.2 chain driven V6, most prolly it's from GM Opel's division, hence it's Germanic. The Cadillac rear axle is IIRC from Opel's division too for the CTS RWD platform which again is something like a re-bodied/engineered Opel Omega. I could be wrong here but GM is a global outfit and it's American yes...but they own German and Japanese and Korean manufacturers and tap they will/can from the gene pool to suit...

I love Alfas and till recently have always had an Alfa for a DD, last being the 166. Good to hear it's going back to RWD so that certain folks in Italy do not have to wear black at Alfa Romeo gatherings...

 

I understand the 3.2 V6 is a new FIAT design,not a GM design from Opel.

TT/SD

 

Basically all petrol engines on 159 and Breras are GM-sourced. The 3.2 V6 is derived from the Holden Alloytec V6/Cadillac HFV6, and is manufactured in Holden's Port Melbourne factory. The 4-cyl 1.9 and 2.2 JTS are derived from the 2.2 Ecotec, and are made in Opel's Kaiserslautern factory. The 1.8 is the same used by Opel.

(BTW, this is my first post. Hello everyone!)

 

Thanks for that reply.Did FIAT do anything to the design or just put Alfa badges
on it??

TT/SD

 

And welcome to Ferrarichat!!!!


TT

 

First of all, thanks for the welcome, I've been lurking for a while, this site is a great source of useful information!

Fiat worked with GM to develop and adapt the engines for Alfa Romeo. Heads are specific to Alfa, with the "Jet Thrust Stoichiometric" direct injection system - that means new pistons as well. And of course intake and exhaust manifolds.

They were not met with a particularly warm welcome; the 4-cylinders will be phased out shortly, in favor of new 1.8 turbocharged Fiat engines, while the V6 will survive a bit more.

 

They're made by Delphi. Cadillac was the first maker to use them. Then Corvette got them. Then Ferrari and Audi bought them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magneto_rheological_damper

 

And the 599's "rear axle" [sic] is not sourced from Cadillac.